The rehabilitation counseling profession originated in response to the rehabilitation and employment needs of World War I military veterans. From providing basic return-to-work services to men with physical injuries returning from WWI in 1918, the State VR system has evolved to serve all people deemed to have a disability, offering holistic services from as early as the teen years through adulthood. The definition of disability has expanded to recognize non-visible disabilities and VR services strive for outcomes resulting in quality employment and full participation in society for people with disabilities.
The Changed Nature of War and Disability
The nature of war and advances in medical treatments have also evolved over time. Changes in weaponry, body armor technology, and available medical interventions have resulted in more than 90% of injured military personnel in recent wars surviving injuries that would likely have been fatal in previous wars (Hyer, 2006; Lew et al., 2007). In addition, mental health conditions are recognized as disabilities; more than 20% of Veterans receive a mental health diagnosis when discharged (Hoge et al., 2007).
Many injured Veterans return to civilian life with complex disabilities and needs as a result of these changes. Veterans are more likely than non-Veterans to experience employment difficulties and homelessness than non-Veterans.
State VR: Uniquely Poised to Serve Veterans
Many may assume Veterans with disabilities are eligible for services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, although 21.8% of US military Veterans have a service-connected disability, many do not or would not be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services from the VA.
With its history and experience of serving people with disabilities, the state VR system is uniquely poised to effectively serve Veterans with disabilities who are not eligible for services from the US. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or who need services in addition to those received from the VA.
Understanding of and collaboration with federal systems that provide services to Veterans is necessary for vocational rehabilitation professionals to provide effective services that result in quality employment to Veterans.
Accept the Challenge
Providing Veterans with services can present unique challenges due to the potentially complex nature of their disability and the possibly confusing array of services that may or may not be available to them. However, Veterans offer unique strengths and experiences to employers that could positively impact the employers’ bottom lines and overall work culture.
Accept the challenge to serve the Veterans who have served us. You may see individual lives and whole communities transformed as a result of your collaborative effort. Here are some resources to get you started.
Outreach Resources
Use these resources to better connect and engage with Veterans in your community.
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VA proudly works alongside others to connect Veterans to the benefits they’ve earned. Explore resources for outreach partners such as Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and sign up for events.
Outreach and Events - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Key takeaways from Benefits Enrollment Centers that applied culturally competent outreach approaches to diverse and underserved populations, including a tip sheet to reach underserved populations.
Best Practices for Outreach and Enrollment to Special & Underserved Populations – National Council on Aging
- The “Strengthening Excellence in Research through Veteran Engagement” (SERVE) toolkit provides guidance to VA Research Centers and investigators to support the development of opportunities for Veterans to be engaged in research.
The SERVE Toolkit for Veteran Engagement - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Recommended Resources from TACQE and Partners
On-Demand Training
- Learn to identify employment and vocational rehabilitation needs of Veterans and develop strategies to help them access vocational rehabilitation services.
Working with Veterans with Disabilities Living in Underserved Communities – TACQE U - Better understand the employment and vocational rehabilitation experiences of Veterans with disabilities. Discusses strengths, challenges, and opportunities to consider in promoting the number and quality of employment outcomes for Veterans.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Veterans with Disabilities TACQE U - Learn about employment barriers for Veterans and explore federal resources, including Fidelity Bonding, the Veteran Justice Outreach Program, Veteran Treatment Court, and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Veterans and VR: Challenges for Veterans with Criminal Backgrounds 101 - TACQE U - Learn more about Veterans coping with serious mental illness, system collaborators and community partners as resources, and Veterans’ transferrable skills.
Serving Veterans with Mental Health Issues Webinar – from Project E3
More TACQE Resources
- Understand the unique challenges Veterans with disabilities may experience in returning to employment, the VA and State VR programs available to them, and areas of professional development to improve State VR services to Veterans.
Opportunities to Improve State VR Services for Veterans - TACQE - Learn about U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs programs to better collaborate and serve Veterans with criminal backgrounds.
Understanding Leads to Collaboration: Federal Services for Veterans with Criminal Backgrounds - TACQE - Get tips and tools to identify and screen for common disabilities in Veterans.
Identifying Common Disabilities in Veterans - TACQE - Only 44.2% of Veterans are employed compared to all non-Veterans (61.2%), according to the VA. Learn more about Veterans with this fact sheet.
Factsheet: Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Veterans with Disabilities - TACQE - Key findings from research describing a five-pronged approach to serving Veterans with disabilities.
Research Summary: A Roadmap for Rehabilitation Counseling to Serve Military Veterans with Disabilities – TACQE - Findings from this study informed an emerging conceptual framework for a co-service model between State and Veteran’s Affairs vocational rehabilitation services.
Research Summary: Framework for Co-Serving Veterans of Color with Disabilities – TACQE - Explore Veterans’ perceived barriers to employment and participation in VR programs, as well as their interest in the Individual Placement and Support model of supported employment.
Research Summary: Vocational Rehabilitation Experiences Among Veterans with Polytrauma or Traumatic Brain Injury History – TACQE - Explore the experiences of Veterans who use VA vocational and education services and how they believe these programs could be enhanced.
Research Summary: VA Vocational and Education Training and Assistance Services: What do Veterans Think? – TACQE
Resources from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- The VA’s Veterans Readiness and Employment program (VR&E) provides VR services to eligible service members and Veterans with service-connected disabilities to help them prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment or achieve independent living.
- Learn about eligibility requirements for Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
Eligibility for Veteran Readiness and Employment - This guide explains VA benefits and the services and tools earned through service to our country. The information included is for all members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components. It also applies to families, care givers and survivors.
VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide - The Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) provides employment readiness assistance and outreach to transitioning service members and Veterans, while advocating use of special hiring authorities, employment programs, and Veteran retention strategies to help VA become the employer of choice for Veterans.
Fact Sheet: Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) - Resources for job seekers includes resume and interview preparation, mentoring, apprenticeship and training programs, as well as resources for military spouses and caregivers.
Resources for Job Seekers from Hiring Our Heroes: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation - This Resume Building Guide describes the federal recruiting process at a high level, identifies the characteristics of good and bad resumes, provides samples of good resumes and cover letters, and presents many excellent resources sponsored by VA and the VA for Vets program.
VA for Vets: Resume Building Guide - USAJOBS is where all Federal agencies advertise job opportunity announcements. This resource offers tips to Veterans applying for Federal employment through USAJOBS.
Tips for Transitioning Military Service Members - Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) develops partnerships with organizations, companies, and government agencies who need employees with proven abilities to produce high quality work.
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) - Employment readiness assistance and outreach to transitioning service members, Veterans, and eligible military spouses.
Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program
Resources for Employers
- Studies have shown veterans are more productive and have higher retention rates than their civilian counterparts. Employers recognize the value veterans bring to the workplace but often find it challenging to connect with transitioning service members and veterans seeking employment. This guide provides accurate information, useful resources, and recommendations for employers.
Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans - Answers to employers’ frequently asked questions about how organizations can benefit from sourcing and recruiting veterans with disabilities.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion
Other Resources
- USERRA guarantees an employee returning from military service or training the right to be reemployed at his or her former job (or as nearly comparable a job as possible) with the same benefits.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act - Online Pocket Guide - This act gives employment preference to Veterans with a disability or who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces over non-Veterans both in Federal hiring practices and in retention during reductions in force.
National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 - Federal employment information for Veterans, transitioning military service members, their families, and Federal hiring officials.
FedsHireVets.gov - Employment resources for Veterans, service members, and their spouses.
The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) - This non-profit helps U.S. military members, Veterans, and military spouses find new careers.
Hire Heroes USA - Tools to help Veterans identify career paths, training, and resources.
My Next Move for Veterans
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