Located in:
- Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants
(OMB Control Number: 1225-0086)
The Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) are mandatory, formula-based staffing grants to States (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 quarterly on a Program Year basis (as with the ETA-9002 Series). Currently, VETS JVSG operates on a 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:
a. How the State intends to provide employment, training and job placement services to veterans and eligible persons under the JVSG;
Current Narrative:
Vermont is dedicated to serving all veterans throughout the state by connecting them to the education and training necessary to be successful in post-military life. The state is committed to providing opportunities to veterans, regardless of where they enter the workforce development system. The state is also committed to increasing awareness of available veterans’ services among the WIOA partners to ensure that there is “no wrong door” for a veteran seeking employment. All case managers and counselors will have a clear understanding of both available services and how to refer appropriately.
Individuals enter the workforce development system one of two ways: by visiting a Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) One-Stop Career Center or through the online Vermont JobLink (VJL) registration system. Regardless of the entry point, customers, whether they are veterans or a spouse of a veteran, are asked to self-identify their veteran status to ensure they can take full advantage of the available services to veterans.
On a priority of service basis, an AJC staff member determines the eligible person’s purpose for registering. Once the veteran or other eligible person is identified, the AJC Staff member conducts an initial assessment using a customized intake questionnaire. By determining if the veteran or other eligible person has an SBE, via self-identification, or if they are a member of another special priority group. If a determination is made that the client is a veteran with a SBE or meets other special criteria, they are referred to the DVOP specialist for further assessment and Individualized Career Services. Those veterans determined not to possess a SBE are provided career services and training as needed by the AJCC staff on a priority of service basis.
After veteran status is determined, individuals are asked to provide more detailed information on an intake and intensive services determination form. If they respond affirmatively, they are immediately informed of their priority of service status and entitlement to priority of service. This includes all priority of service employment, training and placement services and applicable eligibility requirements for those programs and services. This includes all priority of service employment, training and placement services and applicable eligibility requirements for those programs and services. These training services may be provided through the referral from the DVOP to apprenticeship opportunities, on-the-job training, VR&E program WIOA programs and other job placement services. That may include a referral to the LVER or business outreach member once the client is job placement ready.
If it is determined the individual does not have a significant barrier to employment, they are referred for assessment with the first available case manager to determine their eligibility for programs. If they check any of the factors that indicate a significant barrier to employment, then One-Stop Career Center staff connect them immediately with a Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist from the Jobs for Veterans State Grants program (JSVG). If a DVOP specialist is unavailable to see the individual immediately, then non-JVSG staff may provide immediate services if applicable, until the DVOP is available and able to provide services.
The DVOP may serve eligible veterans and spouses who attest to experiencing a significant barrier as defined in VETS most recent guidance (VPL-03-14 Change 2) provide individual career services and facilitate placements to meet the employment needs of Vermont's eligible veterans and eligible persons. The DVOP helps to identify appropriate job opportunities for the Veteran’s employment goals and assist the veteran in developing a cover letter and a resume that target those jobs. As part of the orientation, the veteran will discuss their work search strategies, complete an individual employment plan (IEP) and establish the next appropriate step in their career plan. Vermont has two full-time and one half-time DVOP specialists who serve Vermont’s eligible Veterans and eligible persons.
All DVOP and LVER staff are trained on all services and placement strategies available to veterans, through the National Veteran Training Institute, national and state conferences and training sessions. DVOP provides information-sharing and capacity building for the AJC. The LVER staff offers training to One-Stop partners who can be referral sources when a veteran applies for services through their programs. Currently, veterans working with a vocational rehabilitation counselor are referred to the DVOP for additional services and support. LVERs, also working with vocational rehabilitation’s employment consultants, explore potential employers on behalf of the veteran, to leverage contacts of both. By offering trainings on DVOP and LVER services to our WIOA partners, we hope to increase both visibility of the program and referrals for services from our veteran services staff members through the One-Stop system.