Veterans’ Program Staff Training Roles, Responsibilities & Programs

Objectives  Awareness of the Veterans’ Program Mission  Comprehension of Veterans’ Staff Roles & Responsibilities  Awareness of U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (USDOL/VETS) Expectations  Awareness of Organizational Relationships  Awareness of Additional Veterans Programs

References  Title 38, United States Code Section 101(2) (38 U.S.C. 101(2)); 38 U.S.C.; 38 U.S.C., Chapters 41 and 42  Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) – P.L  Veterans’ Program Letter No (Refocused Roles DVOP/LVER)

4 To promote and maximize the employment of Florida's veterans, especially veterans with barriers to employment, utilizing the complete menu of One-Stop Career Center resources. DEO Veterans Program Mission

5 USDOL/VETS  USDOL/VETS funded programs are those authorized under Title 38, as amended by P.L 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 USDOL VETS Overview

6  Florida’s Veterans Employment Program is Jointly managed by DEO and Regional Workforce Boards  Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program specialists (DVOPs) fill a particular niche in the overall set of services for Veterans and should be used to provide specialized services Roles and Responsibilities

Contract Policy Chartering Funding Agreements Financial Monitoring Budget Approval State Plan Approval Performance Oversight Jobs for Vets State Grant Memorandums of Understanding Notice of Financial Award Program & Financial Monitoring Performance Contracts & Oversight Organizational Relationships LVER Outreach to Employers Training & Employment Services for Veterans Preparing Quarterly Manager’s Reports DVOP Intensive Services (Case Management) Outreach to Veterans Full Range of Employment & Training Services to Veterans 24 Regional Workforce Boards *Service Providers* *Training Providers* *One-Stop Career Centers* Workforce Services Local Policies Day to Day Duties Performance Oversight Functional Supervision Program Monitoring Grant Compliance Plan Approval Budget Approval

8 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staff focus on providing intensive services to veterans with priority to Special Disabled, Disabled veterans and other eligible veterans. DVOP staff will facilitate services to veterans with barriers to employment and with special workforce needs through case management. DVOP Roles & Responsibilities

9 To prepare disabled 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  Job Referrals  Maintain up-to-date Network Guide  Organizational Outreach DVOP Activities & Services

10 DVOP staff will conduct outreach to locate economically or educationally disadvantaged veterans & veterans with barriers to employment, especially veterans with special needs & homeless veterans through the following organizations and/or activities:  Vet Centers, VA Medical Centers and Outpatient Clinics  Satellite offices  HVRP Projects: Tampa, Cocoa Beach and Tallahassee  Homeless Shelters  Community based and civic organizations  Veterans' Service Organizations  Veteran Service Officers (VSO) offices DVOP Organizational Outreach

11  Workforce Partners and Service Providers  Veterans’ Affairs Educational Coordinators  Faith-Based Organizations  Reserve and National Guard units  Venues and locations where veterans congregate  Universities, Colleges and Community Colleges to solicit Veterans Administration (VA) Work-Study Assistants DVOP Outreach Locations

12 Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) will ensure that veterans are provided the full range of priority workforce services in the One-Stop Career Center, providing functional oversight over the Veteran's Program. LVERs also serve as advocates for employment and training opportunities with businesses, industries and community organizations. LVER Roles & Responsibilities

13 LVERs will accomplish their mission of supporting veterans’ and employer’s employment goals in the following ways:  Conduct Job Search Workshops  Provide job development and job referrals  Provide career and vocational guidance  Provide Labor Market Information (LMI)  Refer veterans to supportive or remedial services  Provide services to recently separated veterans LVER Activities & Services

14  Conduct Veterans' Program training for all One-Stop Career Center associates  Refer veterans to job-focused and outcome-driven training, certification, etc.  Develop and maintain updated (quarterly) Federal Contractor List LVER Activities & Services

15 As an employment and career advocate for veterans, the LVER is expected to:  Plan, conduct and participate in Job Fairs for veterans  Contact Unions, Apprenticeship Programs, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Units, etc.  Contact employers to develop employment opportunities for veterans  Coordinate with Business Services staff and participate in employer outreach activities LVER Advocacy Role

16  Facilitate and participate in Employer Mass Recruitments for new and expanding firms  Facilitate and maintain Employer Recruiting Agreements  Conduct presentations on Florida’s Veterans' Program and services to veterans at the RWB meetings  Contact Reserve and National Guard Units  Contact other venues and organizations providing services to veterans. LVER Advocacy Role

17 All DVOP and LVER staff will attend and complete National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI) required courses within 18 months of hire.  Orientation to Veteran Services (LES Prerequisite)  USERRA 101 & 102 (Highly Recommended) userra101 & userra102userra101userra102  Veterans’ Benefits Online (Highly Recommended) VBFlyerOnline.rtfVBFlyerOnline.rtf  Labor & Employment Specialist (LES) Required for all staff  Case Management (CM) Required for DVOPs  Promoting Partnerships for Employment (PPE) Required for LVERs DVOP/LVER Staff Training

18  Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP)  Homeless Female & Family Veteran Reintegration Program (HFVRP)  Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (VWIP)  Military Family Employment Advocacy (MFEA) program  Transitioning Incarcerated Veterans’ Program (TIVP)  REALifelines  VA work study program  Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR & E) program  Transition Assistance Program (TAP) floridajobs.org/office-directory/division-of-workforce-services/workforceprograms/veterans Additional Veterans Programs

19 Five VR&E office locations in Florida:  Toni Washington, VR&E Lead DVOP, provides state-wide coordination of program reporting and awareness training on the VA’s VR&E program  Regional VR&E locations with VR&E DVOPs: Pensacola Jacksonville Orlando St. Petersburg Ft. Lauderdale Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

20 TAP: Assists separating military members and their spouses in their transition to civilian society, at 12 TAP sites in Florida. Transition Assistance Program Pensacola NAS Eglin AFB Hurlburt AFB Tyndall AFB Mayport NAS Jacksonville NAS Patrick AFB MacDill AFB U.S. Southern Command Key West NS U.S. Coast Guard (Miami) Note:Facilitators must be certified through NVTI

New Veterans Initiatives 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 (BRAC planned in 2013 & 2015),return of Soldiers, Sailors and National Guard New initiatives have been established both at the National and State levels to promote the continued employment of our Veterans

DOL Employment Workshop  Redesign of the TAP workshop to make it more relevant  Improvements include: More interactivity and less Power Point slides Incorporation of social and networking media Action-focused learning and essential transition tools 3 Levels of participation based on individual needs  Transition is expected to occur over the next months  First priority for facilitator training will be based on previous TAP qualification and Pilot Sites

Veteran Employment Tax Credits VOWVOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, enacted 21 NOV 2011, provides an expanded Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to businesses (including non-profits) that hire eligible unemployed veterans. DEO Communiqué – The Vow to Hire Act 2011 – WOTC Benefit for Hiring VeteransThe Vow to Hire Act 2011 – WOTC Benefit for Hiring Veterans On 9 FEB The IRS released guidance and forms for employers to use when claiming the newly-expanded tax credit for hiring veterans. For more information, including how to claim the credit refer to:

24  DEO Veterans Program Mission  USDOL/VETS Jobs for Veterans Grant  Organizational Relationships  Roles and responsibilities of the LVER/DVOP staff  Additional veterans programs Summary

Shawn Forehand Paul Furbush State Veterans’ Program Coordinator Asst. Veterans’ Program Coordinator Phone:(850) /Fax: (850) Phone:(850) Additional Resources: DEO Veterans’ Workforce program Resources DOL Vets Veterans Program Letters DVOP/LVER Assistance | Laws, Rules & Regs 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. Contact Information