DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the allocation of $1 million for the Dislocated Workers’ Career Pathway Initiative for approximately 650 DeKalb residents who are participants in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program. These individuals became unemployed due to the pandemic and are preparing for future job opportunities.
Approximately 246 DeKalb residents have been determined eligible to begin receiving assistance. Payments will be disbursed as early as this morning.
According to Thurmond, The Pathway Initiative will provide a one-time grant of $1,500 for eligible students to cover living expenses including mortgage assistance, food, transportation, utilities, and other living expenses. The funding was directed from the county’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funds.
“The Pathway Initiative offers financial assistance that covers living expenses for these students while in the training and retraining programs to transition to occupations in growing industries in the county and region,” Thurmond said. “With the support of the Board of Commissioners, the county has been working diligently to help the many individuals and families dealing with record job loss, food insecurity, and threats to their physical and economic health.”
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
- DeKalb County Residents, 18 years and older who have lost their job due to the pandemic
- May or may not be receiving unemployment benefits currently
- Must be in an in-demand occupation such as Information Technology, Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing or Business Technology and attending an institution on the State’s Eligible Training Provider List
