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ETA News Release: [06/14/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $14.2 Million Grant to Aid Workers in California

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a National Emergency Grant of $14 million to create temporary jobs for continued cleanup and restoration efforts in the wake of wildfires and mudslides in Southern California last October. The grant will also provide re-employment help for workers permanently dislocated as a result of the disasters.

“The President and I want to do everything we can to help these workers recover from the devastation caused by recent natural disasters in California,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This $14.2 million in funding will provide temporary jobs for unemployed workers to help in cleanup and restoration efforts and will also fund re-employment services for those who have already completed their temporary jobs.”

This is the second grant awarded to the California Employment Development Department to address job losses associated with last year’s natural disasters. Together with an earlier grant of $12 million, today’s grant will have provided a total of $21.2 million to fund 1,300 temporary jobs in the clean-up effort. The remaining $5 million will give re-employment assistance to about 900 individuals who have previously worked in one of the temporary positions but now need permanent jobs.

Areas affected by the disaster, which have been declared eligible for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), include Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura Counties.

In addition to temporary employment, participants are provided with supportive services such as transportation, work-related equipment, emergency medical assistance and childcare. Participants who complete their temporary jobs may be eligible for re-employment assistance and training.

National Emergency grants are part of the U.S. Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund. A grant is awarded after a state submits a request and grant guidelines have been met.

For more information on the Department of Labor’s employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

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