DeKalb County provides $1,500 training grants to job seekers

DeKalb launches dislocated workers’ Career Pathway Initiative

DECATUR—Today, 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.

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 is coming from the county’s portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) funds.

There are 246 DeKalb residents eligible to begin receiving assistance as of Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

“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,” said CEO Thurmond. “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

For more information on this initiative, as well as other DeKalb County COVID-19 related  resources, please contact Chanell Davis at 404-687-3400 or email at dwprogram@dekalbcountyga.gov.