The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) recently awarded $5.8 million in Youth Reentry Demonstration Project grants to 10 local workforce development boards (LWDBs).
The programs provide young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years old who were incarcerated or in the justice system with academic and job training, as well as connections to area employers.
“This investment will help those who have interacted with the justice system to get the skills they need for a good job and to build a career,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Education and job training are crucial to removing barriers to work so people can put their lives back on track and build a stronger workforce in Pennsylvania.”
The 10 LWDBs that received the grants are the Berks County Workforce Development Board, the Lackawanna Workforce Development Board, the Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board, the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board, the South Central Workforce Development Board, the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board, the Three Rivers Workforce Development Board, the Tri-County Workforce Development Board and the West Central Workforce Development Board. The Youth Reentry Demonstration Projects will run through March 31, 2022.
“Reentry and reintegration are priorities for Governor Tom Wolf, who is focused on removing employment obstacles to help young adults overcome barriers to post-incarceration success,” L&I Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani said. “Criminal justice reforms like the Clean Slate Law, coupled with the Wolf Administration’s workforce development initiative PAsmart, are part of the bold, innovative plans that Pennsylvania needs to build the strongest workforce in the nation.”