U.S. Department of Labor Offers States Receiving National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grants Additional Funds for Fidelity Bonds

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced funds available to increase the usage of fidelity bonds, through the Federal Bonding Program (FBP), to secure employment opportunities for workers recovering from the misuse of opioids. 

The Department is committed to helping those recovering from opioid use find family-sustaining jobs, informing employers about opportunities to provide second chances, and advancing strategies to address barriers to employment that may exist. 

In March 2018, the Department awarded $22 million in National Health Emergency demonstration grants to Alaska, Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington to combat the workforce-related challenges caused by widespread abuse of opioids. These resources help address employment and training needs as part of a comprehensive, community-based recovery strategy to help individuals impacted by opioid use to retain or return to employment. States awarded these grants now have the opportunity to pilot the Federal Bonding Program (FBP) as an additional tool to decrease employment barriers for recovering opioid users.

The FBP provides fidelity bond insurance, issued free-of-charge to employers, as a unique job placement tool that assists hard-to-place job applicants in obtaining employment.  

For additional information on the Federal Bonding Program, visit http://bonds4jobs.com/