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  • 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:

e. The populations of eligible veterans to be served, including any additional populations designated by the Secretary as eligible for services, and any additional populations specifically targeted by the State Workforce Agency for services from one-stop delivery system partners (e.g., Native American veterans; veterans in remote rural counties or parishes);

Current Narrative:

IDOL’s DVOP specialists involve themselves in their communities in many ways to make veterans aware of the benefits, employment and training services available to them. Monthly outreach to the homeless shelters in their areas is an activity that enables the DVOP to complete outreach and provide individualized career services to those veterans that have no mode of transportation. Many of these veterans have the need for individualized career services that are provided by our DVOPs. Those who just need core services such as job search, and resume assistance are referred to AJC employment consultants.

DVOPs serve the following population of veterans per VPL 03-14 change 1 and 2 and VPL 03-19 or current guidance.

  • A special disabled or disabled veteran, as those terms are defined in 38 U.S.C. 4211(1) and (3); 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 service connected disability.
  • Homeless as defined in Section 103(a) and (b) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a) and (b) as amended;
  • A recently separated service member, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4211(6), who has been unemployed for 27 or more weeks in the previous 12 months; i.e. the term of unemployment over the previous 12 months remains 27 weeks; however, the requirement of 27 consecutive weeks is eliminated;
  • An offender, as defined by WIOA Section 3 (38), who is currently incarcerated or who has been released from incarceration, i.e. the expanded definition of SBE includes eligible veteran or eligible spouse who is currently or was formerly incarcerated by removing the within the last 12 months requirement.;
  • Lacking a high school diploma or equivalent certificate; or
  • Low-income individual (as defined by WIOA Section 3 (36).
  • Veterans aged 18-24
  • Vietnam-era Veterans
  • Transitioning members of the Armed Forces who have been identified as in need of intensive services (now referred to as individualized career services);
  • Members of the Armed Forces who are wounded, ill, or injured and receiving treatment in MTFs or WTUs; and
  • The spouses or other family caregivers of such wounded, ill, or injured members.

The VR&E National Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) formalized a partnership and process that has been in place in Idaho for years. However, when the TAG was released, the IDOL worked closely with the VA VR&E and our DVET to update our local agreement. The Idaho Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was finalized and signed in July 2017. The IDOL’s central point of contact for the VR&E program is the Individualized Career Services Coordinator (ICSC), a half-time position filled by a full-time DVOP. The ICSC is out-stationed at the Boise VA Regional Office, but veterans enrolled in the VR&E program are referred to Idaho DVOPs from counselors assigned to Spokane, Seattle, and Salt Lake City. The ICSC or assigned DVOP provides Labor Market Information (LMI) as part of the vocational evaluation process. The VA VR&E develops a rehabilitation plan and then approximately 90 days prior to the participant’s expected completion of training or education, the VR&E office completes a Job Ready Assessment and refers the veteran to the IDOL ICSC or appropriate DVOP for individualized career employment assistance. The VA VR&E office and IDOL jointly monitor the job seeking process to determine when the veteran has entered employment and when the veteran can be considered “rehabilitated.”

The IDOL operates under a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on “Services Available to Veterans in Idaho who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.” The MOU partners include the State of Idaho Military Division, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (affected Regional Office and Medical Centers), U.S. Department of Labor, and Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission. The MOU outlines the roles and activities of all partners and encourages maximum communication and coordination to provide seamless referral and support services for OEF/OIF veterans.

The IDOL continues to develop new strategies to reach homeless veterans and those at risk of becoming homeless. Our DVOPs and LVER, based on their role and responsibility identified in current guidance, actively help plan and participate in three Stand Down events throughout the state -Boise, Pocatello, and Post Falls. These events provide much needed information, assistance, and supportive services to over 1,500 needy veterans and family members every year.

The Boise VA Regional Office administers the Grant Per Diem program which helps shelter many homeless veterans while attending an education program. The VA Homeless Coordinators work closely with our DVOPs to secure employment for participants in this program. Partnerships like these are proving very beneficial for Idaho veterans. Over the past several years, the number and quality of facilities and services for the homeless have improved dramatically in Idaho’s most populated area, the Treasure Valley. DVOPs are in the process of developing partnerships with staff at these new facilities to provide individualized career services and the referral to employment needed to help veterans break the cycle of homelessness. As these partnerships develop, we plan to participate in service information days at the shelters on a regular basis.

Idaho has DVOPs strategically placed in areas near Native American reservations. Outreach activities are conducted at the state’s option and conducted with approval of the tribes. A fulltime DVOP is located minutes away from the Shoshone Bannock reservation in Southeast Idaho and provides outreach and individualized career services to the disabled veterans in that area.

In Lewiston, a half-time DVOP works with the Nez Perce Tribe in Lapwai, Idaho. He meets with referrals from tribal veteran representatives, attends Tribal Homeless Veteran Stand Downs and Tribal Resource Fairs, and maintains an open dialogue with Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO).

In Post Falls, our DVOP has worked with the Veterans Coordinator representing the Coeur d’Alene Tribe based in Worley, Idaho. Most of the contact has been in regards to Veteran hiring events, the Stand Down and for special events, emphasizing the provision of individualized career services.

IDOL also works with incarcerated veterans. July 2018 IDOL was awarded the Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program (IVTP) grant for $114,500 to serve homeless and other than dishonorably discharged veterans released from incarceration within the past 12 months. The objective is to provide participants in-depth assessment, on the job training (OJT), apprenticeships, classroom training for high-growth in-demand occupations, tuition, case management, work readiness preparation, job search assistance, temporary housing and supportive services as appropriate. Co-enrollment with WIOA is also sought to ensure the full complement of wrap-around services.  To help defer possibilities of recidivism, the Idaho Department of Corrections regularly sends IDOL a list of veterans soon to be released from the state’s correctional facilities.  And DVOPs maintain contact with city and county jails and probation and parole officers throughout the state to target these populations.

During the grant’s first year of implementation, 52 veterans were enrolled and provided supportive and employment services. 32 found employment with the program’s help, leading the state to meet all program goals and objectives, including placement rate, hourly wage, retention rate and cost per placement.

IDOL received an award for a second year of grant funding for the same amount, enrollment, and planned performance goals. Currently, the program is on track to meet its goals for the year. If it succeeds in meetings its goals during the first six months, the state will receive a third and final year of funding to continue the program.