Dept. of Veterans Affairs. VRAP

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

Congress passed, and the President has signed into law, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). VRAP offers up to 12 months of training assistance to unemployed Veterans. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012.

The VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to Veterans who:

• Are at least 35 but no more than 60 years old
• Are unemployed on the date of application
• Received an other than dishonorable discharge
• Are not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g.: the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Assistance)
• Are not in receipt of VA compensation due to unemployability
• Are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program

The program is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the monthly full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473 per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates upon completion of the program.

Participants must be enrolled in a VA approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, Non-College Degree, or a Certificate, and train the Veteran for a high demand occupation.

High Demand Jobs

VRAP will provide training for programs of education that lead to a high demand occupation, as determined by the Department of Labor. Click here to see a listing of high demand occupations.

VRAP Applications Are Open

We are accepting VRAP applications now. Please visit eBenefits to apply. Remember, to complete the application, you will need to know your direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of your school, the program you wish to pursue, and the applicable high demand occupation.

Detection of Gladiolus Rust (Uromyces transversalis) in Manatee County, Florida

                                                                                       FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION 

                                                                                       DA-2012-23

                                                                                       June 18, 2012

SUBJECT:  Detection of Gladiolus Rust (Uromyces transversalis) in Manatee County, Florida

TO:  STATE AND TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY OFFICIALS

On May 11, 2012, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (DPI) notified the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the detection and confirmation of gladiolus rust (GR) on gladiolus plants located on a commercial farm in Manatee County, Florida.  GR infestations were previously detected at the same farm in 2006, and again in 2010 and 2011.  Since then, APHIS and Florida DPI have been working together to mitigate GR infestations at this farm.

In response to the current detection, APHIS issued an Emergency Action Notification on May 14, establishing requirements for interstate movement of gladiolus stems from the GR-positive farm.  Specifically, all leaf material must be removed from the stems and the stems must be completely immersed in a fungicide solution following the manufacturer's recommended concentration and duration of treatment.  In addition, APHIS must inspect and certify that all stems are free of GR prior to interstate movement.  A list of customers purchasing gladiolus from this farm was acquired and forwarded to stakeholders so they can assess the risk and need for follow-up.  These actions are necessary to mitigate the spread of GR to other areas of the United States and into Canada.

For the United States, GR is a quarantine pest that infects members of the plant family, Iridaceae, including potted/cut-flower varieties of Gladiolus spp., Tritonia spp., Crocosmia spp., and Watsonia spp.  This rust is indigenous to eastern and southern Africa and has been reported in Morocco, southern Europe, Martinique, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico.  GR can cause severe losses of commercial host crops in all but the coldest and hottest areas of climate zones 7-12, if best management practices are not used.

For additional information regarding this program, you may contact Lynn Evans-Goldner, APHIS National Program Manager, at (301) 851-2286, or Robert Balaam, APHIS Regional Program Manager, at (305) 278-4872.

/s/ Osama El-Lissy for

Rebecca A. Bech

Deputy Administrator

Plant Protection and Quarantine

National Community Exercises....June 30, July 28, August 25th

National Community / Neighborhood ExerciseSeries\

The series of Formidable Footprint exercises for neighborhood, community and faith based organizations continues.

June 30 – Tornado / July 28 – Pandemic / August 25 – Hurricane

Exercises have also been scheduled for the following scenarios:

Earthquake – Flood – Wildfire

The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols. The objective of the exercise series is for CERTs, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations, Community / Faith Based Organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and others to work as a team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community may face.

There is NO CHARGE for participation in any of the Formidable Footprint exercises.

For additional information or to register for up-coming exercises please access the following web site today:

www.FormidableFootprint.org

Stay informed regarding future exercises by joining the Formidable Footprint LinkedIn Group.

Please Share This Important Disaster Exercise Opportunity With Others