Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program

To promote the hiring and retention of eligible Veterans and other Eligible Persons:

1.         Alabama will continue with plans under the Accelerate Alabama initiative that will include the services provided by Alabama Career Centers affiliated with the American Job Center network to include Veterans and Eligible Persons with resources and emphasis for technical training and higher education.

2.          Increase business services outreach to Federal defense contractors and subcontractors, such as Austal Ltd. of Mobile for work on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship; Northrop Grumman of Huntsville for research and development services in support of integrated missile defense; Boeing Corporation for work on Army helicopters; L-3 Coleman Aerospace of Huntsville from the Missile Defense Agency.

3.         Expand the WIOA OJT and AIDT training and job opportunities listing on the Alabama Job Link (AJL) https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/ to increase priority referral of Veterans and Eligible Persons to jobs and job training.

4.          Increase employer outreach in the automotive and aviation manufacturing sectors which employ many Recently Separated Veterans and pay the highest average wages of manufacturing industry in Alabama – nearly $75,000.00.

5.         Encourage more Veterans to enroll in the State’s workforce job-driven training, in trade, manufacturing, and shipbuilding apprenticeship programs offered through the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) to increase the entered employment rate of Recently Separated Veterans and long-term unemployed, older Veterans.

6.         Expand innovative partnerships such as the initiative of the Alabama Career Center in

Mobile, American Job Center affiliate that is training Veterans in the welding training and certification program under a joint-venture by AIDT with the ship building industry. Historically, Veterans who complete training are placed in well-paying and stable jobs.

B.  Targeting Services to Veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment (SBEs):

Alabama Career Centers in the statewide American Job Center (AJC) network will provide comprehensive employment, training, and career placement services to nearly 23,688 Veterans a year through a combination of internet-based job services and personal assistance. Alabama has more than 28,000 residents currently serving in the Armed Forces, and of that nearly 20,000 are in National Guard and Reserve components. The Alabama National Guard alone has a $1.3B economic impact in the state. The Alabama Career Center system in the AJC network operates under the auspices of the Alabama Department of Labor, the state agency responsible for providing employment and related services to Veterans, and is authorized by the Governor to make application for funds to carry out the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) program as mandated under Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 41.

The Alabama Job Link (AJL) enables Veterans to use self-services, including registration. This approach enables DVOP specialists to review the registrations and resumes submitted by Veterans on-line and then contact Veterans who appear to need further assistance. Alabama DVOP specialists prioritize their efforts with Veterans who are facing significant barriers to employment (SBEs). The assignment of DVOP specialists at specific Alabama Career Centers in the statewide AJC network is based on a strategy to ensure Veterans with SBEs are priority customers in the Alabama Workforce Development system. Although many Veterans can and will use the internet-based self-registration and various self-service features, Veterans with SBEs are provided individualized services. Veterans who enter the Alabama Workforce Development system at an AJC are served initially by Wagner-Peyser Career Center Specialists. For Veterans who appear to have an SBE (as defined by Veterans Program Letters (VPL) 03-14, VPL 04-14, and VPL 03-19) Career Center Specialists will offer additional services, to include referral to a DVOP who will provide individualized services and case management services:

1.         All Veterans enrolled in the Five-track Employment Program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service, covered in a separate agreement with VR&E, determined to be “Job-Ready” by VR&E will be referred by a VR&E Employment Coordinator to the state’s Individualized Services Coordinator (ISC), who will refer the Job Ready VR&E client to an appropriate AJC Manager for case management and job placement services.

2.         Homeless Veterans, as defined in Section 103(a) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)).

3.         Veterans lacking a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.

4.         A recently-separated service member, as defined in 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4211(6), who at any time in the previous 12 months has been unemployed for 27 or more consecutive weeks.

5.         Low-income Veterans, as defined by WIOA Section 3(36)).

6.         A Veteran who is an ex-offender, as defined by WIOA Section 169, who either (a) has been subject to any stage of the criminal justice process for committing a status offense of delinquent act, or (b) requires assistance in overcoming artificial barriers to employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction for committing delinquent acts.

7.         Veterans ages 18-24 years old transitioning from active military service.

8.         A Special Disabled Veteran or Disabled Veteran, as those terms are defined in 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4211(1).  Special Disabled and Disabled Veterans are those who are entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs; or, were discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. Veterans in the categories above will be provided a Comprehensive Assessment of Employability, addressing barriers to employment and a written Individual Employment Plan (IEP) outlining the individual’s employability planning.

9.         Vietnam-era Veterans, as defined in VPL 03-19, are those with any part of active military, naval, or air service during the Vietnam era.  38 U.S.C. 101(29) defines “Vietnam era” to mean the period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, in the case of a Veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; and the period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, in all other cases.

Locating Priority Group Veterans

Veterans in priority groups will be located in the AJL data system by developing special

reports and search capabilities of the system. Extensive outreach will be conducted to locate

Veterans who may benefit from DVOP services, such as outreach to homeless shelters,

Community agencies that provide services to homeless individuals, and through participation

in special events such as Homeless Veteran Stand Downs or Veterans Courts.

Employment Service Case Management by DVOP Specialists

Standard DVOP case management practices will include:

1.         Assisting Veteran-clients in development of job objectives and a resume.

2.         Identifying significant barriers to employment.

3.         Referring or assisting Veteran-clients to appropriate supportive services.

4.         Determining a Veteran-client’s economic need.

5.         Identifying training or educational goals.

6.         Documenting contact with employers on behalf of individual clients.

7.         Maintaining current contact information.

8.         Documenting job referrals.

DVOP specialists will use the AJL case management feature to load cases into “My Cases”

portfolio. Case management review of the caseload for every DVOP specialist under the AJL

“My Cases” feature will be conducted by Employment Service Managers on a monthly basis

to ensure adherence to required practices and privacy concerns. Employment Service

Managers will also review the “My Cases” portfolio of their DVOP specialists to identify

effective performances (best practices and success stories) and shortcomings in services

needing correction.

DVOPs will use reports provided from the AJL to outreach and contact Recently Separated

Veterans, ages 18 to 24, and Veterans receiving ex-service member Unemployment Benefits

(UCX) for the purpose of offering job placement or job training services. Veterans responding

to this outreach will be provided assessment services to determine their readiness to apply

for employment opportunities in there are of choice with their current skills. Assessment will

include evaluating the additional skills needed for employment with employers having those

jobs. This approach provides Veterans with customer choice as to specific occupations for

which to begin training. Veterans are also acquainted with the AJC resources that are

available to pursue job-driven training in emerging industries, such as fast-growing jobs in

Green industries.

Measuring Performance Outcomes

For comparison of performance to negotiated outcomes, state Individual Service

Coordinators (ISC) will use automated reports prepared from the AJL system and the ETA-

9173 reports from the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, AJC Managers will submit a

Manager Quarterly Report on Services to Veterans in the format approved by the U.S.

Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service. AJC Managers will also

provide an assessment as to whether individualized services provided by DVOP specialists

assigned to them are being correctly documented and effective.

C.  Planned Deployment of Grant-Funded Staff

JVSG funds allocated to Alabama will support 21 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) DVOP positions,

12 FTE LVER positions, and 3 FTE Consolidated DVOP/LVER positions. All LVER, DVOP

and Consolidated positions are state merit system employees.  LVERs, DVOPs and Consolidated

positions will be assigned to Alabama Career Centers in the AJC network to ensure maximum

effectiveness and complete integration of grant activities and services on behalf of Veterans. As

described in Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 41, LVERs and DVOPs have distinctly different roles and

responsibilities in support of Priority of Service to Veterans and Eligible Persons in service

delivery programs carried out by the AJCs.

The activities and functions of LVERs and DVOPs funded under the grant will be carried out in

strict adherence to the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended; the Workforce Innovation

Opportunity Act, as amended; and Title 38 U.S.C., Chapters 41 and 42, as amended by the

Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288), and will be subject to the provisions of the grant

and supplementary operating requirements that may be promulgated through Veterans

Program Letters (VPLs), and related guidance from Veterans Employment and Training

Service. All LVER and DVOP specialists as required by the Jobs for Veterans Act, as amended,

will attend training at the National Veterans Training Institute (NVTI) within 18 months of

their hire date. Applications for NVTI mandated training will be submitted by the AJC

Manager to the State Director, Veterans Employment and Training Service (DVET), or

designated NVTI coordinator, within one month of hire date. LVER and DVOP assignments are

made in consultation with the DVET.

DVOPs are to be located in proximity to community organizations and other entities serving

Veterans with significant barriers to employment, and where DVOP outreach is effective at

locating Veterans with SBEs and other Eligible Persons in need of individualized services and

case management, as prescribed in VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19, such as locations within the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that provide medical and benefits services, other U.S.

Department of Labor grant recipients offering services to homeless Veterans and Veterans who

have been justice involved, with an emphasis on extending outreach to Veterans and Eligible

Persons who are educationally and economically disadvantaged. DVOPs assigned to work for

Managers of Alabama Career Centers in the AJC network will accept only Veteran-clients

referred by Career Center Representatives and determined to have an SBE, as per the definition.

D.  DVOP Specialists

DVOP duties will be assigned in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4103A, as amended by

the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288). DVOPs are Employment Service (ES) staff,

with principle duties to carry out individualized services to meet the employment needs of

eligible Veterans, and the following priority in the provision of services:

(a) Special disabled Veterans (b) Other disabled Veterans. (c) Other eligible Veterans

determined as priority, considering applicable rates of unemployment and the

employment emphasis for covered Veterans under federal contracts. DVOPs service only

Veterans with SBEs as defined by VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19.

Veterans using self-service to register on the internet-based Alabama Job Link will be

Identified from reports prepared for AJC Managers to determine if the Veterans may have an

SBE and could benefit from DVOP follow-up and individualized services.

Alabama DVOP Role and Responsibilities Listed by Task and Activities:

Individualized Services

1.         DVOPs will facilitate individualized services under a strategy of case management to Veterans with special employment and training needs due to an SBE, as defined by VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19. These services may include any combination of services listed below, but at a minimum, a comprehensive assessment of employability and a written individualized employment plan are required in a program of case management. All services are to be documented including assessments, career supportive services, referrals to job training, and referral of “Job Ready” clients to Career Center Business Service Representatives (BSRs) or LVERs.

2.         DVOPs prioritize services to Veterans with SBEs who are economically or educationally disadvantaged; Veterans enrolled as clients of Vocational Rehabilitation administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans who are homeless; and other Veterans identified as need individualized assistance and case management as determined by the Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training Services.

3.         DVOPs provide case management to Veterans with significant obstacles and challenges to employment.

Outreach

DVOPs will conduct outreach activities or provide services at alternative service locations to

locate candidates who could benefit from individualized services and market these services

to potential client in programs and places such as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

(VR&E), Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP), and U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs (VA) hospitals and Vet Centers, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of those who

are unable to obtain employment through core services.

Referral to Training

DVOPs will work with homeless shelters, civic and community agencies, WIOA partners in the

AJC network, vocational rehabilitation agencies, the AIDT program, and other training

providers to locate Veterans in need of individualized employment services. Veterans having

SBEs will be referred to DVOPs for individualized services. DVOPs could also be assigned to

orientation sessions hosted by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Vocational

Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) to assist potential VR&E clients to make good choices

in their Chapter 31 occupational and career training.

E.  LVER Staff

LVER duties will be assigned in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4104, as amended by

the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288), the Special Grant provisions of the JVSG, and

VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19 to exclusively benefit Veterans and other Eligible Persons by

promoting the advantages of hiring Veterans to employers, employer associations, and

business groups, as well as those duties that facilitate employment, training, and placement

services furnished to Veterans through the Career Centers within the AJC network of

providers. In Alabama, LVERs are assigned as team members in Business Service Units to:

(a) advocate for all eligible Veterans and Eligible Persons served by the AJC with business,

Industry, and other community-based organizations by participating in appropriate outreach

activities such as job and career fairs, conducting job search workshops with employers,

employer summits, coordinating with unions, apprenticeship programs, and business

organizations to promote and secure employment and training programs; and (b) facilitate

employment, training, and placement services furnished to Veterans through the labor

exchange services offered under the Wagner-Peyser Act and the Jobs for Veterans Act, as

amended (Ref. 20 CFR part 1010).

The purpose of conducting outreach to employers in the area is to develop relationships,

jobs, training, or training opportunities for Veterans and other Eligible Persons. The purpose

of conducting seminars and establishing self-directed job search work groups is to ensure a

greater number of eligible Veterans and other Eligible Persons have the skills needed to find

employment.

Alabama LVER Roles and Responsibilities Listed by Tasks and Activities:

Expanding the Capacity of the Workforce Development System to Assist Veterans

1.         LVERs will assist and facilitate in expanding the capacity of other Career Center partners in the AJCs in providing assistance and training to Veterans and Eligible Persons by taking actions to ensure Veterans are provided easier access to the full range of labor exchange services needed to meet their employment and training needs.

2.         LVERs will work with other Workforce Development providers to develop their capacity to recognize and respond to these needs. Responsibilities may include the following activities: (a) train other staff and service delivery system partners to enhance their knowledge of Veterans’ employment and training issues; (b) promote the participation of Veterans inn employment and training; (c) refer Veterans to training and educational opportunities with Career Center (One-Stop) partners as well as other community providers.

3.         LVERs provide technical assistance to community-based organizations for employment and training services to Veterans with SBEs.

Advocate for Veterans with Employers and Educational and Training Providers, Unions, Apprenticeship Programs, and the Business Community to Promote Employment and Training Opportunities for Veterans

AJCs will promote job-driven apprenticeship training to Veterans under the initiatives      

offered through unions, apprenticeship in the trades, as well as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) OJT employment and training programs.

1.         LVERs will maintain current information on employment and training opportunities.

2.         LVERs will plan and participate in job fairs and employer summits to promote Veterans.

3.         LVERs will develop and promote apprenticeship and OJT positions for Veterans with SBEs.

Outreach to Employers on Behalf of Veterans

1.         LVERs as team members of the Business Service Units will develop employer relations contact plans for Career Centers in the AJC network. They will also assist to identify federal contractors, and recruit jobs for all Veterans from local employers.

2.         LVERs will establish, maintain, or facilitate regular contact with employers to develop employment and training openings for all Veterans.

3.         LVERs will monitor job listings by federal contractors and encourage the referral of qualified Veterans who may not have been referred to those jobs by the AJL automated notification/referral system.

Monitor, Evaluate, and Advise Management on Services and Training to Veterans

LVERs are administratively responsible to Managers of Employment Services provided by

Career Centers within the AJC network, and will assist the Managers in developing quarterly

reports regarding compliance with law and regulations in respect to special services and

Priority of Service (POS) for eligible Veterans and other Eligible Persons. Consistent with Title

38 U.S.C. and applicable VPLs, quarterly reports will be forwarded by Career Center

Managers, through the line of administrative authority, to the Director of Veterans

Employment and Training (DVET) regarding compliance with federal law and regulations with

respect to special services and POS for eligible Veterans and other Eligible Persons in the

provision of employment services and training, as per 20 CFR part 1010.

LVERs will analyze recorded performance data made available to them through the AJC

Veterans reports for the Career Center/AJC to which assigned to determine accomplishments

or shortcomings towards meeting the state’s LVER performance measures for outcomes.

F.  Consolidated DVOP/LVER Staff

In order to expand the quality of services provided under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapters 41 and 42

to Alabama Veterans in rural areas of the state, 3 JVSG funded positions have become

Consolidated DVOP/LVER specialists. LVER duties will be assigned (on a half-time basis) in

accordance with 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4104, as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public

Law 107-288), the Special Grant provisions of the JVSG, and VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19 to

exclusively benefit Veterans and other Eligible Persons by promoting the advantages of hiring

Veterans to employers, employer associations, and business groups, as well as those duties

that facilitate employment, training, and placement services furnished to Veterans through

the Career Centers within the AJC network of providers. DVOP duties will be assigned (on a

half-time basis) in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Subsection 4103A, as amended by the Jobs for

Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288). In the DVOP role, the duties are to carry out individualized

services to meet the employment needs of eligible Veterans, and the following priority in the

provision of services:

(a) Special disabled Veterans (b) Other disabled Veterans. (c) Other eligible Veterans

determined as priority, considering applicable rates of unemployment and the

employment emphasis for covered Veterans under federal contracts. DVOPs service only

Veterans with SBEs as defined by VPLs 03-14, 04-14, and 03-19.

G.  ISC Staff

Alabama has 2 Individual Service Coordinators (ISC) who assist and provide guidance as

necessary to Area Managers, Career Center Managers, LVERs, DVOPs, and Career Center

Specialists so that procedures or methods are implemented per Federal, State, and

Departmental guidelines in a timely and sufficient manner. They also assist in planning and

participating in state workforce development training conferences and workshops with topics

regarding priority services to Veterans and marketing Veterans to employers.

Monitor and Guide Services to Veterans

1.         The ISCs will ensure understanding of and compliance with laws and regulations with

            respect to special services and Priority of Service (POS) for eligible Veterans and other Eligible Persons.

2.         The ISCs will observe and monitor LVERs, DVOPs, and Career Center team members to identify work flow issues and make necessary suggestions for adjustments to Career Center Managers, Area Managers, and Employment Service Supervisors to ensure the primary goals of the Chapter 31 VA Vocational Rehabilitation are met.

3.         Monitor LVERs, DVOPs, and Career Center team member’s performance, in a timely manner, so that expectations and accurate feedback are provided to the Career Center Managers concerned, to result in acceptable performance outcomes.

4.         Encourage and facilitate cooperation among all agencies and programs providing services and assistance to Veterans to promote maximum awareness and availability of benefits among Veterans, particularly Veterans who may need such services or assistance in gaining employment or job training.

H.  Program Integration and Leverage Resources

The partnership agreements among all service providers located within the Alabama Career

Center in the statewide AJC network and other strategic outstation activities have been

Established or modified to include common focus on services to Veterans. LVER and DVOP

services and program activities will be under the auspices of the Employment Service Division

of the Alabama Department of Labor, the JVSG grantee and operator of the statewide

network of American Job Centers, and a primary partner will all agencies in the Alabama

Workforce Development system that includes all approved training providers in the Alabama

Career Center system.

LVERs and DVOPs work directly for Employment Service Managers and are tasked to assist

Managers in the evaluation as to the degree of utilization of all services and training by

Veterans. LVERs will assist in providing training on Priority of Service (POS) to partners in the

statewide network. LVERs will be assigned activities to increase public awareness that eligible

Veterans and other Eligible Persons have POS, as defined under 20 CFR part 1010, and will

assist Managers in the training of POS requirements to all Career Center partners within the AJC

network.

All Career Center staff will assist federal agencies to recruit Veterans, particularly disabled

Veterans and Veterans described by the Veterans Employment Service for special emphasis

under Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 42 and the grant provisions, and 20 CFR part 1010 (Priority

Service for Covered Persons; and special recruitment initiatives of Veterans by individual

federal agencies).  As provided for under Title 10 U.S.C., the Alabama Career Center system in

the AJC network will provide assistance to military service members and eligible spouses in

transition to civilian jobs and careers through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at

several military facilities in Alabama, and will provide individualized services to Veterans

participating in vocational rehabilitation, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs (US DVA), as provided under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 31. Alabama assigned

the State Individualized Service Coordinators to work directly with Employment Coordinators

at the US DVA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service to coordinate the

referral of “Job Ready” Veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation service under Chapter

31 of Title 38 U.S.C. to the AJC for assistance in gaining suitable employment consistent with

their vocational rehabilitation plans. Policy for the delivery of Priority of Service (POS) by the

State, Local Workforce Investment Boards, and the Alabama Career Centers in the AJC

network include the following new or existing measures:

1.         The first point of contact for Veterans and Eligible Persons seeking services from Alabama’s Career Center System in the AJC network is a Wagner-Peyser grant funded representative. Those who access self-services through the internet will complete a universal application that includes features and questions designed to assist staff members in identifying them for POS and training at any point of entry into the Workforce Development system. Additionally, AJC locations will use signage, graphics, and displays to create awareness of the policy that requires Priority of Service for eligible Veterans and eligible spouses.

2.         The Governor of Alabama established the Alabama Workforce Council and appointed state leaders in business, industry, education, and government to improve collaboration between educators and employers so that job seekers can identify and participate in job-driven training that fits the skills sets needed for jobs available in business and industry. The grantee is a member of the council, which will be helpful in connecting military skill sets to corresponding job-driven occupational training.

Program Integration and Leverage Resources

The partnership agreements among all service providers located within the Alabama Career

Center in the statewide AJC network and other strategic outstation activities have been

Established or modified to include common focus on services to Veterans. LVER and DVOP

services and program activities will be under the auspices of the Employment Service Division

of the Alabama Department of Labor, the JVSG grantee and operator of the statewide

network of American Job Centers, and a primary partner will all agencies in the Alabama

Workforce Development system that includes all approved training providers in the Alabama

Career Center system.

LVERs and DVOPs work directly for Employment Service Managers and are tasked to assist

Managers in the evaluation as to the degree of utilization of all services and training by

Veterans. LVERs will assist in providing training on Priority of Service (POS) to partners in the

statewide network. LVERs will be assigned activities to increase public awareness that eligible

Veterans and other Eligible Persons have POS, as defined under 20 CFR part 1010, and will

assist Managers in the training of POS requirements to all Career Center partners within the AJC

network.

All Career Center staff will assist federal agencies to recruit Veterans, particularly disabled

Veterans and Veterans described by the Veterans Employment Service for special emphasis

under Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 42 and the grant provisions, and 20 CFR part 1010 (Priority

Service for Covered Persons; and special recruitment initiatives of Veterans by individual

federal agencies).  As provided for under Title 10 U.S.C., the Alabama Career Center system in

the AJC network will provide assistance to military service members and eligible spouses in

transition to civilian jobs and careers through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at

several military facilities in Alabama, and will provide individualized services to Veterans

participating in vocational rehabilitation, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of

Veterans Affairs (US DVA), as provided under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 31. Alabama assigned

the State Individualized Service Coordinators to work directly with Employment Coordinators

at the US DVA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service to coordinate the

referral of “Job Ready” Veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation service under Chapter

31 of Title 38 U.S.C. to the AJC for assistance in gaining suitable employment consistent with

their vocational rehabilitation plans. Policy for the delivery of Priority of Service (POS) by the

State, Local Workforce Investment Boards, and the Alabama Career Centers in the AJC

network include the following new or existing measures:

1.         The first point of contact for Veterans and Eligible Persons seeking services from Alabama’s Career Center System in the AJC network is a Wagner-Peyser grant funded representative. Those who access self-services through the internet will complete a universal application that includes features and questions designed to assist staff members in identifying them for POS and training at any point of entry into the Workforce Development system. Additionally, AJC locations will use signage, graphics, and displays to create awareness of the policy that requires Priority of Service for eligible Veterans and eligible spouses.

2.         The Governor of Alabama established the Alabama Workforce Council and appointed state leaders in business, industry, education, and government to improve collaboration between educators and employers so that job seekers can identify and participate in job-driven training that fits the skills sets needed for jobs available in business and industry. The grantee is a member of the council, which will be helpful in connecting military skill sets to corresponding job-driven occupational training.

Partnerships and Alliances with Supportive Services

The State of Alabama has made a commitment to provide the best possible services to our

nation’s military service members, Veterans and their families (SMVF) by establishing the

signed by the Governor on 10 December 2013, and the Commission’s mission was

expanded by Executive Order 712 signed by Governor Kay Ivey on 8 November 2017. The

Commission is comprised of the following state agencies: Department of Veterans Affairs;

Department of Mental Health; Alabama National Guard; Department of Labor; Serve

Alabama; Office of the Attorney General; Department of Education; Department of

Corrections; Department of Economic and Community Affairs; Department of Post-Secondary

Education; Commission on Higher Education; Department of Rehabilitation Services;

Department of Public Health; Medicaid Agency; Law Enforcement Agency; Department of

Human Resources; Department of Transportation; and Office of the Chief Justice.

The Executive Order requires the AlaVetNet Commission to study and evaluate all services in

the state and direct at improving the well-being of SMVF in the areas of education,

employment, health, homelessness, and legal assistance. The Commission also includes

family services. The six committees functioning under its authority developed a Long Range

Plan of Recommendations to assist SMVF in the areas of Behavioral Health, Education,

Employment, Homelessness, Legal Assistance, and Family Services. The statewide AJC

network is an integral partner in the coordination of all state resources and services to assist

SMVF, which to the extent possible, is to be based on using best practices combined with

innovation.

Integration of VA VR&E Programs

The VR&E Partnership is fully integrated into the statewide AJL network as a required

component of the LVER-DVOP grant (VPL 01-09 dated 11 December 2008). DVOP

representatives will case manage all active VR&E clients referred from VR&E Counselors, in

addition to Veterans with other SBEs. DVOP specialists’ primary role with VR&E clients is to

assist VR&E Counselors and Veteran-clients to develop career objectives and an effective

employment plan. Other Employment Service case management services to be documented

include assessment of vocational or training needs, and economic considerations.

Employment barriers with regard to the job search are to be described with the detail needed

for carrying out successful job referrals or job development with potential employers.

Services, job referrals, and contact with specific employers on behalf of clients are to be

documented using the AJL case management screens. VR&E clients will have a services screen

entry that identifies the client as “Job Ready”, as determined by VA VR&E.

Integration with other VETS Initiatives and Programs

Alabama will continue to conduct training sessions with LVERs, DVOPs, and AJC Managers on

development of initiatives that will promote the hiring of returning and transitioning

Alabama National Guard members, Reservists, and other Veterans such as participants in

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops. The priority group in this effort are returning

Alabama National Guard members and Reservists, particularly those on medical hold and

awaiting medical discharge. Alabama has a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division (VA VR&E) to ensure military

personnel at Warrior Transition Units are afforded services offered by VETS through the

state’s JVSG. TAP is conducted by the VETS contractor at the U.S. Army installations at Fort

Rucker and Redstone Arsenal.

Integration into Statewide AJC Training

LVERs and DVOPs funded under the JVSG will participate in many outreach, training, and

supportive service opportunities that will require continuous professional development of

their skills and knowledge of resources that may be available to assist Veterans. For that

purpose, Alabama will budget approximately $55,000.00 of the projected allocation to

conduct all Alabama Veterans’ Training Conferences. The training agendas will be

developed in consultation with the Alabama DVET and may include professional training

provided by the National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI), in accordance with VPLs 06-09

and 05-18, or an annual professional training conference to improve LVER-DVOP

skills/knowledge, and to foster effective working relationships with Workforce Development

partners and agencies in the AJC network. Appropriate NVTI off-site course(s) of instruction

and the development of agendas for quarterly Alabama Veterans’ Training Conferences will

be in consultation with the DVET to ensure all NVTI training and conference agendas will be in

keeping with our mission. Requests for NVTI off-site training will be submitted per VPL 05-18 or the latest guidance.

Special Efforts to Homeless Veterans

Many agencies and volunteer groups have formed coalitions which plan several Veterans

Stand Down events across the state each year. LVERs will provide homeless Veterans with job

development services, and DVOPs will provide individualized services under the case

management approach to identify basic needs regarding safety, health, and shelter. Follow

up case management services in this effort will include referral to employment and WIOA

training providers to identify individual training needs.  Assistance is provided to the

homeless Veterans on how to find employment opportunities in their specific locality, as well

as how to relate their skills and experience into new work in other industries and

occupations.  Some of the locations where our agency is partnering with coalitions to

assist homeless Veterans are as follows:

1.         Mobile – Grant funded staff members in the Alabama Career Center in Mobile have

developed a partnership with Housing First, A Homeless Coalition.  This Coalition, joined by the Mobile AJC, puts together an annual ‘Project Homeless Connect’ event. During this event the homeless are connected with an extensive list of service providers for needs such as clothing, food, health care, housing, employment or skills training, legal help, haircuts, and identification cards.  The grant funded staff members also meet regularly with residents of Eagles Landing, a supportive housing complex for homeless Veterans operated by Volunteers of America. Job search and case management services are provided, as well as resume, job search, and soft skills workshops.

2.         North Alabama - the Alabama Career Centers in the AJC network partner with Stand

Down Together Huntsville Inc., which is a 501(c)3 Agency that assists homeless and at-risk Veterans in north Alabama to become self-sustaining members of their community.

3.         Dothan – the Career Center partners with the South East Alabama Coalition on

Homelessness (SEACH) to provide employment services to homeless Veterans.

4.         Birmingham – under an agreement with Alethia House, which was awarded a grant by

VETS under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Act (HVRP), DVOPs are assigned to assist homeless Veterans to acquire skills training and employment. In addition, the AJC and JVSG staff are active participants in the annual Metro Birmingham Alabama Veterans Stand Down, sponsored by the Birmingham VA and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #4. Our agency joins with the VA Medical Center staff, other federal agencies, Veteran organizations, and community support organizations to provide homeless Veterans and their families with employment services, basic healthcare, mental health and spiritual counseling, and clothing.

5.         Montgomery - under an agreement with Alethia House, which was awarded a grant by

VETS under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Act (HVRP), DVOPs are assigned to assist homeless Veterans to acquire skills training and employment.

I.  Priority of Service

In affiliation with the American Job Center (AJC) network, the Alabama Veterans’ Services

Program within the Alabama Career Center system shall offer comprehensive employment

and career placement service to nearly 23,688 Veterans per year, through a combination of

self-service internet-based job services and direct assistance at AJCs throughout the state.

The Alabama Job Link (AJL) system, as a point of entry for self-service registration, provides a

priority service notification to Veterans and covered persons at

https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/mn_veterans_dsp.cfm .

Veterans and persons entitled to priority services and training complete a universal

application that includes features and questions designed to assist staff members in

identifying them for priority services and training at the point of entry into the Workforce

Development system. Veterans who can use AJL competently are encouraged to self-register

and make maximum use of the automated access to resources. Career Center Specialists and

Veterans’ Employment Specialists review applications submitted by Veterans and other

Eligible Persons who register using self-service for the purpose of assessing the quality of the

applications and resumes to ensure they reflect clearly stated job objectives, meaningful

information with regards to work history, education and training, and that Veterans resumes

represent Veteran job seekers adequately to enable employers to locate qualified Veterans

for job openings.

Another action to ensure that Veterans receive priority is the 24-hour email alerts sent to

Veterans on any matching work we find in the AJL data system. Priority service is also provided

when Veterans, or others eligible for priority, are identified at intake when registering for

services at any AJC or other service delivery points. Career Center Specialists will ensure that

each Veteran completing a full application will have properly recorded their skills, education,

training, job or career interests, work experience, licenses or certifications, employment

availability, contact information, and other vital information. Additionally, AJCs will use

signage, graphics, and displays to inform Veterans and Covered Persons of priority service (as

described under Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 41 and 20 CFR part 1010) and as applicable to all

federally funded employment services and training. Moreover, local Career Center Managers

will develop outreach activities to locate Covered Persons under Veterans Priority. Managers or

designated representatives will review special reports generated by AJL for the purpose of

identifying Veterans and Covered Persons who may be contacted and made aware of their

priority in services and training. Career Center Managers will develop local service strategies

and training goals for Veterans and Covered Persons entitled to Veterans Priority, in consultation

with their partner agencies and training providers, to encourage maximum utilization of services

and training by Veterans and Covered Persons.

All Alabama Workforce Development regions have implemented Veterans Priority in the

State WIOA and Wagner-Peyser Plan of Service. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)

Specialists and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) shall compliment Priority

of Service (POS) provided by the AJC to Veterans and Covered Persons, as mandated under

Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 41, and in accordance with the general and special provisions of the

Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG), and applicable regulations, policies, and directive

guidance for JVSG from the Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training (ASVET),

including Veterans Program Letters (VPL) addressing DVOP-LVER Roles and Responsibilities.

The Alabama strategy leverages improvements in technology to enable Career Center

Specialists to locate and review the resumes of Veterans using on-line self-services for the

purpose of offering helpful advice or suggestions on presenting their skills and abilities to

prospective employers, because the AJL data system is designed to support employers

searching for key words, and automatically flags the resumes of Veterans and Covered

Persons who are identified as qualified candidates within the parameters entered by the

employers. This advantage offers Veterans and Covered Persons a Priority in Service and

enables an employer to contact them directly, with or without a referral through a posted job

order.