Explanation of agency authority:
Section 45.03 (2), Stats., authorizes the Secretary of the Department to promulgate rules necessary to carry out the purposes of ch. 45 and the powers and duties conferred upon it. Section 45.437 (4), Stats., requires the Department to “…promulgate rules implementing this section. The rules promulgated under this subsection shall include rules establishing the specific goals grant recipients must meet and requiring that those goals be met before any grant moneys are disbursed.” Related statute or rule:
None
Plain language analysis:
The proposed rules create a subdivision under s. VA 2.08 – Veterans Employment and Entrepreneurship Grants – for the primary objective of expanding the expenditure of grant funds, authorized under s. 45.437, Stats., to include the employment-related activities that are a crucial component of the veterans transition program partnership. The Department will coordinate program participation and activities at the state level, which will require the services of multiple non-profit organizations across the State. This multi-faceted transition assistance program connects the service member to the relevant employers, local programs, and organizations in the service member’s future post-military community. Through this partnership, services will be made available to military members transitioning from active military service to civilian life. The proposed rules will ensure grants authorized under s. 45.437, Stats., can be awarded to non-profit organizations to the extent the organization’s participation is related to employing exiting service members and improving the employment outcomes for veterans in Wisconsin. The proposed rule creates definitions under s. VA 2.08 (3) for acronyms and terms referenced within the rule, and creates s. VA 2.08 (6) to establish rules for the implementation and administration of the veterans employment and transition support grant program. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Iowa: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Michigan: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Minnesota: Does not have existing administrative rules pertaining to grant funds available for a veterans transition program.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Department deems it necessary to amend current rule language in order to assist veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. The existing policies relevant to the proposed rules are administered under the current entrepreneurship grant program in s. VA 2.08 (5) and limits award of grants to organizations that provide “entrepreneurship training, technical or business assistance, financial assistance, or other assistance to veteran entrepreneurs to improve employment outcomes.” The rule will expand these policies for the implementation and administration of the veterans employment and transition support grant program to meet the statutory charge and limitation “to improve employment outcomes for veterans in this state.” Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The rule was posted for 14 days to solicit economic impact comments. No comments were received.
Fiscal Estimate:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Agency contact person:
Mindy Allen, Department of Veterans Affairs
Place and deadline for submission of comments:
Comments may be submitted to the contact information listed above no later than the date of the public hearing. The date, time, and place of the public hearing will be published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register.
TEXT OF RULE
section 1.
VA 2.08 (3) (c), (km), (mm), (p), (q), and (r), and (6) are created to read: VA 2.08 (3) (c) “CIC” means a community integration coordinator. A “CIC” is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization that supports the coordination of peer sponsors that are paired with transitioning service members and veterans to facilitate community integration throughout Wisconsin.
(mg) “Program” means the veterans employment and transition support grant program.
(mr) “Transitioning service member” means a veteran who has separated from active military, naval, or air service in the U.S. armed forces to return to life as a civilian and meets any of the following criteria:
1. The veteran's date of discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service is not more than 2 years prior to the date on which the grant was awarded to the nonprofit organization.
2. The veteran is actively enrolled in an accredited continuing education program.
3. The veteran has been approved by the department to receive services from a CIC.
(p) “VHA” means the USDVA Veterans Health Administration.
(q) “VSPN” means the Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network.
(6) Veterans employment and transition support grant program. (a) Purpose. The veterans employment and transition support grant program will partner with the VHA regional offices to form partnerships with community organizations to help transitioning service members and their families access federal and state veterans services and state community resources to improve employment outcomes.
(b) Eligibility criteria. A CIC is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the organization meets all of the following conditions:
1.
It is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization. 2.
It is current on all federal and state tax obligations.3.
It is a financially viable nonprofit organization.4.
It is registered and in good standing with the Wisconsin department of financial institutions.5.
It has a signed agreement between the VHA and the VA Great Lakes Health Care System. 6.
It is listed as an active community partner by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships, and is a member of the VSPN, or the VSPN’s successor organization.7.
It has been in existence for a minimum of 5 consecutive years preceding the application and currently serves veterans or their families, or both. (c) Grant application requirements. A representative of the applicant having authority to act for the applicant shall sign the application, ensure that it is complete, and submit it by the deadline. Applications shall include all of the following:
