Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) 2014 National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators (NAVPA) Conference. VA Benefits Briefing

Transcription

1 Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) 2014 National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators (NAVPA) Conference VA Benefits Briefing This document contains U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs proprietary business information and may not be reproduced without permission.

2 VBA s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO)..Veteran attainment of personal & economic success.. OEO helps build the foundations for Veterans to succeed through development of policies and programs that promote successful Veteran outcomes. OEO is dedicated to empower Veterans with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in the 21 st century. OEO views the Veteran relationship as an active partnership, one in which both sides are accountable. OEO s portfolio of benefits and services are designed to enable both personal and economic success. 2

3 Mission The mission of Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) is to help Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap 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 3

4 Key Services Provided VR&E employs nearly 1,000 professional vocational rehabilitation counselors and delivers services through a network of 420 office locations Our service delivery model works to support Veterans where they are located, and includes operations at 56 regional offices, the National Capital Region Benefits Office, 198 out-based offices, 71 Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) installations, and 94 VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) schools/sites VSOC We have collaborated with 94 schools across the country to provide educational and vocational counseling and other on-site services to over 80,000 students IDES We have expanded early intervention counseling and other available services for over 28,000 transitioning Servicemembers at 71 military installations 4

5 Key Services Provided (con t) Help Veterans with service-related disabilities: Achieve and maintain suitable employment Gain independence in daily living Vocational counseling and planning Education or vocational training Monthly living allowance in addition to disability compensation Tools to accommodate program (e.g. auto mechanic tools, computers for technology/professional fields) Job-seeking skills and assistance in finding employment Independent living: Training in activities of daily living Personal adjustment counseling and support services 5

6 Chapter 31 Basic Benefit Information 48 months of training entitlement, plus employment services May be utilized within 12 years from the date of initial VA disability rating notification Exception for those with a serious employment handicap 6

7 Chapter 31 Eligibility and Entitlement Active Duty Servicemembers: Expect to receive a honorable discharge upon separation from active duty Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services Obtain a memorandum rating or proposed IDES rating of 20% or more from VA Entitlement based on establishment of employment handicap resulting from a service-connected disability Sec. 1631(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act (PL ) established VR&E eligibility and automatic entitlement for severely injured active duty individuals before a VA rating is issued. Sec. 231 of PL extends the sunset date of NDAA to Dec. 31,

8 Veterans: Chapter 31 Eligibility and Entitlement Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge VA service-connected disability rating or memo rating of 10% or more Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment services Entitlement based on establishment of employment handicap resulting from a service-connected disability Serious employment handicap needed to establish entitlement for Veterans rated 10% 8

9 Major Chapter 31 Employment Tracks Re-Employment Rapid Access to Employment Employment through Long Term Services 9

10 Self-Employment Track For individuals with limited access to traditional employment, or who need flexible work schedules or a more accommodating work environment due to their disabilities Veterans must be assigned to one of two categories of services when the self-employment track is elected Category I (training, license and fees, startup supplies, etc.) Category II (training, personal tools, fees, etc.) Services include: Analysis of viability of business concept Development of a business plan Training in small business operations Marketing assistance Guidance on obtaining resources 10

11 Independent Living Track For individuals not able to work who need rehabilitation services to live more independently Services include: Comprehensive in-home assessment Assistive technologies Independent living skills training Connection to community-based support services Case management services Coordination with VA s specially adapted housing program, when eligible 11

12 Other Programs of Services Chapter 35 Educational counseling for children/widows/spouses eligible for the Dependents Educational Assistance Program Chapter 36 For dependents of Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability or who die on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability Personalized educational and career counseling for Servicemembers and Veterans, as well as support to help guide their career paths, ensure most effective use of their VA benefits, and achieve their goals Services are now available on campus at training facilities that are participating in the VSOC program Chapter 18 Vocational training and rehabilitation benefits for children with Spina Bifida born of certain Veterans who served in Vietnam or Korea 12

13 VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) Mission The VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program provides Veterans seamless access to VA benefits and services; supports their successful integration into college and university campuses; and supports their individualized educational goals so they may graduate, and improve their life circumstances, and successfully live and thrive in the career field and community of their choice. 13

14 VSOC - Deployment Timeline VetSuccess on Campus pilot began in June 2009 at University of South Florida 2010 No Expansion in additional sites added bringing the total number of VetSuccess on Campus locations to VetSuccess on Campus present at a total of 8 sites by end of additional sites, bringing the total number of VetSuccess on Campus locations to 32 by end of

15 Educational and Career Counseling Program (Chapter 36) The VSOC program operates under the VA s education and career counseling program, or Chapter 36, authority. Chapter 36 benefits offer a wide range of educational and vocational counseling services to Servicemembers, Veterans, and dependents who are eligible for one of the VA s educational benefit programs. These services are designed to provide Servicemembers and Veterans with personalized counseling and support to help guide career paths, ensure the most effective use of VA benefits, and achieve educational and career goals. Eligibility: Transitioning Servicemembers within 6 months prior to discharge Veterans within one year following discharge from active duty Any Servicemember/Veteran currently eligible for a VA education benefit All current VA education beneficiaries 15

16 Educational and Career Counseling Program (Chapter 36) (con t) Services for Servicemembers/Veterans: Career Choice - understand the best career options for them based on their interests and capabilities Benefits Coaching - guidance on the effective use of their VA benefits and/or other resources to achieve their education and career goals Personalized Support - academic or adjustment counseling and personalized support to help remove any barriers to their success 16

17 VSOC Benefits and Services Education Benefits Compensation Benefits Insurance Benefits Vet Centers Loan Guaranty Benefits Campus Services VA Medical Centers Over 80,000 beneficiaries at 94 campuses have access to VSOC benefits and services Community Services 17

18 VSOC - Campus Locations = Current VSOC Sites (94 Campuses and 79 FTE) 18

19 FUTURE Expanding Outreach Nurturing Partnerships Strengthen Service Model Evaluation and alignment of resources for optimal VSOC coverage at school sites More intensive marketing of Chapter 36 benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans Enhanced collaboration with local, state and, and Federal stakeholders Enhanced data collection and analysis Review and validation of current performance metrics Strengthen service delivery and quality of service 19

20 Additional Information and Resources Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Informational overview documents (PDF) VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program: Chapter 36 Educational/Vocational Counseling Application: VA Form : Principles of Excellence: VR&E YouTube Videos VR&E Career Day: My Dad, My Hero: VR&E Rolling Up My Sleeves: VR&E VetSuccess on Campus: John Luque: VetSuccess on Campus: Mr. Curtis L. Coy, VA Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Opportunity: Curt Coy on VetSuccess on Campus & VA's Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment benefits: 20

21 Questions/Discussion