Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

		Scott McCallum     Governor State of Wisconsin

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO HELP FOSTER CARE CHILDREN AND LOW-INCOME WORKERS

MADISON – Gov. Scott McCallum announced today that Wisconsin has received two grants totalling $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. One grant will fund a pilot program to help children who have been in foster care and the other will help low-income families obtain specialized job training and education services.

The $1 million Paid Training and Education for Former Foster Youth grant will provide training, education and support for teens and adults ages 16 to 21 who are in or have been in foster care. The opportunities could include GED classes, technical college classes, and training in the skilled trades and financial management. The pilot program will be developed in Milwaukee County and a rural county yet to be determined.

"Studies have shown that a significant number of foster children have had a difficult time making the transition to self-sufficiency as they reach adulthood, and they don’t qualify for many of the support services available to low-income families," Gov. Scott McCallum said. "This pilot program will help us reach those individuals and help them prepare for a successful future."

"This is a wise investment on the front end, and can help many kids who have had an unstable childhood find stability in education and employment," said Department of Workforce Development Secretary Jennifer Reinert. "In turn, as they become productive members of the workforce, they won’t have to rely on supportive services."

The state has also been awarded a $200,000 Working Family Training Subsidy grant that will fund a pilot program to help low-income workers receive necessary training to advance in their jobs. The funding will allow eligible low-income workers to receive a cash subsidy of $341 per month, so that they can work part-time hours and receive training part-time.

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