**GAO-09-34**                      Published: Jan 26, 2009. Publicly Released: Jan 26, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

In 2004, the Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program was reviewed by a VR&E Task Force. It recommended numerous changes, in particular focusing on employment through a new Five-Track service delivery model and increasing program capacity. Since then, VR&E has worked to implement these recommendations. To help Congress understand whether VR&E is now better prepared to meet the needs of veterans with disabilities, GAO was asked to determine (1) how the implementation of the Five-Track Employment Process has affected VR&E's focus on employment, (2) the extent to which VR&E has taken steps to improve its capacity, and (3) how program outcomes are reported. GAO interviewed officials from VR&E, the 2004 Task Force, and veteran organizations; visited four VR&E offices; surveyed all VR&E officers; and analyzed agency data and reports.

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## Topics

Veterans

Agency missionsAid for the disabledCapacity managementCost effectiveness analysisData collectionEmployee incentivesEmployment assistance programsEmployment of the disabledEmployment opportunitiesForce planningLabor forcePerformance appraisalPerformance measuresPeople with disabilitiesProgram evaluationProgram managementRehabilitation programsReporting requirementsStrategic planningVeteransVeterans benefitsVeterans employment programsVocational rehabilitationProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementationTransparency