Jan 29 -- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the “Veterans Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS),” to be conducted in August 2021, August 2022, and August 2023. Comments are due by March 30, 2021.
The CPS Veterans Supplement provides information on the labor force status of veterans with a service-connected disability, combat veterans, past or present National Guard and Reserve members, and recently discharged veterans. Also, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam veterans are identified by location of service. Data are provided by period of service and a range of demographic characteristics. The supplement also provides information on veterans' participation in various transition and employment and training programs. The data collected through this supplement will be used by the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to determine policies that better meet the needs of our Nation's veteran population.
In order to make the information for the supplement more relevant, twenty-four questions are proposed for addition starting with the 2021 Veterans Supplement. New questions include items about veterans' transition from Active Duty to civilian employment, details about working with service-connected disabilities, awareness of VA benefits, and work duties while in the Armed forces. In addition, many questions were revised; most of these changes were made to streamline or clarify language or to update questions to use more current terms. Finally, ten questions are proposed for elimination; these little-used questions include detailed questions about veterans' experiences with Transition Assistance Program workshops, strategies for obtaining employment (networking, etc.), and whether veterans receive a monthly check from the VA for a service-connected disability. The revised questionnaire underwent cognitive testing and expert review.
CPS Veterans Supplement webpage:
https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2019/demo/cps/cps-veterans.html
Draft survey and supporting statement:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/siwwxudbbw02ktj/AAAcI2HUoKzKi5LGeUFyVosFa?dl=0
FR notice inviting comments:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/29/2021-01935/information-collection-activities-comment-request
Point of contact: Kyra Linse, Associate Director Demographic Programs, Bureau of the Census kyra.m.linse@census.gov (301) 763-9280
