Los Angeles, CA – The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has awarded $10 million to the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as part of a $20 million federal and state commitment to support workers and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires across LA County.

“For so many in our community, this funding represents the start of our recovery— opening up opportunities for impacted workers to put food on the table, help pay bills, and begin their journey to rebuild their lives,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity.

“The devastation of the Eaton Fire not only took residents’ homes, but their businesses and jobs,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This grant program is an important source of support that will bolster our workforce and bring stability to our community when they need it most.”

“My heart goes out to so many families in Southern California suffering extensive loss as a result of the fires,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “We want to do everything possible to lend a hand and support workers and businesses in this area as they try to get back on their feet. These funds offer an opportunity to support the community in starting their rebuilding efforts.”

Through this grant, DEO in partnership with LA City, Foothill, and our network of local workforce development boards and community partners will provide a range of targeted programs and services, including:

• Temporary and Transitional Job Opportunities: Connecting displaced workers to humanitarian aid roles, cleanup efforts, and transitional jobs that offer pathways to sustainable employment.

• Workforce Development Programs: Offering on-the-job training, skill-building initiatives, and career development services through DEO’s America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) to ensure impacted workers are equipped to thrive in the evolving job market.

• Comprehensive Support Services: Providing additional assistance such as housing, childcare, and transportation support to stabilize families and enable long-term recovery.

The $10 million grant award to DEO will complement an additional $10 million allocated to both the City and County of Los Angeles, which collectively addresses urgent community needs such as debris removal, shelter operations, and community health support in fire-impacted areas. This funding is made possible by the U.S. Department of Labor and Governor Gavin Newsom.

“These combined efforts will help restore livelihoods, strengthen the region’s economy, and ensure affected residents have the resources they need while directly contributing to their community’s recovery,” said Kelly LoBianco.

Residents impacted can access a range of services through DEO’s AJCC’s. These centers provide unemployment insurance assistance, healthcare coverage guidance, direct connections to hiring employers, and more. Find the nearest center by visiting https://bit.ly/FindanAJCC.

In addition, DEO has launched an emergency resources webpage for workers and businesses, a one-stop hub providing assistance, and up-to-date information to support businesses and workers as they navigate recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life changing opportunities, and is also home to the Office of Small Business, LA County’s one-stop shop dedicated to prospective entrepreneurs and small business owners. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services.