Located in:
- Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants
The Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) are mandatory, formula-based staffing grants to (including DC, PR, VI and Guam). The JVSG is funded annually in accordance with a funding formula defined in the statute (38 U.S.C. 4102A (c) (2) (B) and regulation and operates on a fiscal year (not program year) basis, however, performance metrics are collected and reported (VETS-200 Series Reports) quarterly (using four “rolling quarters”) on a Program Year basis (as with the ETA- 9002 Series). Currently, VETS JVSG operates on a five-year (FY 2015-2019), multi-year grant approval cycle modified and funded annually.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 4102A(b)(5) and § 4102A(c), the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training (ASVET) makes grant funds available for use in each State to support Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) staff. As a condition to receive funding, 38 U.S.C. § 4102A(c)(2) requires States to submit an application for a grant that contains a State Plan narrative, which includes:
e. The Populations of Veterans to Be Served, Including Any Additional Populations Designated by the Secretary as Eligible for Services, and Any Additional Populations Specifically Targeted by the State Workforce Agency for Services from One-stop Delivery System Partners (e.g., Native American Veterans; Veterans in Remote Rural Counties or Parishes);
Current Narrative:
IDOL’s DVOP specialists involve themselves in their communities in many ways to make veterans aware of the benefits, employment and training services available to them. Monthly outreach to the homeless shelters in their areas is an activity that enables the DVOP to complete outreach and provide intensive services to those veterans that have no mode of transportation. Many of these veterans have the need for intensive services that are provided by our DVOPs. Those who just need core services such as job search, and resume assistance are referred to AJC employment consultants.
Additional Idaho Department of Labor Significant Barrier to Employment (SBE)
VPL 07-10 Section VIII. C: “States have been given the flexibility to identify other populations of Veterans to be considered for special emphasis, particularly those who might require a significant cross-section of program services in order for them to fully and successfully participate in the work force. Each State’s targeted populations are found in its approved State Plan for Services to Veterans.”
USDOL VETS (United States Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service) instructs states to serve disabled and special disabled Veterans. However, Idaho DVOPs (disabled veteran outreach program) specialists see a significant number of disabled Veterans who fall outside the definition of this SBE (significant barrier to employment.) This population has disabilities that are either waiting for a disability rating by the VA (Veterans Administration) or who sustained a disability after their military service. As a result, Idaho Department of Labor is adding an additional SBE - Disabled. Our DVOPs will contact the Idaho Industrial Commission, including drug and alcohol treatment centers to assist in the outreach effort to this population. We will document this population through self-attestation.
To help a DVOP make this determination the following definition of a disability is included.
Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm12102
Sec. 12102. Definition of disability
The term "disability" means, with respect to an individual
(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual.
The VR&E National Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) formalized a partnership and process that has been in place in Idaho for years. However, when the TAG was released, the IDOL worked closely with the VA VR&E and our DVET to update our local agreement. The Idaho TAG was finalized and signed in March, 2009. The IDOL’s central point of contact for the VR&E program is the Intensive Services Coordinator (ISC), a half-time position filled by a full-time DVOP. The ISC is out-stationed at the Boise VA Regional Office, but veterans enrolled in the VR&E program are referred to Idaho DVOPs from counselors assigned to Spokane, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. The ISC or assigned DVOP provides Labor Market Information (LMI) as part of the vocational evaluation process. The VA VR&E develops a rehabilitation plan and then approximately 90 days prior to the participant’s expected completion of training or education, the VR&E office completes a Job Ready Assessment and refers the veteran to the IDOL ISC or appropriate DVOP for intensive employment assistance. The VA VR&E office and IDOL jointly monitor the job seeking process to determine when the veteran has entered employment and when the veteran can be considered “rehabilitated.”
The IDOL operates under a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on “Services Available to Veterans in Idaho who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.” The MOU partners include the State of Idaho Military Division, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (affected Regional Office and Medical Centers), U.S. Department of Labor, and Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission. The MOU outlines the roles and activities of all partners and encourages maximum communication and coordination to provide seamless referral and support services for OEF/OIF veterans.
The IDOL continues to develop new strategies to reach homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. Our DVOPs and LVER, based on their role and responsibility identified in current guidance, actively help plan and participate in three Stand Down events throughout the state -Boise, Pocatello, and Post Falls. These events provide much needed information, assistance, and supportive services to over 1,500 needy veterans and family members every year.
The Boise VA Regional Office administers the Grant Per Diem program which helps shelter many homeless veterans while attending an education program. The VA Homeless Coordinators work closely with our DVOPs to secure employment for participants in this program. Partnerships like these are proving very beneficial for Idaho veterans. Over the past several years, the number and quality of facilities and services for the homeless have improved dramatically in Idaho’s most populated area, the Treasure Valley. DVOPs are in the process of developing partnerships with staff at these new facilities to provide intensive services and the referral to employment needed to help veterans break the cycle of homelessness. As these partnerships develop, we plan to participate in service information days at the shelters on a regular basis.
Idaho has DVOPs strategically placed in areas near Native American reservations. Outreach activities are conducted at the state’s option and conducted with approval of the tribes. A fulltime DVOP is located minutes away from the Shoshone Bannock reservation in Southeast Idaho and provides outreach and intensive services to the disabled veterans in that area.
In Lewiston, a full time DVOP works with the Nez Perce Tribe in Lapwai, Idaho. He meets with referrals from tribal veteran representatives, attends Tribal Homeless Veteran Stand Downs and Tribal Resource Fairs, and maintains an open dialogue with Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO). The tribe was recently awarded the Homeless Veteran Re-integration grant, so we will be working closely with them, and referring potential candidates.
In Post Falls, our DVOP has worked with the Veterans Coordinator representing the Coeur d’Alene Tribe based in Worley, Idaho. Most of the contact has been in regards to Veteran hiring events, the Stand Down and for special events, emphasizing the provision of intensive services.