STEUBENVILLE - The Jefferson County Community Action Council Board of Trustees learned Wednesday the agency has applied for a $9,790,719.53 Workforce Readiness Innovative Grant to cover Jefferson, Harrison, Belmont and Carroll counties.
According Barb West, chief executive officer of the CAC, the WRIG grant will address three issues.
"The first is utilizing a self-service system when we do not have self service customers. Second we have an industry coming into our area with many employment opportunities but our work force is not ready. And the third is the incorporation of paperless participant files," explained West.
"This is a Department of Labor grant that we would love to obtain. We hope to hear positive news by mid-June," she added.
The trustees also approved two modified work force investment grant applications during the regular meeting.
West said the adult and dislocated worker proposal was adjusted to reflect a $858,585.95 budget, and the youth program budget was set at $252,725.89.
West also told the trustees she has learned the state will fund a summer youth work program this year.
"Last year we didn't have a program but the state has agreed to put $26 million into a program this year. I don't have any details yet or how much money we will be allocated but we will have a summer youth work program this year and that is good news," West announced.
The board approved a $210,356 home weatherization assistance program that West said will allow the CAC to complete 26 homes this year.
And West said the CAC Head Start program will hold an enrollment carnival from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on May 17 at the St. Anthony Head Start school.
"There will be games, food, face painting and Head Start Director Juanita Thorn will be in a dunking booth. Any parent who has completed the registration to enroll their child in the Head Start program can take a turn at trying to dunk her," said West.
West said the Head Start registration will end on June 30.
The Head Start programs in Jefferson County will hold graduation ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. on May 23.
