Narrative: b.

In accordance with Title 38 U.S.C. Section 4103(a), DVOPs provide Individual Career Services to eligible veterans and eligible persons to meet their employment needs, prioritizing services to disabled and special disabled veterans, as defined by Title 38 U.S.C. Section 4211, and to other eligible veterans in accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary. The statute also requires that DVOPs place maximum emphasis on assisting veterans who are economically or educationally disadvantaged. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS) to provide meaningful services that promote successful careers for eligible veterans and eligible persons. DVOPs provide employment assistance through Basic and Individualized Career Services in a case management service delivery strategy including, at minimum, an objective assessment to veterans identified with an SBE, including disabled and special disabled veterans.

The Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist works directly with veterans and eligible persons who have significant barriers to employment, as identified in 38 U.S.C. 4103A(a)(1). The services provided by a DVOP specialist are referred to as individualized career services but were once called intensive services. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive assessment interviews
• Career guidance services
• Individual Employment Plans (IEPs)
• Staff-assisted job search activities
• Labor Market Information (LMI)
• Basic staff-assisted career services

Some other responsibilities that DVOP specialists have are case management, outreach services to veterans, and group job counseling, which differs from licensed counseling.

It is important that a DVOP establish a strong rapport and relationship with the veterans they serve, to provide them the best services possible to help them reach their employment goals.

A special disabled or disabled veteran, as those terms are defined in 38 U.S.C § 4211(1) and (3); special disabled and disabled veterans are those: Those who are entitled to compensation (or who, but for the receipt of military retired pay, would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or, who were discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability;

• A homeless person, as defined in Sections 103(a) and (b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. I 1302(a) and (b», as amended;

• A recently-separated service member, as defined in 38 U.S.C § 4211(6), who has been unemployed for 27 or more weeks;

• An offender, as defined by WIOA Section 3 (38), who is currently incarcerated or who has been released from incarceration;

• A veteran lacking a high school diploma or equivalent certificate; or
• A low-income individual (as defined by WIOA Section 3 (36).

• Veterans Aged 18 to 24
• Vietnam-era Veterans
• Eligible Transitioning Service Members in need of individual career services, Spouses and Caregivers 

DVOP

All duties assigned to DVOPs are performed in accordance with those prescribed by Title 38, Chapters 41 and 42. DVOPs assist disabled veterans as a priority group in addition to veterans and other eligible persons with SBEs who require individualized career services as outlined in the current VPL. The DVOPs assigned to the VR&E program work closely with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff to provide career guidance and pre-rehab plan assessment information. This collaboration is in accordance with the processes outlined in the most recent VPL -National Implementation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service Partnership Project. The population served by DVOPs includes any veteran ages 18 -24 or any other population specified by the Assistant Secretary.

The Secretary of Labor has identified veterans, ages 18-24, as eligible for DVOP services because of this population’s high rate of unemployment. DVOPs will initiate and foster ongoing and active lines of communication with local organizations that provide services to targeted veterans groups or others with significant barriers to employment. They will be expected to actively maintain contact with County Veteran Service Officers and detention facilities within their area. Arkansas plans to increase outreach activities to Veterans Centers, Community Based Outreach Clinics, and other similar organizations and agencies that serve veterans in the identified target groups.

Arkansas continues to out-station a DVOP at the Fort Roots, VA Medical Hospital, in response to the high number of SBE Veterans discharged through the VR&E program.  All duties assigned to DVOP are performed in accordance with those prescribed by Title 38, Chapters 41 and 42. The DVOP assist disabled veterans as a priority group in addition to veterans and other eligible persons with SBEs who require individualized career services as outlined in the current VPL. The DVOP assigned to the VR&E program work closely with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff to provide career guidance assessment information. This collaboration is in accordance with the processes outlined in the most recent VPL and Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service Guide (TAG).  

DVOPs will be required to work with veterans to provide assessments, develop individual employment plans, and manage referrals to services to address identified barriers to employment. DVOP specialists will be expected to provide a full range of services to veterans and other eligible persons including but not limited to:

•  Comprehensive assessment of skill levels and service needs;
• Development of an individual employment plan with identified employment goals;
• Appropriate achievement objectives and an appropriate combination of services for the veteran to achieve employment goals;
• Individual and group employment counseling, and career planning;
• Short term pre-vocational services that may include academic skills, communication skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and personal conduct to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training.

Once significant barriers to employment are identified by Wagner-Peyser staff, veterans will be directed to the nearest DVOP for a comprehensive assessment and the development of an Individual Employment Plan (IEP), if necessary. DVOP staff providing individual career services will be required to use Arkansas JobLink (AJL) to record services, case notes, referrals, and follow-up services.

LVER

Arkansas LVER staff will advocate, on behalf of veterans, with businesses and industries. LVERs will perform the full range of employer outreach activities, which are offered through the workforce system. Staff will report outreach activities, on a quarterly basis, in the Manager’s Quarterly Report. This includes the facilitation of employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans through the state’s employment service. They are, but are not limited to:

• • Planning and participating in job and career fairs;
  • Conducting employer outreach;
  • Conducting job search workshops, and establishing job search groups;
  • Coordinating with unions, apprenticeships programs and business or business organizations to promote and secure employment and training programs for veterans;
  • Informing Federal contractors of the process to recruit qualified veterans;
  • Promoting credentialing and licensing opportunities for veterans; and
  • Coordinating and participating with other business outreach.

LVERs will also have an active partnership with community-based organizations that provide or coordinate an array of services to veterans.

LVERs are fully integrated into Business Service Team and promote Arkansas veterans to local employers by highlighting the advantages of hiring veterans and create job development contacts.  The services of LVERs and Business Service Teams are delivered through Job Fairs, Veterans Events, and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR).  This collaboration serves to attract veterans and employers in need of services by either the LVER or DVOP. In addition, LVERs work with all workforce staff and partners to identify and build capacity to increase resources for all veterans.  LVERs also market the Hire Veterans Medallion Program available to employers hiring veteran.

Consolidated DVOP specialist and LVER position

In accordance with VPL 01-20, the Consolidated Staff position perform both the duties of a DVOP specialist and an LVER staff person and will promote a more efficient administration of service to veterans and does not hinder the provision of services to veterans and employers consistent with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. Section 4103A and 4104.