Building Rewarding Careers: Successfully Integrating Our Returning Veterans with Disabilities into the Workforce The Story of the Crane Learning & Employment Center for Veterans with Disabilities Jim Schonberger, CLEC Executive Director

The Problem (1 of 2) Thousands of returning U.S. veterans with disabilities need additional assistance in re- entering the workforce.

The Problem (2 of 2) Too many veterans fall through the cracks in our country’s training systems. –Too often they must negotiate and access the bureaucracy of training options on their own. –Too many lack adequate personal support systems to help them succeed. The result are U.S. veterans who fail to successfully return to civilian life, who fall far short of their potential.

The CLEC Story: Getting Started In fall of 2006, Larry McRoberts, Director of veterans programs at NSWC Crane, and Jim Schonberger with a not-for-profit firm, Crane Technology, Inc. began to discuss how to hire vets with disabilities. The more this small group explored the idea, it became apparent that the issues were complex. The planning team quickly grew to bring in a wide range of stakeholders and experts.

The CLEC Story: The Planning Team Crane Technology, Inc. EG&G Technical Services Indiana EGR 8 Regional Workforce Board Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Indiana Department of Workforce Development Indiana FSSA, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Indiana National Guard Ivy Tech Community College Military Family Research Institute – Purdue University NSWC/Team Crane Options for Better Living Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center Strategic Development Group Veterans Employment and Training Service, U.S. Dept of Labor Veterans Benefits Administration, Indianapolis Regional Office Vincennes University “Core” Team members in Red

The CLEC Story: Creating a Program from Scratch Assess the workforce preparation needs of each veteran. Bring groups of veterans to a Center where multiple organizations work together to provide comprehensive services. Create small groups of trainees among the participants to help support each other through the training program. Provide unified case management for participants. Provide family support services. Offer customized career education programs. Supply job matching services for each participant.

The CLEC Pilot Project: An 18 Month Program Bring together a group of disabled veterans for on-the-job training and education to prepare them for a variety of career opportunities. Create a comprehensive partnership team, including on-going medical assistance and help with accessing benefits. Limit pilot participant group size to 20. Provide assistance with housing and transportation. Work with NSWC Crane as the employer.

The CLEC Story: Securing Funding 18-month pilot had initial estimated costs of $800,000 Grants were awarded from –The Indiana Department of Workforce Development –The Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Why NSWC Crane? The Navy provided classrooms and other facilities for the pilot project. A military environment helped participants transition from their military careers into civilian life. The veterans were warfighters, and at Crane they will be in an environment that supports the U.S. warfighter. Crane’s job diversity will help make training and (for the pilot) employment opportunities available for every participant. Training at Crane could help open employment opportunities at other employers NSWC Crane is a Navy Working Capital Fund activity and “controls” its own endstrength

Pilot Program Goals Successful re-entry of participants to workforce Demonstrate successful integration of diverse existing support programs Develop Lessons Learned –Identify Policy, Regulatory and Statutory changes to remove barriers/impediments –Develop understanding of true costs for a long-term program Become a model for the seamless transition from DOD to VA Develop long-term program for region involving private sector employers in addition to NSWC Crane

The CLEC Story: Keeping Government Informed Briefings with –DOD –VA –Congressional Representatives –State of Indiana –Others

Project Status Completed pilot program Have exceeded the original target for participants (Originally 15-20, currently ~60) Education/Enrollment procedures have been developed Created excellent working relationships with partnering organizations NSWC Crane approved increasing the number of participants Have had discussions with the Navy (NAVSEA/CNIC) about expanding the program –Visited/assisted NAVSEA, NSWCs at Pt Hueneme, Corona, Dahlgren, Indian Head, Dam Neck and NTC Great Lakes

CLEC Phase II Entering Phase II (2 year expansion program) –NSA/NSWC Crane expansion Other NSA Crane tenants Beginning to explore private sector employers for participants –Assist with Navy (NAVSEA/CNIC) export of program –Planning for expansion to other Indiana Locations Indianapolis (Stout Field), Fort Wayne(?), Other(?) Also partnering with Defense Finance and Accounting Service – Indianapolis (Indianapolis site provides all HR/hiring services for DFAS nationwide) –Phase II funded with expansion grant ($220K) from McCormick Foundation, follow-on grant from Lilly Endowment ($898K), follow-on grant from IDWD ($150K),

A Key Issue: Increasing the Number of Private Sector Employers Pilot project depended mainly on NSWC Crane. Phase II will need for-profit companies to participate.

What We Have Found So Far (1 of 2) The military has changed how it handles personnel with long-term injuries. –Keeping them longer before discharge. –Services VERY protective of their injured. Federal and State Support Organizations (e.g. VA, DWD, FSSA, IDVA, etc) have great people, but their case loads are huge. The focus should be on the career and not the initial job – this is unique to CLEC within DOD programs. We are moving toward a knowledge-based economy in which education is a primary worker asset. MFRI data indicates only 9% of returning DAVs that start degree programs actually complete degrees MFRI research implies programs like CLEC will have significantly higher success rates

What We’ve Found So Far (2 of 2) Many newly discharged vets with disabilities have serious financial problems. –As many as 20 percent of CLEC candidates faced bankruptcy or were in other financial difficulty resulting in Dept Of Navy Central Adjudication Facility (DONCAF) denying clearances which made it almost impossible to be hired as a civilian employee at a military base. The vet’s medical problems must be included in career planning and on-the- job training. The vet’s family often needs significant support. Federal service presents unique requirements/issues regarding non- competitive appointments, have to work within the regulations/laws –VRA “Ten Point” preference –“Schedule A” –Student trainee

CLEC Services CLEC provides services such as: –Recruiting –Candidate screening –Family financial status and financial counseling –Spousal employment –Relocation assistance –Family assistance –Resume writing –Interviewing skills –Administration of VA OJT training program for Crane –(and others)

CLEC Support/Assistance –Limited funding in place to support NAVSEA/Navy expansion initiative –Share start up process/lessons learned –Advice on initial planning/workshop(s) –Sharing existing program documentation, policies and procedures –Assist with implementation

Long-Term Goals Establish a campus and facility for veterans with disabilities. In parallel with the pilot program, develop a long-term program to serve Indiana and surrounding states. Ultimately, the Crane Learning & Employment Center for Veterans with Disabilities could serve as a national model with locations at other DOD bases. This is all contingent on developing a “Program of Record” with stable, long-term funding.

Contact Info Jim Schonberger, Executive Director (812) x203 Vicki Baker, Program Coordinator (812) x201 Erika Carnes, Services Coordinator (812) x202 DeEtt Pershing, Admin Officer (812) x200 Larry McRoberts, NSWC Director of Veterans Programs (812) P.O. Box 216 Crane, IN