June 11, 2013

Rep. Mark Takano Applauds California National Guard Work for Warriors Program Funding from U.S. Department of Defense

Washington DC – Last week, the United States Department of Defense announced that the California National Guard will be receiving $1 million for the Work for Warriors Program (WFW), which aims to reduce unemployment in the California National Guard by 25%.
 
Established in 2012, the Work for Warriors Program directly places unemployed California National Guard members into jobs by utilizing business contacts from the WFW Business Coordinator and provides details on job openings. WFW staff also identify unemployed CNG candidates that meet specific job requirements and guides the unemployed CNG members through the entire hiring process, including resume preparation, interview, and employment acceptance.
 
In March, Rep. Mark Takano (Ranking Member – Economic Opportunity Subcommittee) questioned Major Ty Shepard from the California Military Department during a Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee meeting about the Work for Warriors program funding needs:
 
Rep. Takano: Would your program, the “Work for Warriors” program, be more effective with additional funding?
 
Major Shepard: Definitely. Right now, our case managers, that are handing our applicants, are handling between 500 to 700 service members. […] If we reduce that number down to 200 to 250, maybe even less than that, we would be much more efficient, as far as placing folks and getting people into jobs.
 
After the announcement, Rep. Takano (CA-41) said, “For the last year, the Work for Warriors program has proven to be incredibly effective in putting members of the California National Guard back to work. I’m pleased to see the Department of Defense recognize its efficacy and provide additional funding so these committed public servants can continue to support their families and contribute to their communities.”
 
"It's with deep gratitude that I thank Congressman Mark Takano for taking up an issue that is too often ignored - unemployment among the members of our Armed Forces,” said  Major General David Baldwin, The Adjutant General of the California Military Department. “Because of the Congressman's vigilant leadership, the California Military Department will receive $1 million in federal funds to continue leading the effort to lower the unemployment rate across the California National Guard, all of which will go directly to the Work for Warriors employment program. At present, our limited funding efforts only allow us to place two to three out-of-work Guardsmen each day; this funding will go to hiring desperately needed employment officers across the state and help us to improve those numbers dramatically."
 
Additional Facts:
  • At a cost of only $500 for each employed Guardsmen, the Work for Warriors program is the most efficient and effective        direct employment program of its kind in the country.
  • Since its inception the Work for Warriors program:
    • Has placed 1,286 guardsmen members in jobs
    • Has submitted over 1,400 resumes to businesses
    • Is currently placing 2-3 guardsmen members a day into jobs. The most effective program we know of.
    • All with a staff of only six full time employees