U.S. Department of Labor Awards Arkansas National Dislocated Worker Grant Funding to Aid Recovery from Severe Storms and Flooding

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved funding of $467,540 in response to a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant application submitted by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services on March 23, 2020. The funding will assist the state with disaster-relief efforts in northwest counties affected by severe storms in June 2019. 

Following the storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a major disaster declaration, allowing the State to request this funding to assist with recovery efforts in Madison and Newton counties, both of which have been declared eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment 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.