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Bill to expand workforce‑development grant eligibility draws Fresh Start testimony; bill would allocate $1.5M (LB537)
Summary
LB537 would add broader workforce skills and allocate $1.5 million to a workforce development cash fund; Heart Ministry Center and other providers described the Fresh Start program and asked the committee to support partnerships that match private funds to scale services for vulnerable Nebraskans.
Glenda Ward introduced LB537 on behalf of Senator Tony Sorrentino, saying the bill would broaden eligible services for a state workforce development grant to include job skills, money management, communication, job preparation and placement, and would allocate $1.5 million to the workforce development program cash fund, distributed evenly among the state—s three congressional districts.
Damanyr Ahn, CEO of Heart Ministry Center, testified in support and described the center—s Fresh Start program: a 15–20 week, holistic job‑readiness program that combines mental and physical health services, financial literacy, soft skills training, computer literacy and on‑the‑job training. Ahn said Fresh Start places graduates in social enterprises the center operates (Fresh Start Laundry and Fresh Floral) and continues follow‑up support beyond graduation to improve employment stability.
Witnesses offered program details. Ahn said Fresh Start typically runs cohorts of about 10 participants and over the last decade the center has graduated roughly 50 participants, while serving around 1,000 individuals who enter programming but do not complete the full cycle. Heart Ministry estimated the Fresh Start portfolio costs roughly $800,000 per year. Proponents said private matching would be a feature of LB537 and emphasized the bill seeks to expand capacity by partnering with existing nonprofit service providers.
Several Fresh Start graduates and program staff testified about personal recovery and employment outcomes. Testifiers described how the program combined counseling, physical wellness, on‑the‑job training and case management that helped participants find housing, steady work and family reunification. Witnesses urged the committee to support public‑private matches that expand programs that place people into stable employment rather than creating a new state agency.
No opposing testimony was offered and the committee received letters and submissions for the record. The bill was presented for committee consideration without a vote at the hearing.
