HELPING AMERICA’S HEROES “OUR VETERANS”

1. HELPING AMERICA’S HEROES “OUR VETERANS” Building Sustainable Partnerships for addressing Veterans Needs September 15, 2009 Leonard McPherson, OT/L, ATP

2. Objectives • Understanding the Culture of Military Groups • Where are these Veterans? • Collaboration Building Strategies • Recruitment for Resources • Bridging the Gaps

3. Understanding Barriers • Military Organization Culture • Politics • Motives

4. Become Involved in Collaborative Efforts Transition Assistance Program (TAP) - for separating and retiring local military members, and develop a working relationship with the local business community. Corporate Immersion Fair – Alexandria, VA Training for interviews, resume writing, and interaction with potential employers. Special interest was directed towards the Wounded Warriors. An A.T. theme that I developed for this occasion was let’s make sure that as our wounded warriors are seeking gainful employment they will be “Armed for the Challenge”!

5. Enhance Practices & Policies: Process Flow Build Pipeline Relationships Opportunity Identification Talent Development Implementation & Reviews Core relationships: 1) Armed Services Programs 2) Existing Non-Profit Partnerships 3) State and Federal Programs 4) Internal / Informal networks Network with hiring leaders/recruitment Identify core positions. Core positions are: 1) Critical needs 2) Profit Center Jobs in large #s 3) Skill Shortages 4) Core Functional Competencies Set Goals, take Action and facilitate the process: Identify gaps in experience Develop pathways to address gaps: Create individual career plans Partner to assure on boarding, service, communication, etc. Hardwire Successful Processes: Scheduled reviews / evaluations Solicit manager / Participant Feedback Review and report progress to leadership Communicate Success Repeat cycle Develop and sustain Pipeline relationships Implement a collaborative program with defined goals and regular recognition Encourage innovation, best practices and share with internal and external partners

6. Connect with Veterans Interest Groups America's Heroes at WorkAmericasHeroesAtWork@dol.gov America's Heroes at Work is embarking on an Employment Pilot designed to coordinate successful employment experiences for veterans with TBI and/or PTSD, while studying individual experiences. If you are an employer interested in participating in this Pilot, please e-mail AmericasHeroesAtWork@dol.gov. A member of the America's Heroes at Work team will contact you.

7. Veteran Resources Department of Defense: Disabled Veterans www.dodvets.com Provides information for disabled veterans. Includes federal employment information, Q&As for disabled veterans and managers, internships, scholarships and fellowships, grants, education and training and transition centers. Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) www.earnworks.com Offers a one-stop source for disability employment information. Includes information on recruiting services, resume writing tips, fact sheets, employer success stories and more.

8. Veteran Resources • Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies • Assists businesses with job placement, funding for on-the-job training, and workplace consultation: • District of Columbia Department on Disability Services- 202-730- • 1700, http://dds.dc.gov • Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation • Services- 1-888-554-0334, www.dors.state.md.us • Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services,1-800-552-5019, • www.vadrs.org

9. Veteran Resources Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention www.worksupport.com Vast collection of resources on hiring people with disabilities sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention.

10. Veteran Resources Operation Warfighter www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/operationswarfighter • Sponsored by the DoD Military Severely Injured Center, OWF is a temporary assignment or internship program for service members who are undergoing therapy at military treatment facilities within the United States. • United States Department of Veterans Affairs • Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm • Assists businesses with: • Job placement and matching of transferable skills • On-the-job training and continuing education assistance

11. Veteran Resources • Job Accommodation Network www.jan.wvu.com • Provides free consulting services about: • All aspects of job accommodations • ADA and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act compliance • assistance • Information about federal initiatives and hiring programs • Referral to other helpful resources

12. Veteran Resources Career One Stop www.careeronestop.org/militarytransition/employers.aspx One-Stop Career One-Stop information to help employers find out why, where and how to recruit and hire qualified veterans. Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program www.tricare.mil/cap/wsm/ Provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, Federal managers, supervisors, and IT professionals DirectEmployers www.directemployers.org Provides employment opportunities through a non-profit consortium of leading U.S. corporations.

13. ATPDC: Assistive Technology program for the D.C. Assistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia services: Please call (202) 547-0198 Voice, TTY (202) 547-2657, or the DC Assistive Technology Resource Center at (202) 589-0288. www.atpdc.org

14. The Mid-Atlantic DBTAC: ADA & IT Center Disability Business and Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) 451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 700 Rockville, MD 20850 TOLL FREE: 800-949-4232 V/TTY (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV) LOCAL: 301-217-0124 V/TTY FAX: 301-217-0754 www.adainfo.org

15. Contact Information Leonard McPherson, OT/L, ATP A.T. Consultant Phoenix Therapeutic Services, INC. 202-465-6206 ptsot@aol.com