Workforce boards could seek job grants for communities facing addiction

State and local workforce boards could compete for two-year grants through partnerships with other organizations. Grants would serve communities significantly affected by widespread addiction. Congress would still need to provide the money. Applicants would have to show that widespread addiction has caused or accompanied serious local economic or employment problems.

Funded partnerships could offer career services and job training to eligible workers. Partnerships could serve workers directly or indirectly affected by widespread addiction, workers preparing for jobs helping people with or at risk of addiction, or both. Workers preparing for jobs helping people with or at risk of addiction would need added skills, and applicants would have to show a local shortage in those jobs.

Partnerships would face limits on how they spend grant money. Administration could use no more than 10 percent of each grant. Another 10 percent cap names support services but points to the job training rules, leaving unclear which services it covers.

Grant recipients would report results quarterly, and an independent study would measure the program’s effects on employment. The study would examine employment outcomes for people with addiction. Applicants would have to agree to pay part of the independent study’s cost. The study would assign people to groups at random when feasible, or use another reliable research method.