Number: RL34627
Title: Veterans' Benefits: The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
Authors: Beverley A. Crane and Christine Scott, Domestic Social Policy Division; Carol D. Davis, Knowledge Services Group 
Abstract: Congress is concerned that servicemembers, National Guard, and Reservists involved in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who are being discharged from military service with service-connected disabilities receive timely and effective vocational rehabilitation services. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E), one of five major programs administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), addresses this concern. The program's purpose is to counsel and rehabilitate veterans, with an emphasis on employment and independent living. The program provides comprehensive services and assistance to enable veterans with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps to achieve maximum independence in daily living, to become employable, and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. For severely disabled veterans, the goal is to help them achieve the highest quality of life possible with a future chance of employment, given medical and technological advances. The VR&E service delivery strategies differ from those of many other VBA programs as they require personal interaction with the veteran to deliver services and have the largest network of service delivery points of any VBA program.
Pages: 20
Date: August 21, 2008