USA Cares Jobs For Vets Concept
March 2010
Objectives
To reduce the impact of joblessness among OIF/OEF Veterans by utilizing a combination of financial assistance and employment/training/ referral and facilitation. Priority will be given to “Combat Injured”, Guard/Reserve unemployed, and other OIF/OEF unemployed.
Program Rationale1. Over one-half of all USA Cares’ grants
involve housing assistance2. A great number of those housing crisis are
the result of joblessness among our disabled/Guard or Reserve Veterans at a level higher than their civilian counterpart
3. A good job means a stable home, reduced anxiety, and dignity for those who have sacrificed for all of us
USA Cares Assistance Path
Military Service (Post 9-11)
Combat-Injured(Post 9-11)
Qualify
QualifyStabilize
QualifyStabilize Warrior
TreatmentToday
• Basic Needs•Housing•Travel (wounded)
Resource
Educate
Education/MentorshipFollow-up
Promote
TriageVerify Help Continuum of Support
PurpleHeart• Basic Needs
•Housing•Injuried
Military Family
- Self Sustaining
- Stable
- Healthy
CoachingMentorshipFollow-up
- Employed
Program Overview1. USA Cares works with various organizations
(public/private) to identify Veteran employment/training candidates
a) Identify disabled Veterans abilitiesb) Identify by locality
2. USA Cares brings candidates and employers wanting to hire Veterans together
a) Training pipeline establishedb) Job placement based on initial demands by
employer
Program Overview (Cont)3. Training conducted by local industry assets
a) Financial assistance from various sourcesb) Training courses provided locally
4. Veteran placed in a job he/she trained for
We Discovered or Learned• Recent Veteran unemployment is 12.6%*
which equals 213,000 OIF/OEF Veterans• Contractor organizations have staff and
facilities available to conduct training• Employers overwhelmingly would rather hire
“trained” than “untrained” employees • USA Cares has developed working relationship
with the VA and DoD and is in a position to facilitate candidates for training and placement
* Bureau of Labor Statistics Jan 2010
Concept Proposal• Three phase project
1. Tennessee Demonstration2. Expansion to 23 additional locations per
year as the program achieves proven results
3. Inclusion of other employer opportunities such as NACE, TULSA Welding, etc.
Phase I1. Tenn. Demonstration Project involves the
following:a) USA Caresb) Western Tenn. Association of Builders & Contractors
1. Staff & Members
c) Memphis Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Offices (VA)
d) Tenn. Unemployment Officese) Others
Key Responsibilities (Phase 1)1. Supply
1) USAC Clients2) WEB Visitors3) VA Referrals4) State/Local Unemployment5) Wounded Warriors Programs6) Other Partners
2. Demand
1) WTABC*
3. Resource
1) Qualified Vets (USAC)2) Funding
• Affiliated Organizations• Department of Veterans Affairs• USA Cares• Chapter members
3) Training• ABC Chapters• Other Training Facilities
4. Outcome
1) Vets with jobs2) Measureable ROI3) Feedback to Players
*Western Tenn. ABC Chapter
Priority Placement Effort1. Veterans with service connected disabilities
– Invisible and visible wounds and injuries2. National Guardsmen and Reservists
– Returning home and under/unemployed3. Veterans and their spouses who are seeking
new career paths
Training• Training may last four weeks, up to seven
months in selected fields• Veterans with a disability rating of 20% can
receive financial support for the training, books and equipment and receive a stipends under some conditions (VA Certified Courses)
• Under certain conditions, Veterans who have a rating of “unemployable” may transfer their educational benefits to a spouse
Financial Assistance • Depending on status and need, the Veteran
may be qualified for VA/State assistance– Course costs– Books & Tools– Living expenses
• Similar assistance maybe available from USA Cares with a demonstrated and verified need– Supported by grant funding & chapter donations
Funding• Plan includes achieving a first year funding
goal of $500K with a second year of $1M• This does not include Scholarship support or
grants that are available for rehabilitative training, Veteran support or educational or vocational scholarships from allied companies or corporations
Phase II
1. Incorporate lessons learned from Phase I2. Expand to selected locations (cities)
a) Birmingham, ALb) Atlanta, GAc) 24 new locations a year
3. Assumption is that ABC will be the cornerstone for training
Phase III (National Campaign)1. Expand the concept & operation to other
construction type industries2. Expand to other industries including
manufacturing and servicea) NACE (Underway)
“Honoring our sacred trust with America’s veterans means doing all we can to help them find work when they come home so they never feel as if the American Dream they fought to defend is out of reach for them and their families,” President Obama