WASHINGTON — To ensure that public workforce systems evolve to serve the needs of job seekers and businesses alike, the U.S. Department of Labor is awarding more than $35 million in grants to support and study federally funded employment and training programs.

State: Massachusetts

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Total Amount Approved: $1,968,992

Initial Award Amount: $808,693

Awarded to: Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 150

WASHINGTON — More than $39.3 million in federal grants awarded today will enhance unemployment insurance programs in 45 states and territories, and reduce the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, the U.S. Department of Labor announced.

The funding will help prevent and detect improper benefit payments, improve program performance, address outdated information technology systems, and combat employee misclassification that underpays and denies benefits to workers and hurts local economies.

WASHINGTON — Six states will receive grants totaling $14,911,243 to improve employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. The grants to Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, New York and Washington are being awarded as part of the Disability Employment Initiative, a joint initiative of the department's Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy.

WASHINGTON — Last month, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez met a young Camden man named Donny during a visit to New Jersey to tour the facilities of YouthBuild Camden. Before YouthBuild, Donny felt he was on the wrong path and headed toward a life on the streets.

State: Missouri

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Released: $1,003,000

Total Award Amount Approved: Up to $3,280,823

Funding Awarded to: Missouri Division of Workforce Development

Number of Workers to Be Served: About 175

State: Maine

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Supplemental Amount Released: $336,233

Initial Award Amount Released: $284,879

Funding Awarded to: Maine Department of Labor

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 262

WASHINGTON — Education and job training are among the surest pathways to the middle class. To mark the beginning of the school year, the President, the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, and Secretary Arne Duncan will travel across the country in the coming days to highlight the need for affordable, quality career and education choices for students and to discuss some of the many ways the Administration is working to provide all Americans with the skills and knowledge they need to acquire good-paying jobs and grow the economy.

State: Arkansas

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Released: $740,000

Total Award Amount Approved: $2.2 million

Funding Awarded to: Arkansas Department of Workforce Services

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 111

Territory: Northern Mariana Islands

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Released: $500,000

Total Award Amount Approved: $6 million

Funding Awarded to: Northern Mariana Islands Workforce Investment Agency

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 300

State: Texas

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Initial Amount Released: $718,356

Total Award Amount Approved: $2,155,068

Funding Awarded to: Texas Workforce Commission

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 120

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.