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:
c. The Manner in Which Dvop Specialists and Lver Staff Are Integrated into the State’s Employment Service Delivery System or One-stop Delivery System Partner Network;
Current Narrative:
JVSG funded services are not only a mandatory partner under WIA, but Kansas considers these services to be a key feature of the local One-Stop system. The Local Area WIA Plan and local Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) govern the partnership between the One-Stop system and JVSG funded services. Each MOU describes how veterans will be provided priority in job placement and training activities; how case management services will be provided to veterans; and detailed linkages with Department of Veterans Affairs, Kansas Commission on Veteran Affairs and other veteran service organizations.
Kansas has integrated DVOP specialists into the One-Stop system by assigning one or more to each Workforce Center. DVOP specialists work with local One-Stop partners to provide services to veterans, with the primary focus on providing intensive services to disabled veterans, eligible veterans, and eligible spouses with significant barriers to employment. All workforce centers have an integrated, business services function responsible for connecting local employers to the local One-Stop system, to include job-ready candidates. This team also has as a major function ensuring that all KANSASWORKS services continuously improve and are responsive to the needs of residents, employers, partner agencies/ organizations and the local economy. DVOP specialists and LVER staff act as individual hubs, within this service team, who distribute JVSG information to One-Stop partners and veteran service organization, and community partners. These individual hubs focuses on the intensive service processes (DVOP) and employer/ employment services (LVER), and furthermore providing services specific to their individual roles and responsibilities; and with the intent to integrate within these groups, and open all avenues of assistance to Veterans and to assist the AJC, VSOs and community groups with the provisional services to veterans.
The LVER and DVOP are actively involved in Local Workforce Board staff meetings, and provide best practices, as it relates to their roles and expertise. The LVER and DVOP are often sought-after by staff for their knowledge and resources of other local Veteran Service Organizations; specifically when staff is met with a veteran who may not have an SBE, however have a unique need of assistance.
Integration into One-Stop System
The blueprint for integration and coordination of services to veterans are provided through State Policy and narrative explanations contained in Local Area WIA Plans. Ongoing oversight of services to veterans is conducted to assure these plans are carried out. To be approved, these plans must describe: 1) how available resources (WIA, Wagner-Peyser, and others) are pooled within the One-Stop system to provide core and intensive services for veterans; 2) the process used to accomplish intake, assessment, registration, and follow-up services for veterans; 3) a description of mediated and non-mediated services available to veterans and other eligible persons; 4) how veterans are provided priority in placement services and activities, funded by DOL in whole or in-part ; and 5) detailed description of how case management services are provided to veterans.