Narrative: III. b. 7.

Priority of Service for Veterans is implemented by WorkForce West Virginia in accordance with Title 38 part III Ch. 42. 4215 via One Stop Career Centers located throughout the state, by using clear and concise guidelines, and by trained staff familiar with state guidelines. To ensure access to services for veterans and veterans with significant barriers to employment, especially those with disabilities, the state has established formal guidance regarding priority of service for veterans that all Wagner Peyser and Workforce West Virginia staff must follow. WIOA guidance notice 4–16 referencing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act of 2014 section 3(63) (A), 38 U.S.C 4215, and 20 CFR 1010 provides this guidance.

Veterans and eligible persons obtain information concerning priority of service through WorkForce West Virginia websites, flyers posted in One Stop Career Centers, banners, and/or in person from WorkForce West Virginia staff in work groups, unemployment compensation groups, during the registration process, and during provision of services. WorkForce West Virginia provides staff information, training, and assistance regarding available employment programs, training opportunities, services, eligibility requirements, and veteran’s priority.

WorkForce West Virginia provides veterans and covered person’s priority of service under all state and federally funded employment and training programs. "Veterans priority of service" means that an otherwise eligible veteran or covered person shall be given priority over non–veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under that program, notwithstanding any other provision of the law. When services are limited due to available funding, priority of service should be applied. For example, if there are only sufficient funds to provide services to one individual and a veteran is in the pool, the veteran must receive priority.

To effectively and efficiently facilitate the provision services to eligible veterans and eligible persons, a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOPS) is assigned to each of the seven proposed One–Stop Centers located in West Virginia. However, most local areas exceed the minimum of one DVOPS staff depending on criteria involving necessity and population.

The WorkForce West Virginia registration process is utilized to identify and determine veterans’ eligibility. All WorkForce West Virginia staff, including managers, are trained on implementation of priority of service and integrating it into the service delivery process. Veterans’ eligibility for priority of service is indicated within the database by symbols which indicate that an eligible veteran has been verified by staff or the veteran or eligible person has self–attested concerning eligibility status. These symbols serve to easily identify individuals that may be eligible for priority of service. Contact information and office locations are readily available on the WorkForce West Virginia website. Veterans seeking employment can receive information about programs, priority of service, and eligibility at any time during the assessment process, on the website, on banners, or posted on message boards in One–Stop Centers.

Implementation of Priority of Service is monitored by using quarterly manager’s reports, regional manager/field supervisor’s quarterly audits, and yearly audit performed by Department of Labor– Veterans Employment and Training Services (DOL–VETS). The Manager’s Quarterly Report provides response on the provision of Priority of Service from each WorkForce West Virginia Office in the state. These reports are sent to and reviewed by WorkForce West Virginia supervisors to include the State Veterans Coordinator and DOL–VETS. The audits review work orders, services to veterans, and notification of job orders to veterans prior to release to the public. This ensures that management receives information and that they are made aware of the operations and actions taken to provide veterans Priority of Service as written by law.

Wagner–Peyser staff are the veteran’s and eligible person’s first point of contact in the One–Stop Centers. At this point, veterans are assessed and entered into the service delivery system where veterans and eligible persons receive priority of service and veterans that have a Significant Barrier to Employment of (SBE) and are in need of intensive services are referred to DVOPS staff.

DVOPS staff continue the assessment process to determine the veterans’ employment options, assist with the Veterans Employment Development Plan, and provides information to the veterans or eligible persons about a wide range of resources available.