The SBA and U.S. Department of Labor have come together tolaunch a website to help state workforce and unemployment agenciesin implementing or enhancing self-employment assistanceprograms.

A key component of the new website is the SBA toolkit,which contains several free, online resources available to supportnew entrepreneurs, the agency said.

Through the site, the SBA said, it continues to offer free online business courses ontopics such as how to prepare a business plan, franchising basics,government contracting, green business opportunities,entrepreneurship and business planning, entrepreneurial marketingand finding money to start a business.

The site also highlights successful practices from statescurrently operating self-employment assistance programs to helpother states implement or enhance their programs.

Participation in self-employment assistance programs isvoluntary for eligible unemployment insurance recipients. Itenables them to receive financial assistance equal to theirunemployment insurance benefits while they receive entrepreneurialtraining and resources to help launch their own businesses, the SBAsaid.

“For entrepreneurs who find themselves unemployed, the websiteand toolkit will help them turn small business ownership into areality and possibly put others back to work at the same time – awin-win scenario,” said SBAAdministrator Karen Mills.

The new resource expands on guidance issued in May, whichincluded $35 million in funding for states to implement or expandthese programs made possible through the Middle Class Tax Reliefand Job Creation Act of 2012, according to the SBA.