U.S. Department of Labor announces availability of $20 million for grants to help young offenders gain career skills and rejoin community life

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced the availability of nearly $20 million in grant funds to provide youth offenders with employment-related training and supportive services to improve their long-term employment prospects. This funding will provide former offenders, ages 14 and older, with targeted training for high-growth industries and in-demand occupations in their communities. DOL anticipates awarding four $5 million grants that will be targeted at serving youth offenders in high-poverty, high-crime communities. Any non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status with the capacity to implement multi-site, multi-state projects can apply for this funding. The solicitation for grant applications can be found at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on May 1, 2012.