Community Outreach and Assistance
The Office of Economic Adjustment provides technical and financial assistance to States and communities impacted by changes to Defense programs while helping to coordinate the involvement of other Federal Agencies in preparing an adjustment strategy to help communities
help themselves.
What OEA Can Do For You
OEA brings almost half a century of experience and best practices in
coordinating federal government resources and solving complex problems. With its interdisciplinary staff, OEA works hands-on with communities over
several years to create a positive environment for economic growth. To
better prepare the community for economic transitions, we engage with the
community and build relationships with community members, private business,
State governments, and the armed forces to ensure a successful transition.
OEA has the ability to
- Effectively engage as a neutral facilitator to support
positive interface among military departments and State and local
governments; engage key participants and elements needed to support
community economic development
- Effectively coordinate Federal assistance to support
defense-impacted state and local governments
- Work with local communities and military installations
to create a better, more diverse quality of life for all
- Understand comprehensive processes from the perspective of a
variety of stakeholders
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For more information on OEA, visit their
web site at www.oea.gov
States and Communities
States and communities may request assistance from the Office of Economic
Adjustment via email, mail or phone.
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Contact OEA
Office of Economic Adjustment
400 Army Navy Drive
Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22202-4704
Telephone: 703-604-6020
Fax: 703-604-5843
Email: wso.oeawebfeedback@wso.whs.mil
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Other Federal Programs
Other Federal agencies have programs to assist communities and individuals
transition economically in the wake of defense program changes. OEA
routinely partners with these Federal agencies and can help communities
quickly access these Federal assets in order to structure an integrated
economic adjustment plan. A sampling of some relevant Federal programs are
listed below in the following categories
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides grants for
infrastructure development, local capacity building, and business
development. EDA helps economically distressed communities alleviate
conditions of substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment.
Communities economically impacted by major base closures may
be eligible for funding under the Economic Development Administration's
Planning, Technical Assistance, and Public Works programs. These grants
provide substantial funds for a range of services including: infrastructure
development, technology initiatives, revolving loan funds, and other
economic development strategies.
Skills Partnership Self-Assessment Rating Sheet helps practitioners examine
their local and regional area current capacity and ability to establish and
operate regional skills partnerships, sector-based initiatives, and related
activities. The evaluation factors were originally identified in the course
of a national evaluation by Public Policy Associates of 50 U.S. Department
of Labor demonstration projects focusing on skills shortages. This worksheet
may be helpful to local communities seeking to develop strategic
partnerships to address a defense program change.
One-Stop Career Centers are resources for job seekers and employers. They
offer a wide array of employment, training, and education services. There
are approximately 3,400 One-Stop Career Centers located throughout the
United States. Center contact information can be found at the Web site or by
calling the toll free phone number 1-877-US2-JOBS (TTY: 1-877-899-5627).
Family Support/Service Centers are a comprehensive support network designed
to enhance the lives of soldiers (active, Reserve, and Guard), their
families, civilian employees, military retirees, and other eligible
participants. These centers, which are located all over the world and in
different branches of the military, vary in the kind of services offered.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administers the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) Program and provides management assistance to
current and prospective small business owners. SBDCs offer one-stop
assistance to individuals and small businesses through a wide variety of
information and guidance in central and easily accessible branch locations.
Lead SBDCs are in every State, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico,
Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with a network of more than 1,100 service
locations. Center contact information can be found at the Web site or by
calling the toll free phone number 1-800-8-ASK-SBA or 1-202-205-7333 (TTY).
The Small Business Training Network, sponsored by the Office of Entrepreneurial Development, is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops, and knowledge resources. This network is designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise. The above Web site provides a direct link to the network.
Administration for Children and Families provides information about the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program. CSBG provides States, U.S. territories, and recognized Indian Tribes with funds for services to ameliorate the causes and conditions of poverty. Eligible activities include: municipal infrastructure projects; acquisition, construction or rehabilitation of public facilities; clearance and demolition; housing rehabilitation; public service activities such as employment, crime prevention, childcare, health, and education; and economic development.
CDFI Fund - U.S. Treasury provides an overview of the Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) program. This program provides financial assistance to certified CDFIs that demonstrate the ability to leverage non-Federal dollars to support comprehensive business plans that impact underserved markets. The CDFI program also helps existing and emerging CDFIs build their capacity to serve their communities.
An Environmental Scan is the workforce information source to assist employment, economic development, education, workforce investment planning, and decision making. It provides a useful compendium of sources of labor market information, workforce information, and Web-based systems that provide improved access to this kind of information.
This website offers Workforce Investment Boards a how to approach to conducting a strategic economic analysis of a local/regional labor market, including building a stakeholder partnership. Although the guide was not developed for BRAC events, much of the information and many of the approaches are relevant. The guide includes how to find data, how to analyze both the supply and demand sides of a labor market, and how to conduct sector and cluster analysis.
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The documents on this website are for general information purposes only. References to particular transition actions (Ex: Base Realignment and Closure - BRAC, Transfer of Function - TOF, Reduction in Force - RIF) do not in any way indicate that is the action being taken by your organization or that the action affects any particular individual. For specific information on the transition action being taken at your activity and its effects, if any, on you, please contact your local human resources office.
