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CORRECTION: A previous version of this news release included the wrong grant amount. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the amount of the grant is up to $10 million.
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Employment Security Department, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County get grant to help improve re-entry outcomes
OLYMPIA - A new federal grant aims to help connect people exiting King County federal corrections custody with re-entry and employment services.
The Washington State Employment Security Department and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County will receive up to $10 million from a four-year federal grant called Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD). The grant stems from a first-of-its-kind partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The grant supports people who live in residential re-entry centers, also known as transitional housing, to expand their access to more re-entry services. The grant adds staffing to Washington’s workforce system and builds on existing partnerships between the Workforce Development Council, and federal justice and prison systems.
Employment Security Department and the Workforce Development Council will coordinate access to additional re-entry services.
"The magic in this grant is that it will bring these systems together to help improve outcomes for justice-impacted individuals," Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek said. 'Ensuring access to workforce training for Washingtonians who are reintegrating into their communities from federal corrections custody remains a priority for our agency.'
The grant also aims to strengthen local communities by reducing recidivism among program participants. It aligns with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s Executive Order 1605, 'Building Safe and Strong Communities Through Successful Reentry' and Employment Security Department’s mission statement and core values.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration division announced Sept. 28 that it is awarding more than $63 million to workforce agencies in 11 states, including Washington.