Skip to Main Content

Maryland’s Workforce Development Response to Addiction and the Overdose Epidemic - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

In 2017, Governor Hogan declared a state of emergency in response to the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis ravaging communities in Maryland and across the country. In response to this, the Maryland Department of Labor began seeking federal and state funding to support job seekers impacted by substance use and to expand the number of workers across the state seeking to enter professions that help in addressing this crisis. Since 2018, Labor has received and/or committed close to $10 million to be used towards creative workforce solutions to address the addiction and opioid crisis in Maryland.

Funded projects have included training in in-demand industries such as:

  • Peer Recovery
  • Manufacturing
  • Welding
  • Culinary
  • Hospitality
  • Transportation and Logistics
  • Phlebotomy

…and more.

Below is table of grants released by the department starting in 2018. As MD Labor is committed to continuing to support this work, this table may be updated with new funding opportunities. Please continue to check the MD Labor website for updates and other funding announcements.

Grant Name

Funding Source

Timeline

Geographic Areas

National Health Emergency Grant

Federal – USDOL Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2020

Statewide

Women’s Bureau Maryland Opioid Grant

Federal – USDOL Women’s Bureau

October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2021

Baltimore City, Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW)

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Pilot Program

State – Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC)

August 26, 2019 – June 30, 2020

MCIW

Opioid Workforce Innovation Fund (Round 1)

Federal – SAMHSA via MDH

December 20, 2019 – April 30, 2021

Statewide

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Pilot Program 2

State – OOCC

August 21, 2020 – June 30, 2021

MCIW

Support to Communities – Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development

Federal – USDOL ETA

October 1, 2020 – May 31, 2024

Statewide for interested Local Workforce Development Areas (Local Areas)

Opioid Workforce Innovation Fund (Round 2)

Federal – SAMSHA via MDH

December 1, 2020 – September 29, 2022

Statewide

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Pilot Program 3

State- OOCC

July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023

Statewide at select Correctional Institutions

Supporting Recovery Through Employment

State- Governor’s Set Aside Funds

November 1, 2022- October 31, 2023

Statewide