1. 1 USBLN Conference October 2011 R. A. Fanning, VR&E Service Director V E T S U C C E S S. G O V

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 55 The VetSuccess Process 218 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 Access To Employment Re-Employment

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 10 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

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 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

14. 14 New Tax Credits Returning 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

15. 15 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

16. 16 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

17. 17 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

18. 18 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

19. 19 FY2010 Employment Results Average Professional Salary - $34,712 FY2011 to date Average Salary - $42,961 Average Salary Before Rehab - $7,178

20. 20 FY2010 Employment Results

21. 21 VR&E Participants and Rehabilitations 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 24 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

25. 25 VetSuccess.gov – Access to VR&E Orientation Video, Jobs, and News

26. 26 VetSuccess.gov – Job Tips

27. 27 VetSuccess.gov – Map Feature for State-specific Resources

28. 28 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.

29. 29 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.

30. 30 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

31. 31 Thank you! Questions? –Contact VR&E Services at 202-461-9600 –www.VetSuccess.gov