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Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao recently announced the publication of rules for the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The new regulations are written in plain English and in a Q&A format and will clarify employer rights and responsibilities under USERRA.
The rules are particularly critical now, Chao said, when the United States has the largest group of mobilized National Guard and Reserve members since World War II. Since Sept. 11, 2001, almost 530,000 reserve-component members have been mobilized, many for more than a year of duty.
This is the first time since enactment of USERRA that DOL has developed regulations to explain and clarify the law. USERRA protects employment rights and benefits of service members upon their return to civilian life and prohibits discrimination against past and present members of the uniformed services and establishes reemployment rights for service members who want to return to the jobs they held prior to military service.
Secretary Chao said the regulations will ensure employment rights will be implemented without delay and will clarify requirements for both employers and service members. The final regulations address questions presented by employers, union representatives and other interested parties following the release of the proposed regulations.
For complete information about USERRA, including the new regulations, USERRA eLaws Advisor, USERRA Resource Guide and more, go to VETS USERRA web link at http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra/main.htm.
The year 2005 proved to be a busy, productive time for NVTI. Over 2,100 participants were trained, either in the classroom, on the road, via e-learning methods or in conferences. One of NVTI's newer courses, Promoting Partnerships for Employment, really took off in '05 with 240 veterans representatives receiving training. Five federal training sessions were held; two USERRA Basics, two Investigators and one VEOA.
Some of the other highlights of the year were:
The year ahead promises to be full of activity. Look for updates and news on the NVTI homepage, future VETS NET issues, and Flash email news releases.
It was a great 2005 and as always, an honor to work with the dedicated men and women who serve our veterans and transitioning service members.
After leading the National Veterans' Training Institute for nearly the last 15 years, Steve Chapman will retire in May.
In November of this year, NVTI will turn 20 years old. Steve has been with NVTI for nearly that entire time, as he came on board in January 1987. Originally he was contracted to design curriculum and training for the fledgling Institute. When it became apparent that participants were hungry for continued networking and sharing of resources and information, the Resource Center was born. Steve oversaw the collection and categorizing of that information as the Resource Center Manager.
Soon, he was working primarily with budgetary matters and administrative concerns as the Administrative Manager. When then-Director John Nunnery retired in 1991, Steve was appointed Acting Director and was thereafter named NVTI Director.
During his directorship, over 37,000 participants have been trained at NVTI. In the early years, NVTI trained one primary course--Core I, Professional Skills Development. Since that time speciality courses have been developed, others refined and restructured to include changes in law or delivery methodologies. Currently there are six main courses in NVTI's training curriculum, with others offered and developed as needed or requested.
Steve said he is most proud of the quality of NVTI staff he has worked with and their efforts on behalf of veterans' service providers. "Together we have maintained the high quality of our training and other products," he said. "Our training and publications are second to none and what we have accomplished as excellent stewards of tax payer money, with little to no increases in funding, is just amazing."
An on-going theme in Steve's leadership has been the goal to provide the right training at the right time to the right people. "That's really been accomplished by knowing our customer base well," Steve said. "We listen to our customers and try to give them what they need to serve veterans better. It's been a great partnership."
Steve is confident NVTI's commitment and quality of training and other services provided to veterans representatives will continue. He plans to enjoy time with his family and grandchildren, while exploring his options in other directions.
Steve's caring and thoughtful leadership has propelled NVTI forward and provided a secure, stable environment in which training has thrived. We wish him the very best as the next chapter of his life unfolds.
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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will distribute approximately 300,000 wallet-sized cards and key fobs (a small card with hole for key ring) with critical employment and job training information to military personnel and veterans over the next several months.
“The ‘Key To Career Success' cards and REALifelines online advisor (see related article, REALifelines Advisor Unveiled) are part of our outreach efforts to help veterans and returning soldiers access good job opportunities and develop new career pathways,” said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “Our servicemen and women have put themselves in harm's way to protect our homeland and help other countries achieve freedom and democracy. We want to do everything we can to welcome them home and facilitate their reintegration into civilian life.”
The “Key to Career Success” card will be attached to a brochure for demobilizing and transitioning service members as they go through the joint DOL, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program. For veterans who have already made the transition, there will be additional information and professional staff guidance available at the nearly 3,500 One-Stop Career Centers nationwide.
The card will help veterans access local One-Stop Career Center services connecting them to employers seeking men and women with the unique skill sets and experience characterized by military service. It will also highlight veterans' special status so that, upon arrival at One-Stop Career Centers, they will receive priority service as required under the Jobs for Veterans Act. The back of the “Key to Career Success” card and key fob features a toll-free phone number, 1-877-US2-JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627), and web link, at http://www.servicelocator.org, to help veterans speak with a service representative or locate the nearest One-Stop Career Center and download a map and driving directions.
A new online tool, the elaws Recovery and Employment Assistance Lifelines (REALifelines) Advisor, will provide valuable information and resources to help returning wounded and injured veterans successfully transition into civilian employment.
A key feature of the REALifelines Advisor is that it offers one-on-one assistance through the department's state directors for DOL's Veterans' Employment and Training Service. These directors will help the transitioning service member or veteran find meaningful employment through the One-Stop Career Centers and/or arrange for assistance to help determine what services and programs are best suited for them.
The REALifelines Advisor is one of a series of online tools called elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses), which are interactive web sites providing information about major federal employment laws and issues. The REALifelines Advisor can be found at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/realifelines.htm and eLaws at http://www.dol.gov/elaws.
Late last year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued information on the employment of veterans in the federal government in fiscal year (FY) 2004.
Some highlights of the OPM report noted:
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 at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/forVets/vplPDFs/2006vpl01-06.pdf
See photographs from the Denver Training at the bottom of the page in the on-line newsletter: http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/FiveTrackEmpl.htm
DOL TAP Expands into the Benelux Region of Europe
by Diane Miller
NAMS Vice President of Training
The Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) is continuing efforts in the global expansion of TAP Employment Workshop delivery.
Starting in January 2006, VETS is poised to offer TAP Employment Workshops in the Benelux region of Europe. Through this expansion, TAP Employment Workshops will be provided at military bases in Brussels, Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers of Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium and Schinnen in the Netherlands.
Through VETS' contract services provided by Native American Management Services (NAMS), TAP Employment Workshop delivery is being coordinated with the Army Community Services Centers (ACS) and their Employment Readiness staff. A site visit to all three locations was conducted in late November with workshop delivery beginning in January 2006. NAMS will provide a 3-day TAP Employment Workshop.
VETS and NAMS look forward to providing services to transitioning service members and their spouses in the Benelux region.
NVTI staff member Armando Atencio was recently honored by Colorado Governor Bill Owens with an appointment to the Colorado Board of Veterans' Affairs.
"For generations veterans have made great sacrifices for the protection of our liberties. Their honorable service for this country deserves great respect and admiration," said Owens. "I am confident Armando Atencio will work hard to address the needs of Colorado's veterans."
Armando's career has included positions as manager of the department of social services under Denver Mayor Bill McNichols and as executive director of the Colorado Department of Social Services in the administration of Gov. Dick Lamm. He was a classroom trainer for NVTI for several years before semi-retiring. He currently monitors NVTI's LES eLearning course and coordinates program planning and training evaluation activities.
Armando served in the U.S. Army and is a member of The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Retired Enlisted Association and the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America.
The board studies issues concerning veterans and makes recommendations of programs that will better their situations. The board also administers the Veterans' Trust Fund, which awards and monitors special grants. Board members must be veterans who have been honorably discharged.
We at NVTI are very proud of Armando! Congratulations!
A non-scientific survey conducted by The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) suggests that homeless veterans in America are changing. Random survey questionnaires were sent to 179 NCHV member orgnizations throughout the country requesting feedback concerning the number of veterans served, gender, age, employment status and period of service.
Thirty-seven organizations responded, which is about 20% of the NCHV's member organizations providing transitional housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. Respondents showed an 11 to 14 percent increase in the number of clients requesting assistance over 2004 levels.
The population receiving services appears to be aging and the percentage of women requesting services has grown. In 1999, women veterans accounted for only 2 percent of the homeless veteran population (source: 1999 National Survey of Homeless Service Providers and Clients(NSHSPC)). NCHV's survey found that number to be more than 6 percent. That number is expected to increase due to greater numbers of women in combat operations.
The 1999 NSHSPC survey also found that approximately 47 percent of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era. The NCHV survey shows that age group may now account for as many as 56 percent of the homeless veterans seeking assistance.
NCHV plans to conduct a more thorough survey of member organizations in 2006 which should present a clearer picture of the needs of the population and service providers. Learn more about NCHV at their website: http://www.nchv.org
Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor (pdf) at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/SecChaoRemarks.pdf
Linda Springer, OPM Director (pdf) http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/LSpringerRemarks.pdf
We're closer to seeing the final product of the Ultimate Job Search for the 21st Century!
Through the month of December, the NLC/NVTI production crew was busy shooting on-location scenes for the Ultimate Job Search (UJS) for the 21st Century project. "We're currently in the editing phase of the production," Producer Greg Davis said. "It's not uncommon to hit a few bumps along the way and the schedule has been adjusted for those, but we're definitely in the final steps of this long-awaited resource."
While the filming portion of the production has been underway, the UJS on-line workbook has been concurrently created. It is anticipated that both parts of the UJS will be extremely helpful to transitioning service members, veterans seeking jobs and other job hunters.
Davis said to expect the final UJS videos/DVDs to be ready by mid-February. Don't forget that NVTI is maintaining a pre-notification list for those who wish to be contacted as soon as UJS is ready. Prepaid orders can't be accepted. Call (800-451-5759) or rtac@nvti.cudenver.edu if you wish to be included on the list. If you email, send your name, agency name, email address, phone number, DVD or VHS format and quantity.
Look through on-location production photos at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/UJSUpdate.htm
For additional helpful resources, check out NVTI's Resource Library on-line at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/resourceLibrary.htm. You may also email the Resource Center at rtac@nvti.cudenver.edu or call (800) 451-5759.
CareerOneStop Staff Coach - DOL has a new tool available-- Staff Coach --to help Workforce Development Professionals better serve their business and job seeker communities. Staff Coach walks workforce development staff through uses of the CareerOneStop web sites while using scenarios that you may encounter while working with customers. Another helpful tool to add to your assistance repetoire! See the CareerOneStop Staff Coach at http://staff-coach.org .
Helpful Resources - Bookmark these helpful resources for your clients:
For veteran small business owners (or prospective owners): http://www.sba.gov/vets
For small business Reserve & Guard employees or employers: http://www.sba.gov/reservists
Also check out the SBA's November issue of SBA Solutions which addresses resources and finance options for veterans starting up a business: http://www.sba.gov/sbasolutions/
To improve labor market opportunities available to people with criminal records at http:// www.hirenetwork.org
A resource for transitioning service members to find jobs in the defense industry at http://www.clearancejobs.com
"Coming Home to Work" - The VA announced recently the creation of a new initiative to combat unemployment among veterans who have served in the nation's War on Terror. Fulfilling the Commitment – Coming Home to Work is an umbrella initiative, a comprehensive intergovernmental and public-private alliance that will ensure separating Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veterans that they will have employment opportunities when they return home from the war on terrorism.To learn more about the initative: http://www1.va.gov/OPA/pressrel/PressArtInternet.cfm?id=1036
Hire Veterans First Proclamation - South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds (photo at left) signed a proclamation designating November as “Hire Veterans First Month” in South Dakota. Governor Rounds says the goal of the proclamation is to bring attention to the many skills that veterans offer prospective employers. Excellent news!
America Supports You - Have you heard about this nationwide program from the Department of Defense which recognizes citizens' support for military men and women? Learn more about the program at http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil .
Apple Pies and Transition - Did you know apple pies can help your transition workshops? Check out the pdf article and photo at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/ApplePies_Transition.pdf that California EDD veterans' specialist Doc O'Boyle sent us for details.
DVOP of the Year - Alvin McGary of WorkForce Plant City, Florida was recently named that state's DVOP of the Year in recognition of his commitment to veterans. He credits the training he received at NVTI with some of his success. Great news, Alvin!
2006 Defense Authorization Benefits Guard & Reserve - The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law on January 6, 2006 and will provide new or enhanced benefits for National Guard and Reserve members. Go to the Library of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov/ for more information. Enter HR 1815 in the "Search Bill Text" box.
Idaho Statewide Veterans' Representatives Conference - Idaho's DVOP/LVER staff, along with over a third of the state's One-Stop managers met in Boise in early November. With 1,600 of the State's National Guard members returning from a year-long deployment to Iraq, the focus was on serving those returning soldiers.The Guard's Colonel Donna Woodby explained the demobilization process and Captain Dan Ashby, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and Vets Center counselor, helped the staff better understand what conditions the soldiers have experienced and how to best help them transition back to civilian life and jobs. Bill Adamek, Regional HireVetsFirst liaison and Jim Arrington, Washington State ADVET and REALifelines Coordinator at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, briefed on their programs. USDOL/VETS RAVET Rosendo "Alex" Cuevas attended the conference and praised the qualify of the information presented and the camaraderie and passion for service evident throughout the conference. ESGR Past state Chair Kip Moggeridge closed the conference witha patriotic and motivational conversation with the group.
Women's History Month Job Fair - Sal Canu, of the Washington State Employment Security Department tells us about a Women's History Month Job Fair, March 10, in which approximately 70 employers and over 1,000 job seekers are expected to attend. The event is aimed at women veterans, but others are welcome. We wish the event much success!
Brush up on Veterans Preference - Do you know what you need to in regard to veterans preference? To help you get up to speed, check out the 1999 pdf report, Veterans: Getting Their Preference at http://www.opm.gov/studies/vethire.pdf and also review an OPM document at http://www.fednews-online.com/view_publication.aspx?publicationId=8725 detailing preference criteria and finally the updated Appendix A of the VetGuide at http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#2Types
Read VETS 2004 Annual Report - Have you read the 2004 Annual VETS Report ? Have a look at http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol14no1/annual%20report%20%2704.pdf. VETS plans to have the 2005 report out very soon.
What's the Latest in Veterans' Legislation? - Curious to know what's happening on Capitol Hill concerning veterans' issues? Check out the press releases from The House Committee on Veterans Affairs at http://www.house.gov/va/news/index.html and U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs at http://www.senate.gov/~svac/index.cfm?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressReleases for the latest news.
Tell us too! Did you recently change offices or job positions? Do you know that a co-worker left or retired? We want to know too! We'll update our database and make sure the DVOP/LVER Locator is made current. We don't know unless you let us know. Update at mailto:update@nvti.cudenver.edu.
And what's YOUR good news? Tell us about it at vetsnet@nvti.cudenver.edu
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VETS NET is a communiqué of the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service and is published several times a year by the National Veterans' Training Institute at the University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center.
Leadership:
Charles S. Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary of Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Stephen A. Chapman, National Veterans' Training Institute Director
VETS NET Staff email: vetsnet@nvti.cudenver.edu
Cheryl Swears
James Deal
Addresses and Telephone Numbers:
US DOL/VETS, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; (202) 693-4745
NVTI, 1380 Lawrence St., Ste. 1170, Denver, Colorado 80204; (303) 352-3737
Some hypertext pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations are posted within this e-newsletter. Please be aware that we do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of pointers to particular items in hypertext is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed or products or services offered by the author of the reference or the organization operating the site on which the reference is maintained.
Contact Webmaster - webmaster@nvti.cudenver.edu
National Veterans' Training Institute
ATTN: VETS NET Editor
1380 Lawrence Street / Suite 1170
Denver, CO 80204
email: vetsnet@nvti.cudenver.edu
Phone: 303-352-3737
Toll free: 800-451-5759
Fax: 303-352-3735
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