Serving Veterans with Disabilities Throughout Life’s Journey

Veterans with disabilities encounter the workforce system at all stages of life experience. Some veterans newly injured in military service may seek out the VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment program. Others may not be ready to reenter the workforce until many years after their rehabilitation. Still, other veterans may acquire non-service-connected disabilities or emergent service-connected disabilities later in life and need help envisioning a new path to economic self-sufficiency. A panel of three subject matter experts from Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) will discuss ways in which veterans with disabilities interact with the workforce system, highlighting several issues of interest to NASWA stakeholders. These include: o Apprenticeships/On the Job Training programs available to veterans using the GI Bill and VA VR&E o Expectations for and reality of veterans with disabilities served by the WIOA workforce system o How PVA’s Veterans Career Program is serving veterans with disabilities and their families – especially older veterans, non-service-disabled veterans, and veteran caregivers.

SPEAKERS

Julie Howell*, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America

Charles McCaffrey*, Acting Director, PVA Veterans Career Program;

Susan Prokop, National Advocacy Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America

*Indicates individual is a Veteran, NG/Reservist, currently serving, or a military spouse.