Funding expires for Guard job assistance program

The fiscal year 2014 contract for the Oregon National Guard’s Joint Transition Assistance Program, known as JTAP, which assists service members and veterans with civilian job placement, has expired, the Oregon Military Department said Monday.

The contract employed about 16 contractors across the state and was developed as part of the Reintegration Program to help returning war veterans find jobs.

Federal funding was available for a new contract to continue these services for fiscal year 2015. However, the agency said, no proposals to support the contract requirements were received during the solicitation process, resulting in a lapse in executing a new contract.

“Although the funding was available, we received zero quotes to fulfill this contract,” said Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department. “Since the contract was not executed, the funding had to be returned to the federal government.”

A new contract may be executed if funding is allocated in fiscal year 2015, which begins October 1.

Meanwhile, Family Assistance Specialists with the Reintegration Program will work hand in hand with WorkSource Oregon to assist veterans and families seeking employment to continue these services.

“This is an amazing program, not just for the Oregon National Guard, but for all Oregon veterans and their families,” Bomar said. “We will continue to do our best to support this requirement.”

Oregon’s Reintegration Program has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. The JTAP program has helped secure employment for more than 1,200 veterans over the last 12 months, Bomar said.

Currently, the Oregon National Guard has nearly 1,000 Guard members mobilized in support of overseas operations, with the majority serving in Afghanistan.

Many of these Oregon Guard members will be seeking civilian employment upon their return to Oregon next year.

For information about the JTAP program visit: http://www.orng-vet.org/employment/employment%20How%20Do%20I%20Start.html