The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: What Corrections and Reentry Agencies Need to Know
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is the nation's primary source of federal funding for workforce development. Its main goal is to provide job seekers--including people returning to their communities after incarceration--with the assistance needed to obtain employment and to meet employers' needs for qualified workers. This fact sheet provides corrections and reentry agencies with an overview of how WIOA funds can support employment and education services for people in the justice system and those who are returning to their communities after incarceration.
s one of the first points of contact in the criminal justice system, sheriff’s offices and their correctional facilities are key players in addressing the immediate needs of families impacted by incarceration and promoting family connections. For jails to meet the needs of families in the community, coordinating across county lines and learning from peers are essential. However, jail systems are often siloed, and collaboration between jails in different counties is rare. In Minnesota, the state department of health stepped in to address this gap.
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