Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB4807

Introduced
7/25/24  

Caption

Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act

Impact

This legislation seeks to significantly improve employment outcomes for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. By funding supportive services and initiatives that facilitate job training, career services, and direct employment opportunities, SB4807 intends to mitigate the adverse economic conditions often linked to drug and alcohol abuse. The grants specified in the bill underscore the federal government's commitment to enhancing workforce development strategies in communities grappling with high rates of unemployment and substance use disorders, thus attempting to stimulate economic recovery as well.

Summary

SB4807, titled the 'Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act', aims to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to address the economic and workforce impacts caused by substance use disorders. The bill introduces provisions allowing for the establishment of competitive grants to engage eligible entities—such as state or local boards—to create partnerships with treatment providers, employers, and educational organizations. These grants will focus on providing support for individuals directly affected by substance use disorders, with a goal of re-integrating them into the workforce while tackling the national crisis surrounding substance abuse.

Contention

The bill does anticipate certain challenges, as it requires evidence of a workforce shortage in occupations that assist individuals with substance use disorders for grant eligibility. This aspect may spark debate over the adequacy of criteria for determining such shortages and whether the funding will be equitably distributed among impacted communities. Additionally, the focus on competitive grants could lead to tensions between potential grant recipients, as they vie for limited federal resources aimed at addressing this critical issue. Such dynamics may shape the discourse around the bill's passage and future funding allocations.

Companion Bills

US HB9209

Same As Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act

Similar Bills

US HB6472

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Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025This bill establishes grants to support mentoring programs for eligible youth (e.g., in-school youth, out-of-school youth, or youth who are failing academically or who meet specified criteria). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award competitive grants for certain community-based organizations or partnerships involving community-based organizations to (1) establish, expand, or support mentoring programs; (2) assist eligible youth enrolled in secondary schools in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills; and (3) prepare eligible youth for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.Additionally, Labor must work with the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education to (1) refer grant recipients to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain mentoring resources, and (2) provide grant recipients with information regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning from correctional facilities and transition services for students with disabilities.The bill also requires Labor's Chief Evaluation Office to study and report on mentoring programs.

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