Narrative: a.

Services are provided to eligible veterans and eligible persons by JVSG staff members according to the needs of the eligible veteran or eligible person, any significant barriers to employment (SBEs) to include belonging to a special population identified by the Secretary of Labor or other barriers they may possess and the roles and responsibilities of JVSG personnel. DVOP specialists and LVERs are essential parts of and fully integrated into the workforce development network. They are included among the AJC partner staff, which consists of all staff employed by programs or activities operated by AJC partners listed in 29 U.S.C. 2841(b) that provide online and/or in-person workforce development or related support services as part of the workforce development system. Other AJC partner staff members include staff of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Wagner Peyser (WP) and other AJC network partner programs.  All partners in the AJC are trained to provide initial assessments of veterans to determine their eligibility for DVOPs services and provide the appropriate referrals to them and/or other service providers based on that initial assessment.

DVOP specialists -- Under 38 U.S.C. 4103A(a), a DVOP specialist provides individualized career services and facilitates placements to meet the employment needs of eligible veterans and eligible persons, prioritizing service to special disabled veterans, other disabled veterans and other populations of veterans in accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary of Labor.  Additionally, maximum emphasis in meeting the employment needs of eligible veterans and eligible persons shall be placed on assisting economically or educationally disadvantaged veterans.

LVER -- Under 38 U.S.C. 4104(b), the LVER’s principal duties are to: (1) conduct outreach to employers in the area to assist veterans in gaining employment, including conducting seminars for employers and, in conjunction with employers, conducting job search workshops and establishing job search groups; and (2) facilitate employment, training and placement services furnished to veterans in a state under the applicable state employment service delivery systems.

DVOP specialists are domiciled in local AJC offices throughout the state or with other partner agencies. One LVER is designated as the state coordinator of veterans’ services and one DVOP is currently assigned as an intensive service coordinator (ISC) co-located with the Veterans Affair VR&E office in New Orleans. These LVERs provide direct supervisory and administrative oversight for the DVOP staff in their assigned areas of operation. It is anticipated the  LVERs will perform the traditional role of the LVER within their assigned geographical area 70% of the time. The remaining time will be spent performing supervisory functions such as payroll activities, schedule approval, performance evaluation, etc. for DVOP staff in their respective geographical area. An analysis of the veteran population in each parish throughout the state was conducted to determine an equitable distribution of DVOP specialists. Official domiciles and areas of responsibility have been adjusted in accordance with the results of that analysis. The state will review analysis results annually in conjunction with the Annual Funding Amendment process and adjust domicile locations as necessary based on population shifts in order to best serve eligible veterans and eligible spouses and other eligible persons in targeted populations. In addition to DVOP specialists, each AJC has individuals trained in case management and business and/or community services networking. DVOP specialists coordinate closely with these AJC staff members when providing individualized career services to eligible veterans and eligible persons with a SBE or those that are otherwise targeted. In turn, DVOP specialists provide advice and guidance as needed to AJC staff members that are providing services to other veterans and other eligible persons. This team approach ensures that all veterans and other eligible persons receive quality services that afford them the greatest opportunity for a successful outcome.

When not actively providing individualized career services or reviewing open case files, DVOP specialists and other AJC career specialists fully trained in case management and networking conduct outreach at off-site locations including, but not limited to, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offices, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) for the U.S. DVA, Military Treatment facilities (MTF), Warrior Transition Units/Battalion (WTU/WTB) and Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) grantee locations. The purpose of these outreach efforts is twofold. The first purpose is to find veterans and invite the eligible veterans and/or eligible persons to the AJC for assessment and needed services. The second purpose is to develop relationships with supportive services in the area so that SBE veterans and other veterans can be referred to those agencies for services.

LVER staff members are domiciled in local AJCs throughout the state. In the state’s business services delivery model, one industry sector coordinator and one business services coordinator has been assigned to each of the state's eight regional labor market areas. The area of responsibility for each LVER staff member has been adjusted to align with that of these regional labor market areas. The LVER coordinates with regional industry sector coordinators, business services coordinators and members of the Recruitment and Placement Team assigned to AJCs to advocate to employers on behalf of veterans and to develop job opportunities specifically for veterans. LVER staff train all AJC employees to network for veterans and comply with priority of service requirements.