Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 7. Priority of Service for Veterans
A. Describe how the State will implement the priority of service provisions for covered persons in accordance with the requirements of the Jobs for Veterans Act, codified at section 4215 of 38 U.S.C., which applies to all employment and training programs funded in whole or in part by the Department of Labor.
B. Describe how the State will monitor priority of service provisions for veterans.
C. Describe the triage and referral process for eligible veterans and other populations determined eligible to receive services from the Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program’s Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist/Consolidated Position.
Current Narrative:
A. Describe how the State will implement the priority of service provisions for covered persons in accordance with the requirements of the Jobs for Veterans Act, codified at section 4215 of 38 U.S.C., which applies to all employment and training programs funded in whole or in part by the Department of Labor.
Indiana’s WorkOne offices are required to ensure that Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses is observed. DWD’s policies and guidance support federal requirements, including but not limited to those outlined in federal regulations, Title 38 U.S.C., VPL 07-09, and TEGL 10-09. DWD’s current policies can be found at https://www.in.gov/dwd/compliance-policy/policy/active/. DWD Policies 2019-03, 2019-04 Change 2, and 2015-08 provide additional definitions of the populations of eligible veterans to be served by the one-stop delivery system partners.
It is important to note that the definition of a veteran in the Jobs For Veterans Act (JVA), the Priority of Service regulations and TEGL 10‐09 differs from the definition of veteran that applies to reporting of Wagner‐Peyser services and to eligibility to receive services from a Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist. The veteran definition that requires the individual to have over 180 days of active service still applies to Wagner‐Peyser reporting and to eligibility for DVOP but does not apply to priority of service. It is the responsibility of the program operator to ensure that policies and procedures and staff training reflect the correct eligibility definition.
B. Describe how the State will monitor priority of service provisions for veterans.
The JVSG State Veteran Program Director (SVPD), Veteran Program Support Specialists (VPSS), and WorkOne management hold monthly meetings to ensure services to veterans are provided in accordance with the law and that priority of service provisions are appropriately implemented. DWD Policy 2015-08 specifically describes priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in Indiana’s WorkOne/AJCs, and monitoring reviews ensure that all offices adhere to this policy.
The JVSG SVPD conducts regular monitoring reviews to assess compliance with DWD Policy 2019-04, Change 2 and DWD Policy 2015-08. In doing so, the JVSG SVPD communicates regularly with the DWD Compliance Team to help inform DWD’s annual WIOA compliance reviews of each LWDA. These reviews include testing the LWDA service provider staff’s knowledge on how to identify veterans and their eligible spouses and ensure that they receive priority of service as prescribed in policy.
The DWD Compliance Team interviews service provider staff working as greeters in WorkOne/AJCs about how they assess individuals coming into the office and the kinds of questions the staff asks to identify veterans/eligible spouses. Case managers are also interviewed as part of the review process and asked about how they assess individuals’ eligibility for services and how veterans/eligible spouses’ service plans differ from non-priority of service groups. These conversations include asking about how case managers coordinate with Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and how referrals are made for individuals identified as experiencing significant barriers to employment who would benefit from co-enrollment in WIOA and JVSG programs. Additionally, the DWD Compliance Team asks where the DVOP is physically located and how to best communicate with them.
Aside from interviewing staff members, program monitors also walk through the WorkOne offices and check for the required signage notifying veterans/eligible spouses that they should receive priority of service. Finally, program monitors use the state’s web-based case management system, Indiana Career Connect, to select and review a sample of veterans/eligible spouses proportionate to the number of veterans/eligible spouses receiving services in that particular region. Program monitors then validate those veterans/eligible spouses’ eligibility documentation. Issues identified through any of these review activities are incorporated into WIOA compliance review reports with recommendations for improved service delivery and required actions for identified violations of regulations or DWD/local policy (i.e., findings). LWDAs are required to provide resolutions for all findings, which are validated in the next monitoring review.
Additionally, DWD supports further coordination with other veteran-focused and veteran-community service organizations, including the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), which serves as a coordinating body across the local government for resources and supports available to veterans.
C. Describe the triage and referral process for eligible veterans and other populations determined eligible to receive services from the Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program’s Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist/Consolidated Position.
In triaging and referring veterans and other populations determined eligible to receive services from JVSG’s DVOP specialists, DWD adheres to priority of service requirements outlined in federal regulations, Title 38 U.S.C., VPL 07-09, and TEGL 10-09. These requirements are also included in DWD Policies 2019-03, 2019-04 Change 2, and 2015-08.
With respect to any qualified DOL employment and job training programs, veterans and other eligible populations shall be given priority over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services, notwithstanding any other provision of the law. If services or resources are limited, the veteran or member of an eligible population receives access instead of or before the non-covered person. All WorkOne/AJC staff have been trained in federal requirements and local/state policy, which informs the triage and referral process.
Upon entering a WorkOne/AJC, customers have access to signage and resources explaining priority of services requirements. A staff member working as a greeter then asks the customer if they are a veteran or a member of an eligible population and provides information on priority of service requirements as needed. Priority of service requirements are also included in WorkOne/AJC marketing materials.
If a customer identifies as a veteran/member of an eligible population, they receive an initial assessment to determine if they will be referred to a DVOP and/or a WP/WIOA staff member for service delivery. All veterans who at the time of assessment self-attest to any of the identified Significant Barriers to Employment (SBE) mentioned in the various Veteran Program Letters (VPL) will be referred to a DVOP staff for further assistance.
All eligible veterans and covered persons will receive priority of service and be granted full access to any WorkOne program, workshop, resource and or funding in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and state/local policies.