On September 14, 2019, the Employment and Training Administration issued Training and Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 04-18 announcing the Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants to help communities respond to the opioid crisis.

The Opioid Disaster Recovery Dislocated Workers Grant (DWG) will create temporary employment opportunities aimed at alleviating humanitarian and other needs created by the opioid crisis. These funds may also provide services to reintegrate workers affected by the crisis and train individuals to work in mental health treatment, addiction treatment, and pain management.

The goals of the Opioid Disaster Recovery DWGs are to:

  • Facilitate community partnerships that are central to dealing with the complex public health crisis;
  • Provide training that builds the skilled workforce in professions that could impact the causes and treatment of the opioid crisis: addiction treatment, mental health, and pain management;
  • Ensure the timely delivery of appropriate, necessary career, training and support activities to dislocated workers (including displaced homemakers) , individuals temporarily or permanently laid off due to the opioid crisis, long-term unemployed individuals, and self-employed individuals who are unemployed or significantly underemployed as a result of the opioid public health emergency - including individuals in these populations who have been impacted by opioid use, to promote successful reemployment; and
  • Create temporary disaster-relief employment that addresses the unique impacts of the opioid crisis in affected communities.

Awarded Grants