US Department of Labor announces continued funding to support young offenders returning to their communities from juvenile justice facilities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $17.2 million for a third year of funding for four Young Offender State and Local Implementation grants and one Young Offender Intermediary grant. The four state and local programs will continue to provide training, employment and supportive services to youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. The intermediary grantee will continue implementing a model program for returning juvenile offenders. All five grants originally were awarded in 2009.

"Today the Labor Department continues our commitment to supporting young ex-offenders by helping them develop the skills they need to gain employment," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The programs funded by these grants provide vital opportunities for young former offenders who want to get on a path to success."

The state and local grants were awarded to the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in Washington, D.C.; the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services in Baltimore, Md.; the Texas Youth Commission in Austin, Texas; and the Washington Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia, Wash. These grantees provide services to youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system within the past year but have never been involved in the adult criminal justice system. Participants are generally between the ages of 14 and 24.

The intermediary re-entry grant, awarded to YouthBuild Newark Inc. in Newark, N.J., supports the design and implementation of four model programs for returning juvenile offenders. These programs are operated by the following subgrantees: Paul's Community Development Corp. serving Passaic County, N.J.; Brand New Day Inc. serving Elizabeth City, N.J.; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese serving Jersey City, N.J.; and Covenant House serving Atlantic City, N.J.

For more information on the range of Department of Labor employment and training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

Editor's Note: A breakdown of the award amounts by grantee follows this news release.

Young Offender State and Local Implementation, and Young Offender Intermediary Grants