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Plan: Arkansas PYs 2016-2017
Combined Plan C

Section: Jobs for Veterans State Grants Program

Narrative: a.

Published
Located in:
  • Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants

    The Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) are mandatory, formula-based staffing grants to (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 (VETS-200 Series Reports) quarterly (using four “rolling quarters”) on a Program Year basis (as with the ETA- 9002 Series). Currently, VETS JVSG operates on a five-year (FY 2015-2019), 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:

a. How the State Intends to Provide Employment, Training and Job Placement Services to Veterans and Eligible Persons Under the Jvsg

Current Narrative:

The State will continuously evaluate the geographical assignment of DVOP and LVER staff in an effort to increase the availability, quantity, and quality of services to be provided. The state will continue to monitor and modify staff placement, upon approval of DOL VETS, within our Arkansas Workforce Centers (AWCs) to ensure that DVOP staff are in the best locations to serve our veterans with Significant Barriers to Employment (SBEs). Currently, DVOPs are positioned in the major metropolitan areas with the largest population of veterans, as indicated by VA county population reports. Within the AWCs, DVOP specialists will be co–located with WIOA staff because of similarities in WIOA and JVSG case management practices and to promote program co–enrollment and the appearance of a seamless application process for Veterans who apply to one or both programs. They will be available, as needed, to other AWCs to provide employment assistance to Veterans with SBEs when necessary.

One full–time DVOP is stationed at the Vocational Rehabilitation Facility at Fort Roots, in North Little Rock. The remaining DVOP and LVER staffs will be located at service delivery points throughout the state and integrated with AWC staff to effectively conduct employer outreach (LVER staff) and to provide intensive services (DVOP staff). DVOP and LVER staffs fall under the supervision and direction of the local office manager (LOM), who has the flexibility to direct their work based on the unique needs of each location.

The shift to full–time DVOPs increases the need for staff to travel in order to provide services to veterans at service delivery points that do not have grant funded staff. Travel will only be authorized if DVOP services are required by a job seeking veteran. This flexibility is critical in providing effective geographic coverage of the state. LVER staff will be encouraged to participate in meetings and job fairs of various organizations for networking and referral purposes.

Current grant funding supports 23 FTE’s: 15 full–time and 5 half–time DVOPs, and 11 half–time LVERs. As attrition occurs, staffing decisions will be made in consultation with Arkansas’ DVET. Efforts will be made to expeditiously fill vacancies. DVOP and LVER openings will be advertised and all qualified applicants considered. When vacancies are announced, the minimum requirements for the position are taken from Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 41. Preference will be given to disabled veterans. All vacancies will be placed in the local newspaper, in the Arkansas Joblink System, and on the Arkansas State Government Jobs web–site.

DVOP specialists and LVER staff members will attend mandated training provided through the National Veterans Training Institute (NVTI) as close as possible to their hire date but within 18 months, as required. Training dates and classes are scheduled by NVTI staff. DVOPs and LVERs will be afforded the opportunity to attend training as seats become available.