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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211
U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman today announced the first of $2.2
billion in state grants to help local communities transform the lives of
long-term welfare recipients. Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and
Nevada were approved for grants totaling $122 million for Fiscal Year 1998.
Other state grants will be announced as they are approved.
"Today begins the roll-out of President Clinton's Welfare-to-Work
initiative, representing the largest new investment in workforce development
since the 1970s," Herman said.
"Local communities will now have the resources to move America's newest
workers, those with multiple barriers to overcome, into decent jobs with
opportunities for advancement."
The welfare-to-work state grants are part of a $3 billion national
effort to combat dependency among welfare recipients who face the most
difficult obstacles to employment.
"People want to work," said Herman. "They want the dignity and respect
work brings. This funding will help put them on the road to finding jobs,
keeping jobs, and gaining the skills to move up the ladder of success toward
economic self-sufficiency."
Under the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1997, $2.2 billion will be
allocated by formula over two years to states based on their population of poor
people and adult recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Another
$711.5 million will be awarded on a competitive basis directly by the Secretary
of Labor to local communities for projects that emphasize innovation,
collaboration and sustainable strategies to attain quality employment, earnings
and other successful outcomes for welfare recipients.
The five states announced today are receiving grants because their
plans have been approved by the department, enabling the Secretary of Labor to
disburse the welfare-to-work state formula funds to them. Eighty-five percent
of those funds will be sent to Private Industry Councils that will design and
operate collaborative, integrated programs tailored to meet local labor market
needs.
The grants may be used to fund, for example, unsubsidized and
subsidized employment; work experience; on-the-job training; and
post-employment retention services, such as child care and transportation
assistance.
# # #
Editor's Note: Grant amounts to be allocated to each of the five states
follow, with state contacts listed for further information.
Welfare-to-Work State Grants
| ILLINOIS |
|
| Federal Funds To Be Provided To State: |
$48,662,838 |
| State Match: |
$36 Million for Fiscal Year 1998 |
| State Agency To Administer The Program: |
|
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
620 East Adams
Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Contact:
Herbert D. Dennis
217-785-6006
| LOUISIANA |
|
| Federal Funds To Be Provided To State: |
$23,707,338 |
| State Match: |
$11,853,669 |
| State Agency To Administer The Program: |
|
Louisiana Department of Labor
P.O. Box 94094
Baton Rouge,
Louisiana 70804-9094
Contact:
Sujuan Boutte
504-342-7693
| MICHIGAN |
|
| Federal Funds To Be Provided To State: |
$42,226,331 |
| State Match: |
Projecting approximately $21 million |
| State Agency To Administer The Program: |
|
Michigan Jobs Commission
201 N. Washington Square, 4th Floor
Lansing, MI 48913
Contact:
Robert T. Pendleton
517-335-5853
| NEBRASKA |
|
| Federal Funds To Be Provided To State: |
$4,021,585 |
| State Match: |
$2,010,793 |
| State Agency To Administer The Program: |
|
Nebraska Department of Labor
550 South 16th Street
P.O. Box
94600
Lincoln, NE 68509
Contact:
Fernando Lecuona, III
402-471-9792
| NEVADA |
|
| Federal Funds To Be Provided To State: |
$3,384,072 |
| State Match: |
$1,692,036 |
| State Agency To Administer The Program: |
|
Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation and Human
Resources
State Welfare Division
2527 No. Carson Street
Carson
City, NV 89706
Contact:
Terry Coyle
702-687-5675
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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