Located in:
- Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants
(OMB Control Number: 1225-0086)
The Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) are mandatory, formula-based staffing grants to States (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 quarterly on a Program Year basis (as with the ETA-9002 Series). Currently, VETS JVSG operates on a 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:
e. The populations of eligible veterans to be served, including any additional populations designated by the Secretary as eligible for services, and any additional populations specifically targeted by the State Workforce Agency for services from one-stop delivery system partners (e.g., Native American veterans; veterans in remote rural counties or parishes);
Current Narrative:
Veterans and eligible persons with significant barriers to employment (SBE), economically or educationally disadvantaged, recently separated, homeless, including domestic violence and other dangerous or life threating conditions, offenders and veterans between the ages 18-24, Vietnam-era veterans, and eligible transitioning service members, identified in VPL 03-19 as the target groups for services by Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Consolidated Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (CP) . The state will focus efforts to increase services and outreach to the target populations as identified in guidance.
The State will take steps to ensure that veterans with significant barriers receive individual career services by DVOP and CP specialists. During the initial assessment, if a veteran self-attest to meeting one or more of the SBE criteria, Arkansas Workforce Center (AWC) staff will refer the individual to a DVOP and CP specialist for intensive case management services.
To promote the hiring and retention of veterans, we are actively reaching out to both two and four-year institutions of higher education to provide direct assistance in placing veterans that obtain credentials and to increase awareness of the range of services available through the AWCs. This strategy, combined with the Career Readiness Certificate program, is designed to provide veterans intensive services and occupational and computer skills training to help veterans be more competitive and appealing to potential employers. These tools will also provide veterans with an advantage when pursuing educational and training credentials.
The Arkansas JobLink System (AJL,) the state management information system, provides detailed performance reports. This database is used to monitor and track the number of Veterans and types of services provided virtually and/or through staff assisted services. Based on the data provided by AJL we are able to measure at both the local and state level the effectiveness of our outreach to the targeted veteran population. The information is also used to calculate the incentive awards for DVOPs, LVERs, and AWC staff that provide exceptional service and meet performance measures.
Targeted veterans are identified as the following:
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 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 were discharged or released from active duty because of a service connected disability.
Homeless, as defined in Section 103(a)and (b) of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(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 101(27), who is has been released from incarceration
- Lacking a high school diploma or equivalent certificate; or
- Low-income (as defined by WIOA at Sec. 101(25)(B)
- Veterans Aged 18 to 24
- Vietnam-era Veterans
- Eligible Transitioning Service Members, Spouses and Caregivers
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).
Arkansas does not have designated tribal lands and does not have a specific strategy for outreach to Native American veterans.