U.S. Department Of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to New Jersey in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $9,000,000, with $3,000,000 released initially, to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The grant will support disaster-relief jobs and provide employment services to eligible individuals in New Jersey communities affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdoses.

This grant will provide eligible participants with disaster-relief employment in peer recovery positions that will assist individuals affected by opioid use with access to recovery resources. It will also provide employment and training services to reintegrate eligible individuals back into the workforce. The state anticipates serving approximately 900 grant participants across nine counties.

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

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.

The mission of the department is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.