Located in:
- Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants
The Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) are mandatory, formula-based staffing grants to (including DC, PR, VI and Guam). The JVSG is funded annually in accordance with a funding formula defined in the statute (38 U.S.C. 4102A (c) (2) (B) and regulation and operates on a fiscal year (not program year) basis, however, performance metrics are collected and reported (VETS-200 Series Reports) quarterly (using four “rolling quarters”) on a Program Year basis (as with the ETA- 9002 Series). Currently, VETS JVSG operates on a five-year (FY 2015-2019), multi-year grant approval cycle modified and funded annually.
In accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 4102A(b)(5) and § 4102A(c), the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training (ASVET) makes grant funds available for use in each State to support Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER) staff. As a condition to receive funding, 38 U.S.C. § 4102A(c)(2) requires States to submit an application for a grant that contains a State Plan narrative, which includes:
d. The Incentive Award Program Implemented Using the 1% Grant Allocation Set Aside for This Purpose, as Applicable;
Current Narrative:
Implementation of the incentive award program will increase cooperation between and most importantly, the performance outcomes of DVOPs, LVERs and other ADWS staff serving veterans. ADWS will award the incentive funds to the staff members at the service delivery point that successfully achieved the negotiated performance measures and achieved the highest score for services provided to veterans.
The “Veterans Employment Service Award” is awarded to fifteen individuals from within the state. They are chosen from the following categories: DVOP, LVER, and ES Staff members. Although ES staff member is listed, any partner within the workforce system (other than an LVER or DVOP) is eligible for the award).
The Division of Workforce Services performs the performance calculations and identifies the winners. The award amount of $14,000 (based on approximately 1% of the annual grant allocation) is as follows: First Place: $1,200 Second Place: $900 Third Place: $700
The selection criteria are based on performance and job service activity from each area of operation. This information is obtained from the Arkansas JobLink System (AJL), the state management information system. This database is used to track the number of Veterans and types of services provided virtually and/or through staff assisted services. Based on the data provided by AJL for each office, we are able to identify if the local office achieved the negotiated performance outcome, and if they are eligible for further consideration. The second level is determined by identifying the individual staff member who served the veteran client. Those scores are then arranged in descending order and the staff member in each category with the highest scores is awarded the respective amount.
This method is intended to provide the most transparency of the process. It also has the advantage of being modifiable to shift the focus to other performance measures or target groups (such as outcomes after receiving intensive services).