# Presentation: 523742

## Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment 

- Program Orientation
- October 14, 2005

**Notes:**
Blank

## Who We Are

***The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment program provides...***
-  services and assistance to veterans with service connected disabilities so they obtain and maintain suitable employment ,and when needed achieve independence in daily living.  VR&E is an _***employment***_ program.
***Vocational Rehabilitation can include...***
-  college, technical school, on-the-job training, or special training at rehabilitation facilities to prepare for suitable employment

**Notes:**
Blank

## What We Do

***Vocational Rehabilitation services include:***
-  Determining veterans abilities, skills, interests and needs
-  Vocational counseling and planning
-  Employment Services (Job Search, Resume Development, etc.)
-  Assistance finding and maintaining suitable employment
-  Training such as on-the-job and non-paid work experiences
-  Educational training such as certificate, two/four year college programs
-  Determining independent living needs
-  Personal adjustment counseling
-  Training in activities of daily living

**Notes:**
VR&E Provides Comprehensive Services Including:

Vocational Rehabilitation Services toward the Goal of Suitable Employment
Independent Living Services with the Goal of Increasing Veterans’ Quality of Life
Employment Services
Counseling Services
Vocational and Job Readiness Assessments
Eligibility and Entitlement Determinations
Program Evaluations and Case Management

## Who Qualifies for VR&E Services

***To receive an evaluation for vocational rehabilitation services... ***
***A Service Member Must:***
-  Be within 6 months of separation from active duty
-  Be in possession of a memorandum rating from VA
***A Veteran Must:***
-  Have received a honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
-  Have a VA service-connected disability rating
-  Not have exceeded the 12 year eligibility requirement

**Notes:**
Blank

## VR&E Task Force

-  In April 2003 a Task Force was established to conduct a top to bottom review of the VR&E program
-  In 2004,  the Task Force issued a report containing over 100 recommendations
-  One of the most significant recommendations was to implement a new, five-track employment-driven VR&E service delivery system

**Notes:**
Blank

## Improvements to Employment Services 

-   Make better use of special appointing authorities
-  Developed a joint satellite broadcast with DOL which aired on 2/2004
-   Enhanced existing online employment services
- 	– Contracted with Symplicity Corporation to establish www.vetsuccess.gov
-   Initiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with working partners
-  Home Depot
-  Army Material Command
-  Helmets to Hardhats
-  Goodwill Industries

**Notes:**
The following special authorities permit the noncompetitive appointment of eligible veterans: 

The Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans 
Disabled Veterans Enrolled In VA Training Programs
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)

## Improvements to Employment Services

-   Developed procedures to implement the Five-Track Employment Process
-   Created a Standardized Orientation Video
-   Established Job Resource Labs
-  4 established during pilot
-  Nationwide roll-out planned                                                            for FY06
-   Created the Employment Coordinator                                            position

**Notes:**
Pilot Performance as of September 2005:

3267 Veterans have viewed the Five-Track Orientation Video
Veterans praise consistency of message and clarity of program choice options (tracks)
89.25% customer satisfaction rate
15% of track selections are make in three primary employment areas:
1.  Re-Employment
2.  Rapid Access to Employment
  Self-Employment

## Five-Track Employment Process

**Notes:**
The Five-Track Employment Process is newly developed service delivery methodology.  It compliments (does not replace) the standard rehabilitation process with: 
Standardized Orientation Materials
Job Resource Labs
Employment Coordinators
Online Vocational Exploration and Job Readiness Tools (VetSuccess.gov)
Integrates Partnerships with DOL/VETS, Employers, and Professional Contracting Support

The Five-Track Employment Process:
Moves the Emphasis on Employment to the Front of the Rehabilitation Process
Standardizes VR&E’s Message and Outreach Across the Nation
Increases Informed Choice Among Veterans
Increases the timely delivery of program services
Reduces the Reliance on Long-Term Services

## Five Tracks to Employment

_***Re-Employment***_
- For service members/veterans wishing to return to work with a previous employer prior to their activation with the Armed Forces.
_***Rapid Access to Employment***_
- For service members/veterans who have expressed a desire to seek immediate employment or those who already have the necessary skills  to qualify for competitive employment.
_***Self-Employment***_
- For veterans who have limited access to traditional employment.
_***Employment through Long-term Services***_
- Some service members/veterans require services where employment is more of a long-term goal
_***Independent Living***_
- These services can make the difference in a veteran’s quality of life and potentially enable the veteran to return to work

**Notes:**
Re-Employment:  Veterans return to work with previous employer

Rapid Access to Employment: Veterans with suitable vocational skills, training and education, return to work with little or no requirement for training beyond employment readiness.

Self-Employment:  Services for veterans with limited employment opportunities and more serious disabilities.

Long-Term Services:  Veterans receive expanded services in the form of on the job training, apprenticeships, formal education, and certifications.  

Independent Living:  Veterans are assessed regarding quality of life issues and are provided services which maximize their daily independence.

## Services Provided by the Employment Coordinator

- “EC”

**Notes:**
Employment Coordinators (EC’s)
Replace the Employment Specialist position which focused solely on marketing and placement activities
Support veterans and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) through the:
Orientation Phase
Triage Phase (Consultation on Plans, Vocational Exploration, Labor Market Information, and Job Readiness Assessment/Track Selection)
Job Readiness Activities (Resume, Dress for Success, Job Seeking and Interviewing Skills)
Placement (Partnerships with Employers, DVOPs, Contractors, and other Working Partners for Job Development)

## Employment Coordinator Function

**Two primary functions**
- Market VR&E participants to employers
- Targeted  Marketing
- Special Incentives
- Job Analysis
- Follow Up Services
- Actively assist veterans to reach their employment goal
- Orientation
- Job Seeking Skills Assistance
- Accommodations
- Self-Directed Job Search
- Labor Market Information
- Follow Up/Support Services

**Notes:**
Blank

## Advantages of the EC

-  Involvement in total program from start to finish instead of focusing on the “job ready veteran”
-  Assist in plan development as part of a team concept to ensure informed choice and more accurate employment outcomes
-  Enhanced consistency of customer service

**Notes:**
Blank

## Job Resource Labs

**Notes:**
Blank

## Job Resource Labs

- 	Job Resource Labs consist of state-of-the-art employment related equipment and technologies which support competitive career related activities. Job labs include:
- Computers
- Fax machines, scanners, and copiers
- Internet Access
- Job Related Resource Materials
- Online Employment Resources
- VetSuccess.gov
- Assistance of the Employment Coordinator (EC)

**Notes:**
Job Resource Labs
State-of-the-art employment related equipment and technologies which support competitive career related activities.  Resources which support a veterans’ job readiness and search include:   

Computers
Fax machines, scanners, and copiers
Internet Access
Job Related Resource Materials
Online Employment Resources 
VetSuccess.gov
Assistance of the Employment Coordinator (EC)

## Online Employment Resources

**Notes:**
Blank

## What is VetSuccess.gov?

***VetSuccess.gov is an information systems based state-of-the-art employment readiness resource which provides users with:***
-   World-wide accessibility
-   Self-service capability
-   Online program orientation and resource capabilities
-   Online vocational exploration and job readiness resources

**Notes:**
Blank

## Who Uses VetSuccess.gov?

- Veterans
- Employment Coordinators
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Employers
- Educators
- DVOPs/LVERs
- Contractors

**Notes:**
Blank

## VR&E Tools for Employer 

- Special Employer Incentives
- Non-Paid Work Experience Programs
- Internships
- On The Job Training (OJT)
- Apprenticeship Programs
- Tax Incentives
- Special Hiring/Appointing Authorities

**Notes:**
Special Employer Incentives:
Offered to private sector employers only
Reduction in wages of up to 50% for 6 months 
Specialized training in support of new job duties
Case management with employer and veteran

Non Paid Work Experience (NPWE)
Offered to Federal, State, and Local Governments only
Provides veteran with opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience in their designated vocation
No cost to employer
Veteran receives subsistence allowance while working/training with employer
Veteran receives additional training, supplies, and counseling services as required
Program length is typically 6-12 months

OJT/Internship/Apprenticeship Programs
Offered to most employers
Provides veteran with opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience in their designated vocation
Employer shares salary cost with VA when applicable
Veteran receives subsistence allowance while working/training with employer
Veteran receives additional training, supplies, and counseling services as required
Program length is limited to 48 months

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC):
Authorized by the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (P. L. 104-188)
Federal tax credit that encourages employers to hire eight targeted groups
Reduces employers’ federal income tax liability by as much as $2,400 per qualified new worker
Currently slated to end on January 1, 2006 (may be renewed as it has in the past)

## VR&E as a Working Partner

- Provide Initial Assessment of Job Readiness (Interests, Aptitudes, and Abilities)
- Consult with VA HR, Federal Agencies, and private sector employers on matching veterans to suitable recruitment vacancies
- Utilize VR&E's network of Employment Coordinators as a placement resource in contacting employers, recruiters, and training facilities
- Provide placement, post-placement adjustment and case management services to veterans that maximizes opportunities for a successful transition from entry level training to permanent hire

**Notes:**
Initial Assessments
Consultation with Federal and Private Employers
Employment Coordinators as Placement Resource
Post Placement and Adjustment Services

## Contact Information

**There are 57 VA regional offices located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. **
**Visit the VA website at **_**[http://www.](http://www.va.gov/)**__**[va](http://www.va.gov/)**__**[.](http://www.va.gov/)**__**[gov](http://www.va.gov/)**_

**Notes:**
Blank

## Questions & Answers

## Thank You!