WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $5,594,913 National Emergency Grant increment to the state of New York to continue to provide services to about 5,500 workers affected by layoffs in New York's financial industry.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $964,762 grant to assist around 210 workers affected by layoffs at the International Paper Co. in Albany, Ore.

"This grant will provide Oregonians with retraining and re-employment services that will help them secure the good jobs that they need and deserve," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Helping these workers is not just an important part of Oregon's economic recovery; it is the right thing both for the local community and our nation as a whole."

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor today announced a competition for approximately $13.2 million in grant funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create and implement a virtual service-delivery platform and promote career exploration in the healthcare sector.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today unveiled a new regulation that is the first substantive rulemaking on the Trade Adjustment Assistance program in more than 15 years. The rule will implement changes to the TAA funding formula, as required by the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These changes to the funding formula will improve the way the department provides TAA funding to states.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 3,400 workers from companies in 11 states – Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon and Virginia – are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 439,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 445,000. The 4-week moving average was 447,250, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 454,000.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.6 percent for the week ending March 20, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.6 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 2010 allotments to states and outlying areas under the Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act. The nearly $4 billion in funds will be used to help Americans get back to work through high quality employment and training services, which are delivered largely through the department's national network of One-Stop Career Centers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $13,614,919 grant to assist about 2,817 workers affected by layoffs at multiple companies in Wisconsin, primarily in the manufacturing sector.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,700,000 grant to assist approximately 319 workers affected by documented and projected layoffs from multiple companies in a defined regional economy in the southwest portion of Alabama. The region is comprised of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of a report evaluating the outcomes of the Limited English Proficiency and Hispanic Worker Initiative project grants launched four years ago. The report findings highlight both challenges and successes of a pilot project intended to develop language and training opportunities for workers with limited English proficiency skills.

Note: This week's release reflects the annual revision to the weekly unemployment claims seasonal adjustment factors. The historical factors from 2005 forward have been revised. The calendar year 2010 factors can be accessed at the following link: http://www.oui.doleta.gov/press/2010/032510.asp

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $12 million in additional funding to 24 programs that are currently operating prisoner re-entry programs through the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders initiative.

"Rehabilitated ex-offenders are returning to communities across the country in record numbers. And today's funding continues our commitment to supporting programs that will help them re-enter society and transition to stable careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,137,425 grant to assist about 100 workers affected by layoffs at Joe's Sports, Outdoor, Auto/Truck and More in Wilsonville, Ore.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $4,847,959 grant to provide an estimated 1,500 jobless workers in Washington state with partial premium payments for health insurance coverage.

"Today's grant will help Washington state residents pay for health insurance while they seek new employment. That makes good sense. After all, losing your job is bad enough, but the impact is gravely compounded if it also means the loss of health benefits," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $8,197,664 Regional Economic Impact National Emergency Grant to assist dislocated workers in California's San Joaquin Valley. This region is comprised of Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne counties.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending March 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 457,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 462,000. The 4-week moving average was 471,250, a decrease of 4,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 475,500.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for the week ending March 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 3.5 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced more than $34 million in grant funding to six high schools that have been deemed persistently dangerous by state educational agencies. Funds will support programs that reduce violence and improve educational outcomes through mentoring, alternative learning strategies, employment and case management.

WASHINGTON – A report released today by the U.S. Department of Labor found that the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative was largely successful in connecting young workers with employment experiences. Overall, 317,000 young people took part in the initiative.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the availability of approximately $125 million in funds for Community-Based Job Training Grants.

Grants will fund outreach and technical assistance to workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced approximately $1.2 million in grant funds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from the dislocated workers assistance national reserve. A solicitation for grants announcement appears in today's Federal Register. One to four projects will be funded to provide technical assistance and outreach to dislocated workers impacted by foreign trade.