CareerSource Suncoast awarded $448,000 grant to help combat opioid crisis in Manatee and Sarasota counties
CareerSource Suncoast has received a $448,000 Department of Labor, National Health Emergency Phase Two: Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant through the Department of Economic Opportunity. CareerSource Suncoast was one of only two of the 24 Florida workforce regions that received the grant which will help dislocated workers in Manatee and Sarasota counties, including displaced homemakers, long-term unemployed individuals and self-employed individuals who are significantly underemployed.
Opioid use has skyrocketed since the late 1990’s, and over 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2016 – more than deaths from automobile accidents or firearm-related homicides. CareerSource Suncoast will use the grant funds to train 50 clients for career readiness and soft skills. The agency is partnering with humanitarian organizations in Manatee and Sarasota counties that work with clients who are struggling with opioid addiction, and will place its trained clients into these organizations for 13 weeks to gain real-life job skills while also getting paid from CareerSource Suncoast. Several participants will also receive scholarships for LPN training in pain management or substance abuse treatment and/or prevention.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is tackling the opioid crisis from every angle, including those who struggle to gain employment,” said DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson. “The Dislocated Worker Grant will allow our agency and our partners across the state to be a part of the fight. We will train those impacted by the opioid crisis in fields that allow them to not only get back to work, but to help others who are impacted as well.”
Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.
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About CareerSource Suncoast
CareerSource Suncoast is a non-profit dedicated to providing education and tools to connect employers with skilled talent. Our mission is to recruit, train and retain talent for employers on the Suncoast. An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.