The state of Kentucky is the recipient of a $21.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to help newly injured or ill employees to remain or return to work. The Retaining Employment and Talent after injury/illness Network phase two funding is the largest federal grant awarded to the State’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The University of Kentucky is a key player in RETAIN implementation. UK Human Development Institute Director Kathy Sheppard-Jones said one of the first questions asked when meeting someone is “what do you do for work?” “And RETAIN Kentucky’s work has revolved around ensuring that Kentuckians who have experienced a non-work-related injury or illness that puts them at risk of leaving the workforce continue to have an answer to that question of ‘what do you do?’ through rapid response vocational intervention,” said Sheppard-Jones.
The more than $20 million dollar grant is expected to expand implementation statewide to serve over 3000 employees. It also will help address the enduring implications of COVID-19 as it relates to the physical and mental health of Kentucky’s workforce.
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