Department of Veteran Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Office of Economic Opportunity Presented by: Curtis L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Veteran Services Conference PARTNERING for VETERANS: At the Federal Level July 17, 2013 1
Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Benefits Administration Office of Economic Opportunity Helping Veterans Attain Personal and Economic Success Education GI Bill Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Home Loan Guaranty Program Veterans Employment Initiatives 2
Veterans Employment Tools Post-9/11 GI Bill Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) VetSuccess.gov VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes Joining Forces Transition Assistance Program now Transition Goals Plans Success Veterans Outreach Collaborative efforts DoD, Departments of Labor (DOL), Education (ED), and Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Small Business Administration (SBA), others 3
Transition Assistance Program VA participates in multi-agency collaborative efforts with DoD, DOL, Department of Education (ED), and Small Business Administration (SBA) in support of VOW Act mandates and Veteran Employment Initiative Task Force recommendations. Assist with Transition Goals Plans Success curriculum development Assist in the development and implementation of Capstone events Assist in developing the Military Life Cycle to verify and enhance transition services throughout a Servicemembers military career Deliver VA Benefits I and II Briefings and the Career Technical Training Track Provide individual assistance to 100 percent of transitioning Servicemembers 4
VRAP - VA and DOL Partnership Offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans, between 35-60 years old who are; Ineligible for other VA education benefits, Not be in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability, Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program, an Have an other than dishonorable discharge The program is limited to 99,000 participants and ends March 31, 2014. To date, over 112,000 claims approved, with over 57,000 in training. Participants must be enrolled in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associates Degree, Non-College Degree or Certification, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation. Department of Labor will provide employment assistance to every Veteran participant. 5
ebenefits - VA and DoD Partnership A single point of trusted web access for those Servicemembers and Veterans seeking self service benefit information and services from VA and DoD; Links to VA, DoD, and other Federal and State agency benefits programs; Federal (VA for Vets) and Private Jobs (VetSucces.gov). Mandatory enrollment for entering and separating Servicemembers Apply for benefits online Check status of your claim, or appeal Obtain a copy of your DD-214 Create a Benefits Letter Retrieve copies of official military personal records View VA disability compensation Submit an application for the Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility Directly access MyHealtheVet accounts; and more Over 3.57 Million Visits since Oct 2009 Launch 6
Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) VA and DoD Partnership Single disability exam(s) conducted to VA standards used by both Departments Single disability rating completed by VA that is binding upon both Departments Currently IDES sites on 139 Military Installations FY 2013 end will have 200 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors located on Military Installations to work with Servicemembers prior to separation Goal is expeditious payment of VA benefits within 30 days of a member's separation from service 7
VA and DOL Partnership Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service (VR&E) help Veterans with service-connected disabilities become suitably employed, maintain employment, or achieve independence in daily living Rehabilitation Counselors Employment Coordinators 60 (43 Full-time/17 Part-time) DOL Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVERS) collocated in VA Regional Offices SECVA and the SECLABOR now meeting on a quarterly basis AS VETS and USB meeting more frequently 8
Veteran Success on Campus VA Partnering with Schools and Department of Education (ED) Veteran Success on Campus (VSOC) places experienced VA counselors on college campuses to assist the growing number of Veterans in school 27 VSOC counselors on college and university campuses at 32 schools, providing resources to help Veterans achieve their academic goals and find meaningful careers. Approval to hire additional 52 counselors in FY 2013 for a total of 79, 90+ Total Schools The counselors collaborate with VA school certifying officials, perform outreach, and communicate with student Veterans; ensuring Veterans health, educational, and benefit needs are met, helping them reach their education and career goals. Principles of Excellence (POE) provide guidelines for educational institutions receiving Federal funding 6325 Total Campuses have signed Agreements to date Working with Dept. of ED 15 Vet Centers of Excellence Grants - support Veteran Student Success by coordinating services to address academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students. Vet Upward Bound goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs through counseling, mentoring, tutoring o 51 Program locations 9
VA and Small Business Administration (SBA) VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) & SBA Provides links to Veterans Entrepreneur Portal Starting a Business SBA Office of Veterans Business Development SBA Financing, Loans, Grants and other Veterans Programs Franchising Opportunities Small Business Resource Partners National Veterans Small Business Conference (NVSBC) 2013 To be held in St. Louis, MO August 6-8, 2013, America s Center Convention Complex Brings together Veteran Small Business owners and VA procurement decision makers to help develop opportunities and provide training Collaborating with the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes to conduct a one-day Hiring Fair at same venue. 10
Employment Initiatives: VA for Vets includes all Federal employment Resume and Interview Coaching Vetsuccess.gov -- integrates the tools and information Veterans and employers need to find each other Job board connects over 225,000 registered Veterans to over 6,000 registered employers Over 35,000 searchable Veterans resumes and over 49,000 jobs posted on website since it was activated 144 million website hits through June 2013 Joining Forces White House/First Lady and Dr. Biden-led Initiative Support Military and Veteran Families US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes 500,000 Veteran Hires goal; multi-year commitment 11