Rhode Island initiative aims to find work for unemployed

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Getting jobs for the long-term unemployed is the goal of a new statewide initiative in Rhode Island modeled after a program in Chicago.

Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo and other state officials and business leaders unveiled the new Skills for Rhode Island's Future on Wednesday.

It matches businesses with people who've been unemployed for more than six months, or underemployed and looking for a better job.

Rhode Island obtained $1.25 million for the program from the U.S. Department of Labor last year.

It's based on Skills for Chicagoland's Future, which says it has found jobs for more than 3,100 people in Chicago since 2012.

Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker helped start the organization before joining the Obama administration as U.S. commerce secretary in 2013. It's now looking to expand around the country.