Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program

Vermont’s One-Stop Career Centers are seamlessly integrated with all WIOA Title I, Wagner-Peyser, JVSG staff and key workforce partner services. Integration also means that initial services provided to eligible veterans are occasionally provided by staff other than DVOP specialists. DVOP specialists and LVER staff work in all One-Stop Career Resource Centers and are part of the local workforce team. They have a regular opportunity to highlight veterans’ services, both internally and with other WIOA partners. DVOP specialists and LVER staff are experts in employment for veterans and are regularly consulted by other staff with questions about the best approach to take in a case.

The regional manager at the AJC incorporates the JVSG staff within the AJC by conducting weekly staff meetings to ensure collaboration, information sharing among programs within the AJC to ensure integration is seamless and transparent to the client. The DVOP works with all the staff within the AJC to get the client job ready. The LVER and business out reach member passes information form the local business partners to the client and staff to facilitate/improve employment opportunities for the client. 

The initial assessment identifies the “job readiness” of the veteran if they meet eligibility criteria for DVOP services, standard career services are provided on a priority basis by local One-Stop Career Center staff. If individualized case services are appropriate, an IEP is developed, and the veteran is assisted directly by the DVOP or referred to supportive services as appropriate. In all cases, staff ensure that covered persons are aware of their entitlement to priority of service; all employment, training and placement services available under priority of service and applicable eligibility requirements for those programs or services. 

As an example of integration, a veteran in need of additional training or education to be more employable moves through the eligibility determination and enrollment process. The veteran’s primary case manager may become a WIOA Title I funded staff member or community partner that will provide additional case management rather than a DVOP specialist. This integration applies to other One-Stop partners, including Vermont’s Vocational Rehabilitation program, adult education and literacy partners, state colleges and universities, and the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP). 

At the state level, and working throughout the system, key partnerships exist with the Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals, counseling centers and veteran housing coalitions. The VA is often represented at local VDOL sponsored veteran events (job fairs, information sessions). DVOP specialists conduct outreach to VA hospitals and centers regularly. VDOL provides a LVER manager as the Individualized Services Coordinator for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR & E). This individual interacts with VAs state and federal VR & E coordinators, while helping to direct DVOP specialists on what services are needed to help individual veterans referred to them. The VR & E/ISC team conducts meetings and training sessions for DVOP and LVER staff and additional training on the VR & E regulations and reporting requirements. 

A second key partnership exists with attendance of both JVSG and non-JVSG staff at the annual National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Veterans Conference. This conference offers the opportunity for state staff to learn about innovations in services to veterans, new training, and employment initiatives, as well as hearing from national experts in the field of veterans’ employment. Attendees also learn how other states integrate veterans’ services and coordinate employer engagement activities with other WIOA partners.

Outreach and linkage to veterans most in need of individualized case management services is an ongoing priority. Local DVOP specialists have direct contact and coordination with homeless veteran shelters (HVRP grantees) to provide direct services and training program opportunities leading to gainful employment and self-sufficiency. Included in these outreach efforts are broad based marketing and promotion of veteran oriented events, job fairs and education and training programs. 

Increasing relationships with the business community is a priority for the LVERs. Working with employment consultants and job placement staff from WIOA partner agencies, LVERs ensure that their activities are not conducted in a vacuum but are rather coordinated with other employer engagement efforts within the broader workforce development context. LVERs will continue to utilize available tools such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), fidelity bonding, and Hilton Honors Program to support Veterans and the employers who hire them. 

In addition, the LVERs highlight relocation and remote worker incentives available through state initiatives. With an aging workforce, declining birth rates and little in-migration of workers, the state is facing a critical shortage of workers in every sector. Governor Phil Scott has made the recruitment of new workers a priority for the state and has directed the VDOL to be the lead on supporting workers who are interested in relocating to Vermont.  Veterans have been identified as one of the key groups to target for these efforts. VDOL staff have been working with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at Fort Drum, NY to attend quarterly career fairs where service members who are nearing the end of their service. Service members have the opportunity to meet with businesses and learn about training programs to help determine next steps for themselves and their families. VDOL   is actively recruiting these individuals to move to Vermont, as we know employers are very interested in hiring former service members. Increasing the number of veterans moving to Vermont is a priority for the state.