Workforce Development Grants Roundup

By Mary Velan
Gov1

Cities across the country are taking advantage of state and federal funding to support workforce development programs that spur long-term economic growth.

NOLA's Re-Entry Program
In New Orleans, the NOLA for Life initiative just received an $825,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The money will support the organization's re-entry program which provides ex-convicts with a variety of services to help them get back into the local job market. The services include:

• Counseling
• Job training
• Employment opportunities

The goal of the three-year grant is to help the New Orleans City Hall and local partners hire more employees to support increased outreach efforts in the community, The Times-Picayune reported.

To be eligible for the the services, residents must be between the ages of 16 and 35 and have already committed a felony. Applicants must have no more than a high school education and plan to return to New Orleans once they have served their time. According to the latest figures, those who participate in the program for at least six months report a recidivism rate of 8 percent, The Times-Picayune reported.

Read full coverage here .