The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has announced $3 million of funding for a fifth round of the Cultivating Access, Rights and Equity (CARE) program.
The initiative was launched in March 2022 and aims to increase access to labor rights and benefits for all New Jersey workers.
Funds are available for outreach, education and technical assistance on paid family and medical leave, work rights, unemployment insurance and the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.
“With this additional round of funding, we are empowering organizations that serve as lifelines to our communities, especially to those who have been historically underserved,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “By supporting the vital outreach and education efforts these organizations provide, we strive to create a more just and inclusive environment where every worker in New Jersey can thrive.”
Eligible CARE grant applicants must demonstrate their role as a trusted resource within their community, as well as their capacity, experience, and success in providing outreach, education, technical assistance and/or support. Applicants can submit proposals as individual organizations or as a collaborative with a lead partner.
CARE grant awards are expected to range between $50,000 and $200,000, but The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development may consider applications above or below this range where justification is provided.
The key dates for applying are as follows: Nov. 17, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Information session (Registration required. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information session.); Nov. 20 by 11:59 p.m.: Application Interest Form due; Nov. 21 by 5 p.m.: Applications due.
The CARE grant program welcomes applications from public and private nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and state-recognized tribal government partners that provide community-centered, culturally relevant and in-language programming. The program aims to reach workers who need support to understand and access their work benefits and rights, as well as employers that would benefit from compliance information.
In the first four years of the program, CARE grantees made more than 225,000 in-person connections with workers and employers through community events; one-on-one outreach; counseling and workshops; in addition to social media, mass messaging, and local print and radio advertising.
Grantees have assisted over 6,500 individuals with benefits applications or complaint forms. Grantees have conducted outreach in more than a dozen languages including Arabic, Haitian Creole, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
