Veterans Affairs Committee hears updates on military court programs and Jobs for Veterans grant program – Real WV

By Matthew Young, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The state Legislature’s Special Committee on Veterans Affairs received an update Tuesday from the W.Va. Supreme Court of Appeals on the status of the Military Service Members Court program.

Probation Director Stephanie Bond was on hand to provide committee members with an update. “Our department oversees the state's treatment courts,” she said.

“Right now, our veteran count is a little low,” Bond said. “We only have eight veterans in treatment courts. One is in Ohio (County), one in Jackson, one in Raleigh, two in Greenbrier, one in Kanawha, two in Harrison.”

According to Bond, Raleigh County's treatment courts generally serve more veterans than any other county.

“It's our stand-alone veterans treatment court, and we had several graduates there a few weeks ago,” Bond explained. “They haven't been getting many referrals lately. I've spoken to the chief several times in the past week to find out what's going on.”

Bond said the chief does not have a clear opinion on why referrals have declined, but he continues to educate the public and other state employees and officials about the benefits and availability of the treatment court program.

“Nicholas County generally refers its veterans to Raleigh County as well,” Bond added. “I spoke with the drug parole board this morning and they haven't received any (referrals) either.”

Bond further noted that two veterans are currently being served through the state's Family Treatment Program. A total of 10 West Virginia veterans have been served through the Family Treatment Program since the program's inception in 2019.

The committee's agenda also included a presentation on the Jobs for Veterans State Grant program by David Dyer of Workforce West Virginia. Dyer serves as Workforce's State Veterans Coordinator.

“I was in the U.S. Army Guard for nine years,” Dyer began. “During that time, I was involved in many deployments, both overseas and here in the state. After that, I spent 15 years as a State Grant Compliance Inspector, both for federal and state grants. And for the last two years, I have been the Deputy Director of Veterans Services for Workforce West Virginia.”

The Jobs for Veterans Grant program, Dyer explained, is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in all 54 American states and territories. West Virginia receives about $1.1 million in funding from the program each year.

“It is a staff grant,” Dyer told committee members. “We are not providing any direct or material goods or services other than our expertise.”

The Jobs for Veterans Grant program, launched in 1944, was designed to help veterans returning from World War II find jobs.

“This grant is mandated and funded by Congress,” Dyer noted. “We support veterans who face barriers in transitioning to long-term, stable employment.” […] There are two types of positions that are supported by my grants. One is a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist – we generally call this “DVOP”. I have eight DVOP specialists across the state, all in some of the larger cities, and they provide services to veterans in those areas.”

The DVOP, Dyer explained, is a case management specialist. The DVOP works individually with veterans and connects them with the personalized services they need.

“We act as a kind of resource point,” Dyer added. “We work with veterans who are eligible for assistance and assist them in finding employment.”

According to Dyer, resources provided include resume writing, job placement, job search and identifying barriers to employment.

“We will work with them until they are ready to work,” Dyer said.

The second position supported by grants, Dyer continued, is that of the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVRS).

“I like to think of them as LVRS (pronounced 'lever'), like Archemedes – you know, give me a lever long enough and I'll move the world,” Dyer said. “That's how I think of LVRS too – give me an LVRS and I'll get a veteran a job.”

According to Dyer, there are currently seven LVRS across West Virginia. Similar to the DVOPs, the LVRS are positioned in more densely populated regions.

“Parkersburg is my only specialist for (LVRS),” Dyer noted. “He's actually in a consolidated position, so he can provide both case management services and employment services from that location.”

LVRS works with businesses, community partners, prospective veteran employers, and veteran service providers to assist veterans in their job search. Coordinating job fairs, advocating for veterans, and connecting veterans with potential jobs all fall under LVRS's purview.

“We are seeing great success with this mechanism,” Dyer added.

The Special Committee on Veterans Affairs will meet again during next month's interim session, scheduled for Sept. 8-10 in Parkersburg.