Vocational Services
Veterans Industries is a vocational rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans Affairs authorized under Title 38 U.S.C. Veterans Industries provides clinical and residential support skills training, job readiness, money management, independent living skills, and vocational counseling to Veterans with employment barriers which may include homelessness, recovery from substance abuse, or a psychiatric or physical illness. The four basic programs of Veterans Industries include:
-
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
Compensated Work Therapy reinforces, modifies, and develops established motivational principles, attitudes, habits, skills, and behaviors essential to retain social, psychological, and physical adjustment by creating a realistic non-institutional working environment. -
Transitional Work Experience (TWE)
Transitional Work Experience develops therapeutic work assignments in community businesses or government contracts, enhancing participants' opportunity for community reintegration. Direct supervision is provided by employees of the industry. -
Supported Employment (SE)
Supported Employment provides job support services for Veterans to retain competitive employment. Follow-along support continues based on the individual's progress, rather than terminating at a set point. Services are provided in the community, rather than in mental health treatment or rehabilitation settings. -
Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences (CWT/TR)
The Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences program incorporates community-based supervised living with therapeutic work. Transitional Residences foster the development of environments where substance abuse and/or homeless Veterans with serious mental illness can develop and practice independent living skills.
Locations
There are three Veterans Industries programs in VISN 5:
- Martinsburg
- VA Maryland Health Care Systems (Perry Point and Baltimore)
- Washington DC
Each are integrated with their local VA Medical Center and are active partners in providing seamless continuum of care.
Eligibility
Veterans must be eligible for VA services and enrolled at the local VA Medical Center. Referrals are accepted from VA hospital and community resources. Work Therapy assignments within Veterans Industries are made with the Veteran's input and based on elements of the following:
- Evaluation and/or test results.
- Vocational objectives.
- Specific vocational skills and/or aptitudes necessary to the completion of a task.
- Past education, training, work history.
- Medical/Psychiatric diagnosis.
Benefits
- Veterans Industries is paid work experience.
- Veterans Industries places the participant in a realistic work setting.
- Veterans Industries can assist Veterans who are in receipt of disability pensions and are attempting to return to competitive employment or volunteer work, where possible.
- Earnings from Compensated Work Therapy have no impact on VA service-connected compensated disabilities or service-connected pensions.
- Veterans on Social Security may also participate, based on transitional provisions and on a case-by-case basis.
Contacts
- Barbara Bowman
CWT/TR Coordinator
Perry Point VA Medical Center
(410) 642-2411 x6068 - Nancy Hamilton
Coordinator, Veterans Industry
Martinsburg VA Medical Center
(304) 263-0811 x4554 - Tim Landis
Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist
VA Maryland Health Care System
Toll Free 1-800-949-1003 x5725 - Dale E. Smith
Clinical Manager Residential Programs
Director, Domiciliary Care Program
VA Maryland Health Care System
(410) 642-2411 x6516 - Coniece Washington
CWT Program Manager
Washington DC VA Medical Center
(202) 745-8000 x5274
Accreditations/Awards
VA Resources
- Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
VA's vocational rehabilitation program - Homeless Veterans
Reaching Out to Homeless Veterans - Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services
Providing assistance to eligible service-connected disabled veterans in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment
Additional Resources
- ADA & IT Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic Region*
Training, information, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessible information technology (IT) to businesses, consumers, schools, and government agencies within the Mid-Atlantic Region (PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, and DC) - Americans with Disabilities Act
Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act - Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
The Federal Government's Human Resources Agency - Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association*
The leading psychiatric rehabilitation organization in the United States - Social Security Administration Disability Programs
Benefits for People with Disabilities - Social Security Administration Work Site
Employment Support for People with Disabilities - SSA Online - The Work Site Service Provider Directory
Service Provider Directory - USAJOBS
The official job site of the United States Federal Government - U.S. Veterans Initiative*
A public private partnership for homeless veterans
*Please note: You are now leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs Website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked website.