Working Together to Connect Separating Service Members and ...

Working Together to Connect Separating Service Members and their Spouses to Jobs –

the DOD and DOL Partnership

Department of Defense (DOD) - Department of Labor (DOL)

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

July 2004

DOD-DOL MOUPURPOSE: Promote cooperative efforts to improve military quality of

life, and to contribute to the quality of America’s labor force.

GOALS: Enhance recruitment and retention for the military

services.

Assist the transition and re-entry of military personnel into the 21st Century workforce.

Ensure that opportunities for training, education and employment are available to military spouses.

Accomplishments

• Overseas Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Workshops Expanded in 3 Countries

• Spouse Telework Employment Program Memorandum of Agreement Signed

• Military Spouse Resource Center Expanded (MilSpouse.org)

• Environmental Scans Produced: Federal & Private Programs and Literature

Accomplishments• Surveyed the Field to Identify Partnerships Between One-

Stop Career Centers & Armed Forces Family Centers

• Installed Various Links on Web Sites

• Developed a Model Working Relationship Between DOL Regional Office and Military Bases in Atlanta, GA

• Conducted Research & Analysis on Various Topics, e.g.:

– Licensing & Certification for Returning Military;

– Expanding Educational Opportunities Including E-learning;

– Explored UI Eligibility, Expanding Dislocated Worker Definition, and Extending Apprenticeship

Accomplishments

Built Expanded Relationships with Business

Partners:

- Military Spouse Virtual Assistant; Staffcentrix

- Career Accelerator Program; Adecco

- National Business Partners

(First Data, The Home Depot, Manpower, Inc.)

- President’s Hire Veterans Initiative

© 1999-2004, by Staffcentrix, LLC. All rights reserved.

An Introduction to the StaffcentrixAn Introduction to the Staffcentrix

Portable Career & Virtual AssistantPortable Career & Virtual AssistantTraining Program forTraining Program forMilitary Spouses™Military Spouses™

Christine Durst, Co-Founder & CEO www.staffcentrix.com

Staffcentrix, LLC

Program Objective

To train U.S. Military Spouses to build successful businesses that are financially viable, portable, and personally gratifying, thereby helping them overcome the career obstacles they often face as a result of frequent moves and sometimes-isolated posts.

And, in the process of doing this, to assist these women and men in finding improved self-esteem, a better quality of life and greater satisfaction with the military lifestyle.


The “MSVA”


Military Spouse Virtual Assistants (MSVAs) are self-employed individuals who offer offsite support services to businesses via the Internet, phone and fax.

The virtual nature of these relationships makes them highly “portable,” since clients rarely care where their MSVA is located or how often s/he relocates as long as the quality of work is consistent.

Types of Services MSVAs Offer

Academic Writing

Graphic Design

Mailing Services

Payroll Services

Medical Transcription

Grant Proposals

Accounting Services

Nonprofit Support Services

AudioVisual Production

Graphic Scanning

General Transcription

Office Management

Live Phone Answering

Statements/Billing

Realtor Support

Collection Services

Government Procurement

Programming

HR ExpertiseBusiness Coaching

Private Investigator Support

Insurance Broker/Agent Support Paralegal ServicesPublic Relations

Phone-in Transcription

Business Plan Writing

Business Writing

Intranet Development

Import/Export Support

Competitive Research

Growth Advisory Services

Entertainment Industry Support

Technical Writing/Editing

Voice Services

Concierge Services

Database Management

Desktop Publishing

Word Processing

Editing/Proofreading

Systems Management

Multimedia Presentations

Legal Transcription

Event Planning

Voicemail for Clients

File Conversion

Marketing/Advertising

Legal "Secretarial"

Internet Research

Translating Services

Market Research

Litigation Support

Interpreting

Website Design

Fundraising

Resume Writing

Spreadsheets

"Virtual Assistants - Another name for this is virtual outsourcing. These are highly skilled and knowledgeable office professionals who provide administrative support and specialized business services from an outside location.

The industry is growing rapidly. It is expected to be a $130 billion industry by 2008, but it could be larger."

Source: Highlights from the George Washington University Forecast of Emerging Technology, Dr. William Halal, July 2000

Industry Growth ProjectionsIndustry Growth Projections


Realities & Readiness: Exploring Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment

Spouse With a Mouse: Anticipating Changes in the Household

Launching & Marketing Your Virtual Service Practice

The On-Site Program PhasesThe On-Site Program Phases


Post-Training Online SupportPost-Training Online Support


Following the on-site workshops, each graduate receives sustained online support at the Staffcentrix website for MSVAs – an Internet-based community of colleagues and experts – for as long as he or she remains an “active-duty spouse.”

• RFP Service

• Email list & Message Board

• Interaction with Staffcentrix experts

• Information & Resources

• Business Listing in Online Directory

2003 Year-End Survey Stats2003 Year-End Survey Stats


• 22% have first client within 6 weeks of training.

• 67% have at least one client within 6 months of training.

• 69% are “more likely to support spouse’s re-enlistment” as a result of the Program.

• 79% report improved QOL for their family.

• 87% indicate the service member is “very supportive” of their MSVA business.

• 89% report being “very satisfied” with their business.

2003 Work Practices & Fees2003 Work Practices & Fees


• Fees for administrative support services averaged $25-$35 per hour.

• Specialized services (i.e., programming, interpreting, technical writing, etc.) are billed at rates of more than $50/hour.

• Majority would prefer to be working in their business part-time, with most citing a goal of 20 hours per week.

• 85% indicated they are “work-at-home parents.”

Working Together to

Connect Separating Service

Members and their Spouses

to Jobs – the DOD and DOL

Partnership

Contact InformationEffie Baldwin, Department of Labor

202-693-3746, [email protected]

Jean Marie Ward, Department of Defense


Christine C. Durst, Staffcentrix, LLC


Erin B. Walerko, Adecco


Connie McLendon, The Home Depot

800-654-0688 x 85538, [email protected]

T.P. O’Mahoney, President’s Hire Veterans Committee


Working Together to Connect Separating Service Members and ...

Business

military services

offsite support services

specialized business

military bases

military lifestyle

staffcentrix website

types of services msvas

military quality of