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:
b. The duties assigned to DVOP specialists and LVER staff by the State; specifically implementing DVOP and LVER duties or roles and responsibilities as outlined in 38 U.S.C. § 4103A and 4104. These duties must be consistent with current guidance;
Current Narrative:
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.
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 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.
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 LVER/DVOP 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.
ISC Staff
Alabama has 2 Individualized 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.