U.S. Department of Labor Awards More than $14 Million to California to Continue Disaster Recovery Efforts after November 2018 Wildfires

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced additional funding of $14,666,667 for a National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded in response to wildfires that occurred in November 2018. These funds will allow grant participants to continue disaster-relief cleanup in California communities affected by the wildfires, as well as provide for the continuation of employment and training services to eligible individuals in those communities.

FEMA issued a major disaster declaration in response to the fires in November 2018, allowing the State to request Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant funding.  Grant participants in disaster-relief positions address cleanup and humanitarian assistance activities in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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 of Labor 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.