WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of five grants totaling $400,000 to California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky. The grants are part of the department's Reemployment Connections initiative, an effort to better integrate the Unemployment Insurance program with the broader workforce system in order to improve the re-employment outcomes for Unemployment Insurance claimants and other job seekers.

$450M in grants to nearly 270 community colleges partnering with more than 400 employers nationally

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced grants totaling $18,597,758 to eight states to provide education, training and employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. The grants are part of the Disability Employment Initiative, a program jointly funded and administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration and Office of Disability Employment Policy.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending September 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 305,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 310,000. The 4-week moving average was 308,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average of 315,000.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced awards totaling approximately $176.4 million to 40 state workforce agencies for Unemployment Insurance program integrity, performance and system improvement projects. The grants are intended to: support the prevention and detection of UI improper benefit payments, improve state performance and address outdated information technology system infrastructures necessary to improve UI program integrity.

New York and Massachusetts awarded grants to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending September 14, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 309,000, an increase of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 294,000. The 4-week moving average was 314,750, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average of 321,750.

Grants are third installment of nearly $2 billion community college initiative

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,131,089 National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment assistance to approximately 1,120 workers affected by layoffs at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, and the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending September 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 292,000, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 323,000. The 4-week moving average was 321,250, a decrease of 7,500 from the previous week's revised average of 328,750.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor, through its contractor IMPAQ International, announced the availability of approximately $80,000 in funding for the 2013 Employment and Training Administration's Research Papers Program.

WASHINGTON — A $2,205,753 National Emergency Grant was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to assist about 645 workers affected by layoffs at The Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash.

"As the economy continues to improve, we need to ensure that workers are in the best position possible to fill available jobs," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This federal grant will help former Boeing workers enhance their skills so they can more easily transition to new employment opportunities."

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of grants totaling $2,335,270 to Mississippi and New York to develop and enhance Self-Employment Assistance programs for eligible individuals. Participants in this voluntary program will receive: entrepreneurial training; access to resources to help to help launch their own businesses and financial assistance, which will be equal to what qualified participants would otherwise receive under their Unemployment Insurance benefit eligibility.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 331,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 337,000. The 4-week moving average was 331,250, an increase of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 330,500.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $4,760,671 National Emergency Grant to assist New York with cleanup and recovery efforts after the severe storms and flooding that struck the state from June 26 to July 4, 2013.

"The Mohawk Valley area of New York experienced significant flooding and other storm-related damage. With this federal grant, impacted communities can move forward with cleanup and restoration activities while also providing temporary work opportunities for those in need of employment," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 336,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 323,000. The 4-week moving average was 330,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 332,750.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded an $807,193 National Emergency Grant to assist about 220 individuals affected by the closure of the Kewaunee Power Station in Kewaunee, Wis.

"These workers have specialized job skills needed in the nuclear power industry, and this federal funding will provide a range of re-employment services and opportunities," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric Seleznow.

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a grant of $332,576 to the state of Oregon to enhance and promote its Self-Employment Assistance program. The program provides entrepreneurial services for individuals eligible to receive regular unemployment compensation as well as individuals eligible to receive Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

WASHINGTON — A $250,000 National Emergency Grant announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor will assist West Virginians with cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and flooding that struck the state on June 13, 2013.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 320,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 335,000. The 4-week moving average was 332,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 336,000.