Veterans benefit administration: Veteran readiness and employment (vr&e) longitudinal study

Abstract: The Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program assists Veterans and Service members who have service-connected disabilities and employment barriers to prepare for, obtain and maintain suitable employment. The comprehensive services and assistance provided by VR&E include vocational assessment, rehabilitation planning, employment assistance and other services necessary to support the employment and daily living goals of Veterans. Congress passed the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act in 2008 that improved and enhanced benefits for Veterans. A section of this legislation required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a 20-year longitudinal study of Veterans who applied for and entered a plan of services in the VR&E program in fiscal (FY) 2010 (Cohort I), FY 2012 (Cohort II) and FY 2014 (Cohort III). Each cohort is followed annually for 20 years. The primary goal of the longitudinal study of the VR&E program is to determine the long-term post-program outcomes in four major areas: Employment, Income, Home Ownership, Use of Supplemental Programs | The VR&E Longitudinal Study analyses data from two sources: self-reported survey data collected annually from a representative sample of cohort members and administrative data. The results of the VR&E Longitudinal Study will be used to enhance the services VR&E provides Veterans.

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