News/Press Releases

Stimulus Funds for Workforce Development Begin to Arrive in Marin County

Dr. Larry Meredith of Marin County Health and Human Services announced plans today for the approximately $1.5 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding received by the Workforce Investment Board of Marin to help job seekers and businesses through the current recession. Over $730,000 is going directly to community based organizations or to fund job training. The rest of the funds will help to enhance services at the Marin Employment Connection for the thousands seeking job search assistance, and to provide services to retain and strengthen businesses in Marin.

Marin Youth@Work. $237,800 was awarded to four community based organizations to provide a summer youth employment program, Marin Youth@Work. Every contract incorporates green work experience for the participants, consistent with the intention of the ARRA. Participants are at-risk youth ages 14-24. A total of 77 Marin youth will learn work readiness skills and gain work experience in areas including weatherization, solar panel installation, recycling, and environmental stewardship.

Adults with significant barriers to employment. $222,410 was awarded to two community based organizations to serve 45 adults ages 18 and older with significant barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities, who are homeless, or who are ex-offenders.

Funds for training. Approximately $270,000 is available to provide training and supportive services to Workforce Investment Act eligible customers. The amount of funding available for individual training accounts represents a 200% increase over the amount available in recent years.

One-Stop capacity. $382,000 is increasing staff capacity at the Marin Employment Connection for 2009-10 in order to serve the record-breaking number of customers seeking services. The additional staff will provide assistance for job seekers in the Career Resource Center, increase the number of WIA enrollments, and provide business services to Marin employers. $261,000 will continue to support staff capacity in 2010-11.

For more information on services, please visit our website at marinEmployment.org. For questions related to ARRA, please email WIB Director Mary Donovan at mdonovan@co.marin.ca.us or Marin Employment Connection Manager Racy Ming at rming@co.marin.ca.us.