Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Service Conducts
National Deployment of the Five-Track Employment Process

By Judith A. Caden, Director, VR&E Service

This has been an especially exciting year for all of us at VR&E Service. I am pleased to announce that the national deployment of VR&E’s Five Track Employment process took place during the week of November 14th at the National Veterans' Training Institute (NVTI) in Denver, Colorado. The Five-Track Employment Process is VR&E’s newly developed service delivery model that focuses on providing veterans in our program with standardized rehabilitation services through innovative program orientation tools, comprehensive evaluation techniques, and vocational exploration/job readiness tools, each of which are uniquely supported by our new Employment Coordinator (EC) position, job resource labs, and an online employment services resource – VetSuccess.gov (http://www.vetsuccess.gov). (See VPL & MOU link below.)

The new role of EC will serve as an integral resource in support of the delivery of employment exploration and readiness services. The EC will partner with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs), as well as DVOPs and LVERs to accurately assess a veterans’ feasibility for services and recommend an appropriate vocational rehabilitation plan through one of five possible service delivery options (tracks) with the goal of suitable employment or independent living. This partnership is what is formally known as the “Triage Team” within the Five-Track Process.

Supporting the Triage Team are the new Job Resource Labs and VetSuccess.gov. Job Resource Labs are an essential element of service delivery. They provide Triage Team members with the tools and resources to facilitate service delivery and enhance the independence and autonomy of veterans participating in vocational exploration and job readiness activities. Job Resource Labs consist of computer, office, and information systems related materials essential to carrying out an effective career development plan.

VetSuccess.gov is VR&E’s newly developed “online” employment resource that enables users to apply for and explore the features and benefits offered by VR&E Service. Users will benefit from online application procedures, orientation to VR&E programs, expert vocational advice, rich labor market resources, and career development tools. The website expands career networking relationships through our working partnership module. This module integrates the support of employers, DOL/VETS staff, educators, and faith and community based resources for veterans seeking comprehensive online career solutions.

Throughout FY05, VR&E Service conducted an extensive pilot test of the Five-Track Employment Process and its associated components at four regional offices in every area of the country. Our test honed the Five-Track Employment Process, validated our proposed shift in service delivery, and ultimately supported its full deployment through demonstrated success outcomes. Veterans and employees participating in our study overwhelmingly approved of the Five-Track Employment Process. Customer satisfaction rates averaged 97% during the pilot reporting period. Our pilot test could not have been a success without the dedication of our working partners at DOL/VETS and their continuing support of our program. Ultimately, this new service delivery model places the emphasis on employment squarely at the forefront of rehabilitation services, and expands our partnership with DOL/VETS in a most significant way.

To underscore our commitment to this partnership, VR&E Service and DOL/VETS recently conducted a top-to-bottom review of an existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the goal of improving service delivery to veterans. The outcome of our efforts has resulted in a newly revised MOA which expands and solidifies our cooperation as partners in rehabilitation by fortifying our combined efforts in case management, communication, reporting, oversight/monitoring, and accountability. I am delighted to share in our commitment to DOL/VETS and we continue to explore more innovative and productive ways as partners in the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services.

In the coming year, we look to our partnership with DOL/VETS as a significant element of the success of our continued deployment of the Five-Track Employment Process as we expand our outreach to every regional office and out based service delivery station throughout the nation. On behalf of all of VR&E Service, I look forward to this new beginning – a time of renewed dedication to delivering state-of-the- art rehabilitation services to our most deserving citizens – our veterans.

---

Veterans' Program Letter (VPL) 01-06 with VR&E Memorandum of Understanding

Photographs from the Denver Training:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previous	Auto/Stop	Next