VA recognizes Compensated Work Therapy Vocational Rehabilitation Week

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes Compensated Work Therapy Vocational Rehabilitation Week, Oct. 19-23, acknowledging the more than 1,000 VA Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) vocational rehabilitation counselors, managers and peer support specialists who provide services to more than 64,000 Veterans each year within the VA health care system.

VA’s CWT services are integrated with clinical care to assist Veterans with serious mental illness, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, polytrauma and traumatic brain injury, substance use disorder, homelessness, and other psychological issues that may interfere with securing gainful employment.

“Compensated Work Therapy vocational rehabilitation is vital in helping Veterans with a physical or mental illness overcome employment barriers and return to meaningful work,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “All of our Veterans deserve an opportunity to live a secure and stable lifestyle with their families — and the work of our CWT team is helping with that effort.”

CWT programs are located at all VA medical facilities and aim to provide evidence-based and evidence-informed vocational rehabilitation services to Veterans while developing partnerships with local, regional and national businesses; industry and government agencies that provide Veteran candidates for employment. VA’s CWT staff works to assist these organizations and potential employers with hiring the right Veteran in the right job at the right pay.

Local VA CWT staff are being acknowledged at their respective medical centers and several will be recognized for the annual Dr. Jackie Bethany Leadership Awards for Compensated Work Therapy Excellence through virtual presentations with the individual facilities.

Learn more about VA’s CWT or email psrhq@med.va.gov with questions.