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:
Idaho covers a large geographic area with limited funding making it unfeasible to station a DVOP in every local office. In order to improve employment outcomes for veterans, the IDOL strategically stations our DVOP’s and LVER throughout the state. In 2019, the agency reorganized its service delivery organization. Seven offices located in Kootenai County, Lewiston, Canyon County, Boise, Magic Valley, Pocatello and Idaho Falls serve as central coordinators for all department veterans services activity within their geographic regions. DVOP staff are primarily assigned to local offices with the highest numbers of registered veterans. Another factor considered is whether or not an area has a large educational institution that can translate to large numbers of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) participants.
IDOL employs a full-time regional Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) who works in the largest labor market area in the state: Boise/Meridian/Nampa. There is also a full time DVOP presence in the Boise and Canyon County offices. In rural areas of the state where fewer veterans reside, IDOL assigns DVOPs on a half-time basis. Idaho has two half-time individuals (20 hours/week) performing DVOP functions and the other 20 hours in Employment Services (ES) or Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) duties. In an effort to ensure that all veterans have access to our most knowledgeable resource, a DVOP conducts monthly outreach to rural areas of the state where there is no permanently stationed DVOPs to provide individualized career services to veterans with significant barriers to employment (SBEs).
Our DVOPs work closely with the state’s Employment Services (ES) staff. The ES staff are trained to work with employers and to provide job developments, and recruit veterans for employment. Our DVOP staff also maintain a list of job ready veterans for our LVERs to use during employer visits. The LVERS review the veteran’s resume and case management file to ensure appropriate referrals are made to employers.
IDOL utilized Special Initiative (SI) funding from its JVSG grant to support three LVERs and a consolidated DVOP position throughout the state. The north, east and southwest areas of the state implemented the LVER positions, while the consolidated DVOP/LVER position resides in the southeast Idaho. The SI LVERS perform the same LVER functions as outlined in sections b and c. Splitting time between DVOP and LVER duties, the consolidated position not only provides services to veterans and eligible persons but also conducts business functions. This position also serves as the local Wyakin Foundation outreach person
These are limited-service positions which will not continue once the Special Initiative funding is exhausted. However, if Idaho veterans demonstrate the need, the agency may incorporate three consolidated positions into its annual JVSG grant submission, to be placed in the northern, eastern and southwestern areas of Idaho.
Front desk staff are instructed to ask the veteran or veteran’s spouse, to complete an intake form to determine eligibility for DVOP services or if a referral to an Employment Services consultant is appropriate.
A veteran who enters an Affiliate American Job center with a half-time DVOP Specialist receives the same services as a veteran who enters one of the state’s larger American Job Centers with full-time grant-funded staff. If a veteran is in need of more than core services from one of the AJC offices without an assigned DVOP Specialist, they are assessed by staff to determine if a referral to the nearest DVOP Specialist is appropriate. An appointment is made during their next rural office visit where they will receive all the services available in the larger offices.
The state’s shared internal website for all department staff includes enhancements that allow AJCs without a DVOP Specialist to provide the same information available in offices with veterans’ staff. This tool is available to all DVOP Specialists as well as managers and other employment services staff who serve veterans. All training documents are uploaded to the internal website for all AJC staff to view.