Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women leave the U.S. military service and return to life as civilians, a process known as the military-to-civilian transition. Many — but not all — of these former service members successfully make the transition independently. To further ease the transition process, and in response to P.L. 116–315 § 4304, VA will issue grants to eligible organizations that provide transition services to former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged and their spouses.
Transition services include but are not limited to:
- resume assistance,
- interview training,
- job recruitment training, and
- additional related services that lead directly to a successful transition.
Additional related services include, but are not limited to, direct job placement, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship. Additionally, awarded grantees may overcome gaps in local services by referring program participants to healthcare, childcare, and transportation resources.
P.L. 116-315 § 4304 broadly establishes which organizations may be eligible for a grant and stipulates that such grants must be awarded based on a competitive application process. P.L. 116–315 § 4304 gives preference to organizations that either provide multiple forms of services or are located in a State with:
- a high rate of unemployment among Veterans,
- a high rate of usage of unemployment benefits for recently separated members of the Armed Forces or
- a labor force or economy that has been significantly impacted by a covered public health emergency.
VA understands the challenges these men and women will encounter during this significant life change. Veterans and their spouses report challenges in employment, physical health, and finances, and VA is eager to provide another means to support those who have served in uniform.
