WIOA State Plan Common Elements

The State has issued a policy regarding priority of service for veterans, policy PY15-23 Priority of Service for Veterans.

The SWB, the MDOL and local workforce service providers are responsible for developing strategies and implementing the veterans’ priority of service as required by 38 U.S.C 4215(b) and 20 CFR Parts 1001 and 1010. Maine’s one-stop system is the core mechanism that will support, expand and maintain services to the veteran population throughout the State. Eligible veterans covered persons with significant barriers to employment as defined in Veterans’ Program Letter (VPL) 03-14, 03-14 Change 1 & 2 and 03-19.

Priority of service applies to Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Adult, Dislocated and Youth Grants, Demonstration Grants, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Wagner-Peyser, and other core programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered in Maine by the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL).  Accordingly, MDOL has issued guidance to the State’s Local Workforce Boards (LWBs) requiring local policy issuance to WIOA service providers to include priority of service for Veterans requirements in agreements (plans, contracts and subcontracts).

The MDOL and one-stop providers will take the necessary actions to ensure that priority of service opportunities are clearly visible and articulated to all customers who engage in one-stop services. At a minimum, priority of service to veterans will include adherence to and implementation of the following guidelines:

Outreach/Recruitment:

• Inclusion of information regarding veterans’ priority of service in printed materials targeted to customers and employers
• Inclusion of information regarding veterans’ priority of service in presentations made to customers and employers
• Addition of veterans’ priority of service information to service providers, Maine one-stop centers and MDOL web sites
• Pro-active recruitment of veterans by targeted strategies that focus on employers as well as job seeking veterans

Notification:

• Addition of a veterans’ priority of service rights statement to the complaint procedures provided to a Veteran customer
• Addition of a veterans’ priority of service rights statement to the signature portion of the paper intake forms
• Provision of the opportunity for veterans and covered persons to make known their veteran status
• The Maine JobLink job notification system, which will inform eligible veterans of job opportunities before all other registrants

Intake/Registration for Services:

• Written policies to establish that service providers who receive WIOA funds for employment and training programs will be required to identify covered persons at the point of entry to programs and/or services, so that veterans and covered persons can take full advantage of priority of service
• Written policies and procedures to ensure veterans and covered persons understand their entitlement to priority of service, the full array of employment and training services available, the eligibility requirements that veterans and covered persons must meet in order to gain entry into programs and services

Eligibility for Services will be delineated in written policies and procedures:

• That ensure veterans and covered persons meet the statutory eligibility requirements applicable to the specific employment and training program
• That ensure veterans and covered persons are given priority of service where statutory or mandatory priorities are in effect and particularly, where local area service providers have instituted mandatory priorities due to limited funds
• That ensure eligible veterans and covered persons receive access to services or resources before non-covered persons when resources for services are limited
• That target special populations of veterans, including Special Disabled Veterans, Campaign Badge Veterans, Disabled Veterans, and covered persons

Many veterans face difficulty transitioning to civilian life and may require specialized employment and training services to boost their job prospects. Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) and MDOL have established effective program designs that include other providers, such as the Togus Veteran’s Rehabilitation Program. Additionally, veterans with more severe adjustment difficulties may require counseling, social services, and more in-depth support from specialists who are equipped to address their needs.

Maine’s Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) generate the Quarterly Report on Services to Veterans, for which content requirements are identified by one-stop center managers. These reports focus on compliance with federal laws and regulations with respect to special services and priorities for veterans. 

As new USDOL and MDOL veterans’ programs are introduced and implemented, the veterans’ team and Wagner-Peyser staff will assist in delivering these services and programs to veterans.

Delivery of services through the one-stop system to veterans and covered persons is standardized to ensure that no veteran or covered person is turned away without receiving some level of service. All WP staff are (and will continue to be) trained to provide initial assessment and triage for all customers entering our CareerCenters, including veterans.  After initial assessment, WP staff will determine if they will provide needed services to the veteran or if a referral to the local DVOP is required.  If the veteran does not meet the JVSG target population or if a DVOP is not currently available, CareerCenter staff will provide one-on-one assistance, including individualized career services, to veterans and eligible persons.  This may include assessment, planning, advocacy, job development, job matching, referral to other state and federal programs and follow-up.  If the veterans meets JVSG eligibility, they are referred to the CareerCenter’s Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialists (DVOPs), who work exclusively with veterans and covered persons to facilitate their access to all programs and services for which they are eligible under the priority of service policy. These specialists provide one-on-one assistance that includes case management, assessment, planning, provision of individualized career services, advocacy, job development, job matching, referral to other state and federal programs and follow-up.  In addition, at our AJC’s Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) conduct employer outreach and establish employment and training opportunities on behalf of all veteran clients that are served in their regions.

As veterans and eligible spouses may be referred to any available employment and training service open to the general public regardless of funding source, it is important that all one-stop center staff establish and maintain effective working relationships with one-stop system partners and service networks. These relationships will strengthen coordination of interagency efforts to help support veteran service initiatives. Veterans’ priority of service language will be integrated into financial and nonfinancial working agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with other organizations to ensure Maine’s workforce development system is “Keeping the Promise!”