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:
d. The Incentive Award program implemented using the 1% grant allocation set aside for this purpose, as applicable;
Current Narrative:
The JVSG Annual Incentive Awards are distributed to 1 DVOP and one 1 LVER (two total each quarter) by quarterly spot bonuses of $250.00 each. This will total to $500.00 allocated in each quarter.
- The quarterly spot bonus for the DVOP is determined by: (1) number of services provided to reduce SBEs; (2) number of veterans and eligible spouses on the DVOP’s caseload; (3) trainings attended (e.g., Offender Workforce Development Specialist [OWDS]); and (4) overall veteran outreach efforts as defined by Veteran Program Letter 03-14, 03-14 Changes 1 & 2, 07-14 and 03-19.
- The quarterly spot bonus for the LVER is determined by: (1) number of employer services; (2) number of job placements; (3) total number of employers referred to the DOLVETS Hire a Vet Medallion Program (HVMP); (4) trainings attended (e.g., small business administration seminar); (5) total trainings administered; and (6) overall employer outreach efforts as defined by Veteran Program Letter 03-14, 03-14 changes 1 & 2, and 03-19.
JVSG Annual Incentive Awards are divided up into two categories: 6 Annual Awards and 1 Veterans Service Provider of the Year Award. The Annual Awards provide a monetary bonus of $2,500 to $3,000. The Veteran Service Provider of the Year is in overall recognition of continual outstanding excellence in service to veterans. This award recipient receives a bonus of up to $4,000 plus an additional $2,500 to be donated to a Veterans Service Organization of their choosing.
The Incentive Award program implemented uses the 1% grant allocation (amount reflects the FY Grant allocation, based upon the grant formula and is subject to change every grant FY) set aside for this purpose, as applicable.
Purpose: This directive provides guidance and information on nominating persons for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Annual Performance Incentive Award Program as established in the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-228).
References: Title 38, United States Code Section 4112, as amended by Public Law 107-288.
Period of Award and Submission Date: Veterans’ Annual Performance Incentive Awards will be based on performance or activities conducted during the period of October 1st of current Fiscal Year (FY) through September 30th of following FY.
DWD JVSG Annual Performance Incentive Award Program: The State of Indiana is participating in the Annual Veterans Incentive Awards program. The total funds for incentive awards remains at 1% of the overall grant estimate that DOL/VETS provides for specific program years. The State of Indiana will distribute the Annual Veterans Incentive Award by three channels listed below, in any combination; consequently, the combined total of fund distributed will not exceed 1 % of the overall grant amount.
The funding allocated for the Annual Incentive Award Program will be distributed by the following three channels:
- The JVSG Annual Incentive Awards are distributed to (1) one DVOP and (1) one LVER (two total each quarter) by quarterly spot bonuses of $250.00 each. This will total to $500.00 allocated in each quarter.
- The quarterly spot bonus for the DVOP will be determined by: number of services provided to reduce SBEs; number of Veterans and Spouses on DVOP caseload; trainings attended (example Offender Workforce Development Specialist [OWDS]); and overall Veteran outreach efforts as defined by Veteran Program Letter 03-14, 03-14 Changes 1 & 2, 04-14, 07-14 and 08-14.
- The quarterly spot bonus for the LVER will be determined by: number of employer services; number of job placements; trainings attended (example small business administration seminar); total trainings administered; and overall employer outreach efforts as defined by Veteran Program Letter 03-14, 03-14 changes 1 & 2.
- The JVSG Annual Incentive Awards are distributed to JVSG and Non-JVSG attendees of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Annual Veteran conference. These JVSG and Non- JVSG attendees will be chosen to mirror their JVSG staff counterparts who are in attendance of the State Plan approved Annual NASWA Veteran conference, if applicable.
- The NASWA Veterans Conference attendees are chosen by: number of services provided to Veterans and Spouses; number of Veterans and Spouses on caseload; outreach efforts to Veteran Agencies; number of employer services; number of job placements; and overall efforts to support the JVSG staff.
- This incentive award will cover the cost for the attendees: 1) flight, 2) hotel fee, 3) conference registration fee, and 4) miscellaneous travel expenses as allowed.
- The final decision on the selection of the attendees will be determined by the DWD Performance Incentive Award Selection Board.
- JVSG Annual Incentive Awards are divided up into seven (7) total annual recipients. These seven awards are divided up to six (6) Annual Awards recipients and one (1) Veterans Service Award of the Year recipient. The six (6) Annual Awards limit will provide a: 1) bonus of $2,500-$3,000.
- The Veteran Service Provider of the Year is in overall recognition of continual outstanding excellence in service to Veterans. This award recipient receives a bonus of up to $4,000 plus and an additional $2,500 to be donated to a Veterans Service Organization of their choosing.
Indiana’s JVSG will not exceed the 1% grant total for incentive awards and NASWA Veterans Conference combined annual costs. Veterans’ Annual Performance Incentive Awards will be based on performance or activities conducted during the period of October 1st of current Fiscal Year (FY) through September 30th of following FY.
The State of Indiana is participating in the Annual Veterans Incentive Awards program. The total of the funds remains 1% of the overall grant estimate that DOL/VETS provide for this proposal. The State of Indiana will distribute the Annual Veterans Incentive Award by three channels listed below, in any combination; consequently, the combined total of fund distributed will not exceed 1 % of the overall grant amount. The funding allocated for the Annual Incentive Award Program will be distributed by the following three channels:
Annual Veterans’ Incentive Award Eligibility
Any WorkOne/American Job Center Indiana JVSG (DVOP or LVER) staff and non-JVSG staff is eligible to receive an Annual Performance Incentive Award considering selection criteria (see “DWD JVSG Annual Performance Incentive Award Program, paragraph 3” for details). Federal personnel are prohibited in participating in the Annual Veteran Incentive Award Program.
Award Nominee Selection Criteria
Individuals nominated to receive a Performance Incentive Award will meet the following Performance Incentive Award selection criteria.
a. Nominees must have received at least one (1) annual performance evaluation.
b. Nominees must have received a minimum of “Meet Expectations” in all rating areas of their annual performance evaluation.
c. Nominees must clearly have performed outstanding service to the veteran population.
d. DVOPS nominees must clearly have demonstrated exceptional services in the areas of Intensive Services to Veterans, Services to Veterans with Barriers, and Outreach to Targeted Veterans.
e. LVER nominees must clearly have demonstrated exceptional services in the areas of Employer Outreach, Job Placement of Veterans, and Job Development for Veterans.
f. Staff nominees must clearly have demonstrated the exceptional services to veterans which are above and beyond their normal scope of duties within the Work One office and who foster and work to strengthen employment and training opportunities aimed at improving services for veterans.
In addition, the following criteria will also be considered by the board during the selection process.
a. Outreach activities to community and veterans’ service organizations.
b. Coordination and partnering efforts to enhance veterans’ opportunities.
c. Job development efforts, such as job fairs, Chamber of Commerce events, etc.
d. Participation in local and state employment and training activities for veterans.
e. Participation in group related veterans’ activities.
f. Enhancement of training opportunities for veterans.
g. Volunteer services to veteran organizations or facilities.
Nomination Process
Anyone can nominate a DVOP, LVER, or Non-JVSG staff for an Annual Incentive award. All nominations must be submitted on the appropriate DVOPS Award Recommendation Form, LVER Award Recommendation Form or Staff Award Recommendation Form. Supporting documents will be used as attachments to the appropriate form. Only one nominee can be listed on each form. The individual who recommends a person for an award must sign the recommendation form. These recommendation forms can be accessed through Word, handwritten, or typed. To access the forms please use the web address at the end of this directive.
Nomination Packet
The Incentive Award Nomination Packet will consist of: the nominee’s most recent Employee Work Profile and Performance Appraisal Report (SF 52403), and the appropriate (DVOPS/LVER/Staff) Incentive Award Recommendation Form. Additional information to support the recommendation may also be submitted as part of the packet: however, this is not required.
Nomination Approval Process
All Performance Incentive Award Nomination Packets will be reviewed and approved by the Functional Manager, and Center manager if appropriate, and the assigned Veteran Program Support Specialist (VPSS). The Performance Incentive Award Nomination Packet will be scanned, and then e-mailed to the appropriate DWD VPSS for their respective regions. The VPSSs will then submit the nominations to the DWD State Veteran Program Director (SVPD). There will be no changes/alterations allowed to the award nomination packet once it reaches the DWD SVPD. All nominations will be submitted to the DWD VPSS by the close of business on the second week of September current Fiscal Year (FY). The State Veteran Program Director will receive the nominations packets by close of business on the last business day of September, in the current FY.
Performance Incentive Award Selection Board
The Performance Incentive Award Selection Board will convene at the direction of the State Veteran Program Director, DWD. The board will consist of five (5) voting members; three (3) veterans, and two (2) non-veterans. In addition to the voting members of the board, the DWD State Veteran Program Director will serve as a non-voting technical advisor and recorder for the board. All voting members of the board will be recommended and approved by the Director, Field Operations. The board will convene prior to the first week of October, in the current FY, to review and approve the annual incentive award recipients.
Funds to be distributed by the DWD Payroll Department.