Dislocated Worker Grant - Opportunities and Funding Announcements


Dislocated Worker Grants Overview (DWG)
​DWGs are time-limited funding assistance in response to major economic dislocations or other events that cause significant impact on states and local areas that exceed the capacity of existing formula funds and other relevant resources to address.
  • DWGs are supplemental resources that provide flexibility responding and recovering from qualifying events (disasters and layoff events)

  • The projects align with existing state and local priorities, resources, and programs including coordination with local government, emergency management agencies, social service agencies, employers and industry organizations, education, faith-based organization, public health, etc.

  • DWGs should not be stand-alone programs, the design should coordinate with existing efforts through Rapid Response/layoff aversion, formula-funded activities, business engagement efforts, and more

  • Expectation that projects demonstrate intent to maximize positive outcomes for participants

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) identifies two categories under National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) program.  This includes Disaster Recover (DR) and Employment Recovery (ER). Employment Recovery DWGs include DWGs for Dislocated Service Members. 


Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG)
​The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has been awarded a $11,147,910 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide comprehensive employment and training services to help reemploy dislocated workers and other eligible individuals from underserved and historically marginalized communities or groups as the state recovers from the unprecedented employment and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Services will be delivered through Illinois' Workforce System. Learn more on the QUEST DWG page.

Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable Employment Recovery (CAREER) National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was awarded a $3,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide employment and training services to help reemploy dislocated workers from historically marginalized communities or groups and those dislocated workers unemployed for an extended period as the state recovers from the unprecedented employment and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Services will be delivered through Illinois' Workforce System, providing comprehensive career and training services and technological solutions to expand accessibility to diverse populations of job seekers to connect the unemployed to reemployment. Learn more on the CAREER DWG page.



Disaster Recovery (DR) and Employment Recovery (ER) Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG)
​​Disaster Recovery DWGs provide disaster-relief and humanitarian assistance employment, as well as employment and training services, as appropriate, to minimize the employment and economic impact of declared disasters and emergency situations, in disaster-declared areas as defined in 20 CFR 687.110(b).

Employment Recovery DWGs include DWGs for Dislocated Service Members. This will accurately reflect the types of DWGs. If you are pulling information from the program guidance please make sure you pull the information to provide a complete context for the grants.

Learn more on the DR and ER DWG page.


Previous Funding Opportunities

National Dislocated Worker Grant NOFO

Population to be Served: Employers

Eligible Applicants: Community Based Organizations

Program Length: October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2020

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the release of the updated Notice of Funding Opportunity under the National Dislocated Worker Grant Program. For more information, click here.




Informational Sessions


COVID-19 Employment Recovery Project
If COVID-19 impacted your job, and you live in one of the following counties you may be able to get help with education and training or finding temporary employment. The Illinois workNet/American Job Centers have the support you need. Click on the LWIA below that serves your county to find out more. Or you may click here to find information about the center or other resources in your area.  

​LWIA
Counties Served​
Lake County
​Lake
The Workforce Connection
Boone, Stephenson, Winnebago​
DuPage County ​DuPage
​Cook
Will County
Will​
Kankakee Workforce Services

Livingston Workforce Services

Grundy Workforce Services
Kankakee

Livingston

Grundy
​Henry, Mercer, Rock Island
​Adams, Brown, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, Warren
​Fulton, Mason, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazwell, Woodford
Madison County in partnership with St. Clair County
​Bond, Madison, Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington
St. Clair County
Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington​
Management, Training and Consulting Corporation Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Washington

Find your local service provider with the Illinois workNet Service Finder