.png)
The Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board is proud to announce the Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development (FORWD) program. The goal of FORWD is to create employment opportunities as well as providing employment and training activities, including supportive services, to address the economic and workforce impacts related to widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.
This new initiative aims to support individuals in Northwest Wisconsin who have been impacted by opioid misuse and are ready to take steps toward employment opportunities. FORWD is available in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Forest and Washburn Counties. It offers comprehensive support to those pursuing employment, especially for individuals who have experienced job loss, long-term unemployment, underemployment or, unemployment due to the opioid crisis.
Through FORWD, eligible participants can access financial support for skill training and education programs, as well as assistance with childcare, transportation, and recovery services. The program will also provide job readiness coaching and direct connections to employment opportunities through partnerships with local industries and businesses. A key focus of this grant is bringing additional teacher aides to the regional school districts.
Funding for FORWD comes from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development through a National Health Emergency - National Dislocated Worker Grant. To learn more about FORWD, please visit the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board’s website at www.nwwib.com/programs/forwd to learn more about the FORWD program and relate to staff support. For more information, please contact NWWIB Special Projects Case Coordinator, Ryce Davis, at (715)-204-4246 or, at rdavis@nwwib.com.
The NWWIB is one of eleven workforce development boards in the state of Wisconsin and is one of over 500 Workforce Boards in the U.S. The NWWIB is responsible for the oversight of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other training and employment initiatives in northwest Wisconsin, including the counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Price, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn. Through an extensive network of American Job Center partners, Northwest Wisconsin residents, businesses, and communities receive support to help local economies thrive.
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. If you have a disability and need assistance with this information, please call us through Wisconsin Relay Service (7-1-1) or at 800-947-3529. To request information in an alternate format, including language assistance or translation of the information, please contact us at (715)-685-1425.