The Impact of Our Nation’s Heroes Coming Home to the Civilian Workforce Jessica Cheng MA, MSW Program Coordinator, Veterans First JVS Los Angeles AJFCA/IAJVS Conference Houston 2012

Heroes Coming Home 30,000 veterans coming home/month ▫Limited Education ▫Military Skills Civilian Skills ▫Stigma with employers ▫Education, housing, physical and mental healthcare, and transportation EMPLOYMENT

In operation since June 2010 ▫Serve recently released, unemployed/underemployed Workforce Investment Act (WIA) eligible male and female veterans and other veterans with service connected disabilities who have significant barriers to employment. ▫Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions)

Community Outreach In Person VSO’s and EDD Career Fairs Via Via Vet to Vet Information Gathering Veterans E-link to WIA application On Boarding Enrollment Develop IEP Refer to partners Skills Assessment Case Management Job Development Battle Buddy Workshops e.g. Life Skills Resume Interview Workplace issues WoMentorin g Training Services Soft Skills Community Colleges Private Vendors Adult Schools Placement Retention Follow Up Services

Target Employers/Job Sectors Identifying target job sectors Evaluation of employer needs Introductory calls and/or s Matching of client to openings

Careers as Wind Turbine Technicians, phlebotomists, CNAs, Network Administrators, Security, etc.

What’s an MOS? Military Occupation Specialty ▫Marine Corps – Mortarman?

VetWorking Collaborative Collaborative with other VSOs ▫Best Practices VetWorking Career Fair LinkedIn

Community Involvement Motivating and empowering the community to give back and honoring our heroes Sit & Sleep Promotion – Veterans Day

Barriers PTSD Depression Isolation Substance Abuse Family Roles Criminal Background Motivation Homelessness Financial Illiteracy

Vets Helping Vets Relatable ▫B▫Branch, Deployment, Base ▫S▫Similar to civilian (same school, hometown, etc) Shared Experiences Building the Relationship

Addressing the Barriers Training and Referrals Battle Buddy Groups ▫Research on college campuses – lower suicide rates ▫Replicate Battle Buddy Mentality Build multiple relationships Problem solve, social skills Coping skills – role play and scenarios Range of topics Support from fellow veterans encountering similar barriers Empathy VS. Relatability

Workplace Scenario Allan has been an employee at Boeing for about 5 months. He has always met his deadlines and maintained his workload. Recently, however, he has been having trouble completing deadlines at work and has fallen behind on his workload. Co-workers have noticed him as being jumpy and appearing anxious while sitting at his desk and smelling of alcohol. You receive a call from the employer regarding the situation and they are concerned. MSW Military Perspective = Blends traditional social work with military issues

Social Work Perspective Individual behavior is determined to a large extent by social environment, e.g. community norms and values, regulations, and policies.

Advantages of Hiring Veterans Loyal-committed Self-starter, Initiative Plan of Action - Answer and solve problems without systemic guidance. Accountable Prepared/Work Ready Adaptable/Flexible Shift with any changes in order to serve the main objective of the goal. Safety-Oriented Trustworthy Team Player Self Direction Structured

Further Thoughts or Questions