41-1955. Duty of department concerning employment stabilization, ex-offender rehabilitation, income maintenance and manpower development; research studies

The department, with the advice and aid of its advisory councils, shall:

1. Take appropriate steps to reduce and prevent unemployment and dependency, and to assist in alleviating the economic and social impact of unemployment and dependency on the person and his family.

2. Encourage and assist in the adoption of practical methods of manpower services, occupational training, vocational counseling and guidance, vocational rehabilitation and retraining, supportive services and other such services the director deems appropriate.

3. Research, recommend, advise and assist in the establishment of community or area facilities, public and private, or both, to provide an integration of direct services and programs for the development of the state's manpower and the reduction of dependency.

4. Promote the effective utilization of unemployed and under-utilized workers.

5. Aid in the rehabilitation of employable ex-offenders, in cooperation with the department of corrections. An ex-offender, by accepting the assistance provided for by this article, shall not be disqualified from receiving further assistance from any other state agency to which he is legally entitled.

6. Be the state registration agency for apprenticeship functions prescribed by the federal government.

7. Carry out and publish the results of research studies for the purpose of this chapter.