November 10, 2020 - WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday approved additional funding for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant awarded to the California Department of Employment Development in response to the wildfires of November 2018. Today’s award of $14,666,666 will allow grant participants to continue disaster-relief cleanup and recovery efforts in the communities affected by the fires, as well as provide for the continuation of employment and training services to eligible individuals in those communities. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration in response to the fires in November 2018, allowing the state to request Dislocated Worker Grant funding. Grant participants in disaster-relief positions address cleanup and humanitarian assistance activities in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
Source: DOL