VR

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VRE Overview

• VetSuccess
• Program Overview
• Demographics and Outcomes
• VA Once
• VetSuccess on Campus Pilot
• Working together to help Veterans Succeed

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VetSuccess Program Intent

• Provide services to assist veterans with service
  connected disabilities to succeed
• At home and in their communities through
  services to maximize independence in daily living
• On campus through services to support them
  during education and training
• At work through services resulting in suitable
  employment

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Programs of Services

• Chapter 31 Services to obtain and maintain
  suitable employment and/or to achieve maximum
  level of independence in daily living
  
  
• Chapter 35 Educational counseling for children
  and widows/spouses of veterans who have a
  permanent and total service connected disability
• Chapter 36 Educational and vocational
  counseling
• Chapter 18 Vocational training and
  rehabilitation benefits for children born with
  Spina Bifida of certain veterans who served in
  Vietnam or Korea

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VetSuccess Eligibility Criteria

• Active Duty Servicemembers
• Expect to receive a honorable discharge
• Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Employment
  services
• Obtain a memorandum rating of 20 or more from VA
• Veterans
• Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
• VA service-connected disability rating or memo
  rating of 10 or more
• Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Employment
  services

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VetSuccess Basic Benefit Information

• 48 months of entitlement
• May be utilized within 12 years from the date of
  initial VA disability rating notification
• Exception for those with a Serious Employment
  Handicap

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VetSuccess Process
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• Application received (VONAP or 28-1900)
• Veterans eligibility established (GED processing
  used to establish pending 719)
• Schedule veteran for initial counseling
  appointment if eligible

• On-going case management (max of 18 months)
• Provide employment services
• Vetsuccess.gov
• Interview skills
• Job placement assistance
• Referral to DOL

• Work with veteran to identify track
• Establish vocational or independent living goal
• Define services needed
• Develop written plan of services

Re-Employment

• VRC meets with veteran
• Conduct VRE orientation to include Five Tracks
  Video
• Conduct vocational evaluation to assess skills,
  abilities interests
• Determine employment handicap (VRE entitlement
  criteria) and serious EH
• Determine feasibility for employment

• Held suitable employment or improved ability to
  live independently

Rapid Access To Employment
Self Employment (monitor 1 yr min)
Employment Thru Long-Term Services
Indep. Living (24 mo. max with 6 mo. Ext by
VREO)
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VetSuccess Services
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Re-employment

• For individuals separating from active duty,
  National Guard, or Reserves
• Return to previous employers
• Services include
• Job accommodations
• Job modifications
• Work adjustment assistance
• Consultation with employer

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Rapid Access to Employment

• For individuals seeking employment soon after
  separation or who already have necessary skills
  to be competitive in the job market
• Services include
• Resume writing and job search assistance
• Interviewing skills training
• Job accommodations
• Refresher courses
• Licensure and certification
• Post-employment adjustment services

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Employment ThroughLong-Term Services

• For individuals needing specialized training
  and/or education to obtain and maintain suitable
  employment
• Services may include
• On-the-Job Training (OJT)
• Apprenticeships and internships
• Higher education or vocational training
• Tuition/fees/books/tools
• Tutoring
• Subsistence allowance

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Self-Employment

• For individuals with limited access to
  traditional employment, or who need flexible work
  schedules or a more accommodating work
  environment due to their disabilities
• Services include
• Analysis of viability of business concept
• Development of a business plan
• Training in small business operations
• Marketing assistance
• Guidance on obtaining resources

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Independent Living

• For individuals not able to work who need
  rehabilitation services to live more
  independently
• Services include
• Comprehensive in-home assessment
• Assistive technologies
• Independent living skills training
• Connection to community-based support services
• Case management services
• Coordination with VAs Specially Adapted Housing
  Program

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The Chapter 31 Veteran

• Most common age group 30 to 39 years
• OEF/OIF 20 29 years
• Gender
• Male 77
• Female 23
• Most common length of service 4 to 10 years
• Most common branch of service Army
• Most common period of service Gulf War
• Most common marital status and dependents
  Single (next married with children)
• Most highly identified primary disability
  Musculoskeletal System

Data Source FY 2008 Annual Benefits Report
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Education and Training Programs
Programs
From COINTAR 6002 October 2008
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Top Five Career Outcomes
From FY 2008 Annual Benefits Report
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VA-ONCE

• VREs computer system now interfaces with the
  Education application, VA Online Certification of
  Enrollment (VA-ONCE)
• This change allows training facilities to
  electronically certify attendance and changes in
  enrollment
• Authorizations to school facilities will continue
  to be provided via mailed or faxed VA Form
  28-1905
• Electronic VA Form 22-1999 or VA Form 22-1999b is
  accepted in lieu of VA Form 28-1905 for
  certification of enrollment

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VA-ONCE

• Gaining Access to VA-Once
• Requires an MOU between the facility and VA
• A unique login ID and password will be given to
  each user at the facility
• VA Once Users Guide and Training Resources
• Available on the Internet www.gibill.va.gov/Schoo
  l_Info/once/index.htm
• Includes instructions for gaining access
• MOU template required for access approval
• Training resources for use of VA Once

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VetSuccess on Campus Pilot - Background

• VA Leadership concern about Veterans successful
  adjustment to the campus environment
• Recent Press
• Soldiers Into Students Veterans, Educators Try
  to Ease Transition
• - Washington Post, 8/13/2009
• Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Face Unique
  Challenges Returning to School
• - San Jose Mercury News, 11/15/2008
• Carry on with a program supporting returned
  soldiers
• - The News and Observer, 10/13/2009
• VBA workgroup VRE, Education, Office of Field
  Operations, Programs and Policy

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Workgroup Study and Results

• VBA Workgroup
• What are the needs of Veterans on campus?
• What does VA currently provide?
• Stakeholder Input
• American Council on Education (ACE)
• Student Veterans of America (SVA)
• American Veterans (AMVETS)
• Recommendations
• VA presence on campus to provide full-range of
  counseling services
• Benefits
• Educational/Vocational
• Readjustment
• Referrals as needed

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Pilot Site Selection

• Selection Criteria
• Student-Veteran population of approximately 1,000
• Willingness to accommodate full-time VA employee
• Within 25 miles of VARO, Vet Center, and VAMC or
  CBOC
• Existing Services
• Supportive campus with strong Veterans support
  services
• Established relationship with VA
• Timing
• Readiness of campus to begin pilot
• Campus leadership support

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VetSuccess on Campus Pilot

• Selection criteria met and timing is right
• USF President seeking opportunities to serve
  Veterans
• Concerned about Veterans readjustment to campus
• Wants to be most Vet-friendly campus in the
  U.S.
• Relationship with ACE SVA
• Memorandum of Agreement has been established
• Working to define successful outcomes
• Staffing
• VRE Counselor full-time at USF
• Vet Center Outreach Coordinator (hours to be
  determined)
• Work Study Students
• Future considering Peer Counselor

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VetSuccess on Campus -Whats next?

• Evaluate the pilot project outcomes
• Evaluate the need for expansion of the pilot
• Identify locations for expansion, if needed

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VetSuccess.gov

• Specialized job bank and Job Central bank of
  over 500,000 jobs
• National Association of State Workforce Agencies
• Direct Employers Fortune 500 companies
• VRE tools resume builder, program information,
  career resources
• Link to VA on line application for VRE Chapter
  31 services
• Future expanded content for independent living,
  campus success, and career information

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Our Partnership

• Your role is vital to VREs VetSuccess program
  and Veterans Success
• Space for Veteran counseling
• Use of VA Once
• Communication about problems
• Hire veterans and promote veteran hiring
• Link Vetsuccess.gov on your websites

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Questions?
Thanks for all you do to serve Veterans!