Governor Schwarzenegger Announces $18.4 Million Job Grants Designated to Help Veterans, Stimulate California’s Economy
- Directs Labor and Workforce Development Agency to Explore Additional Grant Options for Californians Affected by Economic Downturn

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

November 20, 2008

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced $18.4 million in job grants designated to help veterans, many of them returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, transition into high-wage, high-growth civilian occupations utilizing the skills they learned in the military. More than 2,800 veterans will receive assistance through $12.4 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds from the state and $6 million in matching funds from 14 local agencies for a total investment of $18.4 million. The Governor has also directed his Labor and Workforce Development Agency to explore additional job training grants for Californian's affected by the economic downturn.

"These grants not only honor the service of our veterans, but they will also help provide a much-needed stimulus to the California economy," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "These brave women and men have volunteered to protect our freedom and way of life - and as they return to civilian life, we must help them find jobs that provide a sustainable wage as well as career advancement opportunities."

While top priority will be given to veterans who recently left the service, these grants will also provide services to veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign, veterans with significant barriers to employment and eligible spouses of veterans. The grants vary from provider to provider but a general range of services includes, job training, support services to help vets overcome barriers to employment such as post traumatic stress syndrome, job-placement assistance and case management.

Funds will be allocated from two program years, 2008-09 and 2009-10, and will be subject to federal funding availability. The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency's Employment Development Department exercises oversight authority for the funds.

Recipients of the job grants designated to help veterans include:

Applicant
County
Grant

Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc.
San Diego
$1,000,000

Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)
Los Angeles
$1,000,000

Community Career Development
Los Angeles
$1,000,000

Inter-City Services, Incorporated
Alameda
$650,000

Motherlode Consortium
Tuolumne
$485,730

North Bay Resource Center - Vietnam Veterans of CA
Sonoma
$1,000,000

North County Interfaith Council
San Diego
$1,000,000

Orange County
Orange
$1,000,000

San Bernardino Jobs and Employment Services Department
San Bernardino
$500,000

Solano County
Solano
$1,000,000

South Bay Center for Counseling
Los Angeles
$1,000,000

United States Veteran Initiative-Inglewood
Los Angeles
$1,000,000

Vietnam Veterans of San Diego
San Diego
$1,000,000

West Hills Community College District
Fresno
$792,970

Total Amount Approved
$12,428,700