1

USBLN ConferenceOctober 2011

R. A. Fanning, VR&E Service Director

V E T S U C C E S S . G O V

22

Overview

1. VR&E Mission and Process

2. Incentives for Hiring Veterans

3. Self-employment

4. Innovation Initiatives

5. Employment Results

6. VetSuccess.gov

7. Conclusion

33

VR&E Mission Statement

• The mission of VR&E is to help Veterans with service connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and maintain suitable careers

• For Veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E provides services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible

44

Eligibility and Entitlement

• Active Duty Servicemembers:– Honorable discharge expected upon separation

from active duty– VA Memorandum or DES rating of 20% or more

• Veterans:– Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge– VA Memorandum or DES rating of 20% or more– VA service-connected disability rating of 10% with a

serious employment handicap or 20% or more with an employment handicap

55

The VetSuccess Process218 Rehabilitated Employment Services Application Entitlement Decision Evaluation and Planning Tracks

• Application received (VONAP or 28-1900)

• Veteran’s eligibility established (GED processing used to establish pending 719)

• Schedule veteran for initial counseling appointment if eligible

• VRC meets with veteran• Conduct VR&E orientation to

include Five Tracks Video• Conduct vocational evaluation to

assess skills, abilities & interests• Determine employment handicap

(VR&E entitlement criteria) and serious EH

• Determine feasibility for employment

• Work with veteran to identify track

• Establish vocational or independent living goal

• Define services needed• Develop written plan of services

• On-going case management (max of 18 months)

• Provide employment services• VetSuccess.gov• Interview skills• Job placement assistance• Referral to DOL

• Held suitable employment or improved ability to live independently

Indep. Living(24 mo. max with 6 mo.

Ext by VR&EO)

Employment Thru Long-Term

Services

Self Employment(monitor 1 yr min)

Rapid AccessTo Employment

Re-Employment

66

VR&E Services

Incentives for Hiring Veterans: - On-The-Job Training (OJT)

- Non-Paid Work Experience (internship) - Special Employer Incentive Program (SEI)

- Work Opportunity Tax Credit

77

On-the-Job Training

What is an OJT?– Provides training for specific positions with the

employer– Veteran is hired at the apprenticeship wage– Results in permanent full-time employment

88

On-the-Job Training

• Benefits for the Employer– Hiring qualified Veterans at the training wage– VA VR&E purchases necessary tools, uniforms, other

required supplies– VA VR&E evaluates the need for job-site

accommodations– VA provides support during training and placement

follow-up phases– Minimal paperwork– Tax incentives (Work Opportunity Tax Credit)

99

What is Non-Paid Work Experience?– Provides eligible Veterans with practical job

experiences– Placement can be at any government facility that will

provide the Veteran with a work experience consistent with their vocational rehabilitation goals

– There is no cost to the employer; the Veteran receives a subsistence allowance from the VA

• (Authorized by Public Law 94-502)

9

Non-Paid Work Experience

1010

Benefits for Employers…

– Minimal paperwork is required by the participating government agency

– High quality worker at no expense– Allows agency to assess Veteran’s fit for

noncompetitive appointment into a permanent position– Easy access for the government agency to participate

in the NPWE program

10

Non-Paid Work Experience

1111

Special Employer Incentive

General Information– To assist Veterans who face obstacles in obtaining

employment– For Veterans who have completed training under

Chapter 31– SEI programs may be authorized for a maximum of 9

months– Payment to the employer may be monthly or in one

lump sum

1212

Special Employer Incentive

• Benefits for Employers– Reimbursement of up to 50% of the Veteran’s salary

during the SEI program, via direct reimbursement from VA Chapter 31, to cover:• Compensation for additional expenses incurred for

cost of instruction• Compensation for loss of production• Compensation for additional supply and equipment

costs– Minimal Paperwork– Employee is trained to employer’s standards

1313

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

• WOTC

– The WOTC is a Federal tax credit incentive that the Congress has authorized to private-sector businesses for hiring Veterans

– The main objective of this program is to enable the targeted employees to gradually move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income and become contributing taxpayers

– Participating employers are compensated by being able to reduce their federal income tax liability

1414

New Tax CreditsReturning Heroes Tax Credit - New hiring tax credit that will provide an incentive for firms to hire

unemployed veterans- Short-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of

wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks

- Long-term unemployed: A new credit of 40 percent of the first $12,000 of wages (up to $4,800) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months

Wounded Warrior Tax Credit - Double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with

service-connected disabilities- Maintain the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with

service-connected disabilities (currently the maximum is $4,800)- A new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for

firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months

- The paperwork process for claiming these credits will be simplified by streamlining the burdensome certification that firms had to undertake to claim previous credits

1515

Self-Employment

• VR&E may provide special assistance to Veterans with an approved self-employment rehabilitation goal

• Self-Employment may be appropriate for individuals who have limited access to traditional employment due to disability or life circumstances

• Services provided:– Development of a viable Business Plan– Training in the operation of a small business– Marketing and financial assistance– Guidance in obtaining adequate resources to

implement a viable Business Plan– May include payment of start-up costs

1616

Self-Employment

• VR&E is engaged in initiatives to support self-employment among Veterans and identify new ideas for Veterans to start their own businesses

• VR&E partners with the Small Business Administration to provide self-employment resources to all Veterans

1717

VA Innovation Initiative (VAi2)3 VAi2 Projects re: Self-Employment

Business Incubator, Veterans Entrepreneurial Transfer– Pilot Program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin involving up to 30 Veterans

using a brick and mortar facility– Provides face-to-face services focused on education, mentoring,

and growing companies started and owned by Veterans

Business Accelerator, VetSuccess Employment Accelerator– Online interactive tool to guide Veterans in planning, launching, and

sustaining self-employment ventures– Pilot sites are Philadelphia and Roanoke – Designed to serve 25-30 Veterans

Business Training, EAdvantage– Online and classroom self-paced courses to assist Veterans in

becoming successful entrepreneurs – Available to all Veterans

1818

VAi2 – Self-Management

• Seeking innovations in the area of self-management applications and tools to assist the most seriously disabled Veterans to obtain and maintain employment

• Goal is to empower Veterans to fully realize their employment potential through the use of assistive technologies and strategies

• Solutions might include assistive technology, web-based tools, self-monitoring strategies, mobile applications, etc

1919

FY2010 Employment Results

76%*

7% 5% 3% 2%Professional, Technical and Managerial

Clerical

Services

Machine Trades

Structural (Building Trades)

Average Professional Salary - $34,712FY2011 to date Average Salary - $42,961Average Salary Before Rehab - $7,178

2020

FY2010 Employment Results

VR&E Employment Outcomes by Employer Type FY 2010

0.2%*

33.3%*

3.9%

50.2%

12.5%

Faith-based & Community Organizations (FBCOs)Federal GovernmentSelf-Employed VeteransPrivate SectorState & Local Government

2121

VR&E Participants and Rehabilitations

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

Participants 89126 90593 97116 106841 105026 109005 119905Rehabilitations 12117 11008 11066 10303 10041 10034

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

CHTW Expansion

Feb. 08;

Post 9/11

GI Bill

+1.6%+7.2%

+10% -1.7% +3.8%

+10%

Projected 10% increase in 2013; 131,896 participants

2222 22

VetSuccess.gov

Purpose• Comprehensive employment resource for all Veterans• Agencies can post job openings directly on

VetSuccess.gov• Job board currently connects over 80,000 Veterans

with over 1,700 registered Employers • Veterans have access to over 8,000,000 jobs through

VetSuccess and Job Central Database• Employers can search existing Veteran resumes for

direct placements, such as:- Security Clearance- Degree- Skill type

2323 23

Recent VetSuccess.gov Enhancements

• VetSuccess.gov Enhancements – State-specific resources searchable through map

feature– Military Skills Translator– Interviewing skills tips– Job hunting tips– VetSuccess news– Resume development tool– Theme pages

• VetSuccess on Campus, At Home, In the Community, In Transition, At Work, and For the Veteran’s Family

2424

VetSuccess.gov - Future

VetSuccess. gov Future Enhancements– All job feeds from USAJOBS.GOV, Job Central, CareerBuilders.com,

and Monster.com will automatically populate the VetSuccess.gov job board and provide our Veterans with a centralized location to find and apply for both federal and private sector careers

– Direct verification of a Veteran’s occupational and disability status through integration with eBenefits.va.gov, allowing the Veteran to self-manage his/her claims information

– Social media, resume posting, as well as searching and aggregation of job opportunities

– Multiple resources and tools to assist Veteran in self assessing skills and to prepare for and succeed in training, work, and self-employment

– Linkages to mentoring resources for various occupational groups, including self-employment

– Success stories and Veteran feedback mechanisms– Easy access to information about all VA business lines and services,

including user friendly access to self service functionality

2525

VetSuccess.gov – Access to VR&E Orientation Video, Jobs, and News

2626

VetSuccess.gov – Job Tips

2727

VetSuccess.gov – Map Feature for State-specific Resources

2828

Value of Hiring Veterans

• Accelerated Learning curve– Vets have proven the ability to quickly learn new skills and possess

transferable skills proven to achieve success• Leadership

– Vets understand practical ways to manage and achieve goals and are trained to lead.

• Teamwork– Vets understand how genuine teamwork grows out of responsibility and how

diverse groups work best together.• Diversity and Inclusion in action

– Vets have worked alongside each other regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or mental or physical capabilities.

• Efficient performance under pressure– Vets have the capacity to know how to accomplish tasks on time and in spite

of stress or adversity.  They understand the importance of dedication and perseverance.

• Respect for procedures– Vets have gained a unique perspective on the value of accountability.  They

understand how policies and procedures yield stability, safety and productivity.

2929

Value of Hiring Veterans

• Technology and globalization– Vets are aware  of international and technical trends

pertinent to business. • Integrity

– Vets know what it means to do "an honest day's work." 

• Conscious of health and safety standards• Triumph over adversity

– Vets have the proven ability to overcome challenges and obstacles through strength and determination.

3030

Bottom Line“As a member of Congress, I believe it is the responsibility of those elected to

represent the people at every level of government to ensure that our government works to ensure that every person who wants gainful employment has it.”

-Leonard Boswell

“As it turns out, social scientists have established only one fact about an individual’s (sic) mental health: employment improves it.”

-Susan Faludi

“We have an obligation to make sure our Veterans are able to navigate this difficult labor market and succeed in the civilian workforce.”

-President Obama, August 5,2011

3131

Thank you!

• Questions?

– Contact VR&E Services at 202-461-9600

– www.VetSuccess.gov