STATE OF WASHINGTON
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
NUMBER:  4032
DATE:  09-15-04 (Revised)

This document has been formatted for use on this web site. It contains hyperlinks that enable the user to jump directly to specific areas within the document or to related documents. The information and guidance it contains has been revised and new sections have been added. There are definitions for terms that may be unfamiliar. This communication applies only to ESD staff, however, local Workforce Development councils (WDCs) and partner agencies are welcome to use the information when developing their policies and procedures.

BACKGROUND | POLICY | PROCEDURES | DEFINITIONS
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SUBJECT:  Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP)

ORIGINATOR:  WIA Title III (Wagner-Peyser) (Veterans’ Services Unit)

BACKGROUND

The Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Veterans' Employment and Training (ASVET), has made funds available for use in each state to support a Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) designed to meet the employment needs of Veterans, especially Disabled and Special Disabled Veterans.

POLICY

It is the policy of the Employment Security Department (ESD) to promote and develop employment and training opportunities for Disabled, Special Disabled, and other eligible veterans through the utilization of the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP).

PROCEDURES

Staff Funding and Selection | Scope of Work for DVOP Positions
DVOP Assigned Locations | DVOP Roles and Responsibilities | DVOP Duties | VETS-200 Report

Staff Selection and Funding

The Secretary shall make available to each State with an application approved by the Secretary an amount of funding in proportion to the number of veterans seeking employment using such criteria as the Secretary may establish in regulation, including civilian labor force and unemployment data, for the State on an annual basis. The proportion of state LVER funding will reflect the ratio of:

• The total number of veterans residing in the state that are seeking employment; to
• The total number of veterans seeking employment in all states.

The formula allows for establishing minimum funding levels and hold harmless funding criteria.

A state shall employ such full or part-time Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists as the state determines appropriate and efficient to carry out intensive services to meet the employment needs of eligible veterans with the following priority in the provision of services: Special disabled veterans, disabled veterans and other eligible veterans in accordance with priorities determined by the secretary.

Each such specialist is a qualified veteran. Preference is given in the appointment of such specialists to qualified Disabled Veterans. If no qualified Disabled Veteran is available for such appointment, such appointment is filled by any qualified non-disabled Veteran.

In order to ensure that DVOP specialists meet the above requirements, the following documents are requested:

• Report of Separation From Active Duty, DD-214; and
• U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) award letter for establishing Civil Service preference; or
• Military Disabled Retirement Orders.

Copies of the documents cited are secured for all appointments and promptly forwarded to the Veterans' Services Unit within 15 calendar days from the date of appointment.

The distribution and use of funds provided under this program is subject to monitoring by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Scope of Work for DVOP Positions

The grant agreement includes assurances that all DVOP staff exclusively serve Veterans and Eligible Persons. It is recognized that in certain situations, deviations from this requirement may occur. Therefore, if a DVOP specialist is utilized to provide services to non-veterans for some reason, the time involved is charged to an account other than the DVOP project code. In providing direct services to Veterans, however, under no circumstances may any other staff charge to the DVOP project code.

DVOP Assigned Locations

Local service delivery sites having DVOPs outstationed at a location negotiated under an agreement written by the WorkSource Operations Division to satisfy the 25 percent outstation must not terminate the arrangement without written permission from the Assistant Commissioner of the WorkSource Operations Division. Additionally, local sites may not move or reassign any outstationed DVOP positions without prior approval.

The Employment Security Department consults with the Director for Veterans Employment and Training Services (DVETS) and seeks approval from Regional Administrator for VETS on any changes in assignment of DVOP staff positions to local service delivery sites.

DVOP Roles and Responsibilities

DVOP specialists are assigned only those responsibilities directly related to meeting the employment needs of Veterans, with priority for the provision of services in the following order:

1. Special Disabled Veterans;

2. Disabled Veterans; and

3. Other Veterans and Eligible Persons.

Additional responsibilities of the DVOP include:

1. Facilitation of intensive services to veterans with special employment and training needs. These services may include any combination of the following services, but at a minimum, the first two are required to commence a program of intensive services:

1. Conduct assessment (minimum requirement);
2. Develop plan of action that is documented (minimum requirement);
3. Provide career guidance;
4. Coordinate supportive service(s);
5. Provide job development contact(s);
6. Refer to job(s); and
7. refer to training
    

2. Conduct outreach activities with the purpose of locating candidates who could benefit from intensive services and market these services to potential clients in programs and places such as the following:

1. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E);
2. Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP);
3. Department of Veterans Affairs (V A) hospitals and Vet Centers;
4. Homeless shelters;
5. Civic and service organizations;
6. Partners through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA);
7. State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies; and
8. other service providers

3. Provide and facilitate a full range of employment and training services to veterans, with the primary focus of meeting the needs of those who are unable to obtain employment through core services. Typical core services under WIA include job search and placement assistance, labor market information, job listing, and referral.

NOTE: As circumstances arise, DVOPs may support the provision of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), and in particular may assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in the provision of TAP services to individuals in the Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP).
 

VETS 200 and ETA 9002 B & D Reports

The VETS-200 and the ETA 9002 B & D reports are produced by LMEA with data found in the SKIES automated system using the reportable activity identified in the LVER and DVOP Programs. These reports reflect the numbers of veterans who receive services from ESD. Such as Veterans who have received Campaign Badges, who are transitioning, female, special disabled, newly separated and disabled veterans. The report also reflects what kinds of services were provided.