Narrative: III. b. 7.

(A) Implementation of Priority of Service for Veterans

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” and 38 U.S.C 4215. Service is provided to ensure veterans and eligible spouses, both referred to as covered persons, receive consideration for all opportunities, for which they qualify. This increased focus includes the implementation of strategies and polices designed to ensure covered persons receive the highest level of quality service within the framework of priority of service.  Arkansas increased its focus on veterans’ priority of service as a direct result of federal regulations. The requirements of veterans’ priority of service as promulgated in Federal regulations are communicated via a statewide Veterans Priority of Service Policy, WIOA-1-8. 2-2. Covered persons receive priority at all One Stop Career Centers to receive the full array of employment, training, and placement services available. This includes first level priority enrollment for all universal access programs funded Department of Labor and other DOL programs if they meet the program requirements. Priority means that veterans and eligible spouses are entitled to precedence over non-covered persons for services. Under Priority of Service and veterans and eligible spouse are defined as follows:

                Veteran

A veteran who is eligible or spouse of an eligible veteran who is entitled to receive priority of service is a person who has served at least one day in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released from service under any condition other than a condition classified as dishonorable is a covered person.  This definition includes Reserve units and National Guard units activated for Federal Service.

Eligible Spouse

An “eligible spouse” means a spouse of any of the following:

• A spouse of any veteran who died of a service-connected disability;
• A spouse of any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for the priority, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days;
  • Missing in action;
  • Captured in the line of duty by a hostile force; or
  • Forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.
• A spouse of any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service‐connected disability, as evaluated by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or 
• A spouse of any veteran who died while a disability was in existence. 

DVOP Referrals

DVOP Specialists focus their efforts on assisting veterans, who meet the service requirements, that are most in need of services including eligible veterans and eligible persons with an SBE, Vietnam-era, and/or veterans between 18-24 years of age, and others designated by the Secretary of Labor as in need of services.

Local areas must ensure that covered persons, eligible veterans, and eligible persons are served first and that this protocol is addressed in functional alignment plans and customer flow processes. After the assessment, covered persons who are not eligible for DVOP service will be referred to a Wagner-Peyser funded ES Counselor, and those who meet the requirements for DVOP service will be referred to DVOP Specialists (when available) or Wagner-Peyser staff members for the provision of Individualized Career Services and other resources required to meet their goals.

During the registration process, a series of questions identifies a customer’s veteran status. Once the veteran or eligible person is identified, the first available WFC staff conducts an initial assessment. This initial assessment uses a customized intake form, to help determine if the eligible veteran or eligible person has a Significant Barrier to Employment (SBE) or that they may be a member of another special priority group; they are only required to self-attest unless another program requires additional documentation. If, during the initial assessment it is determined to be eligible, they will be immediately referred to a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) or, if not available, to other trained staff for the provision of Individual Career Services and other services the veteran may need to meet their career goals.

ADWS regularly monitors Priority of Service through scheduled trainings, calls with managers and supervisors, and when making on-site visits at the Local Workforce Centers.

Signage – Effective signage plays a pivotal role in ensuring priority of service is implemented successfully. As such, Arkansas has designed, published, and distributed appropriate signage to all centers and affiliate service sites throughout the state. Signage must be placed prominently at or near the entrance, to encourage customers to register first so that veteran status can be determined and documented as soon as possible. The placement of additional signage to support priority of service is at the discretion of the Center Manager. It is strongly advised that the additional signage be placed in strategic locations and high traffic areas throughout the center, such as resource rooms and common waiting areas.

DSB has quarterly meetings with the Disabled Blinded Veterans of Arkansas liaison to provide information and strategies to ensure this population is up to date on veterans’ preference and other opportunities in the workforce. Blind veterans have access to job opportunities and training in the local workforce centers and DSB technology lab to ensure services are available in accordance with state and federal laws.  The Division of Services for the Blind Board supports further coordination with other veteran-focused and veteran-serving organizations, including the federal and state offices of Veterans Affairs to aid in additional resources and supports available to veterans.

(B) Monitoring of Priority of Service Provisions for Veterans

Annual audits of all workforce development programs are conducted by ADWS internal program and financial monitors.  A monitoring instrument is used to evaluate that all rules and regulations are in compliance with federal requirements.  Participant records will be sampled by auditors and interviews will be conducted with staff to gauge the understanding and implementation of all requirements.

Monitor hiring practices to ensure actions align with agency policies related specifically to priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses. Monitoring includes desk audits, personnel oversight and review of annual recruitment

(C) Triage and Referral Process

Providing services to veterans is considered a privilege in Arkansas.  To easily identify veterans, posters are placed at or near the front entrance of every Arkansas Workforce Center.   Veterans and spouses are asked to identify themselves so they may be provided priority of service. The poster also mentions that Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists are available to provide individualized career services to eligible veterans and spouses.

Once identified, veterans and their spouses are given a Veterans Eligibility Triage Form to complete, which is then evaluated by staff to provide priority of service.  After the initial assessment and intake, Veterans are referred to various services and programs based on barriers, needs, and goals.  The same process is used for veterans who simply are seeking assistance with resume’ development, job search assistance and other career services.

DSB does not receive JVSG grant funds.