Veterans’ Program Staff Training JVSG Program Staff Roles & Responsibilities

USDOL VETS Overview USDOL/VETS funded programs are those authorized under Title 38, as amended by P.L. 107-288 and through the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) Offer a noncompetitive Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program to eligible veterans Offer competitive grants for veterans with special needs Provide Veterans’ program monitoring and training through service reporting, desk audit tool, and Technical Assistance Visits to provide guidance The vehicle by which USDOL-Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) delivers employment and training services is the Jobs for Veterans State Grant, which funds veterans program staff state-wide. In addition to this noncompetitive grant, USDOL/VETS funds competitive grants that target specific groups of veterans who have barriers to employment. Examples of these competitive grants include (1) the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program that targets service delivery to homeless veterans and (2) the Homeless Female & Families Veterans Reintegration Program (HFVRP) as a way of improving their employability, and (3) the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) that addresses the unique needs of veterans seeking employment, training, job counseling and related services to develop and promote maximum employment opportunities for eligible veterans. USDOL/VETS uses tools like reports, desk audits and technical assistance to assist state and regional efforts to maximize the impact and benefit of the programs to Florida’s veterans.

USDOL VETS Programs Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Homeless Female & Family Veteran Reintegration Program (HFVRP) Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) Transitioning Incarcerated Veterans’ Program (TIVP) VA work study program Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR & E) program There are several other veteran support programs available to veterans state-wide. Those programs may include the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program or HVRP; Homeless Female & Family Veteran Reintegration Program known as HFVRP; the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program or VWIP; the Military Family Employment Advocacy Program; the VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program; Transitioning Incarcerated Veterans’ Program; VA Work Study; and the Transition Assistance Program or TAP. Vet staff should be familiar with those programs that are available in their community and develop relationships with program representatives. The regional workforce board may wish to consider developing these programs in communities where they do not exist.

Veterans Initiatives & Updates With the expected return of Soldiers, Sailors and National Guard members from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as an increase in Military draw downs for all services, new initiatives and policies are being established at the Local, State and National levels to promote the continued employment of our Veterans NATIONAL ECONOMIC COMMISSION March 23, 2012 report - the Pentagon is preparing to cut 123,900 troops by fiscal year 2017. USA Today article Pentagon helps troops move into civilian life Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY1:23a.m. EST December 7, 2012 “With the Iraq war over, the Afghanistan conflict winding down and a downsizing of the military underway, 1.2 million soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines will go through at least initial phases of the new transition effort in the next four years.”

Veteran’s Program DEO administers the JVSG and services are delivered through RWB One-Stop Career Centers From 7-1-11 to 6-30-12: Veterans, Eligible Persons, and TSMs served – 110,505 Received Staff Assisted Services – 98,021 Referred to Employment – 57,541 Referred to WIA Services – 4,122 Received Intensive Services – 8,361 Entered Employment – 60,755 (54%) 2012 - Florida’s workforce partners are placing, on average, more than 500 veterans into jobs each week.

Florida’s Workforce System Policy Administration and Operation Local Delivery System Program Development & Guidance Performance Management & Oversight Federal Performance & Financial Reporting Compliance & Financial Monitoring Technical Assistance & Support Workforce Staff Training & Development Labor Market Statistics Operation of Local One-Stop Career Centers Workforce Service Delivery to Job Seekers and Employers Local Workforce Plan Development & Implementation Local Compliance & Financial Oversight and Accountability Local Workforce Performance & Financial Tracking and Reporting Workforce Florida, Inc. Florida Department of Economic Opportunity 24 Regional Workforce Boards Strategic Planning Research & Development Policy Direction Budget Approval Funding Allocations Chartering Regional Boards Local Workforce Board Plan Approval Workforce System Performance Guidance This slide gives you a better understanding on how the workforce system works in our State. Through a collaborative partnership, providing reemployment assistance to our State’s job-seekers is the number one priority. Florida’s Veterans Employment Program is Jointly managed by DEO and Regional Workforce Boards

Office of Workforce Program Support Provide support services to Regional Workforce Boards Disseminate program information, guidance, training and technical assistance, program monitoring, performance evaluation and federal reporting, management of workforce contracts and grants and financial systems and data tracking for workforce system. Manage the contract for Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM) system and coordinate required system enhancements, etc.

DEO Staff at Local One-Stops Chapter 445.009, Florida Statutes requires: Regional Workforce Boards enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with DEO to govern the delivery of employment services Employment services must be provided under the guidance of the One-Stop operator Local management direct the day to day activities of DEO staff The Regional Workforce Boards determine how many staff based on the amount of funding

Local Veteran’s Program Florida’s One-Stop Career Centers are staffed with professionally trained Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program specialists (DVOPs) to fill a particular niche in the overall set of services for Veterans and provide specialized services DVOP specialists focus on providing Intensive Services to economically or educationally disadvantaged Veterans LVER staff focus on conducting Employer Outreach on behalf of Veterans

JVSG Staff Training Orientation to Veteran Services (LES Prerequisite) All DVOP and LVER staff will complete National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI) required courses within 18 months of hire. http://www.nvti.ucdenver.edu/home/homePage.htm Orientation to Veteran Services (LES Prerequisite) http://www.nvti.ucdenver.edu/training/orientation.htm USERRA 101 & 102 (Recommended) userra101 userra102 Veterans’ Benefits Online (Highly Recommended) Labor & Employment Specialist (LES) Required for all staff Case Management (CM) Required for DVOPs Promoting Partnerships for Employment (PPE) Required for LVERs In order to function most effectively as a veterans’ employment representative; the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service, or VETS, has established minimum training and certification requirements for the LVER and DVOP staff. Each designation has specific requirements. Both LVERs and DVOPs will complete Orientation to Veterans Services and Labor & Employment Specialist training. LVERs must also complete Promoting Partnerships for Employment. DVOPs must complete Case Management training. These training requirements must be completed within 18 months of appointment to their position as a veterans’ employment representative. The final required training is on the Transition Assistance Program or TAP. Prior to actually facilitating a TAP session, LVERs and DVOPs must have completed the TAP facilitator training.

DVOP Roles & Responsibilities Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists prepare economically or educationally disadvantaged veterans & veterans with significant barriers by providing intensive services to reduce or eliminate potential employment obstacles. DVOP staff facilitate services to veterans with special workforce needs through case management and provide referrals to employers for qualified Veterans. The DVOP has a focus on providing intensive services to veterans, prioritizing those identified as Special Disabled, Disabled and other eligible veterans. Further, DVOPs will facilitate other services to veterans with barriers to employment and to those with special workforce needs.

Intensive Services & Case Management All veterans who are pursuing employment will be registered in the EFM system. Veterans with barriers to employment will be provided with the necessary initial assessment and the required documented intensive services, as well as case management where needed. Case Management can be established in the EFM. Assessments and Employment Development Plans (EDPs) can be created in EFM. Providing intensive services is the responsibility of LVERs and DVOPs. LVERs and DVOPs are not intended to provide routine core services, as stated in Florida’s Veterans Program State Plan. This enables LVERS and DVOPs to provide intensive services and case management for veterans needing additional assistance in accomplishing their employment goals. Not all veterans receiving intensive services require case management, but all veterans receiving case management do receive intensive services. A presentation covering documenting assessments and case management tools in EFM is also available.

DVOP Activities & Services To prepare disadvantaged veterans for employment, match them with support services and reduce or eliminate barriers to employment DVOPs provide: Assessment, Counseling, Intensive Services & Case Management Referral to supportive services & job- focused/outcome- driven training, certification, etc. Job development services and employer visits for JD Job Referrals Maintain up-to-date Network Guide Organizational Outreach (to be discussed in detail later) The DVOP roles and responsibilities are heavily focused on intensive services to (1) prepare the disabled veteran for employment (2) match them with support services and (3) reduce or eliminating their barriers to employment. These intensive services may include assessment, counseling, services referrals, referral to job-focused and outcome-driven training and/or certification and job development services.

EFM Services Reminders Complete Veteran registrations, including skills profile & Resume Provide meaningful service (services with asterisks commence or extend participation) Accurate and concise case notes in EFM Veteran File Search and Skills/Job matching Identify self-registered veterans Client messaging for effective communication Alerts as reminders or triggers to veterans Keep in mind that the Employ Florida Marketplace, or EFM, has many helpful features to increase the effectiveness of service delivery. It is important to maintain clear and effective case notes in the veterans’ EFM profile. Actively working the EFM veteran files will assist veterans in achieving their employment goals and reflect the level of services provided to Florida’s veterans. Remember to record services provided for assisting veterans with their registration, providing case management, developing an individual employment plan, assisting with their resume, performing a file search for vacancies that match the veterans’ skill set and sending client messages. Other activities that should be performed in EFM include maintaining accurate and concise case notes, identifying self-registered veterans and sending alerts and reminders of critical appointments and opportunities.

LVER Roles & Responsibilities LVERs primary role is Employer Outreach Ensure priority for veterans in the One-Stop Conduct Veterans' Program training for all One-Stop Career Center associates Develop and maintain Federal Contractor List http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm http://www.veteranownedbusiness.com/fl/ LVERs also serve as advocates for employment and training opportunities with businesses, industries and community organizations. To secure more employment opportunities for veterans, LVERs should focus on the functional oversight of local veterans programs. This would include educating one-stop staff and employers about the veterans’ employment benefits and issues, and performing outreach to employers and community groups. LVERs are responsible for ensuring veterans are provided the full range of priority workforce services in the one-stop career center and over-seeing the veterans’ program. LVERs also serve as advocates for employment and training opportunities with businesses, industries and community organizations.

LVER Advocacy Role Plan, conduct and participate in Job Fairs Communicate with Unions, Apprenticeship Programs, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Units Facilitate and participate in Employer Mass Recruitments for new and expanding firms Facilitate Employer Recruiting Agreements Communicate with other venues and organizations providing services to veterans As an employment and career advocate for veterans, the LVER is expected to plan, conduct and participate in job fairs for veterans. The LVER is also expected to contact unions, apprenticeship programs, chambers of commerce and economic development entities. An LVER will also coordinate and form partnerships with the local one-stop business services unit to maximize veterans’ employment opportunities.

Service Strategies for Success Educate staff/partners (associates, managers, etc.) Stay current on veteran related programs (local, state, US) Become aware of and utilize available resources (job tools, websites, Networks, training, etc.) Coordinate and effectively communicate with One-Stop Center managers on veterans’ issues Promote full integration of veterans’ employment services Share Best Practices, Success Stories, New Ideas, Etc. on Quarterly Manager’s Report and with other RWBs In order to be successful in the veterans’ employment program it is important to have and use effective strategies. Successful strategies include orienting all One-Stop Career Center staff on veteran issues; staying current on veteran-related programs; ensuring staff have access to the latest job tools; effective marketing of the veterans’ programs; marketing the one-stops to veterans; DVOP and LVER staff coordination and effective communication with the One-Stop Career Center managers on veterans’ issues; and a seamless service delivery at the One-Stop Career Center. The most critical of these strategies is effective communication with your One-Stop Career Center team members. To be successful, the veterans program must be an integrated and seamless element of employment services delivery with a strong focus on supporting veterans. 17

Ultimate Strategy for Success Follow-up ! Follow-up !! Follow-up !!! Regardless of how many ways and methods are used to meet the local needs of veterans and employers in the community, follow-up is critical to raising and maintaining awareness of the veterans’ program among veterans and employers.

Summary USDOL/VETS Veterans initiatives & Updates Organizational Relationships DEO Veterans Program JVSG staff Roles and responsibilities In summary; this training was intended to establish awareness of the VETS grant requirements, improve comprehension of LVER and DVOP roles and responsibilities, increase understanding of the State Veterans Plan, increase awareness of other available programs and to address state-level concerns for the delivery of veterans’ services.

Additional Resources: Contact Information Shawn Forehand Paul Furbush State Veterans’ Program Coordinator Asst. Veterans’ Program Coordinator Phone:(850) 245- 7424 /Fax: (850) 921-3495 Phone:(850) 921-3867 shawn.forehand@deo.myflorida.com paul.furbush@deo.myflorida.com Additional Resources: DEO Veterans’ Workforce program Resources www.floridajobs.org/workforce-board-resources/program-resources DOL Vets Veterans Program Letters http://www.dol.gov/vets/vpls/VPLDirectory.html DVOP/LVER Assistance | Laws, Rules & Regulations http://www.nvti.ucdenver.edu/resources/laws.htm An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711. Refer to Chain of Command, Supervisor, Etc. 20