Governor Charlie Crist recently unveiled Florida Back to Work, a new program that allows Florida employers to use federal funds to help pay salary costs of newly hired, low-income workers. Between now and September 30, 2010, Florida can receive up to $200 million from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with no matching state funds required.

Employers that contract with regional workforce boards may receive funds, on a temporary basis, covering up to 95 percent of qualifying employees’ salaries. For example, for a position earning $12 per hour, the Florida Back to Work program would pay $11.40, while the employer would pay 60 cents. The program is expected to create as many as 25,000 jobs.

“Nothing is more important than returning Floridians to the workforce and restoring their hope and economic security,” Governor Crist said. “These funds will provide businesses throughout our state a tremendous opportunity to give someone in need a fresh start and a new direction for the future.”

The Florida Back to Work initiative’s pilot program, a DCF call center in Marion County, created jobs for 75 Floridians, 85 percent of whom were previously receiving unemployment compensation.

“Workforce Florida’s top priority is getting Floridians back to work, and this initiative advances that goal,” said Chris Hart IV, president and CEO of Workforce Florida. “Striving to achieve this goal during an unprecedented economic downturn has required the workforce system to seize upon opportunities that may be non-traditional, but will result in access to jobs and training for the Floridians most in need.”

Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards will coordinate additional Florida Back to Work jobsites. For more information, visit www.FloridaJobs.org.