Federal funding will help connect more than 100,000 job seekers with intensive career training and counseling
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $20 million in federal funding to support the State’s efforts to get unemployed New Yorkers back to work. The grant is the largest awarded to any state and exceeds last year’s total of $18 million. Since 2012, New York State has received more than $77 million from this initiative, helping more than 298,745 unemployed New Yorkers start over, with plans to help an additional 101,000 people in 2016.
“New York continues to see tremendous job growth across the State and we are committed to ensuring that every New Yorker who wants a job can find one,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding allows us to continue providing intensive career counseling that has been key helping hard-working Empire State residents find new careers and re-enter the work force.”
The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment initiative, will support 210 New York State Department of Labor Career Counselors who will work with Unemployment Insurance recipients through an aggressive service model.
The model includes three mandatory one-on-one appointments, a work search plan, training assessment and referral to employment opportunities. The individuals who receive these services under this grant frequently have barriers to employment that put them at risk of exhausting their Unemployment Insurance benefits.
Acting New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Our number one priority is ensuring that out-of-work New Yorkers have the tools they need to land the jobs that are available in the community where they live. This funding will allow us to continue our work to help anyone currently collecting an unemployment check to get back to earning a paycheck instead.”
A regional breakdown of the funding allocations is as follows:
| Region | Amount |
| Capital Region | $1,396,292.00 |
| Central | $1,107,404.00 |
| Finger Lakes | $1,588,884.00 |
| Long Island | $2,792,584.00 |
| Mid-Hudson | $2,551,844.00 |
| Mohawk Valley | $674,072.00 |
| NYC | $7,125,904.00 |
| North Country | $433,332.00 |
| Southern Tier | $818,516.00 |
| Western | $1,781,476.00 |
| *Amount of funding subject to change based on regional needs |
Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “This is a smart investment that will help thousands of unemployed New Yorkers secure a job and simultaneously boost our local economy. Governor Cuomo deserves much credit for prioritizing and continuing this successful initiative, and I pledge to continue fighting hard in Congress for resources that will help protect and create jobs in our great state.”
One of New York’s longest serving Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, “Many thanks to Governor Cuomo and the U.S. Department of Labor for helping put New Yorkers back to work. My priority has always been jobs, jobs, jobs for our constituents. Whether they are looking to improve their job qualifications, explore a different profession or find a new career, I hope this grant will provide job seekers adequate resources and practical skills to gain employment and advance their career.”
