You are providing a powerful example on how states can do with the disconnect. You are helping to show states how to improve the way jobseekers are matched to jobs based on skills and competencies, not just job descriptions and resumes. It is very leading edge. Governor hickenlooper, i would like to recognize colorado for doing a great job with the blueprint that ties together agencies, is mrs. , education, and workforce development. Businesses, education, and workforce development. That will be crucial to attacking the workforce challenges ahead. It is exciting to see the progress being made. Today i want to push you further on the topic of talent and workforce development. I strongly believe this is one of the top three issues each of you as ceos of your state will be forced to adjust in the next three to five years. Address in the next three to five years. I want to talk about how we have dealt with this issue and what we have learned in the process. I want to recognize the states making progress. I want to share strategies to build on the efforts you already have to help you attack this issue. Attack is the right word for what states need to do. Communities, states, and nation are in a battle for talent. One that none of us can afford to lose. This issue affects all of you as leaders of your state and even more directly in your role as governor. I know all of you have made workforce and talent issues a priority. But my message to you is this. Bill matter what you are doing or how well you think you are doing, you have only just begun. Chances are you might not be doing enough. Losing the battle for talent will lead to diminished homelandair of the nga security and Public Safety committee. I now call this meeting to order. Im honored to serve this year with governor rick snyder. Rick snyder is unable to be with us today. I thank him very much for his work. I want to thank the governor of iowa who is stepping in today as the vice chair, a heartbeat away from the microphone here. Able leader, an will take over and get us to the finish line. I would like to begin with administrative issues. Books were sent ahead of this meeting. The proceedings of this committee are open to the press. Please take a moment to ensure your cell phones are silenced or whatever. If not, if it is a really interesting call, share it with all of us. Seated next to me is the legislative director. Please see him if you need any copies of materials or assistance. Today will focus on strengthening partnerships to provide meaningful and longterm employment for our nations veterans. The session is designed as a structured discussion with the sting was panel of guests offering a diverse set of perspectives on veterans and climate. Our panel will provide governors an opportunity to find out more about improvements in programs, share innovative practices, and discuss ways to strengthen partnerships with employers. In recent years, thousands of men and women who served in uniform have left military service as our commitments overseas are coming to conclusion. As servicemembers return to their communities and civilian lives, many are facing unique in plano challenges that require assistance to reintegrate into the society they fought to defend. Federal data Shows Positive progress is being made in lowering the Unemployment Rate for veterans. Vetsate of post9 11 remains above the national level. Is above the number for average folks. We are about the task of making sure that is a statistic we do not have a year from now. Governors are leading efforts to address the considerable challenges Many Service Members and families face leaving military service. We know our veterans fought for us, and we are going to fight for them. Missouri,s, including have taken action to ease transition to the workforce. We have signed bills in that regard. Many other states have done that. I think everybody for their tremendous work. Governors are dedicating resources to develop programs to improve access to benefits and services, meet the specialized needs of those with disabilities, and expand access to employment and educational opportunities. We have a program in missouri called show me heroes. It got started simply. I was in afghanistan meeting with a Group Getting ready to go out to deal with ieds, very difficult evening shift. I was in a small room with those folks. They were putting on their armor. They were getting their night vision goggles ready. It felt like a High School Locker room as everybody was getting fired up to go deal with the bad guys. I turned to a fellow from his her and says, what i turned to a fellow from missouri and said, what scares you . He said not having a job when i get home. That is what scares me. I think we have all heard stories like that. All of us are trying to do a lot of things. Our program has over 4000 employers involved in the Program Including some you will hear from today. Enterprise rental, express scripts. It is important to note that have already they have already hired more than 6800 veterans in our state. We recognize those employers with the flag of freedom. Rips in service in theater shoulder. G off their employers get something worn in battle for our country and we tremendously appreciate soldiers, veterans, and companies. It has been a winwin for us. We all have a lot to do. It is not a onesizefitsall program. The Unemployment Rate has dropped significantly from its peak. We still have too many unemployed. Trendlines are going in the right direction. They clearly are. That is why we wanted to have the session to share best practices and make sure we were moving forward. Panel,we introduce the return to the governor for any opening comments you would like to have. Our vice chair, the governor from the great state of iowa. Governor nixon, thank you for your leadership on this important issue. I iowa, my top priority announced in the state address was something we call home base your show similar to me Heroes Program. It included illuminating nating the iowai income tax on military retirement. It provides instate tuition for all veterans whether they came from iowa or not. It simplifies the process for them getting professional getting credit for their military training and education. We also have appointed a Bipartisan Group of leaders, former congressman boswell who is a democrat and bob mayer who is the ceo of Caseys General stores, theyre both retired colonels and friends. There working hard. Up. Effort is to line the Lieutenant Governor and i hear all the time for businesses we have good Jobs Available and cannot find people with the right skills. We have people coming out of the military with leadership and Technical Skills that fit with that. We are working hard to make that Information Available and market directly to those. We also have an opportunity for communities to become homebased communities, for businesses to become homebased businesses by setting certain goals. We also extended veterans to give private sector businesses the same opportunities to provide veterans preference that state and local governments do in the state of iowa. This was a very ambitious program. Im proud to say it received bipartisan support. I had the honor of signing it on dodge inday at camp the goldstar museum. I lost 12. 5 pounds and wore my uniform to sign the bill. I am really proud to have had that opportunity. Debbie durham was on the panel. Her department is going to be implement in this, working closely with our outstanding adjutantn general general and workforce people in iowa. We think it is a Great Program and want to do all we can. Stipend wee a 5,000 give to veterans purchasing homes. They can go towards down payment or Closing Costs. We increased funding to make sure there was an adequate amount that every veteran who applies can receive that tax credit. Im excited about it. We are just beginning to implement it. We have two counties already designated as homebased. Council, allness of the major employers in iowa have signed on. The homebased businesses. And we are seeing a lot of interest through the state. I think we will see many other counties and communities participate. With that, i will turn it back to Governor Nixon. Thank you. In iowa, not only iron veterans but a Weight Loss Program also. Usually we get the lecture of the Healthiest State in the nation. Anyway, thank you. Lets get started. I will introduce the panelists and then we want to have engagement between us rather than sitting here listening to an hourlong speech. We have a very good,. It lays see quickly how out. It is an interesting panel. I think we can have a good engaged discussion. First is the Deputy Assistant secretary for policies that the veterans implement and Training Service at the department of labor. Bys office serves veterans preparing them for meaningful careers, providing resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights. She also is in several Senior Executive positions in the department of defense. A veteran herself, she is a west point graduate, served in a variety of leadership positions during a distinguished 20year career with the u. S. Army. Our next panelist is the director of the transition to Veterans Program office in the department of defense. Dr. Kelly leads the office in charge of implementing the Transition Assistance Program to meet the needs of post9 11 Service Members as a separate from active duty. Dr. Kelly also serves as the cochair for the Senior Steering Group meeting transition assistant efforts for dod in coordination with five different federal agencies. And distinguished career in various offices of the department of defense and hold her doctorate in marriage and family from st. Louis university. Theie durham is director of eye what Economic Development authority and overseas Economic Development programs for the state including veterans related initiatives such as homebased i what iowa. She served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of commerce. Joined my office in 2009. The missourier of house of representatives including serving as House Minority leader from 2004 until 2007. Prior to election to the house, he was an assistant attorney general and attorney in kansas city. The assistant Vice President of Human Resources at enterprise the coolestso wins name contest today. Itdquartered in st. Louis, off rates alamo and National Rental cars as well as the enterprise brand. The Company Offers a rental and Car Sharing Services and retail car sales. He has served with the company for 20 years in various capacities. Jonah as Vice President of Government Affairs for expressed ess scripts. Pris the company coordinates the distribution of Outpatient Pharmaceuticals including retail drug card programs, home delivery, and other Clinical Management programs. He spent several years in Product Development and corporate quality before leading the Public Policy and advocacy efforts. Done with that. A good panel. And private sector folks who have embraced this and hired thousands of veterans through a myriad of programs. I want to thank everybody for being here. Rather than going through the routine of each of our panelists give a presentation, i would like to jump right into an interactive discussion. Our goal is to make sure that everybody has a chance to discuss these issues. Our conversation will focus on three key issues. One, strengthening partnerships. Two, improving the means to identify job opportunities. Three, eliminating barriers to veterans in employment. I would encourage my colleagues to jump in at any time to share any innovative practices or questions for these folks. Generalstart with a question about strengthening partnerships and leveraging resources. States are often in the best situation to provide Employment Support Services and engage with employers. So effectively requires active partnerships with the federal government and the private sector. To our federal panelists, how can states best partner with their military installations, National Guard and federally supported job centers to address veterans employment challenges . Thank you very much. Hit on something important here. It is a partnership. Labor is uniquely positioned to help a friend this partnership. We certainly recognize the significance of full Employment Opportunities and its relationship to the readiness of your National Guard duty. We frequently talk about the fact that many guard and reservists are either unemployed, underemployed or unhappily employed. The job centers offer a great way to connect. Trying are busy doing is to encourage our federally funded state reps in each of your states to work closely with your state workforce agencies to engage, to make sure that that relationship is strong so that we can connect the local jobs in and around your unit with the folks in those units to make sure that we know about them, they are registered in the system, and we can help with the matching opportunities. There are lots of opportunities, and the challenge is often simply connecting that young guardsman to the opportunities out there. That the workforce system and the job centers there close by offer a great way to have individual counseling for that guardsman or reservist, and therect connection through state job banks, the job centers and that personal connection. You go encourage you as back and talk to your labor commissioners that you hook them up with that feedback there in your state and make sure that partnership is strong. Next point i would make is regarding military installations. Not every state has an active military installation. We worked very closely with the. O. D. To develop memorandums of understanding garrisonurage military commanders to actively engage with their local workforce agencies to bring those folks on two bases. Guidanceout to publish to those job Center Directors through your state workforce agencies, encouraging them to be available when that military Installation Commander calls. It is vital to enable what dod has going on in terms of their transition system programming, making sure those Service Members before they transition know about the job center resources. Anynt to make sure you know active Duty Service Member who as separation ordered or separation date is considered a dislocated worker, for the purposes of access within the job center network, the workforce system, and for access to Workforce Innovation Fund training. Service members with etf dates are eligible. Of access to those resources, and that is a critical way to help fill that. Is that automatic . It is automatic. It is in policy documents that the department of labor issued. To 2005. K dislocated workers also finds the spouses, spouses of Service Members who are changing station and Service Members who are separating. Theres a couple of things right off the top that demonstrate the critical partnerships between dod, your guard and reserve unit , and the National Workforce system. Teresa, you said that our veterans are unemployed, underemployed, or unhappily they come home from service and transition into civilian life. Why is that . What are the obstacles for them to be happily employed . Why is anybody underemployed . What is the cause of that unemployment from happiness . Oftentimes it is based in the fact that they may jump into the first job available because they feel the need to find some and may have found a job that does not fit their skills or interests or aptitudes. Knownt to make sure they that the utility of the job centers and counselors that are there to actually do skilled assessments with them, figure out where training gaps are, make sure they get the guidance they need to find jobs that will help them be happily employed with meaningful work. Do they have a higher Unemployment Rate of veterans returning than we have in the general population . The aggregate veterans Unemployment Rate has been below the national Unemployment Rate almost continuously for the last three years. You have to keep in mind that olderteran population is than the average demographic in america. 65 of veterans in america are over the age of 45. Unemployment tends to decrease as age increases. Vets do have a higher Unemployment Rate, but it is closing on the National Average for the equivalent age groups. In may, they were almost statistically equivalent. It is closing. It has a lot to do with dods