The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative

RESTART supports the advancement of workforce readiness skills and the attainment of employment for ex-offenders across three populations: youth (ages 15-17 years old), young adults (ages 18-24 years old), and adults (ages 25 years old and above). Funds will be awarded to eligible entities to develop programs to train ex-offenders for high-need American jobs and assist them in being productive contributors to the U.S. economy. Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may be emailed to Alexander Heron at RESTART_FOA-ETA-26-17@dol.gov. We encourage prospective applicants and interested parties to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates provided for this particular FOA.

See the funding opportunity for specific eligibility requirements. National or Regional Intermediaries can be nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, that have a national or regional scope. For the purposes of this FOA, institutions of higher education are not considered National or Regional Intermediaries. Intermediaries must, in their proposal, identify sub-grantees across three or more non-contiguous metropolitan areas or rural regions. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

Criteria for each proposal are specified in the applicable request for proposals.

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Fiscal Year2025: REO program provides pre-release and comprehensive post-release services targeted in communities where high rates of poverty and crime exist. REO services include career assistance, occupational skills training, work-based learning, mentoring, trauma informed care approaches, mental health and substance abuse support, and for youth and young adults, community violence intervention and preparation for post-secondary education. REO grantees also provide or connect participants with additional supportive services such as housing, transportation assistance, childcare, identification assistance and legal assistance. REO grants have employer partners involved in the program design, so participants are prepared with skills and credentials that are in-demand. Grantees connect with employers to educate them on the benefits of hiring individuals with criminal records and assist them in connecting with an often-overlooked labor supply. REO programs include Pathway Home (PH), an adult focused program operating in local jails and state prisons, and Growth Opportunities (GO), a youth/young adult focused program. In 2022, REO partnered with the Department of Justice to...