The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $26.5 million to 25 states to implement or enhance the Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) Initiative for unemployment insurance (UI) recipients. Vermont will get $688,156.
"Unemployment insurance is a centerpiece of the social safety net, but it is only part of a process designed to help get workers back into good jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "By expanding training and employment services, these grants will help prepare workers for employment in thriving regional industries, and give them a better opportunity to provide for their families."
"These grants represent another way in which vital support is being provided to unemployed workers and their families including auto workers," added Dr. Ed Montgomery, executive director of the White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers. "By taking advantage of the resources available in the REA initiative, the workers will be able to find good jobs that match their skills."
Today's funding will allow staff at one-stop career centers to conduct in-person assessments with individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation. These assessments are used to determine which services and/or training are appropriate for each worker. Each worker also develops an individual work-search plan and is provided with labor market information that allows for a more focused job search.
This funding will allow 16 new states to implement the REA Initiative, with the remaining nine using funds to expand or improve current programs.
For more information on unemployment insurance, and the range of Department of Labor training and employment programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.
Editor's note: A list of grantees follows this news release.
2009 REA GRANTS
STATE GRANT AMOUNTS
ARIZONA* $391,701
CALIFORNIA* $3,180,000
FLORIDA $3,078,796
HAWAII $521,860
IOWA* $819,089
IDAHO $51,780
INDIANA $492,000
KANSAS* $425,492
MARYLAND* $1,019,462
MISSOURI* $591,908
MISSISSIPPI* $1,473,459
MONTANA* $656,750
NORTH CAROLINA* $1,878,255
NEBRASKA* $474,487
NEW JERSEY $144,158
NEVADA $496,400
NEW YORK $3,892,177
OHIO $2,746,970
OREGON* $461,222
PUERTO RICO* $408,450
SOUTH CAROLINA $33,600
TENNESSEE* $980,094
VERMONT* $688,156
WEST VIRGINIA* $231,678
WISCONSIN* $1,333,892
TOTALS $26,471,836
* NEW REA STATES
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visithttp://www.dol.gov/compliance.
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --