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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-7316
U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman today announced that
the states of Massachusetts and South Carolina were approved for
Welfare-to-Work grants totaling $32.6 million for Fiscal Year 1998. This money
is part of the $2.2 billion available nationwide in state grants to help local
communities transform the lives of long-term welfare recipients.
"People want to work," said Herman. "They want the dignity
and respect work brings. This funding will help those in Massachusetts and
South Carolina find jobs, keep jobs, and gain the skills to move up the ladder
of success toward economic self-sufficiency."
Massachusetts and South Carolina join Illinois, Louisiana,
Michigan, Nebraska, and Nevada in putting President Clinton's Welfare-to-Work
initiative into action. Additional state grants will be announced as they are
approved.
Herman added that, local communities in these states will
now have the resources to move America's newest workers--those with multiple
employment barriers to overcome--into decent jobs with real opportunities for
advancement."
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 two states announced today are receiving grants because
their plans have been approved by the department, enabling the Secretary 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 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
Massachusetts and South Carolina follow, with state contacts listed for further
information.
MASSACHUSETTS
| Federal Funds to be Provided to State: |
$20,692,295 |
| State Match: |
$5 million for FY 98 |
State Agency to Administer the Program:
Corporation For Business, Work and
Learning
529 Main Street
Boston, MA 02129
Contact:
Suzanne
Teegarden, President
617-727-8158
SOUTH CAROLINA
| Federal Funds to be Provided to State: |
$12,006,432 |
| Amount of Match State has Agreed to Provide: |
$6,003,216 |
State Agency to Administer the Program:
South Carolina Employment Security
Commission (ESC)
1550 Gadsden Street
P.O. Box 1406
Columbia, South
Carolina 29202
Contact:
J.M. "Mac" Rutland, Assistant Deputy Executive
Director
803-737-2611
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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