Maryland is one of seven states that will receive a total of $2.2 billion in federal funds to support welfare-to-work programs, state officials said yesterday.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation said the $14.9 million that Maryland will receive will go toward training and job placement, and will also help residents overcome obstacles that prevent them from keeping a job, such as affordable child care and lack of transportation.

"We needed to be realistic about the needs of people on welfare," said Marco K. Merrick, a spokesman for Maryland DLLR. "Just getting a job is not good enough. We have to provide skills and training, which will lead to careers."

Private industry councils -- partnerships of local businesses and governments -- will provide matching money to complement the federal grants.

Anne Arundel County will get $180,080 from the federal government, with $90,040 in matching funds for its Business & Workforce Development Center.

Baltimore County's Office of Employment and Training will receive a grant of $313,226 and $156,613 to match.

Cecil and Harford counties combined will get $93,662 in federal money and matching funds of $46,811.

Baltimore will use the more than $9.5 million in federal money and $4.75 million in matching funds to target an area that city officials said was "the most difficult to serve."

"We want to get serious with this," said Gail Woods-Waller, communications manager for the Baltimore City Office of Employment Development.

Merrick said a big training emphasis will be placed on technological jobs.

Pub Date: 8/08/98