U.S.

VA Transition Assistance Program

Information Session

Office of Military to Civilian Readiness

Veterans Benefits Administration

Industry Day

January 29, 2026

PRE-DECISIONAL

Agenda

• VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP):

o TAP Background o Intra-agency Governance Structure o Scope of Work

• Task 1: Program Management and Administration o Program Management and Administration

• Task 2: TAP Program Execution o VA Benefits and Services Briefing o Curriculum Delivery Modalities o Military Life Cycle Modules o Women's Health Transition Training o VA Benefits Advisors o VA TAP Support Concept o Supporting VA Transition Assistance Program Customers

• Task 3: TAP Training o Benefit Advisor Training

• Task 4: TAP Curriculum o Curriculum Development

• Task 5: Strategic Action Planning, Coordination and Implementation, and Data Analysis o Strategic Action Planning, Coordination and Implementation, and Data Analysis o Strategic Action Planning Examples

• Questions

Transition Assistance Program - Background

• The Transition Assistance Program is an interagency program designed to provide approximately 200,000 transitioning Service members (annually) with benefits and services information to ease their transition from military to civilian life.

• National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1991 – Established Transition Assistance

Program (optional)

• Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 - New and improved Transition

Assistance Program. Mandated for all separating Service members.

• Memorandum of Understanding established in 2014 outlines roles and responsibilities for transition activities (Attachment E)

• National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2019 – Requires Service members to attend the Transition Assistance Program no later than 365 days before separation and one day of instruction regarding benefits.

Department of

War

Department of

Labor

Department of

Education

Department of

Homeland Security

Small Business

Administration

Office of

Personnel

Management

Army Marine Corps Navy Air Force Coast Guard

Department of

Veterans Affairs

Space Force

PRE-DECISIONAL

https://www.dhs.gov/veterans-and-homeland-security https://www.fedshirevets.gov/ https://usmc-mccs.org/services/career/transition-readiness/ https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/transition_assistance.html https://www.afpc.af.mil/Separation/Transition-Assistance-Program/ https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/

Inter-Agency Governance Structure

PRE-DECISIONAL

Joint Executive Committee (JEC) The Joint Executive Committee is the primary coordinating body overseeing and supporting joint activities to enhance the overall social, physical, emotional, mental health and well-being of Service members, Veterans and their eligible beneficiaries by enhancing coordination and shared resources across VA and

DoD ensuring interoperability, accountability, collaborative growth and long-term stewardship.

Transition Executive Committee (TEC) * Secretariat Senior Leaders of the DoD, VA, and DOL provide oversight and direction to the interagency partnership that formulates and delivers transition assistance to transitioning Service members of the Active Component and Reserve Component.

• Co-Chairs are DoD, DOL & VA; Chair rotates each fiscal year

• Membership includes DoD, VA, DOL, ED, DHS, SBA, OPM and the Services

Decisions, strategic, and operational guidance

Serve as subject matter experts and lead within

TAP supporting specific functions and tasks administered by STSG

Senior Transition Steering Group (STSG) Resolves friction points; promotes alignment; measures progress; applies synergies and improvements; ensures legal review; coordinates with group leaders; and are accountable to TEC Members.

• Co-Chairs are DoD, DOL & VA; Chair rotates each fiscal year

• Membership includes DoD, VA, DOL, ED, DHS, SBA, OPM and the Services

Transition Interagency Governance

Structure

Employment Performance

Management Curriculum

Integrated

Reserve

Component

Data Sharing/

Information

Technology

Strategic

Communications

Transition Working Group (TWG) Chair is rotated each fiscal year between Co-Chairs from DoD, VA and DOL; monthly group meetings with representatives from all partners and Services to identify friction points, promote alignment, measure progress and coordinate working group efforts. Applies synergies and improvement, coordinates with group leaders and are accountable to STSG Members on policy and operational objectives.

• Membership includes DoD, VA, DOL, ED, DHS, SBA, OPM and the Services

* FY 2024 NDAA (P.L. 118-31) Renamed to the TEC – Formerly the Transition Assistance Program – Executive Council

Scope of Work

• The agency program office responsible for conducting VA’s contribution to the interagency TAP, Office of Military to Civilian Readiness (M2CR), requires contract support services to continue the existing TAP onsite support and associated program management, curriculum development, and training requirements.

• This contract support encompasses program management and administration; curriculum development, revision, and validation; onsite support activities at military installations to conduct and report on VA-supported activities; conduct in-person, instructor-led classroom and instructor-led virtual briefings to include virtual off-base transition training workshops; providing information through generalized and one-on-one settings; and conducting evaluations.

TASK 1:

Program Management and Administration

Program Management and Administration

• Project Management Plan o Will encompass the plan for completing the contract describing the technical approach, management plan, organizational structure and resources, and management controls that will meet the objectives of this PWS.

o Will comply with Project Management Institute (PMI) suggested requirements and inclusive of deliverables outlined in PWS.

• Program Administration o Contract is to be administered with a robust and integrated system of program administration.

o System shall be implemented using a disciplined, comprehensive, and flexible program and project management process, including but not limited to adherence to the PMP; monitoring of project metrics; rigorous risk management; adherence to reporting on schedules, employee on-boarding and training, and maintaining required staffing.

o Proper coordination, oversight, and management of TAP Program Execution – implement a robust and flexible regional management model.

o Utilize a knowledge management system that supports all aspects of TAP operations.

TASK 2:

TAP Program Execution

VA Benefits and Services Briefing

• Mandatory, one day of instruction on how to navigate resources within VA, including the benefits and services they have earned.

• Benefits and Services 6.1 includes 6 modules:

o Module 1- Introduction to VA Benefits and

Services (54 min) o Module 2 – Maintaining Your Health (64 min) o Module 3 – Applying for Disability

Compensation (48 min) o Module 4 – Getting Career Ready (76 min) o Module 5 – Finding a Place to Live and

Community Resources (42 min) o Module 6 – Course Capstone (41-71 min*)

• Spouses are encouraged to attend the VA

Benefits and Services course, space permitting.

*Module 6 timing variation is due to VSO, state or local presenters.

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Curriculum Delivery Modalities

Live Classroom

Traditional in-person, synchronous format

Live Virtual

Virtual synchronous format hosted on Microsoft Teams

Web-Based

Online, self-paced, asynchronous format

PRE-DECISIONAL 10

Military Life Cycle Offerings 14 Military Life Cycle micro-learning modules focused on the topics below (Reference Attachments C and D)

PRE-DECISIONAL

Module Name Module Overview

VA Education Benefits Provides information about Defense Department

(DOD) and VA education benefits to include Post-

9/11 benefits that may help Service members pay for or offset the cost of tuition, housing, books and supplies.

VA Education and

Training Benefits for

Spouses and

Dependents

Communicates relevant information about education benefits, including Post-9/11 benefits, that can help eligible family members and caregivers pay for or offset tuition, housing, books and supplies costs.

VA Benefits 101 Highlights VA benefits and services, to include education, home loan guaranty, health care and insurance, and memorial benefits.

Social and Emotional

Health Resources

Describes services and provides information on resources for coping with life experiences and stressors that may impact social and emotional health.

Mental Health for

Families

Helps families of Service members and Veterans understand the mental health resources, programs and services available to them and how to access these resources.

VA Home Loan

Guaranty Program

Offers a general overview of the VA Home Loan

Guaranty Program including eligibility, processes, costs and other available resources.

Reserves and National

Guard (New – Launched in September of 2025)

Highlights the benefits and services that may be available for Veterans and transitioning service members of the reserve component and their families.

Module Name Module Overview

Vet Centers Describes how to connect with local Vet Centers and how Service members, Veterans and their loved ones can use Vet Centers as a free resource.

Disability

Compensation

Introduces the VA disability compensation benefit that may be available to eligible transitioning

Service members and Veterans and shows where to find key resources.

VA Life Insurance

Benefits

Discusses the different types of VA life insurance benefits to help determine the best choice for

Service members and their loved ones based upon interests and needs.

Reserve Component

Dual Payments

Provides an overview on drill pay, compensation eligibility, and dual payment.

Survivor and Casualty

Assistance

Resources

Provides an overview on VA and Department of

Defense survivor benefits and eligibility, and what to do in the event of a loss.

Community

Integration Resources

Explains how to identify local services and community organizations that can provide assistance and aid to Service members and their loved ones.

Other than Honorable Provides an overview of VA benefits and services available for former Service members who separated with an Other Than Honorable (OTH) character of discharge.

Women’s Health Transition Training

Women’s Health Transition Training 2.0

Women’s Health Transition Training

PRE-DECISIONAL 12

Women’s Health Transition Training was launched in February 2021.

▪ Women’s Health Transition Training is a non-mandatory complement to the VA Benefits and Services course that provides information on women health care services, eligibility, and how to enroll.

▪ Servicewomen at any point in their transition journey, as well as women Veterans can access this e-Learning course anytime, anyplace.

• Women’s Health Transition Training consists of five modules with in-depth information on:

o Navigating the shift from active duty o Understanding how VA is structured o Available women’s health services o Enrolling in VA health care o Transition assistance resources

▪ Participants can pause and resume as needed, enabling them to complete the course in multiple sittings.

Key Role of VA Benefits Advisors

1. Deliver VA Benefits and Services courses

2. Conduct one-on-one assistance sessions with Service members and their families to explain VA benefits and services and connect them with resources

3. Conduct Military Life Cycle micro-learning modules to help Service members better understand benefits, services and resources

4. Support Department of War-facilitated Capstone events, to help transitioning Service members meet

Career Readiness Standards and make an Individual

Transition Plan

5. Provide pre-separation counseling support – as needed/requested by the military service

6. Participate in installation engagement events as requested (such as Reserve and National Guard

Yellow Ribbon events, local resource fairs, spouse events, etc.)

7. Serve as the designated VA point of contact to triage and facilitate warm handovers from Department of

Defense to VA services

VA Benefits Advisors

VA TAP Support Concept

• VA currently supports more than 300 installations worldwide organized into nine operational regions.

• In a normal operating model, VA uses a regional hub-and-spoke model to oversee VA Benefit Advisors globally and to engage transitioning Service members, Veterans and their families and caregivers.

• VA TAP Regional Managers coordinate with DoD TAP Managers to ensure VA Benefits Advisors have the logistical support needed to conduct instructor led, in-person or virtual delivery of the VA Benefits and

Services course to transitioning

Service members, their families, and their caregivers.

• Reference Attachment F for installations served and historical support data

PRE-DECISIONAL

Alaska and Hawaii

Yellow dots represent permanent (hub) sites

Regions 8 and 9 are Western Area

Supporting VA TAP Customers – FY 2025*

• 5,871 VA Benefits and Services briefings

• Across 268 installations

• 145,898 attendees

• 60,705 one-on-one appointments (in-person and virtual)

• 64,481 attendees

• 1,713 installation engagements (such as Yellow

Ribbon, resource fairs, etc.)

• 74,215 attendees

• 3,886 Military Life Cycle modules

• 26,028 attendees

• 1,176 Capstone events

• 7,891 attendees

PRE-DECISIONAL

• 205 Veterans Service Officers

• 57 Organizations

• 2,167 VA Benefits and Services briefings

• Across 123 installations

• Connecting with 56,789 attendees

Installation:

• Permanent – Installations with high/medium demand and requires physical on-site support.

• Itinerant – Installations with low demand. On-site support is provided as required.

TAP is managed by the Services:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and U.S. Coast Guard

Example: Fort Bliss, Texas in FY25

• 7 Benefits Advisors

• 134 VA Benefits and Services course conducted

• 3,251 attendees

• Conducts up to 7 concurrent courses weekly

*This includes final numbers per the FY25 Annual Benefits Report.

Attachment F does not include installations that will no longer be served in FY26.

TASK 3:

TAP Training

• New Hire Training – First Step to becoming a Benefits Advisors

• Virtual Delivery Training – Designed to replicate on-site VA

Benefits and Services course delivery in a virtual environment

• Refresher Training – Provides recall and reinforcement to previously acquired knowledge and skills

• Master Advisor Training – Possess facilitator or trainer certification

• Other government-provided trainings – Government provides other trainings, as mandated by policy/legislation

Benefits Advisor Training

TASK 4:

TAP Curriculum

Curriculum Development

• Contractor will support the Curriculum Design, Development, Revision and Support Package as defined in the PWS for the following:

• VA Benefits and Services Curriculum

• Women's Health Transition Training Curriculum

• Military Life Cycle Curriculum

• New Hire Training Curriculum Development

• Benefits Advisor Refresher Training and Virtual Delivery Curriculum Development

• All curriculum development must meet standards outline in the VA TAP Curriculum Development and Revision Standard Operating Procedure (Attachment Z).

TASK 5:

Strategic Action Planning, Coordination and Implementation, and Data Analysis

For VA Internal Use Only

Strategic Action Planning, Coordination and Implementation, and Data Analysis

Strategic Action Planning, Coordination and Implementation

• The Contractor will support TAP leadership in identifying opportunities to modernize TAP by identifying and assessing relevant commercial and government best practices aligned with VA goals to include increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

Data Analysis and Evaluation

• The Contractor will:

o Conduct data analysis to identify gaps and emerging areas regarding transition assistance to inform the strategic action plan and adjustments to the plan and TAP.

o Develop and conduct analytics as required.

• Increase Benefits Utilization through connections with transitioning Service members and their families with a focus on junior Service members.

Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Integration:

o In January 2024, VA launched the Veterans Service Organization Integration initiative to provide transitioning Service members a direct line to VA-accredited

Veterans Service Organizations, or local and/or State Department of Veterans

Affairs for guidance and support.

o Increased direct connection with accredited VSOs during VA Benefits and

Service courses o Informed junior Service members and their families that VSOs are available at no cost o Service members gained valuable insights to resources with potential for lasting and meaningful connections o In FY 2025: 5,871 VA Benefit and Services (BAS) courses that were conducted worldwide, and 205 Veterans Service Officers from 57 organizations participated in

2,167 VA BAS courses across 123 installations and connected with 56,789 transitioning Service members.

Strategic Action Planning (Example)

23PRE-DECISIONAL

Task 1 – Program Management and Administration o Project Management Plan o Program Administration

Task 2 - Program Execution o TAP Onsite Support (Benefits Advisors) o TAP Onsite Support Reporting o VA Benefits and Services Briefing o One-on-one Engagements o Pre-Separation Counseling Support o Capstone Support o Military Life Cycle Modules o Reserve and National Guard Component Support (Optional CLIN)

Task 3 –TAP Training o New Hire Training o Benefits Advisor Refresher and Virtual Delivery Training o Master Advisor Training

Task 4 – TAP Curriculum

Curriculum Design, Development, Revision and Support Package o VA Benefits and Services Curriculum o Women’s Health Transition Training Curriculum o MLC Curriculum o New Hire Training Curriculum o Benefits Advisor Refresher Training and Virtual Delivery Curriculum

Task 5 - Strategic Planning, Coordination and Implementation, and Data Analysis o Strategic Planning, Coordination, and Implementation o Develop Innovation Programs o Data Analysis and Evaluation o Innovation Pilot Implementation, Solution Development and Surge Support (Optional Task)

TAP Contract Support