US Department of Labor awards more than $2.8M for continued support of employment, training services to combat effects of Ohio’s opioid crisis

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an incremental award of more than $2.8 million to support continued efforts to provide disaster-relief employment and training services for Ohio communities affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose. 

In March 2022, the department awarded an Opioid Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $8.5 million – with an initial award of $2.8 million – to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to combat the effects of the opioid crisis on workers in the region. Funds will also be used to employ people as peer recovery coaches; hospital support staff needed to address increases in drug-related admissions and babies born addicted; and as social service aides to assist children now in foster care due to their parents’ substance use disorders. 

The department awarded a second increment of $2.8 million in May 2023. With today’s funding, the total awarded for the project is $8.5 million. 

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

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the Opioid Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grants create temporary disaster-relief jobs and provide employment and training services to reintegrate workers affected by the opioid crisis into the workforce.