WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking nominations for members of the new Workforce Information Advisory Council. The council is being established as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, enacted on July 22, 2014.

WASHINGTON — Now well into its fourth year, one of the worst droughts in California in more than a century continues to cause economic insecurity for many families in the region, particularly in the agriculture sector. A recent University of California Davis study estimates 18,000 people lost jobs because of drought.

WASHINGTON — In many of our nation's cities, youth unemployment rates are twice, or even three times the national average. While others in our nation see a return to prosperity, a large number of young Americans risk falling behind. Without specific actions to combat the problem, critically high jobless rates can lead to hopelessness and despair.

To address these issues, the U.S. Department of Labor is making $1,615,102 available to the state of South Carolina to fund a demonstration project for youth in the city of North Charleston.

State: Iowa

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant

Initial Amount Released: $518,643

Total Award Amount Approved: $3,058,322

Funding Awarded to: Iowa Workforce Development

Number of Workers to Be Served: About 650

State: Iowa

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant

Initial Amount Released: $518,643

Total Award Amount Approved: $3,058,322

Funding Awarded to: Iowa Workforce Development

Number of Workers to Be Served: About 650

Typhoon Dolphin. Photo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Territory: Guam

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant

WASHINGTON —In many of our nation's cities, youth unemployment rates are twice, or even three times the national average. While others in our nation see a return to prosperity, a large number of young Americans risk falling behind. Without specific actions to combat the problem, critically high jobless rates can lead to hopelessness and despair. Recent civil unrest in Baltimore has further highlighted the need to expand opportunity for the city's youth and young adults.

WASHINGTON — In many of our nation's cities, youth unemployment rates are twice, or even three times the national average. While others in our nation see a return to prosperity, a large number of young Americans risk falling behind. Without specific actions to combat the problem, critically high jobless rates can lead to hopelessness and despair.

To address these issues, the U.S. Department of Labor is making $1,740,090 available to the state of Texas to fund a demonstration project for youth in the city of Houston.

WASHINGTON — In many of our nation's cities, youth unemployment rates are twice, or even three times the national average. While others in our nation see a return to prosperity, a large number of young Americans risk falling behind. Without specific actions to combat the problem, critically high jobless rates can lead to hopelessness and despair.

To address these issues, the U.S. Department of Labor is making $1,994,350 available to the state of New Jersey to fund a demonstration project for youth in the city of Camden.

State: Michigan

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant incremental

Incremental Amount Released: $455,211

Total Award Amount Approved: $1,321,161

Funding Awarded to: The Michigan Strategic Fund

Number of Workers Served: About 200

State: Michigan

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant incremental

Incremental Amount Released: $455,211

Total Award Amount Approved: $1,321,161

Funding Awarded to: The Michigan Strategic Fund

Number of Workers Served: About 200

State: West Virginia

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant

Initial Amount Released: $670,000

Total Award Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Funding Awarded to: WorkForce West Virginia

Number of Workers to Be Served: About 200

WASHINGTON — In many of our nation's cities, youth unemployment rates are twice, or even three times the national average. While others in our nation see a return to prosperity, a large number of young Americans risk falling behind. Without specific actions to combat the problem, critically high jobless rates can lead to hopelessness and despair.

State: West Virginia

Type of Award: National Emergency Grant

Initial Amount Released: $670,000

Total Award Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Funding Awarded to: WorkForce West Virginia

Number of Workers to Be Served: About 200

WASHINGTON — Effective workforce strategies depend on good data to understand how education programs affect employment outcomes better. To maintain the highest quality data possible, the U.S. Department of Labor and workforce agencies nationwide are working together in the Workforce Data Quality Initiative.

WASHINGTON — Unemployment Insurance benefits and state workforce agencies are vital to unemployed Americans who rely on both as they work to find new employment. To support their efforts, the U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $80 million to workforce agencies — in 44 states and in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia — to provide re-employment and eligibility assessments. The funds will also implement the new Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments program.