February 23, 2010 

REP. DILLON URGES GOVERNOR TO HELP RESIDENTS FIND JOBS
Governor's announcement of career councilors for vets is great news
but her budget cuts funding for other job training programs

State Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) hailed Governor M. Jodi Rell's announcement of federal funds for the State Department of Labor to add four Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists to better assist veterans find employment.

Rep. Dillon said, "I welcome the addition to the Department of Labor to help disabled veterans, but not as a substitute for the community-based programs the governor's budget wipes out."

State funding for employment programs like STRIVE New Haven was eliminated in the governor's proposed budget.

"Her administration told us funding was being cut because this is a smaller program," Rep. Dillon said. "STRIVE may be small but it is extremely effective. The program maintains a 75% job placement rate for its graduates. The Department of Labor has had its ups and downs, and while I see today's announcement as good news, the governor's budget does more harm than good to job seekers."

STRIVE New Haven provides job training, job placement and post-placement support for New Haven area residents. According to STRIVE, one in every 20 members of New Haven's labor force has applied for their support.