Resources for Veterans Involved with the Justice System
Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN20-43
Issued: February 8, 2021
The Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) programs, offer services to assist individuals who are, or were, involved in the justice system reintegrate into the workforce.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that as of year-end 2018, while veterans are incarcerated at a lower rate than non-veterans, there are also approximately 180,000 incarcerated American military veterans. Individuals who have served time in prison are particularly at risk of further involvement in the justice system. Prompt and useful employment services to veterans involved in the justice system can potentially decrease rearrests, provide a productive route to economic mobility, and support the employment needs of businesses seeking to fill vacancies.
From April 2019 to March 2020, America's Job Center of CaliforniaSM (AJCC) locations provided services to 14,221 veterans with previous convictions. However, the goal is for AJCC partners to encourage frequent collaboration when serving veterans involved in the justice system and provide better quality services that result in positive employment outcomes.
There are resources available to AJCCs to adopt the One Workforce approach proactively. That ensures justice-involved individuals have an excellent start to ultimately move into employment. Training and Employment Notices lists resources that AJCCs can share with their partners and advise their veteran customers.
If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the Veterans Program Unit by email at WSBVeteranProgramUnitCommunications@edd.ca.gov.
/s/ JAIME L. GUTIERREZ, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division