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Orange County WDBs PY 2025-28 Unified Local Plan <br /> <br />21 | Page <br /> <br />to workforce services, career development resources, and employment opportunities <br />that align with their military experience and long-term career goals. <br />The Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) operates the Veterans <br />Reemployment Office (OC4Vets) in Santa Ana, a dedicated resource center providing <br />employment assistance, career coaching, and job placement support for veterans. <br />OCWDB also works closely with the Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and <br />Employment (VR&E) program, which helps veterans with service-connected <br />disabilities gain employability skills and secure competitive integrated employment. <br />All three Workforce Development Boards are members of the Orange County <br />Veterans and Military Families Collaborative (OCVMFC), which brings together public <br />and private organizations to improve veteran service coordination and resource- <br />sharing. Through this collaboration, the Boards participate in events, employer <br />engagement initiatives, and workforce development strategies that enhance <br />employment outcomes for veterans. <br />Stakeholder meetings highlighted several challenges veterans face in securing <br />employment, including navigating workforce systems, translating military experience <br />to civilian careers, and managing salary expectations. Additionally, stakeholders <br />emphasized the need for expanded career exploration, mentorship, and job retention <br />support. <br />A significant gap identified was the loss of funding for a program that provided <br />wraparound mental health and employment services, leaving many veterans without <br />critical support. While various services exist, they are often underutilized due to a lack <br />of awareness and the complexity of accessing them. Stakeholders also stressed the <br />need for better coordination among service providers to ensure warm handoffs, <br />reduce service duplication, and improve veterans' access to essential resources and <br />employment opportunities. <br />Strengthening partnerships and developing tailored solutions to address these <br />barriers will improve service delivery and long-term employment success for veterans. <br />Ongoing Collaboration and Service Coordination <br />The WDBs, veteran-serving organizations, and workforce system partners collaborate <br />to improve service coordination and ensure veterans receive comprehensive <br />workforce support. Current efforts include: <br />• Providing cross-training between workforce staff and veteran service <br />organizations to increase awareness of available workforce programs and <br />referral pathways. <br />• Enhancing employer engagement through veteran-focused job fairs, hiring <br />events, and business outreach initiatives. <br />EXHIBIT 2