Vocational Rehabilitation

1
Vocational Rehabilitation Employment

• Program Orientation
• October 14, 2005

2
Who We Are

• The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation Employment
  program provides
• services and assistance to veterans with service
  connected disabilities so they obtain and
  maintain suitable employment ,and when needed
  achieve independence in daily living. VRE is an
  employment program.
• Vocational Rehabilitation can include
• college, technical school, on-the-job training,
  or special training at rehabilitation facilities
  to prepare for suitable employment

3
What We Do

• Vocational Rehabilitation services include
• Determining veterans abilities, skills,
  interests and needs
• Vocational counseling and planning
• Employment Services (Job Search, Resume
  Development, etc.)
• Assistance finding and maintaining suitable
  employment
• Training such as on-the-job and non-paid work
  experiences
• Educational training such as certificate,
  two/four year college programs
• Determining independent living needs
• Personal adjustment counseling
• Training in activities of daily living

4
Who Qualifies for VRE Services

• To receive an evaluation for vocational
  rehabilitation services
• A Service Member Must
• Be within 6 months of separation from active
  duty
• Be in possession of a memorandum rating from VA
• A Veteran Must
• Have received a honorable or other than
  dishonorable discharge
• Have a VA service-connected disability rating
• Not have exceeded the 12 year eligibility
  requirement

5
VRE Task Force

• In April 2003 a Task Force was established to
  conduct a top to bottom review of the VRE
  program
• In 2004, the Task Force issued a report
  containing over 100 recommendations
• One of the most significant recommendations was
  to implement a new, five-track employment-driven
  VRE service delivery system

6
Improvements to Employment Services

• Make better use of special appointing
  authorities
• Developed a joint satellite broadcast with DOL
  which aired on 2/2004
• Enhanced existing online employment services
• Contracted with Symplicity Corporation to
  establish www.vetsuccess.gov
• Initiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)
  with working partners
• Home Depot
• Army Material Command
• Helmets to Hardhats
• Goodwill Industries

7
Improvements to Employment Services

• Developed procedures to implement the
  Five-Track Employment Process
• Created a Standardized Orientation Video
• Established Job Resource Labs
• 4 established during pilot
• Nationwide roll-out planned
  for FY06
• Created the Employment Coordinator
  position

8
Five-Track Employment Process
9
Five Tracks to Employment

• Re-Employment
• For service members/veterans wishing to return to
  work with a previous employer prior to their
  activation with the Armed Forces.
• Rapid Access to Employment
• For service members/veterans who have expressed a
  desire to seek immediate employment or those who
  already have the necessary skills to qualify for
  competitive employment.
• Self-Employment
• For veterans who have limited access to
  traditional employment.
• Employment through Long-term Services
• Some service members/veterans require services
  where employment is more of a long-term goal
• Independent Living
• These services can make the difference in a
  veterans quality of life and potentially enable
  the veteran to return to work

10
Services Provided by the Employment
Coordinator EC
11
Employment Coordinator Function

• Two primary functions
• Market VRE participants to employers
• Targeted Marketing
• Special Incentives
• Job Analysis
• Follow Up Services
• Actively assist veterans to reach their
  employment goal
• Orientation
• Job Seeking Skills Assistance
• Accommodations
• Self-Directed Job Search
• Labor Market Information
• Follow Up/Support Services

12
Advantages of the EC

• Involvement in total program from start to
  finish instead of focusing on the job ready
  veteran
• Assist in plan development as part of a team
  concept to ensure informed choice and more
  accurate employment outcomes
• Enhanced consistency of customer service

13
Job Resource Labs
14
Job Resource Labs

• Job Resource Labs consist of state-of-the-art
  employment related equipment and technologies
  which support competitive career related
  activities. Job labs include
• Computers
• Fax machines, scanners, and copiers
• Internet Access
• Job Related Resource Materials
• Online Employment Resources
• VetSuccess.gov
• Assistance of the Employment Coordinator (EC)

15
Online Employment Resources
16
What is VetSuccess.gov?

• VetSuccess.gov is an information systems based
  state-of-the-art employment readiness resource
  which provides users with
• World-wide accessibility
• Self-service capability
• Online program orientation and resource
  capabilities
• Online vocational exploration and job readiness
  resources

17
Who Uses VetSuccess.gov?

• Veterans
• Employment Coordinators
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
• Employers
• Educators
• DVOPs/LVERs
• Contractors

18
VRE Tools for Employer

• Special Employer Incentives
• Non-Paid Work Experience Programs
• Internships
• On The Job Training (OJT)
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Tax Incentives
• Special Hiring/Appointing Authorities

19
VRE as a Working Partner

• Provide Initial Assessment of Job Readiness
  (Interests, Aptitudes, and Abilities)
  
• Consult with VA HR, Federal Agencies, and private
  sector employers on matching veterans to suitable
  recruitment vacancies
• Utilize VRE's network of Employment Coordinators
  as a placement resource in contacting employers,
  recruiters, and training facilities
• Provide placement, post-placement adjustment and
  case management services to veterans that
  maximizes opportunities for a successful
  transition from entry level training to permanent
  hire

20
Contact Information

• There are 57 VA regional offices located
  throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and
  the Philippines.
• Visit the VA website at http//www.va.gov

21
Questions Answers
22
Thank You!