Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program
Title 38 U.S.C. Section 2021
"...the Secretary of Labor shall conduct, directly or through grant or contract, such programs as the Secretary determines appropriate to provide job training, counseling, and placement services (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force."
The Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program1 (HVRP) is an employment focused competitive grant program of the Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS), the only federal grant to focus exclusively on competitive employment for homeless veterans. Initially authorized in 1987 under Section 738 of Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, HVRP and its companion programs are currently authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 2021, 2021A and 2023. Over the years, HVRP's targeted approach has been very successful. In Program Year 2016 over 22,000 homeless veterans were served in American Job Centers, HVRP served over 16,000 participants in 2016, with roughly 8,000 being co-enrolled in American Job Centers.
The Dual Purposes of HVRP: Reintegrating Individuals into the Workforce and Building Strong Systems
HVRP has two core objectives: 1) to provide services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force, and 2) to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. HVRP grantees accomplish these objectives through a variety of core services:
Knowledge of Population - Grantees understand the unique needs of the veterans they serve and structure to meet those needs.
Outreach - Grantees use a flexible, non-threatening approach to meet veterans where they are which often includes hosting a Stand Down. Outreach also includes activities to engage partners and employers.
Assessment / Intake - Grantees assess each veteran to determine program eligibility and to gauge job readiness and willingness to engage in employment services.
Case Management - Grantees use a veteran-centered approach to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) based on an individual's strengths, barriers, and preferences.
Job driven Training and Placement - Grantees provide training that is targeted to the specific industries, occupations, and skills that are in demand locally. Training services can be provided in-house, through partners in the community, or through the American Job Center.
Collaboration - Grantees collaborate with public and private partners at all levels (federal, state and local) to provide supportive services and access to housing.
For More Information
For more information about U.S. Department of Labor employment and training programs for veterans, contact the Veterans' Employment and Training Service office nearest you, listed in the phone book under United States Government, U.S. Department of Labor or follow this link.
For more information regarding VETS' programs and services, visit our website at: www.dol.gov/dol/vets