ETA New Releases, Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

ETA News Release: [September 29, 2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank or Diana Petterson & Elizabeth Todd
Phone Number: (202) 693-4658 or (214) 767-4776, ext. 222 or 221

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $400,000 Job Training Grant for Teens Transitioning Out of Foster Care

HOUSTON, Texas -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a grant of $400,000 to the Texas Workforce Commission to develop programs to help youth aging out of foster care become employed and self-sufficient.

"Young people leaving foster care need help to become productive and self-sufficient members of society," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This $400,000 grant will help them take the next steps towards a positive future through skills development and job training."

Through the grant, the Texas Workforce Commission will create a transition center in Houston for youth age 14-25 who have been or are currently in the foster care system. The center will serve as headquarters for accessing information about employment and training services, support services and community resources. Services will be made available through collaboration with state and county agencies, Casey Family Programs, the local university and various non-profit organizations.

The project developed through the grant will be used as a model to assist youth aging out of foster programs around the nation.

For more information on the Department of Labor's Employment and Training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

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