Employer Engagement Program

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN21-15

Issued: September 20, 2021

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) forecasts the upcoming availability of $8 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2022 ORR Employer Engagement Program (EEP). The ORR anticipates awarding 26 grants with a maximum award of $300,000. The estimated announcement date for the grant is March 22, 2022.

The EEP grant aims to strengthen employer engagement in the integration and economic self-sufficiency of refugees and other eligible populations within the community. Programs will establish partnerships with employers to develop training curricula, provide career counseling, and expand opportunities for workplace-based training, apprenticeships, and internships for refugees. Programs will share the cost of instructors and provide liaisons to design work-related language and training curricula, schedule and publicize services, and coordinate with case managers to provide referrals and enrollment to support career advancement. Employer partnerships will sponsor and cover the costs of vocational certification, recertification, and/or longer-term degrees.  

Eligible entities include special district governments; public and/or Indian housing authorities; non-profit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; state, county, city, or township governments; independent school districts; private, public, or state controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations.  The estimated application due date is May 24, 2022.

For more information about this funding opportunity, visit the grants.gov website, reference HHS-2022-ACF-ORR-ZN-0072, and subscribe to receive updates to the forecast. Interested entities may also consult the ACF grants website periodically to check for updates.

/s/ RICARDO FAVILA, Acting Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division