Veterans at DHS

DHS benefits tremendously from the enormous experience and dedication veterans, and veterans with disabilities, bring to our workforce. The Department is committed to engaging the unique talents, skills, and work ethic of veterans through employment, contracting opportunities, and collaboration(www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/veterans.shtm) and has set a goal of increasing the number of (www.dhs.gov/xabout/gc_1255725725969.shtm) veterans in its civilian workforce to 50,000 by 2012.

In recognition of the role that disabled veterans can play at DHS, the Department participates in the Operation Warfighter Initiative and the Wounded Warrior Program, which assist disabled vets in the Federal recruitment and hiring process (http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/gc_1257443674834.shtm).

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Hiring Veterans with Disabilities

Feds Hire Vets
The Office of Personnel Management operates a government-wide veteran hiring website (www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hm/index.aspx) designed to energize and mobilize you as a hiring manager to seek out highly qualified Veterans to find the skills you want and the dedication you need.

EARNWorks for Veterans
EARNWorks.com (www.earnworks.com/), a service of the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (www.dol.gov/odep/), provides employers with confidential, no-cost consultation, customized technical assistance, and resources to support their diversity and inclusion efforts by integrating employees and veterans with disabilities into the workplace.

EARNWorks for Veterans (www.earnworks.com/veterans/index.asp) provides very useful frequently asked questions (www.earnworks.com/faqs/vetfaq_fedemployers.asp) and answers on employing veterans and veterans with disabilities.

National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory has a collection of resources regarding the education, employment, and training of veterans.

• Find resources for employers on recruiting and employing Veterans (www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/employment/employer_resources), where to find job candidates and workplace accommodations and supports.
• Find information about the many education and training-related opportunities (www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/education_and_training) available to Veterans, Service Members and their families, including job training, scholarships, tuition assistance programs, the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program.
• Find a job, hire a Veteran, and learn about employment laws and workplace supports (www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/employment) and accommodations.

Veterans Resources from the Department of Labor
The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) (www.dol.gov/odep/categories/employment_supports/related.htm) is working to address the provision of personal recovery and employment assistance to our nation’s disabled service members, including those coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

DOL also operates the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) (www.dol.gov/vets/welcome.html), which provides resources and expertise to assist and prepare them to obtain meaningful careers, maximize their employment opportunities, and protect their employment rights. Employers can also get assistance with finding qualified veterans (www.dol.gov/vets/Employment/main.htm).

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Accommodating Veterans with Disabilities

Assistive Technology
The Department of Defense’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) (cap.tricare.mil) helps ensure that people with disabilities, and veterans with service-connected disabilities, have equal access to the information environment and opportunities throughout the federal government. CAP has accommodation solutions (cap.tricare.mil/Solutions/Index.aspx) to fit almost any need.

Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (askjan.org) is a free consulting service, funded by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, that works directly with employers or employees to help determine appropriate workplace accommodations and relevant resources. Resources are available on a range of topics, including:

• Contacts (askjan.org/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?950) for veteran employment and training.
• Articles on Accommodating Service Members and Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (askjan.org/media/ptsdvets.html).

Veterans and the Americans with Disabilities Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has published an employer guide on veterans with service-connected disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (www.eeoc.gov/facts/veterans-disabilities-employers.html). This guide briefly explains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the ADA, and then describes how the ADA in particular applies to recruiting, hiring, and accommodating veterans with service-connected disabilities.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

America’s Heroes at Work
A project of the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, America’s Heroes at Work addresses the employment challenges of returning service members with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

• Simple and practical supports that employers can use (http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers) to help persons with TBI or PTSD address on-the-job challenges.
• A fact sheet on accommodating employees with TBI (www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/factsheets/accommodatingTBI).
• A fact sheet on accommodating persons with PTSD (www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/factsheets/FAQPTSD).
• Tips for communicating with people with TBI and PTSD (www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/factsheets/tips) (including language to avoid).
• PTSD fact sheet that debunks commonly held misconceptions (www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/factsheets/dispellMyth).

National Center for PTSD
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD (www.ptsd.va.gov) aims to help U.S. Veterans and others through research, education, and training on trauma and PTSD.

• In-depth information on PTSD and traumatic stress (www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/fslist-ptsd-overview.asp) for a general audience.
• Information about PTSD and the work environment (www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-work-and-community.asp).
• An online PTSD 101 training module (www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/ptsd-101.asp).
• Where to get help for PTSD (www.ptsd.va.gov/public/where-to-get-help.asp).

National Institute of Mental Health
Information on PTSD (www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml), including signs and symptoms, help locating services, and related information.

Mayo Clinic
Comprehensive overview of PTSD (www.mayoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246) and TBI (www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/DS00552) from the Mayo Clinic.

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Resources for Veterans with Disabilities

Veteran’s Employment Toolkit
Resources and information (www.psych.uic.edu/eidp/veteranstoolkit.htm) useful for veterans, service members, and those who work with them, provided by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy.

EARNWorks for Veterans
EARNWorks has information for veteran jobseekers (www.earnworks.com/veterans/tools/vet_jobseekers.asp).

Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Service
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program (www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre) assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VetSuccess offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.

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