Veterans may receive reemployment services from trained staff at American Job Centers (AJCs) throughout the state, which include five comprehensive centers and several smaller, affiliate locations. Among the staff are representatives funded by the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program, which offers specialized services as follows:
Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists provide intensive services and facilitate placements to meet the employment needs of individuals who are interested in receiving one or more individualized career services, and meet at least one of the following two criteria:
- Are defined as an eligible veteran or eligible spouse and are experiencing at least one of the qualifying employment barriers defined below; or
- Are members of additional populations eligible for DVOP specialist services as authorized by the current annual appropriations act, as outlined below.
Qualifying Employment Barriers. To receive DVOP services, an eligible veteran or eligible spouse must affirm that they are experiencing at least one of the following employment barriers:
- Has a disability, which may include any of the following:
- Special disabled veteran, defined in 38 U.S.C. § 4211(1) as a veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a disability rated at 30 percent or more, or rated at 10 or 20 percent in the case of a veteran who has been determined to have a serious employment handicap; or person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
- Disabled veteran, defined in 38 U.S.C. § 4211(3) as a veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
- Other disability. Eligible veterans and eligible persons who self-identify as having a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12102
- Is a Vietnam-era veteran, as defined by 38 U.S.C. § 4211(2) as an eligible veteran any part of whose active military, naval, or air service was during the Vietnam era, as defined by 38 U.S.C. § 101(29). Vietnam era means August 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975; for service in the Republic of Vietnam, the period begins February 28, 1961.
- Is a recently separated veteran, defined in 38 U.S.C. § 4211(6) as a veteran who was discharged or released from active duty within the last three years.
- Has been referred for employment services by a representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Is experiencing homelessness, as defined in Sections 103(a) and (b) of the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11302(a) and (b)).
- Is justice-involved, as defined in WIOA Section 3(38), 29 U.S.C. § 3102(38) (definition of “offender”)
- Is between the ages of 18–24 years of age at the time of enrollment.
- Is educationally disadvantaged, meaning that the individual lacks a high school diploma or equivalent certificate.
- Is economically disadvantaged, which means any of the following: 1) Meets the definition of a low-income individual in WIOA Section 3(36), 29 U.S.C. § 3102(36); 2) Unemployed; 3) Heads of single-parent households containing at least one dependent child.
Additional Populations.
- Transitioning Service Members who, at the time of enrollment, have participated in any part of the Transition Assistance Program, including self-paced online modules and Individualized Initial Counseling.
- Wounded, ill, or injured members of the Armed Forces who are receiving treatment in military treatment facilities or warrior transition units.
- Spouses or other family caregivers of those wounded, ill, or injured service members.
DVOP services in the affiliate AJCs are typically available by appointment only. AJC staff will assist veterans and eligible spouses in determining whether they qualify for referral to a DVOP based on information provided when registering in CTHires or completing the DVOP Eligibility Screening Tool. For additional details about some of the above statutory references, refer to form DOL-228A/Veterans Triage Supplement. The DVOP Eligibility Flow Chart helps to explain the DVOP referral process.
DVOP Services
Using a case management approach, DVOPs provide individualized career services to assist participants in overcoming barriers and gaining employment. Individualized career services include:
- comprehensive and specialized assessments of skill levels and service needs;
- development of an individual employment plan to identify the employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives and appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve the employment goals;
- group counseling;
- individual counseling and career planning;
- and short-term prevocational services that may include development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training.
Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVER) conduct outreach to the employer community and facilitate employment, training, and placement services under the state’s employment service delivery system. LVER activities include:
- Planning, conducting, and participating in job and career fairs;
- Conducting employer outreach, including facility tours or interviews with current employees to familiarize themselves with job responsibilities or qualifications;
- Assisting with job development for veterans, eligible persons, and other DVOP-eligible populations enrolled in workforce development programs;
- Facilitating job search workshops/groups, on behalf of/in conjunction with employers;
- Working with established unions, apprenticeship programs, and businesses or business organizations to promote and secure employment and training for veterans;
- Informing federal contractors of the process to recruit qualified veterans;
- Promoting credentialing and licensing opportunities for veterans;
- Coordinating and participating with other business outreach efforts, including the efforts of WIOA business service representatives;
- Educating and training AJC staff to ensure easier access to the appropriate employment and training services for job-seeking veterans;
- Conducting community outreach and presentations on behalf of employers seeking to hire veterans;
- Promoting initiatives and programs such as the DoD SkillBridge program; and
- Promoting the HIRE Vets Medallion Program and assisting local area employers in applying for the award when appropriate.