RI to Receive $1.25 Million in Re-Employment Grants
PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced that the
state will receive $1,249,242 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide
re-employment and eligibility assessments to beneficiaries of unemployment
insurance. The funds will be used to expand the unemployment services currently
offered, allowing the state to conduct in-person assessments that will help
individuals identify their strengths and opportunities in the workforce, and provide
them with referrals for job training and other re-employment services. The
personalized reviews also enhance the integrity of unemployment insurance payments,
ensuring that only those who are eligible receive assistance.
«We need to keep doing everything we can to help create jobs and get people back to
work. These federal funds will help job seekers and modernize and enhance the UI
system to make it more effective and efficient,» said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
«This federal funding will help match Rhode Islanders with openings based on their
skills and talents, or help them figure out what kind of training and support they
need to get back on the job. That’s a big boost for Rhode Island job-seekers and
will help our economy as a whole,» said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.
«Job growth continues in Rhode Island and nationwide, but unemployment remains too
high. We must bridge the disconnect between those who are looking for work and the
employers that are hiring, and reemployment programs are a proven way to help close
this gap,» said Congressman Jim Langevin. «By identifying skills and matching them
with corresponding professional opportunities, these programs can make unemployed
Rhode Islanders more attractive job candidates, helping them to get back on their
feet and back into the workplace.»
«These new resources will strengthen our local economy and help put Rhode Islanders
back to work,» said Congressman Cicilline. «I’m pleased that we are bringing these
federal funds back to Rhode Island and I look forward to continuing to work with my
colleagues in the Congressional delegation to deliver results for our state.»
The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments program grants were awarded to
state workforce agencies nationwide to provide re-employment and eligibility
assessments as well as implement the new Reemployment Services and Eligibility
Assessments program. Nationwide, DOL awarded a total of $112 million for the
program this year. And the agency estimates that based on the budgets in the past
10 years, the program has reduced individual use of UI services by approximately
one-and-a-half weeks, saving on average $3 for every dollar spent in costs.