Congressman Tim Ryan Announces $18.8 Million to Help Keep Ill, Injured Ohio Workers in the Workforce

Press Release

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today announces $18.8 million in federal funds for Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to expand and develop programs to help keep ill, injured Ohio workers in the workforce.

"I am proud to announce this important funding to help Ohio workers stricken by illness or injury remain in the workforce. Injury or illness can happen to anyone, and too often the results can be dire for the financial wellbeing of families impacted," said Congressman Tim Ryan. "Ohio workers are the engine of our economy -- whether they are in nursing, teaching, farming, manufacturing, hospitality, or any other sector of our economy -- Ohioans put everything into their work, it is only right that we should have their backs when they need us the most."

Ohio will receive funds to begin the second phase of demonstration projects in the development of the Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN). RETAIN focuses on implementing and evaluating stay-at-work and return-to-work strategies to help people to remain effective contributors to the labor force following illness or injury. Ohio will use grant funds to improve coordination among employers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders able to help workers find alternatives as they decide whether to stay at or return to work following illness or injury.

"The grants awarded today will support these states' efforts to help workers keep their place as valued members of the workforce and avoid the kinds of severe economic loss workers may suffer when illness or injury occurs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. "With millions of American workers forced out of work by injury or illness each year, expanding strategies like these will promote inclusive workforce practices and bolster our economic recovery at a time when our focus must be on stopping and recovering from this pandemic."

RETAIN is collaborative effort by the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy in partnership with its Employment and Training Administration and the Social Security Administration. The department has awarded Phase 2 grants to projects with a particular focus on underserved and underrepresented communities, both disproportionately hurt by the pandemic. As part of the grant program, the SSA will fund an independent evaluation of Phase 2 recipients while ODEP and ETA will jointly fund a contract to provide technical assistance for the program.

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