Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

V E T S U C C E S S

Welcome to VetSuccess Orientation

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VetSuccess

“...let us strive to finish the

work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan....” - President Abraham Lincoln

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VetSuccess Program Intent

• Provide services to assist Veterans and Servicemembers with service-connected disabilities to succeed:

• In transition … through services to support transition back to civilian life

• At work … through services resulting in suitable employment

• On campus … through services to support them during education and training

• At home … and in their communities … through services to maximize independence in daily living

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VetSuccess Eligibility CriteriaVeterans:

• Honorable or other than dishonorable discharge• A final VA service-connected disability rating of 10 percent

or more; or memorandum rating of 10 percent• Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

servicesActive Duty Servicemembers:

• Expect to receive a honorable discharge• Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

services• Obtain a VA memorandum rating of 20 percent or more; or

obtain a proposed Disability Evaluation Service (DES) rating

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Programs•VOW to Hire Heroes Act (Public Law 112-56, Sec 231)•VOW to Hire Heroes Act (Public Law 112-56, Sec 233)•USERRA

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VetSuccess Basic Benefit Information

• Comprehensive Vocational Assessment

• Employment Assistance

• Medical Services as needed

• Independent Living Services

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VetSuccess Basic Benefit Information

• A maximum of 48 months of entitlement

• May be utilized within 12 years from the date of initial VA disability rating notification

• Exception for Veterans with a Serious Employment Handicap

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VetSuccess Process

218 Rehabilitated Employment Services Application Entitlement Decision Evaluation and Planning Tracks

• Application received (e-benefits or 28-1900)

• Veteran’s eligibility established

• Schedule Veteran for initial counseling appointment if eligible

• Conduct VR&E orientation to include VetSuccess for Life Video

• Veteran meets with Counselor• Determine employment handicap

and serious employment handicap• Conduct vocational evaluation to

assess skills, abilities & interests• Determine feasibility for

employment

• Identify track • Establish vocational or

independent living goal• Define services needed• Develop written plan of services

• On-going case management • Provide employment services

• VetSuccess.gov• Interview skills• Job placement assistance• Referral to One-Stop Career

Center

• Suitably employed, or

• Improved ability to live independently

Independent Living

Employment Thru Long-Term

Services

Self Employment

Rapid AccessTo Employment

Re-Employment

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Track Selection 1

Re-employment Track • For individuals separating from active duty, National Guard,

or Reserves • Services focused on returning to previous employers

• Services may also include:• Job accommodations• Job modifications• Work adjustment assistance• Consultation with employer • Personalized case management support

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Track Selection 2

Rapid Access to Employment• For individuals seeking employment:

• Soon after separation or • Who already have the necessary skills to be competitive in the job

market

• Services may also include: • Resume Writing• Interview Skills Training• Job Accommodations• Refresher Courses• Licensure and Certification• Job Search Assistance• Employment Adjustment Services• Personalized Case Management Services

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Track Selection 3

Employment Through Long-Term Services• For individuals needing specialized training and/or

education to obtain and maintain suitable employment

• Services may include:• Apprenticeships and Internships• On-the-Job Training (OJT)• Higher Education or Vocational Training• Tuition/fees/books/tools/supplies• Tutoring• Subsistence Allowance • Personalized case management Support

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Track Selection 4

Self-Employment• For individuals who because of their disabilities:

• Has limited access to traditional employment,• Need flexible work schedules, or • A more accommodating work environment

• Services may also include: • Analysis of viability of business concept• Assistance with development of a business plan• Training in small business operations• Guidance on obtaining resources • Personalized Case Management Support

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Track Selection 5

Independent Living• For individuals who are not able to work at the current time

and need rehabilitation services to live more independently

• Services may also include: • Comprehensive in-home assessment• Assistive technologies• Independent living skills training• Connection to community-based support services• Personalized case management services• Coordination with VA’s Specially Adapted Housing

Program and/or VA’s Home Improvement Structure Assistance Program

• Personalized Case Management Support

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VetSuccess.gov

What is VETSUCCESS.GOV?• Specialized job bank and “Job Central” bank with access to

over 4 million jobs•National Association of State Workforce Agencies•Direct Employers – Fortune 500 companies

• Job resource tools •Resume Builder• Interview Skills•Career Resources

• Link to other VA benefits and services•Online application for VR&E – Chapter 31 services•Educational Benefits

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Other Programs of Services

• Chapter 18: Vocational training and rehabilitation benefits for children born with Spina Bifida of certain Veterans who served in Vietnam or Korea

• Chapter 35 : Educational counseling for children and widows/spouses of veterans who have a permanent and total service connected disability.

• Chapter 36: Individuals who are • Within six months prior to discharge from active duty, or • Within one year following discharge from active duty • Eligible for entitlement to other educational

services.

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So, what benefits are available to Family Members of VR&E (Chapter 31) participants?

• Chapter 35 (Dependants Education Assistance Program): Spouses and children of 100% service-connected veterans. Special and restorative training available to a veteran's disabled child in high school. Educational/vocational counseling and referral. Training depending on individual needs. Administered by Muskogee. Chapter 31 (VR&E) provides career counseling and referral to Muskogee for administration of the training. 

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So, what benefits are available to Family Members of VR&E (Chapter 31) participants?

• Chapter 36: Vocational-Educational Counseling. Eligibility - service members within 6 months of discharge, or veterans who have been discharged less than one year. Call 1-800-827-1000 to request VA Form 28-8832, Application for Vocational Educational Counseling,  or, application available to download online at www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/28-8832.pdf or apply online at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp .  

• Short-term Family Counseling

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CONTACT

• Steven Gordonsteven.gordon@va.gov(503) 412-4666

VA Regional Office100 S.W. Main St. Floor 2Portland, OR 97204