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U.S. Department of Labor | September 18, 2023
US Department of Labor awards $992K to Washington state
to support employment, training services to respond to opioid crisis
WASHINGTON – Amid a sharp national increase in opioid overdoses, Washington state has also experienced significant increases in opioid-related drug overdose deaths, as deaths nearly doubled from 827 in 2019 to 1,619 in 2021. To help address the crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $992,363 in grant funding to the state’s Department of Employment Security to assist those affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant – with an approved funding threshold of more than $2.9 million – will serve communities in Spokane County by creating disaster-relief positions to address local workforce impacts of the opioid crisis. Funds will also support employment and training services for dislocated workers experiencing long-term unemployment and other workforce barriers resulting from the opioid crisis.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling Washington to request this funding.
Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.
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About Me
Larry Hearn is a seasoned SUD counselor, licensed Religious Science Practitioner, and a committed advocate for healing and personal transformation. Armed with a Social Model Studies Certificate from the CCAPP Academy (formerly known as the CAARR Institute), education from Modesto Junior College, and certification from CCAPP, Larry boasts a robust 24-year background in addiction counseling. As a member of the California Coalition of Certifying Organizations (CCCO), he played an active role in shaping the California Code of Ethics and Sanctions Matrix.
Larry currently serves as Supervising Editor for Counselor Magazine and Media & Infrastructure Manager for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), where he combines his clinical insight with media and educational strategy to uplift the profession and support the workforce.
His passion extends to facilitating treatment and education groups, grief circles, and individual counseling, creating a secure and supportive environment for individuals to navigate recovery, grief, and emotional trauma. He enjoys training and mentoring SUD counselors. In his capacity as a licensed Religious Science Practitioner, he seamlessly integrates therapeutic and spiritual modalities, guiding individuals on a journey toward enduring recovery and inner peace. Beyond addiction counseling, Larry underscores the significance of grief healing and personal growth in his compassionate approach.
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Counselor Magazine is the official publication of the California Association of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Counselor offers online continuing education, article archives, subscription deals, and article submission guidelines. It has been serving the addiction field for more than thirty years.
For more information on CCAPP’s many programs, certifications, and career paths, please visit ccapp.us.