VITAL ™ - VETERAN'S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ASSISTANCE LINK

The Veterans Individual Training Assistance Link (VITAL™) is a special program developed by Smart Solutions of Delaware, Inc. Leveraging existing resources, Smart Solutions of Delaware develops wounded, severely ill and injured Service members recovering in Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) to be hired into career Federal Civil Service positions. VITAL™ was initially developed for Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) to transition recovering Service members into civilian employment within CNIC's IT department (Code N6).

The VITAL™ program proactively recruits all eligible service members at the MTFs and makes them aware of the opportunities available to them within the CNIC enterprise through onsite briefings and personal meetings. VITAL™ works with wounded warriors from the initial stages of recruiting, goal setting, course selection, through the completion of training/certification to job placement with continuous follow-ups. All applicants are screened regarding their career desires, education and training background, and special accommodations that may be required for a particular type of Federal position.

Support and guidance for the Program has been achieved through coordination with leadership at the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD P&R}: Hiring Heroes; Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP); Director, Transition Policy and Care Coordination; Director, Office of Military Community and Family Policy; and at the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Civilian Human Resources/EEO).

A Smart Solutions of Delaware Mentor is assigned to all applicants to provide personalized assistance and guidance throughout the VITAL™ process from recruitment through placement. The Mentor works with the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Recovery Care Coordinators and Case Managers, USMC Wounded Warrior Detachments, Navy Campus for college courses, the CNIC site manager and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Visiting Nurse Service for assigned VITAL™ Students.

Once the candidate has been matched to a position, a Smart Solutions™ Coach in the functional discipline will tutor the VITAL™ Student. The Coach creates an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that includes an assessment of any training needs that may be required for the position, as well as a discussion of the performance goals and measures associated with the proposed position. The coach utilizes Navy Knowledge On-Line and MarineNet on-line education, the Army Center for Excellence in Performance (ACEP Classes), and the OSD Operation Warfighter placement program for experiential learning arrangements.

The Smart Solutions™ Mentor and Coach work with the Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC) to ensure that the Recovery Plan and the VITAL IDP are synchronized. Key to success is weekly, and sometimes daily, interaction between the Mentor, Coach and VITAL™ Student.

As a result of the successful CNIC VITAL™ Prototype; the VITAL™ Program vision is now Adaptable and Scalable to every Wounded, Seriously Ill, or Injured Service Member. Adaptable to every CNIC, Navy, and all Federal Civil Service agency positions identified in the President's In-Sourcing Initiative; and easily Expandable with a Mentor for every 8 to 10 VITAL™ Students and a Coach in the appropriate functional community for every 3 to 5 VITAL™ Students.

For more information on the VITAL™ program, visit www.SmartSolutionsCorp.com.