1. National Veterans Technical Assistance Center HVRP Best Practices

2. Guiding Principles of HVRP Practice  Veteran eligibility is guided by their desire & readiness to work.  Competitive employment consistent with the veterans’ preferences and employer needs is the goal.  Employment services are integrated with treatment, housing and other services.  Benefits planning and management is provided.  Rapid job search is encouraged.  Employment specialists build employer relationships.  Job retention thru follow along support is provided. 2

3. 10 Best Practice Elements 1.Job Driven Training 2.Outreach Strategies 3.Employment Assessment 4.Transitions to jobs and retention 5.Managing Benefits and Services 6.Find and Maintain Housing 7.Excellent Staff 8.Outcome Oriented 9.Braiding Funding Streams 10.Tailoring Services to Specific Populations 3

4. For Each of the 10 Best Practice Elements We Provide…  Research Evidence for the Practice  Tips for Success  Resources & Tools  Implementation examples from the field  Repository See http://www.nvtac.org/best-practices/http://www.nvtac.org/best-practices/ 4

5. B EST P RACTICE 1: P ARTNERING WITH E MPLOYERS FOR J OB D RIVEN T RAINING  Engage employers  Identify labor needs in growth industries  Provide or arrange training to improve job seeker skills  Educate employers about veteran job seekers  Using OJT, Apprenticeships and related approaches 5

6. B EST P RACTICE 2: O UTREACH S TRATEGIES  Raise community awareness about veteran employment  Build relationships with referral sources  Make presentations in the service system and community  Conduct street outreach and shelter in-reach  Accessible enrollment  Use of smart technology 6

7. B EST P RACTICE 3: E MPLOYMENT A SSESSMENT  Engage the veteran to identify their occupational goal, preferences and timeline  Determine strengths, challenges and training needs  Assess available and needed resources  Estimate veteran abilities in math, comprehension, and soft skills relevant tot heir occupational goal 7

8. B EST P RACTICE 4: H ELPING V ETERANS T RANSITION TO J OBS AND K EEP T HEM  Develop job placements for veterans  Use Motivational Interviewing and other relevant tested practices  Maintain a connection with veterans  Individualize a job retention plan, incentives and follow along supports  Insure time-unlimited support  Link veteran to needed services  Contact with employers 8

9. B EST P RACTICE 5: H ELPING V ETERANS M ANAGE B ENEFITS AND S ERVICES  Case management process that helps veterans access benefits & services.  Access to knowledgeable and skilled staff in VA, SSA and other benefits.  Routine benefit planning with veterans.  Make referrals and monitoring veterans’ use of referral services for a comprehensive range of services. 9

10. B EST P RACTICE 6: H ELPING V ETERANS F IND H OUSING  In-place strategy to enroll veterans in HVRP before veterans enter permanent housing  Integrate housing options within the parent organization or thru partnerships  Assist housing programs to vocationalize  Service coordination with housing case managers  Collaboration with an array of housing options (GPD, SSVF, VASH, PSH, TH, ESG, HOME TBRA) 10

11. B EST P RACTICE 7: I DENTIFYING, R ECRUITING AND S UPPORTING E XCELLENT S TAFF  Hire veterans on staff  From intern to staff  Build the HVRP team  Critical staff skills and knowledge for working HVRP  Encourage staff self-care  Retain staff in HVRP 11

12. B EST P RACTICE 8: O UTCOME O RIENTED  Use HVRP results to inform program decisions and make improvements  Engage HVRP participants in program evaluation activities and data analysis  Track housing outcomes as well as employment outcomes  Gather and use qualitative as well as quantitative data 12

13. B EST P RACTICE 9: B RAIDING F UNDING S TREAMS  Secure additional funds to support HVRP mission  Use additional funds to supplement or enhance HVRP activities eg. incentives  Meet the requirements of funders 13

14. B EST P RACTICE 10: S ERVICES TO S PECIFIC T ARGET P OPULATIONS Because of their unique needs, it is effective to tailor services to certain populations including:  Women veterans  Justice involved veterans  Younger veterans  Black veterans  Veterans in rural areas  Native American veterans  Veterans fleeing domestic violence 14