CareerSource Palm Beach County Named National Veterans Service Award Recipient

WASHINGTON – CareerSource Palm Beach County (FL) has received the 2026 Mark Sanders Award for Exceptional Service to Veterans from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). The award was presented at their 13th Annual Veterans Conference in Washington, DC. It recognizes the organization’s commitment to helping veterans, transitioning service members, and eligible spouses build successful careers.

FloridaCommerce nominated CareerSource Palm Beach County (CSPBC) for the award. In 2025, the organization served 576 veterans through workforce development programs. It connected them to training, credentials, and employment opportunities in high-demand industries. Initiatives such as the Get There Faster Veterans Grant, have helped veterans move quickly into careers. The organization also provides individualized support to help remove barriers to employment.

"CareerSource Palm Beach County reflects the spirit of the Mark Sanders Award through its strong commitment to veterans, transitioning service members, and military families," said Scott B. Sanders, NASWA President and CEO. "Their innovative approach, strong community partnerships, and commitment to helping veterans overcome barriers to employment have created meaningful opportunities and lasting impact.”

A key factor in CSPBC’s success is its comprehensive approach to serving veterans facing significant barriers to employment, including homelessness, disabilities, justice involvement, and long-term unemployment. CSPBC goes above and beyond traditional workforce services by addressing the underlying challenges that often prevent veterans from achieving long-term success. Through strategic partnerships and targeted outreach, the organization connects veterans with housing assistance, healthcare, legal services, workforce training, career counseling, and other critical supportive services. CSPBC also hosts Veteran Stand Downs, Veteran Resource Fairs, and community outreach events that connect veterans to essential resources that promote stability, self-sufficiency, and successful workforce reentry. By addressing the whole veteran, not just employment, CSPBC removes barriers, improves employment outcomes, and equips veterans with the resources needed to achieve lasting personal and professional success.

"Receiving the Mark Sanders Award for Exceptional Service to Veterans is an extraordinary honor,” said Julia Dattolo, CareerSource Palm Beach County President and CEO. “This national recognition highlights the impact of workforce programs that help veterans facing significant barriers connect to meaningful employment and new opportunities. It also belongs to the veterans we serve and to the dedicated staff and partners who help them succeed every day. We are proud to represent Palm Beach County and the State of Florida and are grateful for the opportunity to serve those who have served our nation."

Awarded annually at the NASWA Veterans Conference, the Mark Sanders Award recognizes a one-stop career center whose efforts to serve veterans go above and beyond the scope of mandatory service provision and have a special emphasis on veterans with significant barriers to employment.

The prestigious award is named in honor of Mark Sanders who, during his career with the California Employment Development Department and in leadership positions with NASWA, was untiring in his efforts to promote excellence in services to disabled veterans.

For more information, visit the 2026 Veterans Conference website.

To learn more, watch the CareerSource Palm Beach County video.