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INTRODUCTION

The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast is proud to support the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) Veteran’s Workforce Program in all of our One Stop Career Centers. We have “Veterans’ Representatives” in our centers that work exclusively with military veterans and certain spouses of military veterans. This program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), is conducted in accordance with Title 38, United States Code (USC), Chapters 41, 42 and 43, as amended by the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288) signed by the President on November 7, 2002. The Veterans’ Program staff and all associates in our Career Centers provide “priority” services in the areas of employment and training to our military veterans in the four-county area.

TREASURE COAST VETERANS PROGRAM STAFF

Larry Sowers, LVER
Regional Veterans’ Program Coordinator
2401 S. 29^th Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-6157

Teresa LeGardy,DVOP
Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist
1408 Old Dixie Highway
Vero Beach, FL 34960
772-569-0355

Ron Zimmerman, DVOP
Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist

Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
2401 S. 29^th Street
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-6140

Wednesday
209 S.W. Park Street
Okeechobee, FL 34974
863-462-5350

Florian Mandiche, DVOP
Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist
900 SE Central Parkway
Stuart, FL 34994
772.223.2653

E-mail: veterans@tcjobs.org

SERVICES

AWI's Veterans' Program involves the provision of priority workforce services to veteran customers in the One Stop Career Centers located throughout the state. These services include, but are not limited to, job referrals, job development, referrals to training and supportive services, case management, labor market information, resume assistance, employability skills workshops, etc.

Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) staff serve as veterans’ advocates in the One Stop Career Centers. They are also primarily responsible for the functional oversight of the local One Stop Career Center Veterans' Program, ensuring that mandated priority services for veterans are provided by all staff in the One Stop Career Center and provide intensive services to recently separated veterans. Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists are primarily responsible for providing intensive workforce services to veterans with barriers to employment, i.e. disabled veterans, homeless veterans, etc., and for conducting outreach to veterans.

VETERAN CATEGORIES

Before the proper priority of services can be given to veterans, it is essential that they be correctly identified. The following are the legal definitions of the various types of veterans that will be used in establishing the priority as required by law (Title 38, USC, Chapter 42, Section 4211, as amended by JVA/PL-107-288.)

Eligible Veteran
Served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released there from with other than a dishonorable discharge; (B) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability; or (C) as a member of a reserve component under an order to active duty pursuant to section 12301(a), (d), or (g), 12302, or 12304 of Title 10, served on active duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized and was discharged or released from such duty with other than a dishonorable discharge.

Special Disabled Veteran
A veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary for a disability (i) rated at 30 percent or more, or (ii) rated at 10 or 20 percent in the case of a veteran who has been determined under section 3106 of this title to have a serious employment handicap; or (B) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of service-connected disability.

Disabled Veteran
A veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary, or (B) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Recently Separated Veteran
Any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veterans' discharge or release from active duty.

Campaign Badge Veteran
Any veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.

Eligible Person
The spouse of any of the following individuals: (i) Any veteran who died of a service connected disability. (ii) Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for assistance under this section, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been listed for a total of more than 90 days: (I) missing in action, (II) captured in line of duty by a hostile force or (III) forcibly detained or interred in line of duty by a foreign government or power. (iii) Any veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability. (iv) Any veteran who died while on a disability so evaluated was in existence.

ONE STOP CAREER CENTER REGISTRATION - APPLICATION FOR SERVICES

All veterans wishing to receive services through the One Stop Career Center system must be “registered” by completing an application for services in the state’s Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM). This Internet-based system can be found on the web at: www.employflorida.com . Although not required for initial career center registration purposes, many agencies providing veteran services require proof of veteran status. If you are claiming veteran preference for Federal, State, County or Municipal positions, the only document acceptable for this is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If you do not have your DD Form 214, copy 4 (member's copy), please ask one of the Veterans' Representatives to provide you with a request form SF 180.

It is extremely important that a complete application is provided, to include contact information, military service information, education, work history and employment preferences. Local employers list job vacancies with our Career Centers every day and our Veterans’ Program staff and other Career Center associates search these job vacancies daily for qualified candidates, including veteran candidates. Therefore, it is imperative that we have a good snapshot of your work history, education, skills summary and employment preferences in order to ensure that the employer’s requirements are met and a quality referral for employment can be made.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Priority of service is provided for veterans in all Department of Labor job-training programs within the One Stop Career Center delivery system. Priority of service means, with respect to any qualified job training program, that a veteran shall be given priority over non-veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services provided under that program. All training programs are administered in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. WIA staff are assigned to each of our Career Centers and will make the determination as to whether or not a veteran qualifies for training under their program. Your local Veterans’ Representative can refer you to the Career Center’s WIA Counselor for additional information and assistance.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) opportunities
The One Stop Career Centers partner with local employers to provide On-the-Job Training opportunities for jobseekers, including veteran jobseekers. See your local Veterans’ Representative for more information on OJT opportunities for veterans.

Work Certified Training
The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast has teamed with local employers and the One Stop Career Centers to provide Work Certified training to jobseekers. This training was developed primarily by local employers to communicate workforce skill needs to educators, trainers and prospective employees. This free, 3-week training course covers Reading Comprehension, Business Tools (computer plus), Pre-Employment, Customer Service, Business Writing, Job Skills I (work maturity), Job Skills (employability), Business Math, and General Business Knowledge. Speak to your local Veterans Representative for more information on Work Certified training, or visit www.workcertified.org

WORKSHOPS

Besides the personal resume writing assistance provided by Veterans’ Program staff to veteran jobseekers, all Career Centers are in the process of establishing a regular schedule of workshops available to jobseekers, to include Resume Writing Workshops, Interviewing Skills Workshops and others. A current schedule of these workshops can be obtained at Career Center Resource Room.

JOB FAIRS - EMPLOYER RECRUITING EVENTS

Employer Recruiting Events take place in our Career Centers on a regular basis. Depending on the needs of the employer, those jobseekers, including veteran jobseekers with the skills sought by the employer will be contacted regarding the upcoming event. Information on these recruiting events will also be posted in the local Career Center. Check with your Veterans’ Representative regularly to learn about events scheduled in your area.

The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast and the One Stop Career Centers co-sponsor the annual Indian River Community College Job Fair, held each spring at the IRCC Main Campus in Fort Pierce. This is the largest Job Fair held on the Treasure Coast.

A Veterans Only, HireVetsFirst Job Fair is being planned. Stand by for additional information!

For more information on the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Veteran’s Workforce Program, please visit: http://www.floridajobs.org/PDG/veterans.html