Washington, D.C.– The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced it will award approximately $40 million in grants to a variety of applicants to help low income and hard-to-employ populations find and keep good jobs.The funds will help non-profit organizations and local Workforce Investment Boards implement transitional job programs targeted at low income families, non-custodial parents and ex-offenders.

Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva encouraged Southern Arizona groups to apply and pointed out that Tucson’s Primavera Foundation received a $500,000 award from DOL for helping train former inmates to re-enter the workforce in March of 2010.

“As I said then, and as I believe now, turning our backs on people looking to join or re-enter the workforce is exactly the wrong approach,” Grijalva said. “Training and preparing those who are willing to make the effort pays dividends, whatever their background, and I hope to see more of this important work being done in our state.”

The Department will award grants to between six and twelve grantees, with awards ranging from $3 million to $6 million. Details and deadlines are available at http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm or by calling (202) 693-4600.