CDCAN Advocacy Without Borders :: One Community

Current Status

This bill has passed the Assembly (67 Ayes, 0 Noes) and is in the Senate for concurrence.

Summary

Implements the Veterans Workforce Accountability Act (Act) under the administration of the California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) for the purposes of providing a method for the comprehensive outcome-oriented evaluation on the effectiveness of the state's expenditures for veteran workforce development programs.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the CWIB to conduct an annual assessment evaluating the effectiveness of federally funded and state administered programs that are designed to assist veterans transition into civilian work, including, but not limited to, the $18 million annual grant that the state receives from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) for veteran workforce training.
2. Requires the CWIB to develop clear, comprehensive and transparent objectives and appropriate criteria that can be used to undertake the required assessment of the effectiveness of the existing workforce training and job referral programs for California veterans.
3. Requires the CWIB, in consultation with the Employment Training Panel (ETP), the Department of Veterans' Affairs (CDVA) and Employment Development Department (EDD), to outline, implement and administer the provisions of the Act.
4. Requires that the assessment contain ways to evaluate the extent to which:
   1. Moneys are being spent for outreach, assessment of job skills, and interests and referral of veterans to specific training opportunities and prospective jobs;
   2. Information is provided to veterans regarding ways to finance training opportunities that require fees or the payment of tuition;
   3. Funds are being used to assess job skills acquired during military service that could be used or adapted for civilian jobs by the veteran; and,
   4. Funds are being used to provide workforce training and job referral programs for eligible veterans at one-stop career centers.
5. Requires an annual report to the Governor and the appropriate policy and budget committees in the Legislature on the effectiveness of the job skills training and employment opportunities being provided to transitioning veterans.
6. Provides that the requirements of this bill will only be implemented to the extent that federal funds are made available.

Existing Law

1. The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 offers a comprehensive range of workforce development moneys to finance activities through statewide and local organizations. Eligible clients include, but are not limited to, people looking for jobs, laid off workers, youth, or persons just entering the job market, veterans and persons with disabilities.
2. Establishes the CWIB for the purpose of assisting the state in meeting the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), as well as assisting the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California's workforce investment system.
3. Requires each local workforce investment board to establish at least one full service one-stop career center in the local workforce investment area. One-stop career centers are required to include a specified group of job search related entities and provide jobseekers with integrated employment, education, training, and job search services. Employers can also be provided with access to career and labor market information, job placement assistance, and other such services as the businesses in the community may require.

Fiscal Effect

According to the Appropriations Committee EDD is already statutorily required to report annually on veteran's programs. It is likely that EDD would provide that existing report to the CWIB, who would then submit it to the Legislature. Therefore there would be no additional costs associated with this legislation.

Comments

According to the author, over the years, our nation has called on our service men and women in the Armed Forces to protect and serve Americans at home and abroad. Upon their honorable completion of service and their return home, veterans face tremendous challenges transitioning back into civilian life. In fact, many desperately struggle to find jobs, housing, health services, and other needed social services. In some cases, recovery from physical and psychological injuries makes the transition into civilian life even more challenging. Without adequate employment opportunities or workforce training, American veterans have few options for their futures outside of reenlistment for military service or unemployment and potential homelessness.

Currently, California receives $18 million dollars annually from the USDOL to pay for approximately 180 workforce training staff. Assigned to positions within EDD, these federally funded staff are exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of veterans. The purpose of AB 1378 is to ensure that money designated to assist veterans is best utilized and that veterans have the opportunity to develop the competitive workforce skills required to obtain good paying jobs.

Analysis Prepared by : Mercedes Flores / Toni Symonds / J., E.D. & E. / (916) 319-2090