(a) Not later than October 1, 2019, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall develop and operate a pilot program to be known as the Veterans Platform to Employment Program. The program shall provide training and subsidized employment for veterans who have experienced long-term unemployment in a similar manner to the Platform to Employment Program currently operated by such board. The pilot program shall provide veterans in a region served by the program with (1) a preparatory program that includes services such as skills assessments, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs and coaching, and (2) employment assistance that includes identifying positions at local employers and providing subsidies to employers that hire veterans for trial work experiences that may lead to continued employment. The pilot program may offer additional services to assist veterans, including personal and family support services and financial counseling. As used in this section, “veteran” means any person (A) honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions from active service in, the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, or (B) with a qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103, who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the armed forces.
(b) The work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall operate the pilot program within its work force development region. The board may offer the program in other work force development regions in the state, in conjunction with the appropriate regional work force development board.
(c) Not later than February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter until the pilot program is terminated, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall submit a report on the operation of the pilot program and its recommendation to continue, discontinue or expand the program. Such report shall include measures of the effectiveness of the program, including, but not limited to, data on the (1) number of veterans served by the program, (2) number of veterans placed with employers by the program and the salaries earned by such veterans, and (3) number of such veterans retaining employment over time. The board shall submit the report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to veterans' affairs.
(P.A. 19-129, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 19-129 effective July 1, 2019.