**U.S. Department of Labor**

**Veteran's Employment Training Service**

**VETS**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.98125in" height="0.61875in"}

**Summary Report**

**2008 Competitive Grantees Training Conference**

**August 5, 2008 through August 7, 2008**

Submitted To: Premier Consultants International, Inc.

1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 425

Washington, DC 20036

Attn: Renard (Bernie) Marable

202-319-1211

rmarable@premiercon.com

Submitted By: WSC Associates, LLP

Association and Event Management

P.O. Box 471212

Forestville, MD 20753

Sharene A. Cook

301-669-9319

scook@wscassociates.com

**Introduction**

The U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment Training Service
(VETS) held their 2008 Competitive Grantees Training Conference in
Washington, DC from August 5, 2008 through August 7, 2008. During this
time, conference attendees had the opportunity to attend general
conference sessions as well as separate breakout training sessions.

The titles of each session, as indicated on the conference agenda, were
as follows:

-   Plenary Session

-   Customized Employment

-   Case Management PTSD/TBI

-   Common Measures Overview

-   GOTR Training

-   General and Special Provisions

-   Indirect Costs General Overview

-   E-Grants Training

-   Grants Reporting

-   Allowable and Unallowable Costs

-   Utilizing the Electronic Finance systems

-   Case Management NVTI

-   Strategic Planning

The conference Agenda is included with this report.

**Conference Participants**

Overall, 300 participants representing 44 states and the District of
Columbia attended the conference. Included with this report is the
Grantees Roster that contains the names, titles and contact information
for conference attendees.

**Evaluation Data Summary**

At the end of each conference day, conference attendees were asked to
complete a daily evaluation. Attendees were asked to rate each session
using the following scale:

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  Poor              Fair              Good              Excellent

  1                 2                 3                 4
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

The evaluations also had space available for attendees to write comments
regarding each session (included with this report are the completed
hard-copy evaluations). Once the evaluations were completed, attendees
returned the evaluations to the staff of WSC Associates, LLP and the
data was entered and summarized as shown below.

The following displays the number of evaluations received for each
session (the "Count" and the average rating score based on the above
4-point scale:

**Day 1 (August 5, 2008)**

+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
|                                 | **Count**        | **Average       |
|                                 |                  | Score**         |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Plenary Session             | 121              | 3.45            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Customized Employment       | 32               | 3.72            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Case Management PTSD/TBI    | 55               | 3.49            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Common Measures             | 71               | 3.25            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+

**Day 2 (August 6, 2008)**

+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
|                                 | **Count**        | **Average       |
|                                 |                  | Score**         |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Plenary Session             | 101              | 4.00            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   GOTR Training               | 21               | 3.52            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   General & Special Provision | 91               | 3.47            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Indirect Costs General      | 44               | 2.98            |
|     Overview                    |                  |                 |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Common Measures             | 49               | 3.43            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   E-Grants Training           | 55               | 3.12            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Grants Reporting            | 57               | 2.94            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+

**Day 3 (August 7, 2008)**

+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
|                                 | **Count**        | **Average       |
|                                 |                  | Score**         |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Plenary Session             | 61               | 3.35            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Allowable & Unallowable     | 48               | 3.14            |
|     Costs                       |                  |                 |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Utilizing the Electronic    | 24               | 3.29            |
|     Finance System              |                  |                 |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Case Management NVTI        | 35               | 3.46            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+
| -   Strategic Planning Session  | 45               | 3.53            |
+---------------------------------+------------------+-----------------+

Listed below are general conference coordination comments that were
listed on the participant evaluations.

All hard-copy evaluations, including the written comments, are included
with this report.

**Comments Day 1 (August 5, 2008)**

-   Great Sessions.

-   First time grantee -- gaining more information about the grant.

-   Would like to learn more about the spreadsheets.

-   Separate Q&A from presentation.

-   Case Management -- Very well done. Interesting; much audience
    interaction; good presenter; good visual aids.

-   Have materials/handouts ready in advance.

-   Spend less time with welcomes and introductions.

-   Need new topics/workshops -- don't recycle each year.

-   Bigger nametags.

-   Provide tables at conference for attendees to display information &
    promotional literature for their organizations and programs.

-   Make sure instructors understand length of sessions.

-   Move back to Denver.

-   Did a great job!

-   Keep the Q&A to a minimum so the class can flow without so many long
    questions.

-   Suggest separate class for first time grantees for Common Measures.

-   Have a session with just the \[Common Measures\] spreadsheet.

-   Smaller groups, Regional trainings.

-   Use micro phases for instructors and questions from grantees.

-   Common Measures sessions was overcrowded with a restricted view of
    projector screen.

-   Smaller, but more groups.

-   Really enjoyed "Partnership" w/Gordon Burke; Common Measures had the
    most "nuts & bolts" information.

-   The Common Measures training should be extended. The two session
    were not sufficient to cover practical applications.

-   The Common Measures workshop lecture was good but the questions from
    audience kept him jumping around too much.

-   Clearly not a new grantee seminar.

-   Larger print on binder material.

-   It was very helpful to have copies of presentations in binder.

-   I'm concerned by certain questions related to "18 months" of
    training when dealing with a 12 month grant.

-   Would prefer not to leave for lunch -- would rather have opportunity
    to network and get to know valuable contacts.

-   I did not like the 2-part session, would have preferred to attend
    two sessions for one-hour each.

-   Plenary session was very good. The overview of where we are headed
    was very informative.

-   More videos of real like situations.

-   More instructions -- more speakers than just 1 person.

-   Wonderful job, as always!

-   Common Measures need bigger class.

-   Less Speakers.

-   More Case Management such as retention -- DCA problems.

-   CM/PTSD-TBI: Turned into a BS session where war stories were
    exchanged.

-   CM/PTSD/TBI was not what I expected. I wanted more case management.

-   There should be a pre-conference session for all first year grantees
    to help acclimate us and clarify grant basis.

-   There were too many people in the Common Measures workshop. It was
    hard to focus and get correct information.

-   Separate session for new agencies (maybe pre-conference session).

-   Wait until presentation is over to ask and answer questions.

-   Should have had copies of CM spreadsheets in binder.

-   If possible to have veterans who have TBI and their life stories

-   Case Management -- better title would be "Working w/people
    w/Disabilities."

-   Please have coffee in the morning. It was missed!

-   Gordon Burke -- was very motivated. He kept is real, which made him
    a real person.

-   Have sessions on TRAINING! What training is needed? And how can be
    we it.

-   Diversify sessions for "new" attendees and former attendees.

-   Have a breakout session on support services or supported employment
    and retention services for veterans with disabilities.

-   Great opportunity for growth and ability to execute grant.

-   I felt bad for the presenters -- too many chiefs, not enough
    Indians. Even a separate breakout session for folks who are NOT new
    to the program would be beneficial.

-   Ideas on how rural areas may be able to form partnership/networks.

-   The session needs to be more organized & controlled -- save
    questions for specific time.

-   Needed more time to fully understand strategies related to
    Customized Employment.

-   Too much information, too fast for someone new to the program.

-   Less Plenary sessions and more break out sessions to enable more
    details or better explanations for newcomers.

-   Longer time for training on Common Measures.

-   Common Measures should be taught in classroom style.

-   All sessions were good.

-   The plenary session(s) lacked substance which could have been
    helpful to our jobs.

-   Excellent conference.

-   Colonel Burke was the brightest light of the day. Great!!!

-   Get a new event planner. Make sure that the venue isn't under
    construction.

-   This is the worse conference ever. We were tired of Denver, but
    Denver sure looks like Heaven compared to this year in DC.

-   Customized Employment -- She was a great presenter. I really enjoyed
    it.

-   Smaller groups allowed for more general discussion this was better
    keep it small.

-   Better organization. Bags with material was not readily available.

**Comments -- Day 2 (August 6, 2008)**

-   Lots of questions were asked, however, it did not appear that the
    presenter have the time or knowledge to answer the questions
    (General and Special Provisions).

-   Vast improvement from 2007 Denver conference**.**

-   The opening prayer was great, but against government mandates. This
    would really put a scare on the whole faith based-government funding
    issue.

-   They should have had a special session for new grantees.

-   Common Measures -- The session is excellent as is...just allow more
    time for the practical side of presentation.

-   Excellent!

-   Have more variety of topics

-   Some portions of the General & Special Provisions presentation
    occurred too fast. I would recommend a slower presentation to allow
    for better comprehension.

-   Indirect Cost was very confusing**.**

-   Great session!!

-   More practice w/Common Measures.

-   More examples of actual cost allocations that are working -- We
    don't need slides to be ready, need more discussion.

-   No interactions as to how to actually get cost and rates, this
    person should have worksheets, to complete an actual reimbursement
    request.

-   Separate 1^st^ grant from 3yr year grant folks so specific issues
    may be covered for 3^rd^ year attendees.

-   Partnering with other grant programs.

-   Common Measures helped to explain the demographics and entered
    employments as well as the exiting process.

-   General & Special Provisions needed more time, 1.5 hours was not
    enough time to cover everything.

-   Indirect Costs session was a read. Back of PowerPoint & Presentation
    added little substance.

-   I enjoyed having a handout to go along with the slides.

-   A full day devoted to Common Measures with smaller classes. Separate
    new and old grantees.

-   A clearer understanding on Common Measures entries (Reporting).

-   The introduction of a new database should be processed over a 2-3
    days hands on training -- regional or local.

-   Need more time for GOTR Training.

-   Better distribution of programs for staff in attendance.

-   Same stuff from last year. We need new information about how best to
    run our programs.

-   More time for each category. Ran out of time to complete slides
    (GOTR Training).

-   More specific applications (locally) for the determined direct and
    indirect cost rates.

-   Very well organized. Good information. Facilitator very patience.

-   Keep Common Measures out of the grants reporting discussion.

-   The presentation for General and Special Provisions was rushed --
    maybe allow more than one hour for the lecture.

-   More interactive and activities.

-   Allow a little more time for questions at technical sessions.

-   Common Measures was very scattered -- many questions in different
    directions at one time.

-   Need more topics that are relevant to LVER/OVOP and homeless VETS in
    anyway.

-   Less time in a.m. speeches more "meat & potatoes" common measures
    grant reporting/issues.

-   Allot time for a questions & answer session.

-   You had a session for Grant Officer Technical training you should
    consider a session presented by a grantee for new grantees about
    procedures. Split between program & finance.

-   More detail on General & Special Provisions.

-   Would like to see more sessions relating to working w/clients,
    session on careers in demand, etc.

-   Indirect Costs -- Info on HUD and housing. Hands on training.

-   Overall good information.

-   Very knowledgeable instructors. Great presentations. Answered all
    questions.

-   Clarity in definitions, examples of completed forms.

-   Outstanding.

-   There should be examples of the spreadsheets to reference in
    notebook for Common Measures on tables. As well as examples on
    entering, being that this is where most of the confusion is for the
    new comers.

-   IRS Session during Plenary re: tax benefits for VETS w/disabilities
    was good.

-   Less general sessions; more in-depth data on successful programs;
    day dragged too long.

-   Too many general speeches and re-hashing past history. Time should
    be used more productively. Specialized workshops focusing on "nuts &
    bolts" issues are needed.

-   Make workshops more applicable to "older" grantees; seemed to be
    geared towards new grantees.

-   Don't just read the PowerPoint -- explain!! For E-Grants, I had
    never heard of it and did not know what it was supposed to be, so I
    was very confused. Some background and explanation before the
    technical instruction would have been nice.

-   Very poor presenter concerning the 272 & 269 prep. I was hoping to
    hear about E-Grant SGA submission.

-   Should have stated GOTR Training was not for grantees.

-   Very good conference so far!

-   Great Sessions!!

**Comments Day 3 (August 7, 2008)**

-   Choose hotel near more affordable restaurants.

-   Better understanding of UEFS.

-   You guys have lost the magic. This was the worse conference ever!

-   Colonel Burke was dynamic and the only inspiration.

-   Better planning, a hotel that's not under renovation. Interactive
    workshop.

-   Very well put together. Regional conferences would be good.

-   The handout for PMS of screens from system is too small to read.

-   Great Conference!

-   Grantee funding for employer(s) who hire vets for OTT.

-   Great. I am very honored to be a new grantee.

-   More employment classes.

-   Increase time allotted for Strategic Planning Session.

-   Was very irritated during planning session because we were told as a
    VWIP grant that our input wasn't as important as HVRP because there
    are so few VWIP grants.

-   I would have really liked more specialized VWIP sessions, we kind of
    felt left out and rejected we need as much support as HVRP grants to
    better serve our veteran population.

-   All the session attend, were very helpful -- gain a lot of
    information.

-   Presenters should not read their slides! Attendees leave.

-   Include some sessions for VWIP.

-   Different location.

-   Strategic Planning -- excellent interaction with other grantees.
    Good opportunity for input.

-   More breakout sessions where grantees can network and interact. We
    need to learn from each other's experience.

-   Regional conferences every year; National conferences every two
    years.

-   Nice to have printed presentations in binder.

-   More sessions for networking and sharing of programs.

-   Special pre-conference session for new grantees.

-   Need a cheat sheet for Common Measures.

-   Have this in New York.

-   More interactive breakout sessions.

-   Great event!

-   All went well and it was very organized.

-   Outstanding conference.

-   More time allocated to Strategic Planning -- Capacity building
    regarding DVOP/LVER rates & responsibilities.

-   Bring conference to different grantee cities or back to Denver. DC
    is too expensive. Great hotel staff.

-   Move to Denver or San Diego, or Kansas City, Anaheim.

-   Make the strategic planning the centerpiece of the conference.