DVOP specialist services for veterans ages 18–24

Accessible letter PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2014/TEGL_20_13_Acc.pdf

CLASSIFICATION
   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                 Veterans
               ADVISORY SYSTEM                            CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                        OPDR-DPLR
             Washington, D.C. 20210                       DATE
                                                          April 10, 2014


ADVISORY:       TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 20-13

TO:             STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
                STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS
                STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
                STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIRS AND
                DIRECTORS
                STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS
                AMERICAN JOB CENTERS
                EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION GRANTEES

FROM:           ERIC M. SELEZNOW /s/
                Acting Assistant Secretary
                Employment and Training Administration

                KEITH KELLY /s/
                Assistant Secretary
                Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

SUBJECT:        Designation of Additional Population of Veterans Eligible for Services from the
                Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist – Veterans Ages 18 to 24

1. Purpose. This Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) identifies for the public
workforce system an additional population the Secretary has identified to receive, upon request,
intensive services provided by Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists using a
case management approach.

2. References.
   • 38 U.S.C. chapter 41, Job Counseling, Training, And Placement Service For Veterans (38
      U.S.C. 4100–4114), as amended, specifically:
         o 38 U.S.C. 4103A, Disabled veterans’ outreach program; and,
         o 38 U.S.C. 4104, Local veterans’ employment representatives.
   • 38 U.S.C. chapter 42, Employment And Training Of Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4211–4215), as
      amended, specifically:
         o 38 U.S.C. 4215, Priority of service for veterans in Department of Labor job
             training programs.
   • Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), as amended (29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.).
   • 20 CFR Part 1001, Services for Veterans.
   • 20 CFR Part 1010, Application of Priority of Service for Covered Persons.

 RESCISSIONS                                             EXPIRATION DATE
 None                                                    Continuing

      TEGL 10-09, Implementing Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses in all
       Qualified Job Training Programs Funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of
       Labor (DOL) (http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL10-09.pdf).
      Training and Employment Notice 15-10, Protocol for Implementing Priority of Service
       for Veterans and Eligible Spouses in all Qualified Job Training Programs Funded in
       whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
       (http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2954).
      Veterans Program Letter (VPL) 01-10, Jobs for Veterans State Grants Recurring Report
       Requirements, dated January 15, 2010.
      VPL 05-05, Direct and Indirect Charges, dated May 23, 2005.
      Veterans Program Letter (VPL) 07-09, Implementing Priority of Service for Veterans and
       Eligible Spouses in all Qualified Job Training Programs Funded in Whole or in Part by
       the U.S. Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/vets/VPLS/VPLs/VPL_07-
       09/VPL_07-09_&_Attachments_A-D%20.pdf).
      TEGL 19-13, Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) Program Reforms and Roles and
       Responsibilities of American Job Center (AJC) Staff Serving Veterans
       http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=7239
      VPL 03-14, Jobs for Veterans’ State Grants (JVSG) Program Reforms and Roles and
       Responsibilities of American Job Center (AJC) Staff Serving Veterans
      VPL 04-14 Designation of Additional Population of Veterans Eligible for Services from
       the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist – Veterans Ages 18 to 24

3. Background. Title 38 U.S.C. 4103A mandates specific roles and responsibilities for
   Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist staff. The Employment and
   Training Administration (ETA) and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)
   recently issued policy guidance on the distinct roles of the DVOP specialist. That guidance
   limits the populations of veterans and eligible persons that may be served by DVOP staff and
   defined those categories of veterans and eligible spouses who are being prioritized by the
   Secretary of Labor (Secretary) because they have significant barriers to employment.

   Further, TEGL 19-13 and VPL 03-14 stated that, under 38 U.S.C. 4103A(a)(1)(C), the
   Secretary may identify additional groups of veterans who are entitled to receive intensive
   services from DVOP staff. This guidance identifies veterans ages 18 to 24 as such a priority
   category.

   In recent years, veterans ages 18 to 24 have experienced a higher rate of unemployment than
   other veterans as well as nonveterans of the same age. The Department of Labor is
   anticipating an increase in the number of veterans 18 to 24 transitioning from active military
   service. This group of veterans may also possess limited civilian work history, which can
   make transitioning to the civilian labor force more difficult. Based on these facts, the
   Secretary has determined veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 may need and benefit from
   the intensive services provided by a DVOP specialist.

4. Intensive Services to Veterans Ages 18 to 24 Upon Request. The population to be served
   by DVOP specialists includes any veteran ages 18 to 24.


   As with all participants, when serving this population of veterans states are reminded that
   case management continues to be an appropriate service delivery strategy or framework
   within which intensive services may be delivered, particularly for veterans. Intensive
   services should be delivered following the case management framework in most cases.
   However, case management itself is a process, not a service, and is therefore not to be
   reported as a service, intensive or otherwise.

5. Actions Required. This guidance is effective immediately. The following actions are
   requested:
    State Administrators and AJC directors are requested to immediately transmit this TEGL
      to appropriate staff. States and AJCs should ensure standard operating procedures are
      updated to align AJC staff and processes with the requirements outlined in this guidance.
    States must ensure that they have appointed a sufficient number of DVOP specialists to
      provide effective services to their client population, including veterans ages 18 to 24.
    States should consult with the appropriate ETA or VETS regional office if technical
      assistance is needed.

6. Inquiries. All inquiries should be directed to the appropriate ETA or VETS regional office.