Narrative: a.

Services for Minnesota Veterans may be accessed through a variety of systems and service providers in addition to the DVOP’s and LVER’s. Partner staff are being trained in providing services to Veterans via the NVTI eLearning course “Preparing Veterans for Meaningful Careers”, and through a webinar produced by the Workforce Development Division at DEED. In addition, WFC partner staff attend NVTI as non-JVSG seats become available. An eligible veteran or eligible spouse is determined to have a SBE if he or she attests to belonging to at least one of the six criteria identified in VPL 04-13 change 2. Minnesota has developed a standardized process for referring SBE Veterans to a DVOP (please see attached WFC flowchart). This triage approach begins when a customer comes to the entry point at a WFC. All customers are asked if they ever served in the US Military/Armed Forces. If the answer is "yes", the Veteran is given a copy of our "Veterans Questionnaire" with instructions to complete it and return it to the entry point. Non-JVSG staff review the form and complete an assessment of the questionnaire responses. Veterans who indicate a significant barrier to employment are referred to a DVOP if available, or to a "designated intensive service provider" when no DVOP is available. Non-SBE Veterans are provided information on Priority of Service, and screened for additional program eligibility by non-JVSG staff. Minnesota has had an Intensive Service Coordinator (ISC) for several years. This DVOP is stationed in the VR&E office at the Regional DVA office, and works closely with VR&E counselors and management. The ISC is responsible for the distribution of all CH31 cases to DVOP staff, and coordinates initial communication between the Veteran, the VR&E counselor, and the DVOP. DVOP’s typically receive notification of an upcoming CH31 Veteran client within 90 days of graduation or upon designation as “job ready” by the VR&E office. Due to this DVOP’s close proximity to DVA hiring managers and staff, she also makes regular referrals on open Federal positions and non–competitive jobs available to those Veterans rated at 30% or more.

Once referred to a DVOP, an Individual Service Plan is created, agreed upon and signed, and an assessment of needs is completed. If there are additional significant barriers to employment or related issues, resources are identified, and referrals made as necessary.

Like other States, Minnesota has begun putting more emphasis on the Veteran coming in the WFC seeking services by converting some of our LVER positions to DVOP positions as the LVER’s retire. Minnesota has an active Business Services Program that employs 24 Business Services Specialists that are tasked with providing services to Minnesota businesses. They have been provided with “talking points” regarding the value Veteran employees bring to a business, and contact information for Local Veterans Employment Reps (LVER). In addition, they promote the hiring of Veterans through brochures, fact sheets and discussions with hiring managers. Their focus is Veterans with SBE’s, and CH31 Veterans. Additionally, Minnesota has put special emphasis on the following Veteran groups.

* Homeless Veterans

In Minnesota, estimates indicate that a little over 1%, or 4000 Veterans per year will experience homelessness, or struggle with other life crises edging them toward homelessness. Of those 4000 Veterans, 27% have returned from service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and over 30% are disabled Veterans. Approximately 15% of Veterans served that are homeless are women Veterans. Many are single with children to care for.

DVOP staff work closely with Minnesota’s HVRP grantee, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). In addition to referring clients between our two agencies, we also collaborate with them on 3 StandDown events across the state each year, and provide a liaison (LVER) to provide business contacts and help with some of their client focused events.

* Native American Veterans According to the most recent Census, Minnesota is ranked 13 in number of Native Americans living in our state. Native American population in Minnesota numbers approximately 70,465 or 1.3% of the population. By the end of 2015 it is expected to increase to over 72,000. 31% live on one of 11 different Reservations in Minnesota. Seven of these are in the northern part of the state, with the remaining four located near Minneapolis/St. Paul, or southern Minnesota. In addition, 37% of the Native American population live in the 9 county metropolitan area. Unemployment among Native Americans is reported to be 3–4 times that of non–Indians. The UI rate for Native American Veterans is even higher.

Most of Minnesota’s Tribal Reservations have poverty rates double that of the rest of the state. In addition, 93% of white students graduate high school, where only 64% of Native

Americans graduate. This negatively impacts employment opportunities and future training plans.

In fact, among the Shakopee Mdwakanton tribe, the statistics are more unsettling. This is a Tribe located just southwest of a major metropolitan area, near resources and opportunity, but has had little focused effort for their Veteran population. Their high school graduation rate hovers close to 45.7%. Their unemployment rate is over 13%, compared to a Minneapolis/St. Paul rate of around 3.7%. Per capita income is $27,119. Minnesota’s plan to serve this population includes a DVOP position in the Bemidji area to focus on this population on Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth Reservations in the northern part of the state. The local American Indian OIC provides space for this DVOP to conduct outreach activities, and provide employment support and guidance. One additional DVOP focuses on the Native population living on Tribal lands south and west of the Minneapolis/St Paul area.

Both of these DVOP positions are funded through a recent JVSG grant modification.

* Female Veterans Female Veterans represent approximately 17% of returning National Guard and Reserve troops in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are almost 23,000 female Veterans in Minnesota. Of that number, about 8700 have served in the Persian Gulf, or OIF/OEF/OND. Minnesota has a LVER that is active in two major Women’s Veterans groups, and sits on the Board of Directors for a third. She serves as a liaison with the local DAV chapter, and has held posts in the American Legion also. Minnesota currently employs 2 women LVER staff and 3 DVOP staff, including one DVOP that works exclusively with women Veterans on a special initiative. They are all engaged with local organizations that cater to women and women Veterans. As mentioned earlier, we work closely with our local HVRP grantee and our WFC partners to identify female Veterans seeking services.

* Incarcerated Veterans Minnesota currently operates two projects for incarcerated persons. Since these are funded with Wagner–Peyser money, they provide Priority of Service for Veterans wishing to participate. These projects are located in two inner–city offices, using two different models. One is a case management model, where the other focuses on a two week long workshop incorporating job search and living skills together. This two week workshop is facilitated by Wagner-Peyser staff. Our local DVOP’s assigned in those locations participate in the selection of participants, and in the case management process. We also have a special initiative project that provides specialized dedicated staff to work with Veterans being released from correctional facilities. These two DVOP staff are located in our Minneapolis, and St. Paul WFC’s, and both are certified as "Offender Employment Specialists", and "Offender Workforce Development Specialists" through MN Dept. of Corrections. Staff in these two inner–city locations estimate that 30–40% of the clients using these WFC’s have a criminal background.

In addition, the Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development has formalized a relationship with the Dept. of Corrections, and provides job search help and counseling for offenders nearing their release date. We also participate in facility sponsored events such as “Transition Fairs”. DVOP staff attend and provide workshops on job seeking/keeping skills at these events, and connect with inmates about to be released.

DVOP staff also sit on the steering committee of the Hennepin County Veterans Diversionary Court program. As the first court of its kind in Minnesota, it exists to provide an option for Veterans that have had had encounters with the criminal court system, and to provide an alternative to prison. DVOP staff work closely with the court on assessment, referral, and job placement.

* Demobilizing/Recently Separated Veterans

Minnesota’s “Beyond The Yellow Ribbon” Reintegration Campaign is the backbone of post deployment reintegration services. Minnesota DVOP and LVER staff have been a critical part of this process which includes 5 different events for Service members and their families.

The process begins 3–4 months before deployment. “Family Readiness Academies” are designed to give families an opportunity to ask questions, and provide information to Troops and their families on what to expect during the deployment. We provide resource information and referrals for assorted common issues faced by families, information on Veterans benefits, and employment information for spouses.

Approximately 30 to 60 days before Troops return home, a “Yellow Ribbon Community Event” is sponsored to help families understand and support their returning Soldiers.

Business owners, educators, civic leaders and law enforcement are called together for a briefing on what they can expect upon their Soldiers return. We provide resource information, and answers to some difficult questions relating to their combat experience, and how that may affect their lives.

DVOP and LVER staff continue to update and modify some of our material based on the type of unit returning, and the predominant skill set of those Troops. Twenty six (26) Minnesota service providers send staff and materials to various locations as Troops return from overseas deployment for an Initial Reintegration Event. DVOP staff conduct group presentations to Soldiers, and work one–on–one after these sessions to prepare resumes, practice interviewing skills, and assist with job search strategy. We also provide information on unemployment insurance, dislocated worker programs, employment and reemployment, and educational opportunities. Following the initial reintegration events, follow–up events at 30/60/90 days are scheduled. Minnesota DVOP and LVER staff will continue to partner in these events, and plan to provide similar services to all returning Veterans from all branches via similar events.