NR No. 24-29
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov
What You Need to Know: California is supporting the community surrounding Chuckawalla Valley State Prison affected by its impending closure. With the assistance of the Riverside County Workforce Development Division, the Employment Development Department is committed to helping impacted residents in the City of Blythe develop their careers and secure good jobs with sustainable income.
SACRAMENTO – The Employment Development Department (EDD) announced today that it has awarded $995,000 to the Riverside County Workforce Development Division (RCWDD) to assist individuals who may lose their jobs due to the planned closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, in Blythe, CA, in October 2024.
“This funding will help provide timely employment resources, training, and assistance for local workers impacted by this closure,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We are working with our partners to facilitate the necessary rapid response to provide any impacted workers the support they need to help in their transition to new jobs.”
The RCWDD, part of the county’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, will use this grant funding to help workers obtain education, training, and job resources that will help them to find good careers in high-demand industries like healthcare, information technology, and industrial technology.
“With the funding that we have received we are committed to providing comprehensive employment resources to the community, said Heidi Marshall, Director of Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions. “Our goal is to ensure that every affected worker has the assistance they need to navigate this change and build a brighter future.”
In coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the EDD awarded funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Discretionary Funds.
This grant is 100 percent federally funded by a grant award totaling $995,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor.
For more information about RCWDD, the Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions, and their services, contact Stephanie Adams, Deputy Director, Housing and Workforce Solutions, at 1-951-955-3075.