Gwen Dillinger, workforce development director, said the 15-county region received $2.5 million for the TeenWork program through the Georgia Department of Human Services.
“We anticipate serving about 799 people up to 18 years old,” she said.
While the contract and particulars aren’t expected until later this month, Dillinger said she expects it to operate almost the same as the program last summer. In Floyd County, the 2009 program provided eight weeks of work for 85 youths at $7.25 an hour.
This batch of money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act comes through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, however, so teens in TANF-eligible households will have priority, Dillinger said.
Legislation pending in Congress would fund a separate summer jobs program for teens, and Dillinger said she has hopes that initiative would allow the pool of workers to be widened.
The legislation has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
In addition to Floyd, the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission district covers Polk, Bartow, Gordon, Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gilmer, Pickens, Fannin, Haralson and Paulding counties.
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