U.S. Department of Labor Provides National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Michigan Talent Investment Agency for up to $1,809,752, with $800,000 released initially. This grant funding will address the workforce impacts of the opioid crisis in Macomb County by providing employment services to eligible individuals affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.  

The project will provide eligible grant participants with disaster-relief employment as peer recovery coaches in a community recovery organization combatting the effects of the crisis.  The project will also provide employment services to eligible participants seeking careers in healthcare professions related to addiction, treatment, prevention, and pain management.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling Michigan to request this funding for a DWG project. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.