Birmingham, AL – Today, the U.S. Labor Department announced $64.5 million in grants as part of the Obama administration’s efforts to break the cycle of poverty, crime, and incarceration in the U.S. The department is awarding grants to 40 organizations providing services in 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The awards provide funding for employment programs serving at-risk youth, and currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. The Dannon Project, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that provides supportive services, case management and referrals to at-risk populations across Central Alabama, received $5.86 million to support its continuing efforts with reentry and career pathway programs.

The grants are part of a series of new actions taken by the Obama administration to reduce recidivism and promote reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals covering areas including: Reentry Demonstration Projects for Young Adults, Training to Work, Pathways to Justice Careers, and Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release.

“This is outstanding news for the Dannon Project, a phenomenal resource in our community, as well as individuals looking to successfully reintegrate into society after having been incarcerated,” states Congresswoman Sewell. “These funds will allow for at-risk individuals to receive the hard and soft skills, and other wrap-around services they need to get a fresh start and become productive citizens. This is a win-win situation for our communities.”

“America works best when we field a full team, but far too many people who have been involved with the criminal justice system are being left on the sidelines,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez as a part of the announcement. “These grants are an important step in fulfilling our promise as a land of second chances by moving beyond locking people up and instead working together to unlock their potential.”

Background

The Reentry Demonstration Projects for Young Adults Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) provides the opportunity for organizations to build a customized project built on evidence-based and informed interventions, serving young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 who have been involved in the juvenile or adult justice system and reside in high-poverty, high-crime communities.

The Training to Work 3 - Adult Reentry (T2W3) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) provides the opportunity for up to 14 organizations to develop and implement career pathways programs in demand sectors and occupations for men and women, including veterans, and people with disabilities, who are at least 18 years old and who are enrolled in work release programs (WRP).

The Pathways to Justice Careers for Youth (PJC) program supports at-risk and court-involved youth that are still in school by providing: 1) exposure to the world of work in the career fields of justice and emergency services, 2) mentoring to encourage participants to complete a high school diploma or equivalency, and 3) supportive services that engage participants and deter them from engaging or re-engaging with the criminal justice system.

The Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release through Specialized America Job Centers (AJCS) - ("LEAP-2") purpose is to provide incarcerated individuals with workforce services prior to release and link them to a continuum of services offered through their community-based AJCs post-release.
For more information on DOL employment and training programs, visit: https://doleta.gov/#