In an effort to improve employment opportunities and meet the needs of local labor markets, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced $55 million in new funding available under the Pathway Home 3 Grants. The grants aim to enhance pre-release training and employment services and facilitate the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce.

Pathway Home 3 Grants, authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provide justice-involved individuals with supportive services that are scheduled for release within 20 to 270 days from the time they enroll in the project. The grants fund projects that teach foundational skills such as job readiness, employability, digital literacy, job search strategies and occupational training. Additionally, the grants build connections and partnerships with local employers to facilitate this transition and reduce the likelihood of reincarceration.

Administered through DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), up to 15 grant projects – ranging from $1 million to $4 million each – will be awarded to recipients that can provide training that leads to in-demand skills to meet the needs of local employers. Labor organizations/unions, nonprofit entities, state, city, county and tribal governments are all eligible to apply. Applicants must partner with either a state correctional facility, or a local or county jail.

As the operators of 91 percent of the nation’s jails, where 10.6 million individuals cycle in and out of more than 3,000 local jails each year, counties support DOL’s effort to improve workforce outcomes for justice-involved individuals through programs at the local level.