VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Chapter 31 July, 2014

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 1 Mission of VR&E The mission of VR&E is to help veterans with service connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable careers. For veterans with service connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 2 SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VR&E DIVISION Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluations Vocational counseling & rehabilitation planning Case Management Employment services Post-secondary training Special employer incentives Supportive rehabilitation counseling Independent living

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 3 CH. 31 PROGRAMS and OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE VETERANS Vet Success on Campus (VSOC) Program VR&E counselors (VSOC) located on many college campuses around the country Provide VA information to all Veterans, not just Ch. 31 Excellent resource for staff members who are not familiar with Veteran issues. Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Introduce VR&E Program to service members prior to being medically discharged Service members can begin training prior to discharge, paid and case managed by VR&E Many of the big military bases have an IDES Counselor

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION UGH! I AM CERTIFYING A VETERAN AND HE/SHE IS RUNNING OUT OF CH. 33 ENTITLEMENT!!! You may be able to help! If the veteran has a service connected disability they can apply to VR&E using VA FORM If a counselor determines they are entitled to CH. 31, they can qualify for additional education benefits and finish that degree! WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK VETERANS TO APPLY, WE CAN DO THE REST! 4

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 5 THE END AND THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?