1. NVTAC Virtual Learning Class: Strategies to Succeed in HVRP
Nicole LaCorte-Klein
Atlas Research
Cindy Borden
NCHV
Cori Di Biase
Manhattan Strategy Group
NVTAC Virtual Learning Class: Strategies to Succeed in HVRP
Module Two: Job Readiness and Outreach Strategies

2. Course objectives After completing this VLC, you will know:
The philosophy and orientation of HVRP;
HVRP best practice elements;
Strategies to engage job ready veterans who are homeless and increase their preparation to work;
How to assess a homeless veteran’s employment needs as well as their need for supportive services;
Strategies to link veterans to permanent housing and other services including VHA programs;
How to support clients once they have become employed.

3. Meet your instructors

4. Jen Elder, SOAR TA Center
Course Schedule
Date
Day
Topic
Lead Instructor
Guest Speaker
10/1
Monday
Introduction to HVRP, Partnerships, AJC Enrollment
Cindy
10/3
Wednesday
Job Readiness & Outreach Strategies
Nicole
10/8
Employment Assessment & Job Matching
Cori
10/10
Housing and Supportive Services: Strengthening Community Collaboration/Partnerships
10/15
Job Driven Training, Employer Development & Job Placement, AJC Partnership
Nena Siverd, VOC
10/17
Sub-population services (female veterans, younger veterans, older veterans, families)
10/22
Justice Involved Veterans – ex-offenders, incarcerated veterans, link with VJOs and Reentry Specialists
10/24
Job Retention & Follow Up
10/29
Benefits, work incentives, employment services and supports
Jen Elder, SOAR TA Center
10/31
Avoiding Burnout: Taking care of Yourself

5. HOMEWORK exercise
What questions do you have from Mondays’ session that you didn’t get to ask?
Do any topics require further explanation?
Do you have other comments or observations about what you hope to learn from the overall VLC?
Whoever was not on the line? What big questions and goals do you have based on the course overview?
Type your answer in the public Chat box and press “enter” to send!

6. Discussion questions What does “job readiness” mean?
What does a job ready veteran look like?
What is motivation, and is it important?
Common misconceptions?
What to do with veterans who are not ready for work?
As more homeless veterans go to work, we are likely to see less prepared veterans. How should we respond?

7. How well prepared job seekers are to: Set a vocational goal;
Job readiness
How well prepared job seekers are to:
Set a vocational goal;
Interview for competitive employment;
Perform soft and hard skills of a position; and
Manage personal challenges to retain a job in the local job market.
This process will of course vary from person to person…..
First…..SET A VOCATIONAL GOAL: Having the knowledge of what type of work fits you best. What are you good at?
PERFORM SOFT AND HARD SKILLS: Having the necessary skills to perform the work you want and the knowledge to do the job. (For instance, do not apply for a pilot’s job if you never operated a plane before). There is nothing wrong with making a career change if you are willing and able to develop the skills and knowledge to help you move into the career you want. But it may take time, so have patience.
INTERVIEW FOR COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT: Having the knowledge to perform a job search to find the work you have the skills/knowledge to do.
MANAGE PERSONAL CHALLENGES TO RETAIN A JOB: Being able to maintain your job. For some, it’s not about getting a job, but keeping that job that can be the challenge. Going back for further training keeps your knowledge and skills up-to-date thus keeping you relevant in your field.
Being aware of personal challenges that can hinder your ability to secure and sustain meaningful employment (like being hot-headed or substance abuse). Having the skills to effectively manage those challenges is what will help you remain employed.

8. Identification of skills
Beyond the ‘Hard’ Skills of a Position Description:
Communication
Attitude
Teamwork
Networking
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Professionalism
Many of the veterans that you work with might have a history of incarceration, have had substance abuse and/or mental health challenges…how can you help your job seekers develop communication skills? Why have veterans lost jobs? In addition to the complexities listed, what do you do to address veterans who have anger issues, who have never learned to deal with problems without getting defensive or blowing up? Acknowledging current substance use and deeming someone as “job ready”….different interventions and levels of discussion with someone who is actively using but that doesn’t mean that they are not “job ready”

9. Job readiness…lasting changes
Resistance
Thinking
Planning
Action
Maintenance
Stages of Change often seen in our Veterans: IEP and stages of change information working on the website/CM module three stages of change and module four MI
Resistance-Don’t see the need for change or see the problem at all (we call this precontemplators)
Thinking-we are aware of the problem and might want to do something about it (contemplators)
Planning-it often takes a major event to move us from just thinking about the change to actually doing it..planning and preparing to make the change over the next 30 days
Action….change our behavior, change our friends, change our environment
Maintenance-we’ve been mostly successful in making the change and new habits are established for 6 months plus…….and remember if you are feeling the “They will never be job ready within the time frame or restraint of this grant, focus on helping with their journey….you can carry them over from one year to the next……don’t rush the process!

10. Whole Person Concept Whole Person Concept EDUCATION INTERESTS
& TRAINING
INTERESTS
Whole Person Concept
POTENTIAL
SKILLS
TRANSFERABLE
SKILLS
Whole
Person
Concept
SOCIO
ECONOMIC
FACTORS
LEISURE TIME
ACTIVITIES
PERSONAL
TRAITS
PHYSICAL
CAPACILITIES

11. 30 Ways to Ask About Work… Have you ever worked?
* Have you ever considered working?
* What job did you do most recently?
* What did you like about the job?
* What did you not like about the job?
* Why did you leave the job?
* Have you ever looked for work in the past?
* Have you ever volunteered?
* What would you get out of working?
* What do you think work would do for you personally, financially and socially?
* What about work is exciting to you?
* What about work worries you?
* Would you be interested in hearing about our Employment Services?
* If you could choose any job to have, what would it be?
* What kind of career would you like to have?
* When you were younger, what did you want to be?
For many Veterans, working and recovery go hand and hand. Program
staff should routinely attempt to dialogue with Veterans about their
work/career goals, dreams, and concerns related to such. Look for
opportunities to weave the topic of work into both formal and informal
discussions.

12. 30 ways continued… * Can you think of a job that would be fun?
* What are your favorite subjects?
* What have you always been good at?
* What have others told you that you are good at?
* What skills do you have?
* How would your family and friends feel about you working?
* Have you ever talked to them about it?
* What jobs have different members of your family had?
* What kinds of things do you like to do?
* Do you know other Veterans who work?
* What have their experiences been?
* If you worked what kinds of co-workers would you like to have?
* If you worked what kind of people would you like to help?
* How much money would you like to make in a job?
* How many hours would you like to work a week?
* How would you get to work?
* If you had the job you wanted, what type of schedule would work best for you?
* Would you be interested in talking with a Veteran who works about their experiences?

13. The point is…
It takes a strong person to start the process of self improvement.
Our natural tendency is to resist change even when it means things might/WILL improve.
What looks like a lack of readiness or motivation may be a combination of life challenges or fear; it is our role to support veterans who want to work to confront those barriers.
Change takes time…. “job readiness” is a change for some individuals and this process takes time and commitment.
Motivation factors….lack of motivation is a side effect result of the barrier but not reflective of an individuals desire or ability….

14. Outreach and Partnerships
Collaboration is the key to success!

15. Outreach and Community involvement
Outreach Strategies:
How you approach outreach in your community and ensure you are reaching all communities in your service region?
What strategies do you use to engage hard-to-reach, very low- income Veterans in your region?
What outreach have you engaged in with state agencies, local government, VA, and other providers in the community?
What is the purpose of partnerships? Remember we talked about this in session one…why so important in the context of outreach? To find employment, veterans and supportive services? Role of partnerships in outreach and this is beyond veteran outreach, e.g. housing providers, training providers connect with nonprofits, shelters, Veterans events, VFW American Legion, VA HOT team, food pantries, street outreach, parks, trade shows, career fairs, stand downs, word of mouth. Community Care Team Meetings which includes agencies providing all types of services. In Bridgeport, VA bi-weekly list review on phone and then it’s distributed to staff. Navigator Meeting with 211 system Veterans come through this system, check for enrollment or refer. Gyms, OASIS Centers at Community Colleges, Police Department, outdoor community activities. MTA, bus depots, PO’s.

16. Building relationships in your community…
Casting the Net
Utilizing outreach activities to broaden referral network
Facilitating Referrals that “Stick”
Making a direct hand-off to another service provider
Following up with clients and service providers
Tackling barriers that may arise
Partner with County VSAs
Linkages with Veteran health providers
Referrals for Veteran benefits counseling
SSVF Grantees are required to provide assistance in obtaining VA Benefits.

17. How to Partner Bring something to the table.
Educate partners about your services and eligibility.
Create opportunities for ‘warm’ referrals.
Outreach.
Events.
Out of office meetings.
Informal gatherings: social, happy hours, etc.

18. How to Partner (continued)
Show up!
Be heard.
Collaborate!
Follow up
Be an asset!
Making contact is key.
Remind them that you are doing the heavy lifting
Get creative!

19. Who should we partner with?
Continuum of Care (CoC).
Local non-profit organizations.
Faith-based organizations.
Business organizations.
City, county, and state agencies.
Federal agencies.
Veteran Service Organizations.

20. Audience Poll Question
Vote on the screen!
Check the boxes that reflects your best answer.
Who are you currently partnering with? Choose all that apply
AJC
Business Organizations/Chamber of Commerce
Continuum of Care
Faith-based Organizations
Homeless Service Providers
Veteran Service Providers
Others? Please describe in the chat box.

21. Identifying external resources
Community Employment Coordinators (CECs)
Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVERs) and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists (DVOPS)
Other federal, state, and local government programs (city, county, state and federal)
Community- and faith-based organizations
Employers
Developing partnerships through a Community of Practice
Stand Downs
Attending Chamber of Commerce and Community meetings
Joining local and national Human Resource (HR) organizations
Volunteer (Veteran Programs, Shelter, Food Pantry, etc.)
Who else are you developing partnerships with? What are the strategies you use to maintain them?

22. Chat exercise
What unique resources do you currently use in your community? OR
What outreach strategies have you used that HAVE been and HAVE NOT been successful?
Type your answer in the public Chat box and press “enter” to send

23. summary
Spend time building partnerships both internally and externally.
Collaborate often.
Understand your colleagues’/partners’ needs.
Acknowledge the learning curve and blunders…and then get back on the horse!
What can you do in the next month to build long term partnerships?
Putting this into practice ….ask people to drop in comments what will be done next? How can you build on current partnerships?

24. QUESTIONS? HOMEWORK for Monday! Share one job assessment/screening
tool that you currently are using.
Please it to: and it will be shared with the group!

25. Contact Information
Cori Di Biase
Manhattan Strategy Group
Cindy Borden
NCHV
Nicole LaCorte-Klein
Atlas Research