Mission
The Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP) is a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) resource and referral network that serves to connect returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan with the resources and tools they need to lead productive lives and enjoy the full benefits of the society they have willingly served. Veterans Resource and Referral Specialists (VRRSs) will work to find ancillary services in local communities, some of which will be community service organizations, veterans service organizations, and faith-based programs. The VRRSs also will link federal to local governmental agencies and programs as well as community leaders and employers.
Our TWC Program Director is a returning veteran of Iraq. He oversees TVLP and its 28 VRRSs. This network of returning veterans will play an integral role in addressing the needs of other returning veterans, including referrals to address employment, training, medical, educational, and other needs of veterans. One VRRS is assigned to each of the 28 local workforce development areas. Located in a Texas Workforce Center, each local project director works closely with Texas workforce center staff and TVC staff who are co-located in Texas Workforce Centers.
VRRSs will:
- Seek out veterans in need of services;
- Serve as resource and referral agents, directing returning veterans to resources tailored to their needs;
- Make referrals and coordinate with different programs ranging from employment and training to medical care, mental health and counseling, veterans benefits, and other programs to address the varying needs of veterans; and
- Coordinate a chain of volunteer veterans familiar with the obstacles faced by returning veterans to assist in mentoring and serving returning Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.
History
On April 17, 2008, Governor Rick Perry and Tom Pauken announced the establishment of a major initiative to assist Texas veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan upon their return to civilian life. In making the announcement, Governor Perry stated: "Returning veterans deserve our utmost appreciation, and we must honor their service by easing their reentry into the Texas workforce. The military provided them training and leadership experience in high-pressure situations and taught them devotion to unit integrity. Now the state of Texas will ensure that their unique skills are applied and further developed within our economy, helping them to succeed in the next phase of their lives." Tom Pauken added: "Gov. Perry and I want Texas to serve as the model for the nation in welcoming our veterans home as they return to civilian life. The best means of thanking them for the sacrifices they have made for our state and nation is to put in place a road map for their successful re-integration into civilian life."
TVLP is modeled after the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP), approved by President Reagan in 1981-six years after the Vietnam War had ended. Approximately two and a half million American soldiers saw duty in Vietnam. More than 57,000 Americans lost their lives in that war.
For the veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, many have served multiple tours overseas-in part because the war has lasted longer than expected.
Therefore, TVLP relies more heavily on the following:
- Veterans from previous wars, particularly Vietnam veterans
- Veterans service organizations
- Community service organizations (Knights of Columbus, Goodwill, and Exchange Clubs, etc.) and other faith-based organizations
- Local business owners, employers, and labor unions
Meet Your TWC Veterans Resource and Referral Specialist
To locate contact information for your TWC Veterans Resource and Referral Specialist, select the desired area on the map or from the list below.
