DOL Grants Pennsylvania $2.9 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis

DOL Grants Pennsylvania $2.9 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis

The latest National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant has an approved funding threshold of over $8.7 million.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has allocated $2.9 million to Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry to tackle the widespread impact of opioid use, addiction, and overdose on employment and training services. 

According to a recent release, the grant—administered by the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration—falls under the National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant program and carries an approved funding threshold of over $8.7 million. 

Opioids were involved in 84.4 percent of Pennsylvania's 5,158 fatal overdoses in 2022, according to a report by the Pennsylvania Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention (ODSMP). This initiative aims to address the effects of the opioid crisis on the local workforce by establishing disaster-relief positions in communities state-wide.

In addition, the funds will bolster employment and training services for dislocated workers facing prolonged unemployment and other barriers stemming from opioid-related issues. This project will be executed by 11 workforce development boards and is supported by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, paving the way for this funding.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars