U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Washington State 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 $863,500 to the Washington State Employment Security Department. The grant will support disaster-relief jobs and provide employment services to eligible individuals in Washington communities affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

This grant will provide eligible participants with disaster-relief employment in peer support counseling positions will assist individuals affected by opioid use obtain 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 90 grant participants in Clark and Cowlitz counties.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling the State of Washington 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 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.