Recognizing National Employment Disabilities Awareness Month: Supervisor Donald P. Wagner Gives Grant to Increase Job Training and Transportation for People with Disabilities

(Santa Ana, CA) – Today, Supervisor Donald P. Wagner brought forward an item to allocate $15,000 from his Third District Discretionary funds to the Best Buddies California Orange County Chapter in recognition of National Employment Disabilities Month. The item passed unanimously at the Board of Supervisors.

“As a champion for our disabled community, I found a significant need for not only essential job training but transportation to and from jobs. It is an honor to help a community determined to live proud, productive lives, and a community partner that does excellent work serving people with disabilities,” said Supervisor Wagner, Orange County Supervisor of the Third District.

Currently, the shortage of service providers for job development and coaching services has overwhelmed the referral system to Best Buddies, which had to close with a waitlist of over 100 people.

The Board approved the appropriation of $10,000 towards the Pre-Employment Transition Services vocational training program in Orange County’s Third District and $5,000 to address transportation needs for participants to get to and from their interviews and jobs. The Pre-Employment Transition Program will be Orange County’s first-ever launch of the program.

“We are very grateful for the recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month at the County of Orange, with grant funds allocated from Supervisor Wagner to help support the Best Buddies Jobs Program in OC. These critical funds will help to ensure those with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have more access to transportation, essential job training, and most importantly, confidence as an integral part of Orange County’s vibrant workforce,” Katelyn Quintero, State Director, California, Best Buddies International.

Best Buddies International is one of Orange County’s most trusted providers offering 1:1 friendship, integrated employment, and leadership development programs for people with and without IDD.

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Supervisor Wagner is proud to represent approximately 630,000 diverse residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Lake Forest, Tustin, North Tustin, Villa Park, Orange, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda, and the unincorporated areas.