LANSING — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity is encouraging organizations who can assist Michiganders with removing barriers to employment to apply for the $14.6 million Barrier Removal and Employment Success grant program starting today.

“The $14.6 million Barrier Removal and Employment Success investment provides critical resources to partner organizations across the state who are joining us to close equity gaps and ensure all Michiganders have a path to economic prosperity,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “By removing barriers to employment, we are creating more opportunities for Michiganders to succeed in good-paying careers and helping the state’s employers address critical talent shortages.”

Eligible applicants for funding include, but are not limited to, community-based organizations, educational institutions, Michigan Works! agencies, private for-profit agencies, private non-profit agencies, and other established, experienced providers of supportive services. The total funding available for this initiative is $14,625,000.

The funding will facilitate diversity, equity and inclusion, increasing opportunities for at-risk individuals, including the Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed population.

“The ALICE population are individuals working, yet still struggling to make ends meet or are one crisis away from poverty – and the Barrier Removal and Employment Success program is an innovative solution that directly addresses barriers that prevent these Michiganders from securing and retaining good-paying jobs,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Participants will receive the support they need to secure a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.”

The program supports Gov. Whitmer’s MI New Economy plan that set a goal of lifting 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years. The grant program also supports the recommendations of the Michigan Poverty Task Force, whose goal is to address the disparities that affect Michiganders’ abilities to afford necessities such as housing, childcare, food, health care and transportation.

Entities awarded funding under this Request for Proposals that are not a Michigan Works! agency will be required to partner with a local MWA for the purpose of fiduciary responsibilities and required reporting.

Applications for funding will be accepted beginning today. The application deadline is Monday, July 24, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Awards will be announced Sept. 15. The grant period is Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2025.

More information about the Request for Proposals opportunity is available at Michigan.gov/BRES.

For questions regarding the Barrier Removal and Employment Success program and this RFP opportunity, please contact Workforce Development Targeted Services Division at LEO-TSDIV@michigan.gov.