Atlanta VA Health Care System

CWT Program

CWT Mission

The mission of the CWT Program is to provide support to job seeking Veterans, including those living with mental illness or physical impairment and/or with barriers to employment, as they secure and maintain community based competitive employment.

CWT Staff

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists are trained and ready to:

• Provide evidence based and informed vocational rehabilitation services
• Create work supports for Veterans and employers
• Develop highly responsive long-term quality relationships with businesses and government agencies to promote employment opportunities for Veterans

All team members work together for the best possible outcomes for our job seeking Veterans.

The Atlanta CWT Program is accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, an independent accrediting body of health and human service providers. CARF accreditation confirms that CWT programs are committed to continuous quality improvement, accountability for its performance through outcomes evidence, and monitoring the satisfaction of the persons served.

CWT for Veterans

CWT/TR Transitional Residence

The TR program is a combined residential and transitional work mental health treatment program for male and female Veterans designed to assist with the transition into independent living by providing rehabilitative services and comprehensive treatment in a residential setting. Veterans’ abilities, needs, strengths, preferences, interests, and goals are explored during the screening process in order to establish an appropriate work treatment plan. All TR House residents must comply with facility regulations and all medical recommendations, meet at least monthly with the program’s psychiatrist for medication management and monitoring, and progress in the work plan.

CWT/TW Transitional Work

TW is a pre-employment vocational program that operates in VA facilities, other governmental agencies, and businesses. Veterans participating in TW are matched to actual work assignments for a time-limited basis and supervised by personnel of the sponsoring site under the same job expectations experienced by non-TW workers. TW participants are not considered employees and receive no traditional employee benefits. Participants receive base pay determined by the prevailing wage and, at least, the federal minimum wage. In states having a minimum wage that exceeds the federal rate, state or local minimum wages must be utilized. The expectation is that the TW participant will transition from the vocational work assignment to competitive employment in the community.

CWT/SE Supported Employment

SE is intended for Veterans with significant barriers to employment due to psychosis or other severe mental illnesses such as posttraumatic stress disorder and/or physical disabilities such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury and who, because of the severity of their disabilities, would not be able to function independently in employment without intensive, ongoing support services. These include ongoing vocational assessments, individualized job search, job development and placement, assertive engagement, and followalong supports provided in the context of clinical treatment.

CWT/HVSE Homeless Veterans Supported Employment

HVSE is a program that provides less intensivebut all vocational services necessary to assistVeterans with or at risk of homelessness toobtain or maintain employment. HVSE supportservices may include vocational evaluation, workplan development, skills training attainment, jobdevelopment, job placement, and job coaching.Staff will intervene within the work environmentwhen needed to ensure the continuedemployment and self-sufficiency of the Veteran.

CWT Enrollment

Veterans seeking employment assistance, please call 404-321-6111 ext. 207442.

CWT for Employers

The CWT program provides a cost-effective means of achieving the company’s goals of managing labor costs and improving service delivery, while maintaining high quality standards. CWT is a national vocational rehabilitation program that assists Veterans return to competitive employment, earn a living wage, and build self-esteem while contributing to the community. CWT program staff specialize in working with facility management, human resource, and/or production personnel to address labor force deficits. The Atlanta CWT Veteran labor force is available to help meet peak or unexpected workload demands. The CWT team can partner to assist the company in hiring the right Veteran, retaining valued Veteran employees, complying with federal contractor requirements, and benefitting from the skills and experience that each Veteran has to offer. Community Employment Coordinators are available to provide details about special hiring programs as well as about recruiting Veterans for direct hire.