1. HELPING AMERICA’S HEROES
“OUR VETERANS”
Building Sustainable Partnerships for addressing Veterans Needs
September 15, 2009
Leonard McPherson, OT/L, ATP

2. Objectives Understanding the Culture of Military Groups
Where are these Veterans?
Collaboration Building Strategies
Recruitment for Resources
Bridging the Gaps

3. Understanding Barriers
Military Organization Culture
Politics
Motives

4. Become Involved in Collaborative Efforts
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) - for separating and retiring local military members, and develop a working relationship with the local business community.
Corporate Immersion Fair – Alexandria, VA
Training for interviews, resume writing, and interaction with potential employers.
Special interest was directed towards the Wounded Warriors. An A.T. theme that I developed for this occasion was let’s make sure that as our wounded warriors are seeking gainful employment they will be “Armed for the Challenge”!

5. Enhance Practices & Policies: Process Flow
Build Pipeline Relationships
Opportunity Identification
Talent Development
Implementation & Reviews
Core relationships:
1) Armed Services Programs ) Existing Non-Profit Partnerships 3) State and Federal Programs 4) Internal / Informal networks
Network with hiring leaders/recruitment
Identify core positions. Core positions are:
1) Critical needs
2) Profit Center Jobs in large #s
3) Skill Shortages
4) Core Functional Competencies
Set Goals, take Action and facilitate the process:
Identify gaps in experience
Develop pathways to address gaps:
Create individual career plans
Partner to assure on boarding, service, communication, etc.
Hardwire Successful Processes:
Scheduled reviews / evaluations
Solicit manager / Participant Feedback
Review and report progress to leadership
Communicate Success
Repeat cycle
Develop and sustain
Pipeline relationships
Implement a collaborative program
with defined goals and regular recognition
Encourage innovation, best practices and
share with internal and external partners

6. Connect with Veterans Interest Groups
America's Heroes at Work
America's Heroes at Work is embarking on an Employment Pilot designed to coordinate successful employment experiences for veterans with TBI and/or PTSD, while studying individual experiences.
If you are an employer interested in participating in this Pilot, please A member of the America's Heroes at Work team will contact you.

7. Veteran Resources
Department of Defense: Disabled Veterans
Provides information for disabled veterans. Includes federal employment information, Q&As for disabled veterans and managers, internships, scholarships and fellowships, grants, education and training and transition centers.
Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN)
Offers a one-stop source for disability employment information. Includes information on recruiting services, resume writing tips, fact sheets, employer success stories and more.

8. Veteran Resources Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
Assists businesses with job placement, funding for on-the-job training, and workplace consultation:
District of Columbia Department on Disability Services
1700,
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation
Services ,
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, ,

9. Veteran Resources
Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention
Vast collection of resources on hiring people with disabilities sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention.

10. Veteran Resources
Operation Warfighter
Sponsored by the DoD Military Severely Injured Center, OWF is a temporary assignment or internship program for service members who are undergoing therapy at military treatment facilities within the United States.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service
Assists businesses with:
Job placement and matching of transferable skills
On-the-job training and continuing education assistance

11. Veteran Resources Job Accommodation Network www.jan.wvu.com
Provides free consulting services about:
All aspects of job accommodations
ADA and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act compliance
assistance
Information about federal initiatives and hiring programs
Referral to other helpful resources

12. Veteran Resources
Career One Stop
One-Stop Career One-Stop information to help employers find out why, where and how to recruit and hire qualified veterans.
Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program
Provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, Federal managers, supervisors, and IT professionals
DirectEmployers
Provides employment opportunities through a non-profit consortium of leading U.S. corporations.

13. ATPDC: Assistive Technology program for the D.C.
Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia services:
Please call (202) Voice, TTY (202) , or the DC Assistive Technology Resource Center at (202)

14. The Mid-Atlantic DBTAC: ADA & IT Center
Disability Business and Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 700
Rockville, MD 20850
TOLL FREE: V/TTY
(DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
LOCAL: V/TTY
FAX:

15. Contact Information
Leonard McPherson, OT/L, ATP
A.T. Consultant
Phoenix Therapeutic Services, INC