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.

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 in the previous 12 months;

• 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, Spouses and Caregivers 

Once the veteran or other eligible person is identified, the Workforce Center Staff conducts an initial assessment.  This initial assessment uses a customized veteran intake questionnaire to help determine if the veteran or other eligible person has an SBE or if they are a member of another special priority group. If a determination is made that the client is a veteran with an SBE or meets other special criteria, they are referred to the DVOP specialist for further assessment and Individualized Career Services.  Those veterans determined not to possess an SBE are provided career services and training as needed by the workforce center staff on a priority of service basis.  The state will monitor Individualized Career Services provided to individuals by a DVOP. In addition to these performance measures, the state will monitor additional DVOP performance measures required under WIOA and in accordance with DOL VETS guidance.

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).  

In conjunction with using Arkansas’ labor market information, DVOP specialists will be required to utilize the Transferable Occupation Relationship Quotient (TORQ) which is a web-based assessment system. TORQ assists in identifying a veteran’s knowledge, skills and abilities acquired during previous work experience. It then utilizes that information to rank alternative demand occupations based on the ability to easily move into that occupation by identifying any skills gap the veteran may have. The system combines Arkansas state and local labor market information, which includes the median wage and job outlook in the area for the suggested occupations, with O*Net knowledge, skills and abilities, and current job posting information (from Job Central, Simply Hired, Indeed and Arkansas Job Link) to provide veterans with the most relevant and up-to-date information and assist them in identifying any possible career change.

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 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.