The California Employment Development Department (EDD) in coordination with the California Workforce Development Board, and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, has awarded the Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board (SBCWDB) a Veterans’ Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP) grant.
The grant will provide services to veterans and their spouses who face significant barriers to employment, and promotes industry sector strategies to help unemployed and underemployed individuals transition from military careers to rewarding civilian employment.
The SBCWDB is one of 10 agencies across the state to receive the competitive grant funding.
“We are very excited to be able to bring this substantial EDD Veterans Grant to Santa Barbara County that will enable us to assist veterans and spouses of veterans with employment and training services,” said SBCWDB Chair Sandra Dickerson. “We look forward to partnering with local public and non-profit organizations in this effort.”
The grant-funded project is an expansion of the innovative program design that provides veterans training and employment services in a mobile veteran’s center approach.
The Veteran Employment & Training Services program will serve veterans and spouses at locations closer to their home. The program brings together four different partners to provide vocational training services (including paid work experience/job opportunities), and other supportive services.
The SBCWDB will lead the collaborative, with the following partners:
• EDD Job Service: re-employment services, career services, locally coordinated workforce preparation services and direct job placement.
• EDD Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG): job search and job placement assistance, individualized career and training services.
• Goodwill Industries of Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties: will recruit veterans and provide case management, paid work experience, training and follow-up services.
• Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down: veteran referrals from Stand Down and connection to Stand Down participating agencies for enhanced collaboration.
“During my time working with Stand Down, I’ve seen firsthand the needs of our veterans,” said Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino. “The most vital of those needs is a job. This grant will allow our veterans the chance to become gainfully employed and productive members of the community.”
For information about Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board, visit www.sbcwdb.org.