Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and PoliciesThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in Section II Strategic Elements . This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 7. Priority of Service for Veterans
Current Narrative:
Arkansas provides veterans’ priority of service as mandated by Veterans Program Letter 07-09.,“Implementing Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses in all Qualified Job Training Programs Funded in Whole or in Part by the U.S. Department of Labor. Service is provided to ensure veterans and covered persons receive consideration for all opportunities, for which they qualify. This increased focus includes the implementation of strategies and polices designed to ensure veterans and eligible persons of veterans receive the highest level of quality service within the framework of priority of service.
Arkansas requires that all Arkansas Workforce Center staff members provide priority of service to veterans and eligible persons while Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists focus their efforts on serving veterans in most need of intensive services including disabled veterans and the targeted veteran population identified in the State Plan.
Local offices must ensure that veterans and eligible persons are served first and that this protocol is addressed in the functional alignment plans and customer flow process. During the registration process, a series of questions identifies veteran status. Once the veteran or other eligible person is identified, the first available AWC staff conducts an initial assessment. This initial assessment uses a customized intake form, to help determine if the veteran or other eligible person has a Significant Barrier to Employment (SBE) or that they may be a member of another special priority group. During the initial assessment it is determined that the veteran has a SBE; they will be immediately referred to a Disable Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) or other trained staff for the provision of intensive case management service and other services the veterans may need to meet their career goals.
Arkansas’s policy for priority of service to veterans includes up to a 24 hour hold for new job orders placed in the AJL system. Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER) staff has access to federal contractor job listings through VetCentral, which are fed into the AJL system. This access provides opportunities for priority referrals of target veterans to Federal contractors. After registration in VetCentral, the system provides automatic notifications to the veteran when a job opening occurs in their field.
Services to veterans through the Gold Card Initiative are available at the Arkansas Workforce Centers (AWC). The Gold Card Initiative provides unemployed post-9/11 era veterans with the intensive and follow-up services they need to succeed in today’s job market. The Gold Card initiative is a joint effort of the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS).
ADWS monitors priority of service by providing guidance and reviewing policies within the Agency. The priority of service policy VPL 07-09 was disseminated through ADWS Issuance 09-08 to ensure that a written copy of the policy is available at the point of entry. All AWC’s are monitored for priority of service for veterans and eligible persons using the Arkansas Joblink system 9002 series reports. Offices are monitored for visible signage informing all veterans of priority of service offered. Additionally, office managers are required to be notified if any discrepancies are found, and implementation of corrective actions are undertaken. Specific programs such as referral to Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and job developments created through partners of the workforce system are promoted to all staff to encourage the referral and application of veterans.