Notice2024-13509
Request for Information on Black Veterans and Good Jobs
Primary source
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Published
June 21, 2024
Issuing agencies
Labor DepartmentVeterans Employment and Training Service
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) is seeking information from the public regarding evidence on Black veterans' experience transitioning from military to civilian employment and veterans' access to good jobs and meaningful careers. The Department is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information to continue its efforts in building a strong knowledge base on the employment outcomes and experiences of Black transitioning service members (TSMs) and veterans to inform and improve veteran policies and programs.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 120 (Friday, June 21, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 120 (Friday, June 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52099-52101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13509]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans' Employment and Training Service
Request for Information on Black Veterans and Good Jobs
AGENCY: Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), U.S.
Department of Labor.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL or the Department) is seeking
information from the public regarding evidence on Black veterans'
experience transitioning from military to civilian employment and
veterans' access to good jobs and meaningful careers. The Department is
publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information to
continue its efforts in building a strong knowledge base on the
employment outcomes and experiences of Black transitioning service
members (TSMs) and veterans to inform and improve veteran policies and
programs.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 20, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Respondents are encouraged to submit their comments through
one of the methods identified below. Email is the preferred method of
submission.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d39c81838596878093efb2f3bba1b6b5ee" http: dol.gov">dol.gov</a>">ORPVETS@<a href="http://dol.gov">dol.gov</a></a>.
<bullet> Postal Mail: Address written submissions to U.S.
Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service, Office
of Research and Policy, Room S-1325, 200 Constitution Ave. NW,
Washington, DC 20210.
Submissions by postal mail must be received by the deadline and
should allow sufficient time for security processing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yolanda Peacock, Research Analyst,
Veterans' Employment and Training Service, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#347b666462716067740855145c46515209" http: dol.gov">dol.gov</a>">ORPVETS@<a href="http://dol.gov">dol.gov</a></a>, 202-693-
0590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The mission of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
at DOL \1\ is to prepare America's veterans,\2\ service members, and
military spouses for meaningful careers, provide them with employment
resources and expertise, protect their employment rights, and promote
their employment opportunities. VETS' mission is accomplished through
two grant programs: the Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) \3\ and
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP),\4\ as well as through
the Transition Assistance Program (TAP),\5\ the Employment Navigator &
Partnership Program (ENPP),\6\ and the Uniformed Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).\7\
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\1\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets</a>.
\2\ Veterans are service members who have served and completed
active-duty military service.
\3\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/grants/state/jvsg">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/grants/state/jvsg</a>.
\4\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp</a>.
\5\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap</a>.
\6\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/employment-navigator-partnership">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/employment-navigator-partnership</a>.
\7\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra</a>.
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The JVSG provides federal funding, through a formula grant, to 54
State Workforce Agencies to hire dedicated staff to provide
individualized career and training-related services to veterans and
eligible persons with significant barriers to employment and to assist
employers fill their workforce needs with job-seeking veterans. The
HVRP, through a competitive grant, provides services to assist in
reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the
labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service
delivery systems that address the complex problems facing homeless
veterans.
TAP is a cooperative interagency effort including DOL and the
Departments of Defense, Education, Homeland Security, and Veterans
Affairs; and the Small Business Administration and the Office of
Personnel Management. TAP provides information, tools, and training to
ensure service members and their spouses are prepared for the next step
in civilian life. The ENPP provides one-on-one career assistance to
interested TSMs \8\ and their spouses at select military installations
worldwide. Provided outside of the formal DOL
[[Page 52100]]
TAP classroom instruction, the Employment Navigator will assist them in
securing meaningful and lasting post-separation careers. Finally,
USERRA aids those experiencing service-connected problems with their
civilian employment, and VETS offers guidance to employers on USERRA
regulations. VETS also assists veterans who have questions regarding
Veterans' Preference.
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\8\ Transitioning Service Members are members of the military
who are leaving active duty and returning to civilian life. They may
be within 24 months of retirement or 12 months of separation from
the military.
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II. Black Veterans Research Project
Research indicates that disparities in employment and wages exist
both in the general population and within the veteran community, and
are influenced by factors such as disability status, gender, location,
and race. It has also been observed that certain groups within the
military and veteran communities, including individuals of different
races and ethnicities, women, individuals with disabilities, and
military spouses, have been historically underrepresented in research.
In light of this, VETS has undertaken research initiatives focused on
various demographic groups. Specifically, VETS has conducted research
on military spouses within our Women Veterans \9\ and Disabled Veterans
Programs, and through multiple Customer Experience projects, to
identify the unique challenges and disparities faced by different
demographic groups. VETS seeks to continue building and using evidence
to identify and prioritize opportunities to improve overall support of
veterans' employment outcomes and experiences in accordance with
Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.\10\ To this
end, VETS endeavors to better understand variations in employment
outcomes and experiences across different subgroups of veterans and
build a strong knowledge base regarding underserved communities of
veterans to inform and improve veteran policies and programs and
improve veterans' access to good jobs.\11\
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\9\ Women Veterans Research U.S. Department of Labor (<a href="http://dol.gov">dol.gov</a>).
\10\ <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government</a>.
\11\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs">https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs</a>.
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In FY23, in an effort to advance equity in VETS programs, VETS
launched its Black Veterans Research Project. This project was launched
due to lower economic indicators that are persistent in the Black
Veteran community when compared to other racial cohorts and the whole
veteran community. This project serves as a model for further research
into underserved populations served by VETS programs. This research--
conducted in collaboration with DOL's Chief Evaluation Office (CEO)--
was the starting point to building a strong knowledge base regarding
the employment outcomes and experiences of Black TSMs and veterans. The
output from this research includes a literature review and three-part
roundtable discussion series. The research shows that there are many
commonalities across racial cohorts and that intersectionality \12\ can
affect economic outcomes. These artifacts are available for viewing on
VETS' Black Veterans Research web page.\13\
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\12\ ``Intersectionality means that people belong to more than
one group and, consequently, may experience overlapping health and
social inequities and have overlapping strengths and assets related
to their group identities or membership.'' (The Department of Health
and Human Services Evaluation Policy. Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and
Human Services, 2022).
\13\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/resources/black-veterans-research">https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/resources/black-veterans-research</a>.
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DOL is committed to developing 21st century employment services
that are responsive to the needs of today's veterans. To achieve this,
VETS will build on the insights gained from the RFI and the Black
Veterans Research Project and incorporate the Good Jobs Principles,\14\
a shared federal vision of job quality published in 2022 by the
Departments of Labor and Commerce.\15\ The Principles describe good-
paying jobs that remove barriers to employment for veterans and people
of color, among other groups. By assessing the potential of existing
programs and services and incorporating the Good Jobs Principles, the
aim is to identify the strategies that will have the most significant
effect in improving employment opportunities and wage outcomes for
underserved groups, including Black veterans.
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\14\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles">https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles</a>.
\15\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/goodjobs/Good-Jobs-Summit-Principles-Factsheet.pdf">https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/goodjobs/Good-Jobs-Summit-Principles-Factsheet.pdf</a>.
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III. Request for Information
One of the key findings from the literature review is that Black
veterans are not a monolithic group; intersectionality is a
contributing factor for the Black veteran employment experience. The
findings from VETS' Black Veterans Research Project also show that
Black veterans seek assistance and support programs at a higher rate
while experiencing worse economic and employment outcomes than other
veteran subgroups. To further enhance the research, VETS seeks to
continue its evidence building efforts by focusing on insights from the
public and community at large. Organizations serving veterans, advocacy
groups, workforce development and/or job centers (including American
Job Centers \16\), businesses and employers, economic development
associations, training providers, educational institutions (including
Historically Black Colleges and Universities), think tanks,
researchers, and other subject matter experts are invited to share
their professional and/or research knowledge and experience or any
other data and information related to the most effective intervention
strategies to improve the employment and wages outcomes of underserved
groups, including Black TSMs and veterans. VETS seeks the public's
insight to identify how its programs can effectively improve employment
and wage outcomes for underserved groups, including Black veterans.
VETS is especially interested in comments about outcomes that are
aligned with good jobs, as defined by the Good Jobs Principles.
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\16\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/onestop">https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/onestop</a>.
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The literature review identified several factors contributing to
differences in employment outcomes experienced by Black veterans. The
contributing factors are discrimination; veteran identity and self;
military discharge status; social capital of enlisted service members
and officers; education/training/pathways/advancement; veteran status
and wages; military experience and occupation--transferability to high-
demand occupations in the civilian sector; perceived mismatch from
military to civilian jobs; and military transition.
VETS seeks to refine its research scope to identify the most
immediate employment needs of Black veterans and other intersectional,
marginalized demographic groups, as well as interventions that would
have the most immediate positive impact on employment and wage outcomes
for all underserved groups, including Black veterans. As such, this RFI
is designed to capture specific, concise responses optimizing VETS'
ability to easily categorize, group, prioritize, sort, and filter
responses.
DOL asks commenters to address any or all of the following
questions in the context of the preceding discussion in this document.
Commenters do not need to address every question and should focus on
those that relate to their expertise or perspective. To the extent
possible, please clearly indicate the question(s) addressed in your
response. Research and evaluation studies,
[[Page 52101]]
statistical information, training materials, policy statements or
reports, or other relevant information may also be included or
referenced in responses. Please include hyperlinks if available.
Although not required, the Department would appreciate submissions
that include a name, phone number, and email address for a single point
of contact, in addition to the organizations, tribes, or other
governmental agencies with which respondents are associated. This will
allow VETS the opportunity to reach out for any necessary
clarifications and streamline communication.
Responses will not be posted publicly, but will be summarized in a
report prepared by the Department. Any information submitted in
response to the RFI may be releasable pursuant to the provisions of the
Freedom of Information Act or other applicable law. For that reason,
the Department requests that no business proprietary information,
copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be
submitted in response to this RFI.
IV. Questions
1. How does identity intersectionality contribute to the employment
outcomes that Black veterans experience and how can services improve
and be better marketed to ensure that individuals of all identities and
localities have access to opportunity?
2. What can VETS programs do to improve employment and wage
outcomes for Black veterans and other intersectional, underserved
communities,\17\ including job opportunities with the features of Good
Jobs described in the Good Jobs Principles? Specifically, what do VETS
programs need to do and where should the programs be?
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\17\ The term ``underserved communities'' refers to populations
sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic
communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity
to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life.
(Executive Order 13985: Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government).
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3. What are the primary challenges experienced by Black service
members that greatly influence their post-military employment
prospects?
4. What key moments during the transition from military to civilian
life have a significant impact on employment outcomes for Black
veterans?
5. What are the most immediate employment needs of Black veterans?
6. How have veterans' benefits programs and other government
services affected the successful or unsuccessful obtainment of a good
job as described by the Good Jobs Principles? \18\
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\18\ <a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles">https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/principles</a>.
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7. What are the most effective intervention strategies to improve
employment outcomes for Black veterans and other intersectional,
underserved communities?
8. How can VETS programs most effectively contribute to improved
employment outcomes for Black veterans and other intersectional,
underserved communities?
9. Where is the best place to engage with Black veterans and other
intersectional, underserved communities and meet their needs?
Signed at Washington, DC, this 13th day of June, 2024.
James D. Rodriguez,
Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13509 Filed 6-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-79-P
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