The Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) is a program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) through state Workforce Development Agencies (WDAs). The primary objective of the DVOP is to provide employment services to disabled veterans, particularly those who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, and to assist them in obtaining meaningful employment.
DVOP specialists work closely with employers to facilitate the hiring and retention of disabled veterans, leveraging their skills, experience, and unique abilities. Here’s how DVOPs collaborate with employers:
- Building Relationships: DVOP specialists establish and maintain relationships with local employers, industry associations, and chambers of commerce to promote awareness of the benefits of hiring disabled veterans.
- Education & Outreach: They educate employers about the skills, qualifications, and work ethic of disabled veterans, dispelling myths and addressing concerns related to hiring individuals with disabilities.
- Job Matching & Referrals: DVOP specialists match disabled veterans’ skills and qualifications with employer job openings, facilitating direct referrals and connections between veterans and employers seeking to hire.
- Workplace Accommodations: They assist employers in understanding and implementing workplace accommodations required for disabled veterans, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and promoting an inclusive work environment.
- Veteran Hiring Events: DVOPs organize and participate in veteran-specific job fairs, hiring events, and networking opportunities where employers can meet and interview disabled veterans seeking employment.
- Customized Recruitment Strategies: They collaborate with employers to develop customized recruitment strategies that target disabled veterans, including outreach through military transition assistance programs, vocational rehabilitation services, and community partnerships.
- Retention Support: DVOP specialists provide ongoing support to employers and veterans to enhance job retention. This may include facilitating communication, addressing workplace issues, and ensuring veterans have access to necessary supports and accommodations.
- Training & Skill Development: They may coordinate with employers to provide training and skill development opportunities tailored to the needs of disabled veterans, enhancing their employability and advancement prospects within the organization.
- Advocacy for Inclusive Practices: DVOPs advocate for inclusive hiring practices and policies within organizations, encouraging employers to consider diversity and disability inclusion as part of their workforce development strategies.
- Monitoring & Follow-Up: DVOPs maintain contact with employers to monitor the progress of disabled veterans hired through their assistance, ensuring both parties are satisfied with the employment relationship and addressing any issues that arise.
Through its VetCentral technology, DirectEmployers delivers federal contractor jobs for compliance with the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), providing priority veteran referrals, and acting as a resource of current jobs for disabled veteran outreach program specialists (DVOPs), as well as local veterans’ employment representatives (LVERs), and Business Service Representatives throughout the country.
In summary, DVOPs play a crucial role as intermediaries between disabled veterans seeking employment and employers interested in hiring skilled and dedicated individuals. By fostering partnerships, providing education, facilitating job matches, and supporting retention efforts, DVOPs contribute to the successful integration of disabled veterans into the civilian workforce while promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.