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 AJCWV located throughout the state, by using clear and concise guidelines, and by trained staff knowledgeable with state guidelines. To ensure access to services for covered persons, the state has established formal guidance regarding priority of service that all Wagner-Peyser and WFWV staff must follow which includes determination of veteran’s status and eligibility. 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.

Covered persons obtain information concerning priority of service through WFWV website, flyers posted in AJCWV, banners, and/or in person from WFWV staff in work groups, unemployment compensation groups, during the registration process, and during provision of services. WFWV provides staff information, training, and assistance regarding available employment programs, training opportunities, services, eligibility requirements, and veteran’s priority of service.

WFWV provides covered person’s priority of service under all state and federally funded employment and training programs. "Veterans priority of service" means that an otherwise 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 of services to covered persons the DVOPS provide coverage to each of the 18 AJCs.

The WFWV registration process is utilized to identify and determine veterans’ eligibility. All WFWVs staff, including managers, are trained on implementation of priority of service and integrating it into the service delivery process. Eligibility for priority of service is identified within the database by symbols which indicate that a covered person has been verified by staff or the covered 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 WFWV website. Covered persons seeking employment can receive information about programs, priority of service, and eligibility at any time during the assessment process, on the website, banners, or posted on message boards in the ACJWV.

Priority of Service is monitored by conducting regional manager/field supervisor audits as directed by agency leadership.   The audits review job orders, services to veterans, and notification of job orders to covered persons 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 Priority of Service to covered persons as written by law.  West Virginia’s DVET works with the State Veterans Coordinator to ensure that priority of service is administered in accordance with the law.  Additional oversight of the provision of priority of service is provided by DOL’s Employment and Training Administration.

Wagner-Peyser staff are covered person’s first point of contact in the AJCs. At this point, covered persons are assessed and entered into the service delivery system where they receive priority of service and those that have a Significant Barrier to Employment (SBE) and are in need of Individualized Career Services are referred to DVOPS staff.

DVOPS staff continues the assessment process to determine the covered person’s employment options, assist with the Veterans Development Plan, and provides information to the covered person about a wide range of resources available.