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Veterans Employment & Training Services (VETS) Program |
The Veterans Employment & Training Services (VETS) program is provided with grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOLL). The grant allows the Division of Career Services (DACES) to provide Disabled Veteran’s Outreach Program (DROP) specialists and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (Levers) at http://dwd-webapp-01.detma.org/WSCareercenters.htm ]One-Stop Career Centers across the state.
The purpose of the VETS grant is to ensure the provision of a full range of employment and training services to veterans. Since veterans are given priority of service status under the law, it is particularly important for Levers and Drops to be connected with all veterans coming into the Career Centers. In addition, Levers and Drops maintain up-to-date information about all the programs and services available to assist veterans at the federal, state, and local level.
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Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DROP)
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Drops provide assistance to [
http://dwd-webapp-01.detma.org/WSCareercenters.htm ]Career
Center management and staff to ensure full and timely access to employment
and training services for veterans. DROP staff facilitates intensive
services to veterans with special employment and training needs, with
particular emphasis on disabled, recently separated, and campaign badge
veterans. Services provided by local DROP staff include:
• In-depth assessment of current skill levels and needs;
• career and vocational guidance and counseling;
• coordinating access to and delivery of supportive services;
• developing and maintaining relationships with employers for job
development purposes;
• referral to job openings; and
• referral to training opportunities.
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Local Veteran Employment Representative (LEVER) |
Each Massachusetts LEVER assigned to a [
http://dwd-webapp-01.detma.org/WSCareercenters.htm ]One-Stop Career
Center has responsibility for performing the five following core duties:
• Joining with other local service providers to maximize access to
services for veterans;
• advocacy for veterans’ employment and training opportunities;
• employer relations and job development;
• facilitating job placement and other employment services; and
• reporting to the state and federal governments regarding program
outcomes.
In areas of the state where a DROP is not assigned to a particular Career
Center, the LEVER will perform the duties necessary to assure development
of an appropriate service plan and the timely delivery of services for
veterans with significant barriers to finding suitable employment.
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Transition Assistance Program (TAP) |
The Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) is an intensive five-day course
designed to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian life.
TAP workshops are facilitated regularly by DROP and LEVER staff at Hansom
Air Force Base in Bedford, Fort Devon's in Acton, and the Coast Guard Base
in Boston.
TAP is available to transitioning military personnel and their family
members who are within 12 months of separating or 24 months of separating
if retiring from the military.
TAP workshops include:
• assessment of vocational skills and transferability into the private
sector;
• techniques and strategies for planning and implementing job search;
• information on available training;
• stress management;
• financial management;
• information on Veteran’s Administration services;
• shipment of household goods;
• information on vocational rehabilitation services;
• Small Business Administration (SBA) information; and
• information regarding services provided at Socks and referrals to local
Drops and Levers at Socks.
Contact
Richard Sullivan, Statewide Veterans Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Division of Career Services
Government Center
19 Stanford Street, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02114-2589
617-626-5337 Julian@derma.org
http://www.mass.go/daces
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