Veterans across the Panhandle will have the opportunity to access on-the-spot benefits assistance, claims support and critical services in one place at the Panhandle Veterans Expo in Amarillo on June 13, 2026. Hosted by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) in partnership with the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), the free,
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) today announced that $40.8 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants will support 190 grants to 160 organizations across the state. Approved by TVC Commissioners last week, FVA grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and local government agencies throughout Texas
On Memorial Day, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is encouraging Texans to pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Texas is home to more than 1.5 million veterans and thousands of family members who carry the memory of those who made
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is proud to announce a milestone achievement in its mission to support veterans. As of the most recent revenue transfer, the Texas Lottery has now contributed more than $301.3 million to the TVC’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) since 2009. “The impact of this funding
A Houston area veteran’s vision to build something meaningful for veterans, divers and adventurers earned him one of the Small Business Administration’s top honors. Jason Burleson, owner of Mammoth Dive Academy, was named the 2026 SBA Houston District Rural Small Business Owner of the Year. As a certified veteran-owned business,
Military spouses and dependents of service members can find employment assistance from Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services Family Career Advisors (FCAs). Most FCAs are former military spouses themselves and know the challenges of being in a military family and while seeking civilian employment. FCAs know the employment opportunities available
Pictured above presenting Vanessa Luviano a TVC Excellence Award are, at left, Sal Castillo, TVC Claims Department Director and Air Force Veteran and Charlie Catoe, TVC Director of Veterans Benefits and Air Force veteran, at right, . Making house calls to veterans for claims assistance, deescalating frustrations and helping with
In September 2025, Army veteran Desiree Henderson‑Onovo met with TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor and Army veteran Katie Baillio for assistance finding employment. They determined that Henderson‑Onovo’s barriers to employment qualified her for Individualized Career Services from Baillio. Baillio provided one‑on‑one support, through career coaching, résumé development and job referrals.
Transportation is a critical need for many veterans. Lack of transportation is a barrier in getting to VA appointments as well as connecting with local services and resources. In the El Paso area, transportation was identified in the top three needs by the TVC Veterans Needs Assessment Survey, conducted
Download Card Military service members and veterans are invited to show their appreciation and affection to their spouses on the home front on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 8, 2026, in Texas. The day highlights the vital role military spouses play in supporting military service members and veterans, often navigating
Those without military experience who work with veterans will benefit from a better understanding of military culture and stress triggers. Organizations and professionals that serve veterans or hire them, plus, individuals who may encounter veterans as part of their day can improve how they relate with them through TVC’s Military
Pictured above, from left, are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner, TVC Justice Involved Veterans Claims Coordinator Jason Bednar and TVC Executive Director and Army veteran Tom Palladino. Bednar received an award for his work with Justice Involved Veterans. Jason Bednar’s work to improve Justice Involved
Pictured above, at left, Texas Veteran Commission (TVC) Director of Veterans Benefits Charlie Catoe, and at right, TVC Veterans Education Services Director David Salgado present a Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award to the University of Houston Clear Lake. Texas Veteran Commission (TVC) Veterans Education Services (VES) works with institutions of
Pictured above presenting Olga Ramirez a TVC Excellence Award are, at left, Charlie Catoe, TVC Director of Veterans Benefits and Air Force veteran and, at right, Sal Castillo, TVC Claims Department Director and Air Force Veteran. In her 20 years of experience as a Veterans Services Officer (VSO), Olga Ramirez
Ever gone somewhere to help in one way, but ended up helping in a totally different way? That’s just what happened to Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Rural Veteran Career Advisor (RCVA) and Army veteran Marcus Bollinger who was providing employment services at a monthly outreach event at American Legion Post
Air Force veteran Richard Newby got his disability rating increased from 30% to 70% when he encountered the TVC Claims team at Retiree Appreciation Day on Ellington Air Force Base. “I had tried several times at getting it increased; but I kept getting denied,” said Newby. At the event, Newby
Amber Cutshall knows how to connect veterans to their benefits whether they visit her Lamar County Veterans Services Office or by hosting a relaxed, recreational event. Cutshall, an Army veteran and spouse of an Air Force veteran, is Director of Lamar County Veteran Services. She recently launched Puzzle Ops, a
Army veteran Christopher Morisson faced difficulties in gaining employment and transitioning to civilian life. This included having been justice involved with a parole obligation and facing homelessness. Determined to live a better life, Morisson sought employment assistance from the TVC. Doing so made him face his skepticism about a positive
ARLINGTON, TX – Veterans, their families and caregivers are invited to meet the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) at the Veterans Stand Down resources event hosted by the Arlington Elks Lodge on March 20, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is free and held at the Elks Lodge
Since starting in June 2023, Brazos County Veteran Service Officer and Army veteran Pamela Robertson has secured approximately $6.8 million in claims back pay for veterans as of early February 2026. Additionally, she has assisted veterans with monthly disability compensation payments totaling $2 million. “Pam is a powerhouse,” said TVC
Navy veteran Lance Hooker found himself unemployed for the first time in decades after being unexpectedly laid off. Suddenly dealing with and feeling alone, Hooker described it as “One of the most testing chapters of my civilian transition.” reached out to his local American Jobs Center and met TVC Veteran
Karnes County Veterans Service Officer Blake G. Sanches’s collaboration with other agencies to established transportation for veterans and his effectiveness in providing staple services for veterans earned him a a TVC Excellence Award. Pictured above from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Sanches and TVC Executive Director
An unforgettable Valentine’s Day event awaits veterans in the Texoma area. The day’s featured guest of Texoma’s Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) is a kangaroo. Though anyone may enjoy his company, the idea is to give a fun experience to those veterans and spouses who may otherwise be alone. “This
Pictured above is TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Carlo Ungo-Martinez, a veteran of the Marine Corps and Army. Get assistance with VA Claims from TVC at no cost. When Vietnam veteran Glen Payne encountered difficulty roadblocks with the VA process, he met with TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Carlo Ungo-Martinez, a veteran
Pictured above is TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and Marine Corp veteran Myra Davenport. A veteran walked into the Tomball VA accompanied by her sister. It was clear she was carrying a heavy emotional burden. A proud Army veteran who had served her country with honor, she was now battling overwhelming
Army veteran Larry Clements, pictured above, moved to East Texas from Washington state, leaving everything he had known for the past 10 years. He settled in the Longview area and began looking for employment. As part of his job search, he visited Workforce Solutions Office in Longview and met TVC
In 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A significant part of those 250 years includes military service and veteran contributions to their communities after service. To honor and include Texas veterans in the America250 commemorations, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is
The exemption from the franchise tax and certain filing fees for eligible, new veteran owned businesses was made permanent by in the last legislative session (SB 938 Enrolled). “With this being made permanent, there is no longer any pressing deadlines to register business,” said TVC Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP)
TVC Veteran Entrepreneur Program Director and Army veteran Megan Tamez was honored by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition at its annual tribute to honoring veterans, small businesses and farmers. Their Tribute to Partnership and Impact event was held Dec. 9 in Washington D.C. “I had a great time talking with
Texas veterans have earned a wide array of benefits and services. There’s disability compensation, health care, education, access to special land sales and home loans, burials, veteran owned business perks, job search assistance, clinical counseling, housing, and more. So that veterans know about the benefits and services they’ve earned and
A surviving spouse came into TVC’s Claims office at the VA Northeast Vet Center in San Antonio in June 2025 to inquire about possible additional VA Survivor Benefits. There, she met TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and Air Force Kathleen Pino who began researching her spouses service and claims. Pino filed for
Above, Wichita County Veteran Service Officers Tina Jones and Jason Makepeace on the set of KFDX for their holiday message to the community. “Navigating the VA and other benefit systems can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our office is committed to providing knowledgeable, respectful, and
Professional of the Year honors from Workforce Solutions of Central Texas were recently bestowed on TVC’s Tony Ramirez and James Nickerson. The award recognizes individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to job acquisition and have made a meaningful impact in Central Texas. Ramirez and Nickerson both work in TVC’s Veteran
Texas Veterans Commission Chairwoman Laura Koerner Thank you for joining us as we honor our nation’s heroes. I’m Laura Koerner, Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission, and a proud U.S. Navy veteran. My own journey as a veteran began at the United States Naval Academy and continued as a Surface
Pictured is TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Jennifer Fells. A Fort Worth area veteran saw his disability compensation continuously rise after connecting with TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Jennifer Fells. The veteran had a 10% rating since the early 1990s. After talking with his friends, he began seeking assistance to update his
Pictured from left are Richard King and Daniel Nattress who worked to get the Operation Salvation veteran woodworking foundation started, and equipment donor Vincent Paulin. Air Force veteran Richard King wanted to launch a nonprofit to teach woodworking arts to veterans and children. He was challenged by lack of equipment
Extra services are available for veterans in Cass County as it was recently awarded a $750,000 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant from TVC. “These programs make a big difference by assisting with utility bills and mortgages,” said Travis Ransom, Cass County Judge and Brigade Command Sergeant Major in the
Pictured is Marine Corps veteran Joshua Sexton. After moving to Texas from California a little over a year ago, Marine Corps veteran Joshua Sexton was still having a hard time finding a job in his field of Information Technology (IT). Seeking assistance with his job search, Sexton visited the American
Pictured above from left are TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor and Army veteran Marcus Bollinger and Navy veteran Albert Tijerina at his new job. After months of unemployment, Navy veteran Albert Tijerina attended an Off Base Transition Training workshop at Workforce Solutions in Bryan in April 2025. Following the workshop,
Pictured above are Kerr County Veteran Services Office team Jenna Sanchez and Chase Allsup at the Family Assistance Center. The catastrophic floods that struck the Texas Hill Country in July 2025 expanded the mission of the Kerr County Veterans Service Office. Kerr County Veteran Services Officer and Air Force
Picture above from left are Zac Staley and Benito Juarez. Navy veteran Benito Juarez had been unemployed a year when he came to the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital office in San Marcos in July 2025. He had applied for dozens of jobs with no luck. After Workforce Solutions staff verified
Jason Payne After an extraordinary 30-year career in the U.S. Navy from October 1992 to June 2023, Jason Payne retired with honor and distinction. His service included flying various aircraft, executing complex multi-mission operations and holding key leadership positions such as Operations Officer, Naval Aviator, Compliance Officer, and Safety Officer.
Part of the “Grants Across Texas” initiative supporting veterans statewide AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) officially opened the application portal for the FY27 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) Grants. Organizations that provide services to veterans in Texas are encouraged to apply for the grant program, also known
On October 3, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $8,565,000 were awarded to 35 organizations in the Central Texas area. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 4,440 area veterans and their families in the region. Find all the organizations and grants
The Department of Veterans Affairs is sharing the below information regarding services affected due to the recent lapse in federal funding. For further information, visit VA Services Impact. Please note that Texas Veterans Commission will not be affected by the shutdown and will continue to serve all veterans, their families,
On Sept. 30, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $4,325,000 were awarded to 14 organizations in the South Texas, Coastal Bend and Harlingen areas. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 2,170 area veterans and their families in the region. “For the
On Sept. 25, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $10,910,000 were awarded to 37 organizations in the North Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth area. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 4,500 area veterans and their families in the area. “Texas is grateful
Special Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) job search skills workshops are coming to six cities in the west Texas and Panhandle areas in October. It’s the 2025 West Texas OBTT Road Show “This is well timed for honing resumes and interview skills before the big statewide Hiring Red, White and You!
On Sept. 24, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $1,985,000 were awarded to seven organizations in the northeast Texas area. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 735 area veterans and their families in the area. “In Texas, we always stand with
On Sept. 18, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $1,490,000 were awarded to seven organizations in the Texas Panhandle. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 524 area veterans and their families. “In Texas, we care about the well-being of our
On September 16, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $2,435,000 were awarded to seven organizations in the West Texas and El Paso area.The funding will support direct services to an estimated 2,160 veterans and their family members in that area. “Texans are forever indebted
On Sept 12, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $7,965,000 were awarded to 38 organizations in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast and Houston area. The funding will support direct services to an estimated 5,200 veterans and their families in that area. “In Texas, we will
On Sept. 9, 2025, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling $7,750,000 were awarded to 28 organizations in the San Antonio and South-Central Texas. The funding will provide services to an estimated 6,050 area veterans. “Texas will always honor the sacrifices of veterans who courageously served
Since 2017, compensation benefits for veterans in Kaufman County have more than doubled, from $40 million to $114 million. Also since 2017, Robert Hunter has been the Kaufman County Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Hunter, U.S. Army retired, has seen a significant increase in veteran population growth in Kaufman County during
Pictured above are TVC VR&E Liaison Thomas Tichy and Army veteran Dante Wins. Army veteran Dante Wins’ job as a manager in a retail giant’s warehouse was aggravating his service-connected disabilities. It kept him on his feet up to 14 hours a day. Seeking employment with better work conditions, Wins
On July 25, 2025, Navy veteran Tonya Pilot, pictured above, attended a hiring event for employment services provider Pride Industries at the Grand Prairie Workforce Office. At the event, Pilot spoke with Carmen McKinnon, the recruiter for Pride. McKinnon really wanted to help Pilot find something; but, during their conversation,
Employers from across Texas gathered in Abilene on August 8, 2025 for the annual Texas Conference for Employers, hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission. The conference brought together leaders, HR professionals, and business owners to discuss critical employment law updates and foster best practices in the workforce. Attendees had the
On Sept. 2, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott congratulated the 33 Texas public institutions of higher education for receiving the 2025 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Established by the Texas Legislature, the award recognizes universities and colleges that provide excellence in education and related services
Army veteran James Hall, pictured, had been out of work since January 2025. He was struggling with his service connected disabilities but determined to find employment. On April 30, 2025, he visited the Denison American Jobs Center (AJC) and was referred to TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor (RVCA) and
Ken Egershiem works beyond the confines and hours of his Comal County Veteran Service Office. He visits assisted living facilities and community organizations during his own time and provides his services at outreach events on weekends. Further, Egershiem secured a TVC Fund for Veterans Assistance grant for fiscal year 2023-2024
When it comes to helping veterans find jobs, multiple organizations and partners may be involved. TeQuoya Sheppard is such an outstanding example of effective collaboration between partnering agencies that TVC Veteran Employment Services (VES) West Texas District honored her as its El Paso Borderplex American Job Center (AJC) Business Services
After serving in the Army, Jacqueline Lawrence sought meaningful civilian employment. She soon found work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); but, wanted something else. In her search for a different job, Lawrence found the State of Texas job application process to be complex. That changed when she attended a
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is committed to ensuring veterans and their families have access to the benefits and services available to them for each chapter of their life. That’s why TVC has compiled resources for veterans ages 55 and older in one place. Additionally, those just retiring from military
Austin, TX –The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employment Services teams operating in West Texas District Workforce Solution Centers received the Mark Sanders Award for Exceptional Service to Veterans at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ (NASWA) 12th Annual Veterans Conference in Washington, D.C. on July 10, 2025. The
TVC Veteran Career Advisor Coach and Army veteran Dennis Aaron, at left, is presented the DAV Department of Texas Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) Award. The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Department of Texas recently presented its Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) of the Year Award to TVC
Damien Crawley, at left, receives the TVC Excellence Award from TVC Deputy Executive Director and Army veteran Shawn Deabay. Tarrant County Veterans Service Officer and Navy Veteran Damien Crawley is effective. His claims work has resulted in millions of dollars in awards. When meeting with veterans, should he hear something
A veteran’s daughter whose father’s challenges with mental well-being lead her to study forensic psychology is now taking advanced class this summer at Southwestern University for her major. The start of her college journey with the help of her father’s education benefits was first reported by E-Vets in May 2023.
Army veteran Dalton Barker found himself suddenly without at job. He had recently transitioned from service, having been in the Army from 2017 to August 2024 including leading missions in the Middle East. He was medically retired and soon after leaving the Army found employment as an Operations Manager for
Texas veterans who own businesses and those who want to start their own businesses may benefit from the Governor’s Small Business Summit Series and meeting TVC Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP) representatives there. The Governor’s Small Business Summits connect entrepreneurs with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow
When an Army National Guard veteran came to do community service hours at Veteran Point in Denton, Becca Hobby and Kasey Brown of the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) took it as an opportunity to get to know him and talk with him. “After discussing VA Disability benefits, he asked
When Army veteran Kelvin King visited the Denison Workforce Center on March 18, 2025, he was facing challenges, barriers to employment due to being justice involved, low income, and his disabilities. He was in the VA Compensated Work Therapy program, earning $8.35 an hour. The goal for those in the
When Nardia Stultz started with the Texas Veterans Commission Claims Department in August 2023, “She had no idea how much heart would be involved in her work,” said TVC Claims Southeast District Manager and Navy veteran Julio Harros. “Her very first Dependent Indemnity Compensation case was a tough one,” explained
Navarro County Veteran Service Officer and National Guard veteran Tim Easley An Army Vietnam veteran’s surviving spouse was recently awarded over $308,000 in retro payments ultimately dating back to 2002. It was a long journey of filing claims, denials, appeals and locating medical records. Helping her successfully through this process
Recently held job fairs attracted hundreds of employment seekers and connected them with employers and TVC Veteran Employment Services. The Law Enforcement Job Fair held on May 7, 2025 in Edinburg attracted over 289 job seekers. It featured over 40 law enforcement agencies seeking employees. It was sponsored and organized
The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act enacted by the U.S. on June 12, 1948, allows women to serve as regular members of the military. Prior to that, women in the military joined as volunteers in clerical roles, as nurses, or in special, temporary units such as Women’s Army Corps during
Kevin Marshall, Gregg County Veterans Service Office Director and Navy veteran. A Vietnam Era Army veteran in Gregg County with a 30% disability rating for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was denied after filing a claim for breathing problems associated with PTSD in June 2010. He filed a Notice of Disagreement
Pictured from left are TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor Zac Staley and Adria Garcia. Army veteran Adria Garcia was forced to close her healthy cooking business in Buda and had been unemployed for three months. “She was facing a challenging chapter in her life. With no job and mounting expenses,
Veteran and military connected students are focused on their academic success and their opportunities after college. When South Texas College held a Veterans Resource Fair at its McAllen campus in mid-April, it attracted over 60 veteran students and their family members. The Texas Veterans Commission was there to inform and
Above, TVC Commissioner Chuck Wright, center, joined Veteran Career Advisors (VCAs) Orlando Alvarez and Cynthia Lawton and Veterans Employer Liason (VEL) Coach Tee Huling at U&I Spread the Light’s resource fair in Dallas. Four on the spot interviews, referrals to employment opportunities and job seekers assisted with completing their Work
Military service members and veterans are invited to show their appreciation and affection to their spouses on the home front on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 8, 2025, in Texas. To help show thanks for spouses’ support, download the card, motion graphic or video below. Select and click on one
Veterans reported losing more money to frauds in 2024 than in previous years according to new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data released in March. Scams and frauds frequently target veterans, service members, their families, caregivers and survivors, and the FTC estimated veterans lost $419 million to fraud last year in
TVC Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Dale Harris is a master at filing claims and getting results. In addition to his effectiveness, Harris has improved the efficiency of his whole team in San Antonio. Dale quickly became a “Duty Expert” in all things related to claims and was recently promoted. As
Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Madison County Veteran Service Officer Erica Greene, Executive Director Tom Palladino and Commissioner Chuck Wright. Madison County Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) Erica Greene assists veterans with their VA claims, connects them with needed resources as quickly as she
As a TVC Employment Services Family Career Advisor, Dee Stewart assists military spouses and dependents of service members to find employment. Having been a military spouse herself, she understands the challenges military spouses face in maintaining a career as they move from one duty station to the next. Stewart said
The Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business. These events provide participants with the opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will
The Texas Veterans Commissioners approved the annual Veteran Employer of the Year awards at the quarterly commission meeting on May 15, 2025. TVC Veteran Employment Services staff nominate businesses and organizations which demonstrate a strong commitment to employing veterans and leading effective veteran employment initiatives. “Thank you to all employers
Austin, TX – Veterans reported losing more money to frauds in 2024 than in previous years according to new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data released in March. Scams and frauds frequently target veterans, servicemembers, their families, caregivers and survivors, and the FTC estimated veterans lost $419 million to fraud last
TVC Executive Director and Army veteran Tom Palladino was the featured speaker at the Borderplex Veteran & Family Caregiver Expo. Held March 21-22, 2025, in El Paso, it presented over a dozen veteran services, resources, and benefits providers. The expo featured panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and presentations on
The dedication and perseverance of TVC Claims Benefits Advisors (CBAs) Curtis Spann and his colleague Rhonda Carter paid off in a significant way for a Lufkin area veteran’s surviving spouse. The pair secured a claims award totaling over $219,000 for the widow. Spann, an Army veteran, initially filed a claim
Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Claims Benefits Advisor Greg Holland, Executive Director Tom Palladino and Commissioner Chuck Wright. Greg Holland works to keep justice involved veterans connected with their benefits, compensation and the services they have earned. He travels many miles to visit them
Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Young County Veteran Service Officer Adam LaVine , Executive Director Tom Palladino and Commissioner Chuck Wright. Young County Veteran Service Officer and Marine Corps veteran Adam LaVine increased the benefits received by veterans in his county by 41%. He’s
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Vice Chair and U.S. Army veteran Mary Dale presented Veterans Education Excellence Awards to seven universities and colleges at the Texas Association of Collegiate Veteran Program Officials Conference. The event was held February 25 in Austin. “These colleges and universities ensure our veterans and their dependents
Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Health Care Advocate Sean Lewis, Executive Director Tom Palladino and TVC Commissioner Chuck Wright. TVC Health Care Advocate and Army veteran Sean Lewis successfully resolved 468 VA health care issues for veterans with positive results in the past year.
Pictured from left are Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner, Claims Benefits Advisor Reggie Lewis, Executive Director Tom Palladino and Commissioner Chuck Wright. TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and Army veteran Reggie Lewis earned a TVC Excellence award by serving over 1,300 veterans in one year which resulted in Lewis
When U.S. Navy veteran Anwar Elboustani found himself in need of a new job, he visited his local Workforce Solutions Center in Waco. There, center staff assessed him as a qualified veteran for TVC Employment Services and in January 2024 connected him with TVC Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) Paul Bilunas.
The Texas Veterans Commission has been named as a recipient of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Highly Rural Transportation Grant of $120,000. This will be distributed among eight counties in Texas to provide veterans with transportation to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. “Veterans in these rural counties
VFW Post 4008 in Belton was recognized for its community partnership, support and generosity with TVC’s Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) and the Service Members, Veterans and Families (SMVF) community. “Over the past year, that VFW post has donated about $15,000 to the Samaritan Center on behalf of MVPN,” said
Ensuring her team is well trained, effective and raising the bar of service excellence earned Dallas County Veteran Service Office Assistant Director and Army veteran Lavette Domineck a Texas Veterans Commission Team Impact Award. “When you have a can do attitude there is nothing standing in your way. This is
Marine veteran Harry and his 19-month-old Golden Labrador Retriever, Skipper, are among the most recent graduates of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs, based in Rockwall, TX. Patriot Paws specializes in training and providing service dogs for veterans experiencing mobility disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and/or Post-Traumatic Stress. Skipper is Harry’s second service
Found deck logs showed a Navy veteran’s proximity to Vietnam and ultimately helped his widow win long sought Dependent Indemnity Compensation. “The veteran was actually not service connected when he passed away in 2009,” said TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Tonya Osborn. According to Osborn, the Borger area veteran was working
Above, Adrian, a retired Air Force veteran living with a leg amputation, has received several pieces of professionally refurbished and sanitized medical equipment from Project MEND. Project MEND’s mission is to improve the quality of life for veterans living with disabilities and illnesses in south Texas. They do this by
A chance meeting at a party honoring a WWII veteran culminated in a retro payment to a widow for over $238,560. “Last year I was at a party for a 100 year old WWII veteran and presented him a Galveston County Appreciation plaque alongside Senator Mayes Middleton. Upon leaving I
TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor and Army veteran Gerardo “Jerry” Garza participated in the Texas Conference for Employers – Lower Rio Grande Valley. The event was organized by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and held in Mission in late February. At the conference, Garza informed employers of the advantages of
Mental healthcare services can be as convenient as an online session or phone call for Texas veterans and their family members. The Warriors Research Institute (WRI) offers telehealth mental healthcare services to eligible veterans and their family members across the state at no cost. Telehealth allows greater flexibility in appointments,
Veterans Day 2024 Video Transcript On this Veterans Day, the Texas Veterans Commission expresses deep gratitude to the courageous men and women who have served our nation. Today, we honor your dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms. Veterans Day dates to Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918. In 1938,
Property tax exemptions are available to Texas veterans who have been awarded 10% to 100% disability rating from the VA*. The following are the exemptions based on Veterans Administration disability ratings: 100% disability ratings are exempt from all property taxes 70 to 99% disability ratings receive a $12,000 property tax exemption 50
The surviving spouse of a Marshall area Vietnam veteran came to TVC Claims Northeast District Supervisor and Army veteran Kerry Easley with notification from the VA regarding reducing her survivor’s pension retroactively back to 2018 due to her receiving Social Security Benefits. In the process of sorting that out, Easley
The Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Awards (VEERA) were presented to 10 colleges and universities at the 16th Annual Texas A&M System Military-Affiliated Student Symposium in College Station on Oct. 21, 2024. “I am so grateful for the opportunities that education has afforded me; and, I am dedicated
All five colleges of the San Antonio area Alamo Colleges District were presented Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Awards on Oct. 26, 2024. The presentations were made at the Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins and St. Philip’s College Good Samaritan Veterans Outreach and Transition Center 7th Annual Texas Veterans
Grants totaling $2,985,000 were awarded to 12 Veteran County Service Offices (VCSOs) across the state in the recent Fund for Veterans Assistance Grants Across Texas Tour in September and October. The VCSO grants are expected to serve over 2,600 veterans and their families with financial assistance, transportation, peer support services,
Veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurs are saluted by the Governor’s Small Business Summit on November 14 in Wichita Falls. Veteran business owners and those who aspire to be can meet the TVC Entrepreneur team there. Registration is $20; find more information and register at https://gov.texas.gov/business/event/governors-small-business-summit-wichita-falls . The State of Texas provides benefits
Asking if someone served in the military can help connect them to veteran benefits and resources, education and employment opportunities, peer support, mental health care and more. It can also open the door for community and organizations to receive the benefits veterans have to offer. That’s why Texas Veterans Commission
A Brownsville area veteran was awarded over $414,104 in retroactive pay in late July after TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and Army veteran Jose Zamora represented him at the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). The conditions addressed by the veteran’s claim were depression, stress, anxiety, sleep dysfunction/disorder, PTSD and claustrophobia. “The
TVC’s Health Care Advocacy Department (HCAD) reports an increase in veterans contacting them for assistance with VA Community Care. Through that program, veterans receive care from third party providers when the VA cannot provide the care needed. A recent example comes from a Lufkin area veteran connecting with TVC Health Care
A Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) volunteer, who recently became a law enforcement officer, was among the responders to a residence where an individual with a weapon was barricaded inside, threatening suicide. The new officer took the lead in the situation. Contact and rapport was established with the person in
Veteran owned businesses are booming in Texas. Their number, over 24,400 as of August 2024*, has more than doubled since 2022. In 2022, there were over 9,460 veteran owned businesses. Together, these businesses reported $1,184,446,884 in total revenue to the Texas Comptroller. In addition to being a positive economic impact
Morant Pittman, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army, faced a major setback when he was laid off from his role as a Quality Assurance Specialist at Fort Cavazos. “Mr. Pittman was disheartened and discouraged at the possibilities of obtaining a worthy job due to his age. He
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Grants Across Texas tour has circled the state to deliver over $44.2 million in grant awards to 161 organizations which are estimated to serve nearly 42,000 veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses. The tour made 10 stops in cities from the Rio Grande Valley to the
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Employment Services (VES) team’s Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) West Texas Road Show is on the go again. After its highly successful debut that attracted hundreds of veterans, the VES team is again bringing this free training to veterans in smaller cities and rural areas.
September 22 is Texas Veteran Suicide Prevention Day. The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) wants to help inform veterans, their families, friends and communities of the risk factors, warning signs and resources available for those in crisis. “Anyone can help save lives by knowing how to connect people in need to
TVC Health Care Advocate Shonda Roy in Beaumont got a “High 5” in the Houston VA newsletter for the caring assistance she provided a veteran’s surviving spouse. The VA Houston High Fives newsletter stated “Shonda did an exceptional job helping a grieving spouse trying to obtain the Veteran’s DD 214,
Marine Corps veteran Jim Moniz visited the Waco American Job Center (AJC) on June 25, 2024 seeking employment assistance. Once identified by the AJC staff as eligible for TVC Veterans Employment Services, the veteran secured an appointment with TVC Veteran Career Advisor and Air Force veteran Paul Bilunas. Together, they
Above is Isaac Marquez-Diaz with Workforce Solutions mascot Job Fair-Con. A job fair in a water park? It may seem unconventional; but, pairing fun and family friendly with a job fair drew nearly 600 job seekers, including families; plus, 74 vendors to TVC’s Job Fair-Con at Kalahari Resorts and Convention
The Centurion Military Alliance (CMA) honored TVC Veteran Employment Services (VES) South Texas District Outreach Coordinator and Army veteran Laurie Pimentel-Johnson with the CMA Legacy Award. Presented to her on July 26, 2024, the award recognized Pimentel-Johnson effectiveness and success in assisting service members to transition to civilian life. “The
“When we arrive at the office, we know it’s possible to have clients waiting outside the door to speak to us in addition to our scheduled appointments,” said Alan Smith, Milam County Accredited Veteran Service Officer and US Army retired. He arrives with his office partner and wife Crystal. Together
Veterans and their beneficiaries should never pay for assistance in filing disability compensation benefits claims. The VA and TVC warn veterans that they are often targets of companies and individuals known as claims predators. Claims predators often try to unlawfully charge a fee to help prepare and consult on
At the recent Texas Municipal Court Education Center Conference, held on August 1-2, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas, Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran Mental Health Department’s Justice Involved Veteran Program Managers, Cynthia Gray and Terri Williams along with Municipal Court Judge Bonnie Townsend, had the opportunity to call attention to the
In a single year (FY 2023), the Health Care Advocacy Department closed over 19,400 cases in which a veteran came to them with a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) related medical issue. Additionally, HCAD saved veterans a combined total of over $1.58M by resolving issues with VHA and non-VHA billings. Health
Althea Williams embraced her calling, defied the norm and joined the Army at age 39. In doing so, Williams, who has an MBA, left a career in small business development and public policy research. She went on to deployment in Afghanistan. After service, Williams founded She Vets It. An online
What was once fatigues or dress uniforms can be transformed into a handmade, custom wreath with Wreaths by Nicole P. “These wreaths are not just a decoration. Each tells a story and honors military service,” said Nicole Pompei, owner and founder of Wreaths by Nicloe P. “As a veteran of
The free, Veterans Resource Fair and Back2School Supply Drive for military children will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Tyler. The event is hosted by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) and UT Tyler’s Military Veterans Success Center. It
TVC’s Employer of the Year – Large Government Entity award was presented to the City of Houston on July 16, 2024. It’s workforce of 21,250 consists of 16.1% veterans of which 9.4% are veteran new hires. The Mayor’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs coordinates and facilitates access to veteran employment
The American Legion Department of Texas honored TVC with awards and a featured speaker role at it’s recent statewide convention, held July 13, 2024 in Denton. Recognized for their outstanding work to “ensure the economic well-being of veterans” were TVC Employment Services team members Veronica Rodriguez and Joshua Pinson. Rodriquez
A San Antonio area Army veteran was receiving his claims compensation and using his GI Bill benefits when a data base error led to the termination of his benefits. Further, it triggered the VA process to recover what he had received, over $30,000 in benefits. A series of events led
Linda Luttrall is a champion of Texas veteran entrepreneurs. In less than a year, she has assisted over 470 veteran owned businesses, including getting many started. “I have always believed in the power of entrepreneurship and using your own skills and talents to help others succeed,” said Luttrall, TVC Entrepreneur
TVC’s West Texas Veterans Employment Services (VES) team’s Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) Road Show is on the go again. After its highly successful debut that attracted hundreds of veterans, the VES team is again bringing this training to veterans in smaller towns and rural areas. The OBTT program consists of
When it comes to looking for employment, women veterans are taking holistic approach to the job search. The value of first impressions, self presentation, mentors and networks are known and worked on as well as resumes and interview skills. This was evident at the Boots to Fashion and Work event,
AUSTIN, TX – On June 26, 2024, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) presented its annual Veteran Employer of the Year awards to three Dallas area businesses. TVC Commissioner and Marine Corps veteran Chuck Wright gave the awards that recognize businesses and organizations which demonstrate a strong commitment to employing veterans
Job seeking veterans in the Del Rio area now have a local TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor (RVCA) they can connect with. RVCA Rustee Flood, an Air Force Veteran, started with TVC Veterans Employment Services at Del Rio in March 2024. A pair of outreach events have allowed her to
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) assists veterans with using education benefits and recent reports show more veterans utilize their VA education benefits in Texas than any other state in nation. Currently, the Lone Star State has 79,525 veterans and their dependents using the educational benefits they earned.
By standardizing operations and reducing the wait time for authorization to access VA data, the TVC Claims Department is improving its efficiency in assisting veterans. This also improves tracking a veteran’s claims status for TVC Claims Benefits Advisors (CBAs). To uniformly achieve these process improvements throughout TVC’s Claims staff and
Ellis County just started its Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) this May. The program is designed to provide Justice Involved Veterans, those incarcerated in the criminal justice system, the resources and assistance for a successful return to the community. That includes job readiness. Providing job readiness services for the Ellis County
Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) workshops cover crucial aspects to prepare for post-military professions and job searches. This includes hands on work with resume development, interviewing skills and other job search skills. OBBT also provides labor market information. A recent OBTT workshop series held in El Paso in early May attracted
While working with veterans on benefits and services, Veteran County Service Officers (VCSOs) may discover a veteran needs or may qualify for more services than initially sought. Knowing what’s available and how to get it, including the various processes, programs and people involved, can be challenging. Especially given the number
AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Veterans Commission’s annual Veteran Employer of the Year awards were approved by Commissioners at their quarterly meeting on May 16, 2024. TVC Veteran Employment Services staff nominate businesses and organizations which demonstrate a strong commitment to employing veterans and leading effective veteran employment initiatives. “Thank
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) have announced over $44 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants that will be distributed among 161 organizations across the state. Approved by TVC Commissioners at their meeting on May 16, 2024, FVA grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) invites citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of veteran services by joining TVC advisory committees. Advisory committee members are volunteers who share their skills and knowledge to help the TVC more effectively achieve its mission of advocating for Texas veterans and improving the
Once out of the military, veterans may miss out on benefits they have earned and needed local resources and services. TVC Veterans Mental Health Director Dr. Blake Harris says just asking about service is an effective way to start helping veterans in need. “We have to know people are veterans
Veteran education generally brings to mind the GI Bill® and Texas’ Hazlewood Act education benefits used to attend college. However, there’s more to veteran education than just using these benefits to attend classes and programs. Universities, their courses and programs must be approved and certified for veteran education benefits use.
The VA Friend of Social Work Award was presented to TVC Claims Southwest District Supervisor and Marine Corps veteran Robert Dimas, pictured, in March 2024. “The award comes from the consistent, dedicated interface with the VA social workers,” said Claims Southwest District Manager and Army veteran Mike Jaeger. “If
Veteran Jameson Miller is an example of how taking courses and programs, plus the connectivity of the veteran community, can overcome barriers to employment. He was able to find work in the career he desired, assisting veterans. It all began with Miller, pictured, being in the case management program
The surviving spouse of an Army veteran who served in Vietnam had been repeatedly denied Dependency Indemnity Compensation benefits. She had been denied every year since her spouse died in 2013. In February 2023, she met with Marsha Covington, an Army veteran and Veteran County Service Officer at the Bexar
TVC Veterans Career Advisor (VCA) and Army veteran Dennis Aaron is committed to helping veterans find jobs. He works with them to hone job search skills and in getting interviews. He listens to their disappointment when interviews don’t land jobs. Beyond the responsibilities of his own work, he serves on
A college campus, military base and a nonprofit organization were among the variety of places hosting recent employment events. At all of these was the TVC Employment Services team. To reach veterans around smaller towns, the Regional Employment Expo was hosted by New Braunfels Food Bank in late March. It
Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a date set aside for military service members and veterans to show their spouses on the home front their affection and gratitude. In Texas, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 8th. Show thanks for spouses’ support and sacrifice with the cards below. Select and click on
It’s the newest business to open in Rockport; and, it’s veteran-owned. The Bay Area Brewing Company is “Rockport’s first family-friendly nano craft brewery,” said Diedra Amaya, co-founder and Navy veteran. “It’s a veteran-owned family haven. Our family-friendly space offers relaxation, board games, and a dedicated play area for kids.” The
A lack of contemporary books for military children led Sarah Doran, an Army veteran and daughter of an Army chaplain, to become an author. It would also lead to self-publication and forming her own business. During her military service, she met her husband. After the military, Doran studied Elementary Education
When Army veteran James Thomas’s injuries prevented him from being able to perform his job, TVC Veteran Career Advisor and Army veteran Eliseo Torres assisted him in finding another. Thomas knew he could depend on Torres’s “guidance and encouragement” due to the previous success Thomas had with Torres’s assistance on
A $267,909 claims retro payment awarded to a surviving spouse in January is the latest big success for TVC Team Impact Award winner Samuel Perez, Jr. Great work and congratulations Samuel. Perez, pictured, is an Air Force veteran and Hidalgo County Director of Veterans Services. His outstanding service to
Maria D. Gonzalez understands the importance of entrepreneurs to economic development and creating jobs in rural communities. This led her to create and coordinate an entrepreneurs’ summit held in Lampasas. Gonzalez, pictured, is a TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor and Army veteran. As such, her goals include working with,
TVC connected with Texas National Guard members at events hosted by Texas Military Department’s Soldier and Family Readiness Program in late February 2024. Among the TVC programs there was Veteran Employment Services, represented by Homero Prado, Jr. He worked to connect job seeking Guard members and veterans with employment resources
Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Laura Koerner as Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Commission, and appointed Charles “Chuck” Wright to the Commission. “I am honored to continue serving the interests of veterans and their families in the Lone Star State,” said Chair Koerner, pictured. “This state is home to
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Vice-Chair Kimberlee Shaneyfelt concluded her service as one the agency’s Commissioners in March 2024. During her six-year term, Shaneyfelt guided the direction of the Commission as it expanded its staff, locations, and services across Texas. “More than five years ago I was entrusted with the honor
He established himself as the expert of all things VA in his community of Kerrville and built a working relationship with VA Raters to expedite claims, serving over 1,200 veterans, surviving spouses, and eligible family members. All this plus error free claims filing earned TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and Marine
Katasha Gray and Mike Calhoun of the Texas Veteran Commission’s (TVC) Veteran Employment Services (VES) North Texas District team prepare justice involved veterans to return to their communities with job search skills and job readiness training, plus employment leads. “Their workshops are very beneficial and have had an impact on
Madison Covington, pictured, recently earned a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. She had a goal of becoming a Federal Special Agent; however, she had no professional work experience. Covington, a dependent family member of two veterans, was referred by the program manager of the Fort Cavazos Soldier
TVC Employment Services partners with other organizations in producing career advancing events for veterans. At the Texas VFW Foundation Veteran Career Expo, held mid-January in Corpus Christi, 31 employers were on site, 10 on-the-spot job offers were made, 8 interviews were scheduled and over 140 follow-ups were planned. The event
In just his first year of service, TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor Theo Bell got 22 of 23 veterans he was intensively working with to participate in personal employment plans. He finished the year with a 100% employment outcome rate, exceeding the standard rate by 30%. Further, he connected with
Providing service to over 900 veterans, surviving spouses, and eligible family members in just six months with no claims errors is just part of why TVC Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Air Force veteran Shawn Gray was recently presented a TVC Excellence Award. “Shawn’s exceptional customer service skills and complete
More than 5,870 veterans were assisted by the Tarrant County Veteran Services team in 2023 under the leadership of Thomas “Tom” Belton, Tarrant County Veteran Services Director and Marine veteran. This resulted in more than $6,880,103 in retro active benefits being awarded veterans and over $2,316,230 in monthly payments made.
A justice involved veteran in the El Paso area, Mr. Llamas, was found in violation of his probation, jailed and facing losing his freedom as well as his family. Then, members of the El Paso County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) approached Llamas. They spoke with a down-and-out Llamas about participating
A homeless veteran who had been shot in the leg was using a broom stick handle as an aid to help him walk. He was brought to TVC Health Care Advocate Cathy “Cat” Sermons in San Antonio by TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Leonard “Leo” Bravo. “I escorted him to the
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) West Texas Veterans Employment Services (VES) team decided it was time to take Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) from the big city and out to reach veterans in smaller towns. The OBTT program consists of a series of employment-oriented workshops that were developed by the U.S.
All members of Texas Veteran Commission’s Veteran Entrepreneur Program are Accredited Small Business Consultants by the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants (AASBC). Meet the team: Megan Tamez – Director | Army Veteran Greg Shigemasa, Veteran Business Consultant | Air Force & Army Veteran Jose Sanchez, Veteran Business Consultant |
Vehicle purchases, life insurance, clothing allowances and settlements for Camp Lejeune conditions are among benefits recently adjusted by the VA for eligible veterans. Veterans qualified for the VA to purchase transportation may now get a new vehicle every 10 years. VA approved clothing allowances for garments damaged by skin medicine
Rusk County Veterans County Service Officer (VCSO) Leonard “Leo” Gonzalez was recognized at the November TVC Commissioners quarterly meeting for his service on TVC’s Veteran County Service Officer Advisory Committee. Gonzalez’s service on that committee enhances VCSO training, resources and performance statewide. It builds on the relationship between TVC and
On November 17, the ribbon was cut on Vietnam veteran U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Miguel Olvera’s new home in Smithville. Olvera’s new, mortgage-free home was made possible by a partnership of Operation Finally Home, along with the Texas Veterans Commission and McCoy’s Building Supply. Tour Olvera’s home, hear from
A Gulf War Navy veteran in Val Verde County filed his first Claim in 2013. He was awarded for his left ankle; but, denied on a handful of other conditions. He eventually came to TVC for assistance with his Claim and the VA process. This began a journey that included
A Vietnam War era Army veteran in the Paris, Texas area just wanted health care when he first visited Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) and Army veteran Laura Bivens, until Bivens convinced him to file a claim. “I graduated high school with his daughter. She saw what I did in
A couple of entrepreneurial veteran business owners, who were helped by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Entrepreneur program, earned $1,000 prizes at a Second Service Foundation business pitch competition. The pitch competition was part of the Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference, held in early October at the University of Texas
TVC Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) is contributing to the National Institute of Corrections’ first Veteran Intercept Model to minimize the risk of veterans getting more deeply involved in the justice system. The intercept model begins with preventing entry into the justice system and identifies opportunities in the criminal justice
AUSTIN, TX – The application period is open for the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant program. An estimated total of $30 million in grant funding is available. These grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and local government agencies that provide direct services to veterans. Applications
TVC Health Care Advocacy Department (HCAD) helps veterans navigate VA health care and resolve issues with it. HCAD will present Introduction to VA Health Care Benefits, Eligibility & Enrollment on November 17, 2023. The session will be available at 9:30 a.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. Sessions are presented via
The team at Wichita Falls American Job Center (AJC) of Workforce Solutions North Texas has developed a collaborative and productive relationship with the local Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services team. Together, the two organizations form an effective and reliable Business Services Team (BST) which connects job seeking veterans with
Following the death of a San Patricio County Veteran in 2011, his surviving spouse applied for Dependency Indemnity Compensation on the basis of Metastatic Esophageal Cancer. “The claim was later denied where it remained until the surviving spouse appeared in our office in January 2023,” said San Patricio County Veteran
A Harlingen area Army veteran who served in Vietnam and Germany from Nov. 13, 1967 through Nov. 1, 1970 came to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to file his initial Claim on May 1, 2013. “His Claim was for exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam,” said TVC Claims Benefit Advisor
TVC’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) awarded 15 grants totaling $2,980,000 to 14 counties to support services provided through their Veteran County Services Offices (VCSO). The grants help fund a variety of assistance provided by VCSOs including financial assistance services, housing and transportation services. Veteran County Service Offices, local governments
On October 5, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $5,110,000 in grants to 15 organizations for providing services to more than 6,790 Alamo and Hill Country area veterans and their families. The presentation was made by TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner at
On October 3, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $6,445,000 in grants to 24 organizations for providing services to approximately 5,354 Central Texas area veterans and their families. The presentation was made by Commission Secretary and Army veteran Mary Dale at the Hays County
On Sept. 27, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,885,000 in grants to 15 South Texas and Rio Grande Valley organizations providing services to veterans and their families. These grants are anticipated to serve more than 3,300 veterans. The FVA grants awarded include: Cameron
On September 20, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,665,000 in grants to 11 organizations for providing services to veterans and their families in Panhandle and Concho Valley regions. These grants are anticipated to serve more than 3,160 veterans and their families. The FVA
On September 15, 2023, at 10 a.m., the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $2,950,000 in grants to 15 organizations for providing services to approximately 2,103 north Texas veterans and their families. The FVA grants awarded include: Baylor Scott & White Research Institute: a $300,000 grant
On September 14, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,230,000 in grants to nine organizations for providing services to approximately 6,340 Fort Worth area veterans and their families. The grants awarded include: C L C Inc: a 385,000 grant for home modification and a
On September 13, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $1,840,000 in grants to nine organizations for providing services to approximately 1,840 East Texas veterans and their families. The FVA grants awarded include: Ark Tex Council of Governments: a $5,000 grant for financial assistance Cass
The 5th annual Austin Veteran Arts Festival (AVAFest) is preparing launch on Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 13. It features concerts, comedy, veteran art exhibits, dance and performing arts, book fair and festival, discussion groups and more. AVAfest also includes tournament including pickle ball and golf. The activites are
In just his first year of service, TVC Rural Veterans Career Advisor Theo Bell got 22 of 23 veterans he was intensively working with to participate in personal employment plans. He finished the year with a 100% employment outcome rate, exceeding the standard rate by 30%. Further, he connected with
More than 5,870 veterans were assisted by the Tarrant County Veteran Services team in 2023 under the leadership of Thomas “Tom” Belton, Tarrant County Veteran Services Director and Marine veteran. This resulted in more than $6,880,103 in retro active benefits being awarded veterans and over $2,316,230 in monthly payments made.
Providing service to over 900 veterans, surviving spouses, and eligible family members in just six months with no claims errors is just part of why TVC Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Air Force veteran Shawn Gray was recently presented a TVC Excellence Award. “Shawn’s exceptional customer service skills and complete
VA Home Health Care sent the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) a request to contact a Vietnam era Army veteran in the lower Rio Grande Valley, who was receiving assistance from VA Home Health Care. The contact was requested as the veteran had not yet filed a VA disability compensation Claim
When the U.S. Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Headquarters held a recruiting event in July, it reached out to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to participate. “This gave us the opportunity to network with local RGV Sector Border Patrol recruiters and provide information to participating veterans on all
In May of 1990, Greg Hale graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish. He went on to use that degree in the United States Navy as a Naval Intelligence Analyst and served honorably for four years. After his Naval service Hale,
The Texas Veterans Commission’s Veteran (TVC) Entrepreneur Program (VEP) teamed up with the Sam Austin Group for Black Business Week in San Antonio held July 31 and August 1, 2023. TVC’s Entrepreneur Program was there to provide Veteran Verification Letters (VVLs) on the spot for new veteran business owners before
On September 7, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented 31 grants totaling $6,990,000 in grants to 26 organizations for providing services to approximately 5,370 Gulf Coast area veterans and their families. The presentation was made by TVC Commissioner and Army veteran Kevin Barber at
On September 7, 2023, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented 31 grants totaling $6,990,000 in grants to 26 organizations for providing services to approximately 5,370 Gulf Coast area veterans and their families. The presentation was made by TVC Commissioner and Army veteran Kevin Barber at
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is excited to announce an opportunity for citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of veteran support and services by joining the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Advisory Committee. This committee provides grant recommendations to the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant program. By working
The American Legion Department of Texas presented its 2023 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) of the Year Award to Kelly Norris, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Career Advisor in Garland. Additionally, the American Legion presented its Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) of the Year Award to Eric Brown, TVC
A Corpus Christi area veteran’s condition made it necessary for his spouse to become his full-time caregiver. This left both the veteran and his wife without employment and eventually on the verge of bankruptcy and not knowing if they would be able to pay their bills. The veteran had served
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner discussed transitioning from military to civilian life at a symposium hosted by the Centurion Military Alliance at Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) in Live Oak on July 28, 2023. Chairwoman Koerner, a U.S. Navy veteran, talked about her personal experience of military service,
Dan Moran is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran and was a Commissioner of the Texas Veterans Commission from March 2011 through December 2019. He is founder and CEO of Moran Enterprises, Inc., a holding company with investments in the engineering, procurement, construction, and private security industries. The company also
Al “Eliseo” Cantu, an Army veteran, was first appointed as a Commissioner for the Texas Veterans Commission in April 2008 by then Governor Rick Perry and served as Chairman May 2012 through December 2019. Cantu is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1966
“Food insecurity is a complex challenge with multiple dimensions,” said Laura Koerner, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman and U.S. Navy veteran. “It not only deprives individuals of their basic human need to access nutritious food but also undermines their health, education, and overall well-being.” Chairwoman Koerner made these remarks at
The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Department of Texas recently presented its Texas’ 2023 Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Awards to individuals and businesses for their exceptional work in preparing injured veterans for the workforce and placing them in jobs. Presented June 9, 2023 at the DAV Conference in San Marcos, the
In March 2023, a surviving spouse in Corpus Christi brought a VA Notification letter she had received advising of pension termination and possible debt to Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor and Navy veteran Santos “Mo” Molina. He listened to her situation, set her mind at ease and began
Teens and young adults, ages 16-24, were the target group for Job Fest 2023 in San Antonio. “This was our first time attending the Job Fest. Many veterans were escorting their teenaged children to the event and stopped by the TVC table,” said Laurie Pimentel-Johnson, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran
“I’ve been working on the Claim for one of my combat Marines who served two Iraq tours and one in Afghanistan. He had been getting denied any service connection at all for years,” said Ryan Halley, pictured, Marine Corps veteran and Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA). “We
In April, a homeless man brought into a Permiacare mental health facility by Odessa Police turned out to be a decorated Air Force war veteran in need of health care. “They found this man on the street. He appeared to be homeless and having health issues,” said Jayni Whitefield, Texas
While assisting an Off Base Transitional Training (OBTT) event in March at Fort Worth, Lee Ware, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employment Liaison (VEL) and Army veteran, happened to meet veteran Bruce Banner. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1998, had service connected conditions and was unemployed. “Mr.
Justice Involved Veterans in El Paso improved their job search interaction skills, including how to address the difficult issues of their involvement in the criminal justice system, with a mock job fair in early May 2023. Taking part in the event were Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) local Veteran Employer Liaisons
Two women veterans in San Antonio received refurbished vehicles from the National Autobody Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. “Having reliable transportation can make a huge difference in someone’s life, especially when it comes to accessing employment opportunities, medical appointments, and other essential services,” said Laurie Pimentel-Johnson, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
“He made every objection from the VA a challenge and literally fought every battle with and for me. Without Adam’s assistance I would have been lost with all the required paperwork,” said Army veteran Robert Charles Bryant. “Adam not only helped me locate the medical records; he ensured that they
AUSTIN, TX – June 12th is Women Veterans Day, commemorating the day President Harry Truman signed the bill enabling women to serve as permanent, regular members of U.S. Armed Forces, on June 12, 1948. Prior to the enactment of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948, women serving in
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans offers free legal clinics for Texas veterans and their surviving spouses. Clinics are held by organizations around the state at various dates and times. For locations, dates and times visit Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Legal Clinic Calendar. About Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans: Texas
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave their lives in military service for all of us in the United States of America. As we enjoy the blessings of liberty this weekend, remember we are here today because of heroes, people who, from the beginnings of our country
Last year, clinical services and peer support was provided to over 34,000 veterans, their family members and active duty military by Texas Veteran Commission certified Peer Service Coordinators of the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) and Rural Veteran Counselors. In recognition of their service, commitment and achievements, the Texas Veteran
“Juan Amaya and his team just helped this surviving spouse get almost $820,000 in backpay! Williamson County has the biggest awards I know of now for our team,” said Laura Bivens, pictured, Texas Veterans Commission Veteran County Service Officer Liaison and Army veteran. The surviving spouse was assisted in
A veteran father’s challenges with mental well-being lead his high school daughter to change her studies to forensic psychology. He wondered how much could his veteran education benefits help his daughter in college? The veteran contacted the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Education Services (VES) with questions about his daughter’s
On February 14, 2023, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Navy veteran Danette Craig met with a Vietnam war Amy veteran who had recently moved to the College Station area from California. Upon learning the veteran was in poor health, living in a hotel and experiencing severe
The success of a recent hiring fair held April 13, 2023 at Fort Bliss in El Paso has Hire G.I., a national recruitment and job placement company for transitioning military and veterans, ready to return. The event attracted over 210 attendees and more than 30 employers and vendors. To hold
“One of the main causes of recidivism among Justice Involved Veterans (JIV), is the fact that many experience unemployment or low income,” said Ron Abrams, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services North Texas District Outreach Coordinator and U.S. Army veteran. To improve that situation, working directly with veterans who are
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Education Services initiatives and accomplishments were presented to Texas Association of Collegiate Veteran Program Officials (TACVPO) by TVC Chairwoman and U.S. Navy veteran Laura Koerner at the TACVPO Conference, held March 28, 2023 in San Antonio. TVC works with colleges and universities to help veterans
Closing Claims cases that were in limbo, helping veterans receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards, assisting with health care issues and handling Military Sexual Trauma cases make Garry Murphy “A one-man monetary award winning and life improvement making person out in Medina County,” said Mike Jaeger, Texas Veterans
The new Raising the Flag employment program prepares job seekers with workshops such as resume writing and interview skills. Then, it provides the opportunity to put those to use with quarterly job and career fairs. Raising the Flag employment events are available to veterans, active duty and transitioning military and
Vietnam-Era Veteran Eloy Vasquez’s job search ran into a snag this winter when he was asked for proof of his high school education. Though Vasquez could show having GED marked on his DD214, the potential employer required physical proof such as a diploma or GED certificate. Vasquez needed employment assistance
A Corpus Christi area veteran’s condition made it necessary for his spouse to become his full-time caregiver. This left both the veteran and his wife without employment and eventually on the verge of bankruptcy and not knowing if they would be able to pay their bills. The veteran had served
The American Legion Department of Texas presented its 2023 Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) of the Year Award to Kelly Norris, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisor in Garland. Additionally, the American Legion presented its Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) of the Year Award to Eric Brown, TVC
Buddy Check Day is a reminder to reach out and connect with those who served in the military. It helps maintain relationships, a sense of community and is an opportunity to let other veterans know about programs and services that may be useful. Some veteran friends and family members may
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor Thalia Hernandez, an Army Veteran, worked with a Rio Grande Valley area Army veteran on his VA Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) hearing regarding his Claims. Though the BVA denied contentions that he asked for, Hernandez did convince the Administrative Law Judge that
When the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) in Midland/Odessa was contacted about the passing of two unattended veterans and their upcoming funeral needs, they set out to raise funds to cover cremation and other costs so that the veterans would be buried with the honors they deserved. Through their fundraising
Veteran owned B&M Cycles in Springtown, Texas was ready to capitalize on business growth. To help them do so, owners Brian and Meghan Johnson reached out to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP), which they had established a relationship with through their Veteran Owned Business verification. The
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) invites Texas women veterans to join its Women Veterans Network at a virtual event on March 23, 2023. The event will highlight services and benefits available in various areas of the state and provides the opportunity for women veterans to join the network, meet regularly
“Sometimes they have injuries they don’t know about until we talk,” said Paul Baker, Robertson County Veteran Service Officer and an Air Force veteran. “I try to take time to interview every veteran who comes in, at length.” Baker, pictured, advises veterans to get started on their Claims. “Veterans considering
After an Amarillo area veteran was taken to the Emergency Room and admitted into a hospital, his subsequent medical treatments reached an overall cost of approximately $340,000. Upon arriving at the hospital, he called Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Health Care Advocate (HCA) and Navy veteran Linda Luttrall. “I was the
U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin “Marty” Walsh visited the American GI Forum-National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) https://www.agif-nvop.org/ in San Antonio on August 30, 2022. Meeting with Secretary Walsh in a roundtable discussion were members of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employment Services (VES) South District team. “At the roundtable,
In the far flung rural areas of the Texas Panhandle, to take care of fellow veterans Rev. George W. Hall, US Army Ret. travels hundreds of miles and countless hours. “Many in this area travel to larger cities for work and come home at night. Others out here don’t drive
During Fiscal Year 2021-2022, from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Health Care Advocacy Department (HCAD) closed over 11,300 cases in which a veteran came to them with a medical issue and HCAD resolved it or connected the veteran with a “warm handoff” to
Kingsville area veterans have some gym time exclusively for them thanks to the Kingsville Boxing Club. “This allows the veteran to work out in a military veteran environment. The benefit of this is that this opportunity allows the veteran to express himself in ways that he feels comfortable and will
Tina Jones gets out and about to help veterans in Wichita County. As Wichita County Veterans Service Officer, she’s helped veterans with housing, food, counseling, even delivering older veterans taxes to the upper story of the courthouse. She does all this in addition to the work of filing Claims. “Sometimes
A new Bexar County Military and Veterans Service Center Director is scheduled to come onboard in September 2022. LTC Keith Wilson is slated for the directorship upon his retirement from U.S. Army Soldier for Life, Regional Director for South U.S., Northeast U.S. and Europe. In preparation for his new role,
AUSTIN, TX – On September 6, 2022 at 1 p.m.; the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $5,450,000 in grants to 20 organizations for providing services to approximately 4,600 Gulf Coast area veterans and their families. The presentation was made by TVC Commissioner and Army veteran
On September 2, 2022, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $7,610,000 in grants to 30 organizations for providing services to approximately 5,100 Central Texas area veterans. The presentation was made by TVC Commissioner and Army veteran Mary Dale in San Marcos at the Hays County
On September 1, 2022; the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,325,000 in grants to 13 organizations for providing services to approximately 2,100 veterans in the FVA Alamo Region*. The presentation was made by TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner at the Comal County Commissioner
On August 30, 2022 ; the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,450,000 in grants to 16 organizations for services provided directly to veterans in the South Texas, Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi areas. The grants will fund services for more than 3,000 veterans, their
In the El Paso area, the widow of a veteran was denied Dependent Indemnity Compensation in 2010. With the help of Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor and an Army Retired veteran Robert Macias, she was just awarded over $194,700 in retro payment in July, plus monthly compensation of
Veterans Employer Liaison (VEL) Christopher Garza and Rural Veteran Career Advisor (RVCA) Katie Baillio were awarded by the American Legion, Department of Texas for their outstanding effectiveness in getting veterans into jobs. Both are members of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Employment Services team. The awards were presented at
“Lavette Domineck is awesome. I went from 40 to 80 and she was always able to answer any question I had about the whole process,” Kip Pollard posted in a Google review regarding the assistance he received from the Dallas County Veteran Services Office. Lavette K. Domineck is the Lead
Entrepreneurs, the Houston Veterans Business Expo will be held Friday, September 30, 2022. Veteran owned businesses may get involved as exhibitors to showcase products and services; or, come network and go to sessions as attendees. Plus, veteran owned food trucks have the opportunity to do business at the event.
A veteran and his spouse were frustrated by the “monumental paperwork of the VA systems” which added to the spouse’s stress of taking care of her terminally ill veteran husband. The couple felt more at ease after connecting with Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Marine veteran
Juan Amaya’s strong commitment to getting veterans their benefits led him into researching medical findings. “I was assisting a surviving spouse with a VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Claim. Her husband was only service connected for PTSD at 100% for only 4 years. In his death certificate it stated that
When 67-year-old U.S. Army veteran Kurt Vogel, pictured at right, was laid off from a Human Resource position over a year ago, he decided to reinvent himself and seek a new career field. In doing so, Vogel activated his profile in the Work in Texas (WIT) system. That got
“We recognize that for many veterans and first responders, helping others is second nature; asking for it is not,” said Erika Carley, Senior Director of Operations, Chive Charities. Chive Charities works to improve the quality of life of veterans and first responders by providing needed assistance, services or equipment
Job fair and career resources events hosted in May by Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employment Services (VES) West Texas District attracted over 1,300 attendees and “resulted in multiple application submissions and pending job interviews,” said Rodney Washington, TVC VES West Texas District Outreach Coordinator and Air Force veteran. “My
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As we enjoy the blessings of family and friends this Memorial Day, let us all take a moment to recollect the reason for this day. Today, we honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives, so that we may enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear. Their courage and
In April, The Texas Association of Collegiate Veteran Program Officials (TACVPO) presented its 2022 Excellence Award to Charles “Chuck” Bryant, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Education Operations Manager and Army veteran, pictured. “He wants to help them (veterans) achieve their dream of graduating,” said TACVPO President Mary Roby. Roby
Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Kevin Barber to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for a term set to expire on December 31, 2027. “I am honored by this opportunity to continue serving Texas veterans,” said Barber, an Army veteran. “Veterans are valued members of our community. I look forward to advocating
A pair of Corpus Christi couples reached out to a homeless 82nd Airborne veteran who was in a wheelchair. They discovered he was unable to perform the activities of daily living and took him in. In trying to secure appropriate care and assistance for him, they encountered difficulties, challenges and
In February 2022, a McAllen veteran was awarded retro pay of over $329,600 and an increased disability rating of 100% with assistance from Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Army veteran Jose Zamora, pictured. The story began in 2013 when the veteran was working with another veteran
Army veteran Dyan Schiller recently overcame obstacles to employment and started on a new career in February 2022 as a Claims Representative Associate, with United Health Group. “I could not have done it without you both, I greatly appreciate all your advice, your guidance, your patience, direction, communication, updates, reminders,
An error dating back to 1993 was found on a San Antonio area veteran’s Claim by Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Air Force veteran Kathy Pino, pictured. The discovery and correcting it recently resulted in retro pay plus an increase in disability rating for the
A widow in Corpus Christi initially denied Dependent Indemnity Compensation (D.I.C.) due to the suicide of her husband has now been awarded over $2,099 monthly D.I.C. The award was earned with the assistance of Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) and Navy veteran Santos “Mo” Molina. “He carried
The versatility of the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) is being shown in Granbury as MVPN is part of wheelchair ramp building for veterans’ homes. The ramp building is in addition to the Granbury area Pecan Valley MVPN’s ongoing support for mental wellness and general assistance to over 100 veterans.
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) has increased its efforts to reduce and prevent veteran homelessness by expanding its team with two Homeless Veteran Coordinators. “This is good news. They will engage directly with veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of experiencing it in both urban and
The Benefits Delivery Discharge Claim was to be effective October 1, 2020. After not receiving the benefits, the veteran contacted Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Kathy Pino for assistance. TVC CBAs assist veterans with the Claims process and advocate for them with the VA. Though the Claim
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employment Services (VES) in the Coastal Bend area recently added six new employers to the companies VES works with to increase veteran hiring. Additionally, Coastal Bend VES reconnected with over a dozen other employers. Making contact with the new and reconnected companies was Coastal
Judge Wayne Christian, Colonel, US Army, Retired, of the Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) invited the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to participate in the VTC’s “All Hands On Deck” docket held December 13, 2021. Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) invited the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to participate in
In assisting veterans and their families to receive their benefits, Ted Oats gets out to meet them where they are. “Many times, I visit with families in the home, nursing home or assisted living facilities to explain the requirements to be able to qualify,” said Oats, Hunt County Veteran Services
“Do you care for your veteran spouse, parent, family member, child, loved one, friend, or neighbor? If you had some extra help around the house or someone to knock things off your to-do list, what is something you could do for yourself? Finish holiday shopping? Make a gingerbread house with
The presence of Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Health Care Advocates (HCAs) who assist veterans with VA health care issues is expanding into areas which previously had none. Lubbock and Abilene are among the latest, new locations to receive HCAs with Stephen Harrison in Lubbock and Susie Middlemas in Abilene. Both
The annual Point-In-Time Count to identify where and who are homeless estimates 8% of the homeless in Texas are veterans. The count also seeks to identify what they need. “Preventing at-risk individuals from falling through the cracks then becoming homeless is a top priority today. Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) teams
Texas State Senators José Menéndez and Bob Hall, and Representative Tony Tinderholt received special recognition from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for their consistent, strong support and advocacy on veterans issues throughout their years of service in the Legislature. Menéndez’s support has included authoring and working to pass bills which
Earning top spots in the PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP) Veteran Entrepreneurs Texas Tour Pitch Competition were: Snow Bees – Justin Perry, Founder & CEO Mach1 Roadside Assistance – Rick Narpaul, Founder & CEO TJL Collection – Tiffany Lewis, Founder & CEO “The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) was
Claims were filed, hot lunches served, flu shots and haircuts were given and items for warmth and hygiene provided at the Corpus Christi Veterans Stand Down serving homeless veterans. Held November 12, 2021, the event was attended by 43 veterans and 20 community resource representatives participated, including the Texas Veterans
November 11, 2021 Veterans are an important part of all our lives because they protected the freedoms we enjoy. After their service in the U.S. military, veterans go on to be valuable members of our communities. With that in mind, let us honor them this Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th,
Huey Helicopters and F-4 Phantom models plus other Vietnam memorabilia greet those arriving to see Donald Phillips, Denton County Assistant Veteran Service Officer (ASVO)and Navy veteran. “I see more Vietnam veterans than any other veterans,” said Phillips. “What inspired me to create this wall was my uncle who was a
An Air Force veteran contacted the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims office on July 27, 2021 and had a 0% service-connected disability rating. About a month and a half later, on Sept. 15, his compensation rating went to 100%. That awarded him a monthly compensation over $3,320 and granted a
Having earned her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering, Navy veteran Joanna Ayala, pictured, was eager to put it to use; but, encountering difficulty securing employment. On April 2, 2021, she had an initial meeting with Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) and Army veteran Katasha Gray at Resource
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Career Advisor Durashia “Button” Frizzell was featured as the Nueces County’s Veteran of the Quarter. Get to know her career from Boot Camp to TVC including Guantanamo Bay, Iceland, Japan and points in between. Read the April-June 2022 Newsletter.
In September, a veteran in El Paso was awarded a retro payment over $553,085 with the help of Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor and Army veteran Roberto Macias. The veteran served as a Weapons-Technician in the Navy during his service of at least two tours in Vietnam (RVN
Looking for services to help one’s well being in a subtle environment? Vet Centers offer social, mental and emotional wellness in a confidential manner at low profile locations. Additionally, the centers provide connectivity to many resources available in the community. “The confidentiality is a big asset of Vet Centers,” said
Eleven Veteran County Service Offices (VCSOs) across Texas were awarded a combined total of over $2.3 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance Grants from the Texas Veterans Commission. The grants assist the VCSOs to provide assistnace directly to veterans including financial assistance, home modifications, transportation, dental care and more. The
Marine Corps veteran and Victoria area Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) Peer Service Coordinator Oscar Pulido saw the opportunity to enhance his town’s annual veteran recognition event with more comradery for veterans and connect them with local resources and services. The event, VetFest, is scheduled for Veterans Day, November 11,
Ever talked with a WWII Marine Corps woman veteran? It’s a rare conversation opportunity. WWII Marine Corps Veteran Marine Marilyn Richards Dow of Corpus Christi celebrated her 100th birthday in August 2021. The honor of meeting Ms. Dow occurred for Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisors Durashia Frizzell (Navy
Texas cities scored among the best for veteran entrepreneurs by the PenFed Foundation. In the top 20 were the metro areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area was recognized as the Largest Riser and it ranked 26th. San Antonio was ranked 25th. More Texas cities were included
On September 23, 2021, 14 institutions of higher learning from around Texas were honored with the first ever Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Veterans Education Program. This new award established by the State of Texas recognizes universities and colleges that provide excellence in education
In late July, a Facebook post seeking help for a dog suffering from heat stroke lead Beaumont area resident Karen Kiesling to a nearby Village Creek State Park in Lumberton. There, she found a veteran, her daughter and their four dogs camped. The family, Army veteran Ruth Lufkin and her
“I initially filed a claim back in 1974 when I left active duty. Back then, I was not aware that TVC existed. I simply filed out the form and submitted it to the VA,” said veteran Joe Deosdade. When his Claim was denied, Deosdade dismissed the VA and “went on
Based on the provisions of the Isakson and Roe Act of 2020, beginning with school terms on or after August 1, 2021, students using their Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit at a non-college degree (NCD) facility will be required to verify their enrollment at the beginning of each month to receive
“We pride ourselves in getting our veterans the compensation that they deserve, but it is a nice feeling when we overcome a previous denial, or we are able to get DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) approval for a widow whose spouse never filed a claim through the VA,” said Ruben
“Just as those who served in uniform swore to bear true Faith and Allegiance to our Nation, the Faith and Allegiance Initiative, founded by John Wilson, seeks to encourage community and faith-based partners to bear true faith and allegiance by offering a hand,” said Dr. Blake Harris, Texas Veterans Commission
AUSTIN, TX – On September 8, 2021, the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented over $1 million in grants to six organizations in east Texas for providing services to approximately 5,400 veterans. The grant recipients and their services include: General Assistance Grants Ark-Tex Council of Governments
On September 7, 2021, the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented over $7.6 million in grants to 27 organizations in north Texas for providing services to over 4,000 veterans. The grant recipients and their services include: General Assistance Grants Achieve (Citizens Development Center) – one grant
On September 2, 2021; the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented over $2.5 million in grants to seven organizations for providing services to over 1,200 veterans in and around Abilene, Concho Valley and the Panhandle area. The grant recipients and their services include: Concho Valley Center
On September 1, 2021, the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $1.6 million in grants to five organizations for services provided directly to veterans in El Paso and surrounding counties. The grants will fund services for approximately 1,700 veterans. The grant recipients and their services include:
AUSTIN, TX – On August 27, 2021; the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,025,000 in grants to 12 organizations for providing services to approximately 5,000 San Antonio area veterans. These FVA grants support a wide range of services for veterans in this area including housing,
AUSTIN, TX – On August 24, 2021; the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented $3,975,000 in grants to 13 organizations for services provided directly to veterans in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. The grants will fund services for approximately 3,200 veterans. Watch TVC Chairwoman
The Disabled American Veterans’ (DAV) honored Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services’ Lee Ware as DAV’s 2021 Outstanding Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Tremayne “Trey” Hubbard as DAV 2021 Outstanding Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP). Both Ware and Hubbard were awarded at the DAV’s National and state level
“When I met my client William, he was homeless and living in his truck with his dog,” read the report from Kelley Harrell of Goodwill Central Texas. “He told me his story. It was full of details of how he ended up homeless and his struggle to get out of
“Anytime you have a service connected disability that has increased in severity you can apply for an increase in your evaluation providing that disability is not at the maximum percentage for that disability according to the rating schedule,” advises Phil Kraus, Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) who heads up the Texas
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services provided individualized career services to 2,369 veterans from July 2020 – June 2021. Of that, 1,294 found employment. Overall, throughout Texas, TVC’s Employment Services served 18,290 veterans in its past program year. This included job fairs, training and networking events. “TVC’s Employment Services team
“Just because a buddy says he or she is getting a particular benefit does not mean you are going to be eligible for the same benefit. Everyone’s circumstances are going to be different,” said Michaelle Davis, Comal County Veteran Service Officer (VSO) and Air Force veteran. “The best advice I
November 11, 2021 Veterans are an important part of all our lives because they protected the freedoms we enjoy. After their service in the U.S. military, veterans go on to be valuable members of our communities. With that in mind, let us honor them this Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11th,
Having earned her bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering, Navy veteran Joanna Ayala, pictured, was eager to put it to use; but, encountering difficulty securing employment. On April 2, 2021, she had an initial meeting with Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) and Army veteran Katasha Gray at Resource
Huey Helicopters and F-4 Phantom models plus other Vietnam memorabilia greet those arriving to see Donald Phillips, Denton County Assistant Veteran Service Officer (ASVO)and Navy veteran. “I see more Vietnam veterans than any other veterans,” said Phillips. “What inspired me to create this wall was my uncle who was a
An Air Force veteran contacted the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims office on July 27, 2021 and had a 0% service-connected disability rating. About a month and a half later, on Sept. 15, his compensation rating went to 100%. That awarded him a monthly compensation over $3,320 and granted a
The budget approved by the Texas Legislature and by Governor Greg Abbott included the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) request to add 12 more Health Care Advocates (HCAs) in VA facilities to help resolve veterans’ health care questions and issues. TVC HCAs advocate for individual veterans. They work with the veteran
Out in west Texas, Ward County is home to flat land, a big sky, the Pyote Rattlesnake Bomber Base and Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) Willie Andino. “Come see the Veteran Service Officer in your community; or, if you’re thinking of filing a claim and haven’t started, call 800-827-1000 and
The American Legion 2020 Employer of Veterans Award winners included Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Employer Liaison (VEL) Lee Ware and Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) Coach Trey Hubbard. Ware earned awards at the state and national level. The 2020 American Legion National Employer Awards recognized him with its LVER (Local
In just six months, September 2020 through February 2021, the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) served 34,789 veterans or veteran family members; plus, MVPN engaged with 6,720 justice-involved veterans. Additionally, MVPN conducted 196 training events; and trained 642 Texans in Basic Military Cultural Competency Training and Suicide Prevention Training. “The
The first three Veterans Faith Champions in Texas received their initial training in April 2021. Veterans Faith Champions are volunteers who will act as resource guides to transitioning military and veterans within their faith communities. “Transition is a critical time. We all want social connectivity, community, and life purpose. You
“All VCSOs (Veteran County Service Officers) have success stories. It’s the veteran we don’t get through to their benefits or have challenges with that we should focus on,” said Sabine County Veteran Service Officer and Navy veteran Thomas “Shorty” Warren. And succeed he does, as exemplified by a WWII veteran
The Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Veteran Entrepreneur Team is partnering with TVC’s Veteran Employment Services team to promote the benefits of hiring veterans to Veteran-Owned Businesses across the state. “Are you looking to grow your team? Is it time to delegate activities to others so you can lead strategy for
Memorial Day honors the men and women who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a day for Americans to remember and honor the heroes who laid down their lives to preserve our freedoms. We can all join and pay tribute to those who died during military service with the National Moment of Remembrance, a minute of silence, 3:00
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a day for Americans to offer tribute and honor to the heroes who laid down their lives to preserve our freedoms. Originally known as
A winter (snowbird)Texan checks in at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims office in Harlingen and gets a rating upgrade. Veterans on a weekend retreat meet a TVC Claims Benefits Advisor and get help with their VA health care and claims issues. A CBA goes cross country to advocate for
Marine Corp veteran Sara Brogan served as an Airframe Mechanic. Army veteran Christin Schleker’s military background consisted of medical logistics. Both had barriers to employment. Here’s how each overcame those barriers. Brogan responded to a general outreach to new veterans registered in Workintexas.com in January 2021. This outreach was initiated
“When speaking to your County Veteran Service Officer feel free to address questions that you might have which may be outside of the scope of VA disabilities. Chances are they will know how to begin a specific process or have great resources that will help you through any issues you
A south Texas veteran whose disability claim was originally denied by the VA recently had a successful appeal by working with Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisors (CBAs) which resulted in a tax-free retro payment of over $886,170. CBAs Craig Hardwick and Margaret Jowers worked with the veteran on
Larry Fisk, Veteran Service Officer for Dallam and Hartley counties, knows the importance of having proper documents to receive VA benefits. “I’ve helped out a bunch of veterans in getting their DD214. You’ve got to start with that.” To help area veterans, Fisk has made his office in Dalhart available,
When Don Parrot saw an opening on the City of El Paso’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, he saw it as an opportunity to collaborate on a larger scale to improve services for veterans. “By serving in the community, TVC staff can have their finger on the pulse, of what is
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is seeking experienced, HUB certified Veteran-owned small businesses and new Veteran-owned small businesses to pair in a new HUB Mentor/Protégé Program. “As a mentor, we are looking for companies that are HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Certified, have experience responding to Local, State or Federal contracting
“Our top priority this session is to work with the legislature to address the challenges facing our veterans such as helping our veterans access our VA funded health care services with the assistance of our advocates,” Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman Laura Koerner told the Senate Finance Committee Koerner, a
“Job clubs are very different from our workshops. It’s very informal. We invite veterans that are in the job seeking arena,” said Jonathan Boubel, Veteran Career Advisor of the Texas Veterans Commission. “We just have an open dialogue that is not scripted. It’s extremely informal we just talk about some
“We have a lot of veterans that call and have lots of ideas for different businesses and that’s where we help them do some market research to determine if that’s a viable business,” said Maggie Peterson, Veteran Entrepreneur Business Consultant of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and Air Force veteran.
An increase in Claims compensation rating from 40% to 70% for a San Antonio area veteran is a recent example of how Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisors (CBA) assist veterans. The Air Force veteran had been out of the service for over 24 years, since 1996. With a
“I had to be medically retired. I want to say thank you to the military and the veterans service center … for helping during that time,” said Nyajuok Mangongo, a retired Army Captain. Watch her full story and others at Bexar VCSO video. Pictured is veteran Jeffery Hof telling his
March 1836 saw Texans’ fight for their independence in peril. Early victories had been earned by Texans at Gonzales (Come and Take It), Concepcion and a battle west of San Antonio over a supply line (the Grass Fight). On March 2, 1836 Texas independence from Mexico was declared. Just a
Housing, family law, disability issues, estate planning & more are among free civil legal assistance available to eligible Texas veterans from Lone Star Legal Aid, Houston Volunteer Lawyers and Texas A & M School of Law – Family & Veterans Advocacy Clinic. These organizations are supported by grants from the
Army veteran Howard McMillan’s eyesight problem made him unable to pursue his career as a welder as he could not pass the necessary eye exam. Unable to secure employment, he was living in a shelter in the Fort Worth area. “I didn’t know how I was going to make it,”
After Gulf War Army veteran Lenora Holmes’ new job fell through, she found herself unemployed and depleting her savings. In her previous job as a VA social worker in North Texas, she had directed veterans to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for employment assistance. Holmes decided to do so herself.
“Every time that we are able to get someone their benefits, we consider that a success,” said Juan M. Rios, Sr., Tarrant County Assistant Veteran Service Officer. Having completed nearly 2,700 claims for veterans disability, non-service-connected pension, and survivors benefits, Rios creates much success. Rios’s advice to his fellow veterans
Freddy Salazar served in the Marine Corps from 2005-2009. After he left the service, he was married and had two daughters. “Due to some mental health conditions and drug and alcohol use, I lost it all,” said Salazar. In 2012, he separated from his wife and was homeless. “I was
Army veteran and Speech Therapist Leslie Wegner owns North Texas Voice & Speech, a specialized speech therapy practice helping adults and children with voice, swallowing, and speech related problems. She works with a variety of clients, including veterans, who have vocal fold problems, aging voice concerns, difficulty swallowing, and now
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Vice-Chair Kevin Barber was the opening speaker for the Houston Area Urban League veteran outreach event “Operation Empowerment.” Barber, an Army veteran, provided on overview of TVC services to veterans attending the virtual event, held December 8, 2020. Additionally, he commended the Houston Area Urban League
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner spoke at the Bexar County Veterans Treatment Court Graduation virtual event on December 14, 2020. “This past year has been especially challenging. I thank you all for keeping veterans treatment court working through the pandemic and within health precautions,” said
Veteran Johnathan Igou served just over 4 years in the Air Force. During that time, he was injured during a combat tour in Afghanistan, sustaining injuries from an I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device), and a Tracer Round. Igou, pictured below, was medically boarded and while in the VA hospital was referred
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Senior Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Kathleen Pino serves as the primary liaison for transitioning service members seeking to complete Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims for several military bases, as well as VBA claims support and referral for area veterans and their families. An Air Force
After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Tami King began working for her fellow veterans as Gillespie County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) in March 2007. Since then, Disability Compensation and Pension awards to Gillespie County veterans have increased by over $7.2 million, from $ 4,436,000 in 2007 to $ 11,645,000 as
The Texas Veterans Commission announced the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grant recipients on May 13, 2021 during their FY21 3rd Quarter Commission Meeting. For the upcoming grant period (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022), there were 147 grants awarded, totaling $33,430,000. This is the highest number of grants and
In November, WalletHub ranked the 100 largest U.S. cities as to their favorable environments for veterans. The ranking utilized 20 key indicators of livability, affordability and veteran-friendliness. They range from share of military skill-related jobs to veteran income growth to availability of VA health facilities. A dozen Texas cities were
Through his own personal effort and commitment, Donald Glover has increased the service of the Kimball County Veterans Office to daily service. “For many years, this office was open 1/2 day a week. I volunteer enough time to keep it open at least four hours a day and have done
Looking for a place to share experiences, to get and give career tips in an easy-going environment? Try LinkedIn MilCity. LinkedIn MilCity describes itself as “A Military Community Career Centered Meet Up & Networking Group. Powered by the people – for the people. These are free events and not affiliated
Veteran entrepreneurs make business strategies for the new year with The Texas Veteran Commission’s Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP). “Get your Veteran-Owned Business verified and receive our logo and decal so you can let your customers know that you served our great nation,” said Anna Baker, VEP Manager. “Second, catch-up with
AUSTIN, TX – On November 9-13, 2020; the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) presented more than $30.7 million in grants to 109 organizations across Texas. These funds are providing assistance to more than 33,400 veterans and their families. The grants are awarded to nonprofits and government
Texas Veteran Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisors (CBAs) and Veteran County Service Officers across the state filed more than 870,480 claims on behalf of Texas veterans in Fiscal Year 2019-2020. This resulted in over $1.3 billion being paid to veterans. Of the total number of claims filed, more than 838,750
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) consists of multiple programs and initiatives aimed at providing training, certification, technical assistance and advocacy related to veteran mental health needs. VMHD includes programs and services for justice-involved veterans, peer support, suicide prevention, military cultural competency and military trauma awareness
John Singleton left his family farm to join the U.S. Army in 1964 and became a member of Airborne. In 1965, he was deployed to Vietnam. Now, 55 years later, Singleton is at home in Guadelupe County with his family and raises chickens in his yard for fresh eggs. As
On Sept 30, 2020, H. R. 8337 was signed into law extending the timeline for the special COVID rules for students pursuing resident courses that were converted online because of COVID 19. Post 9/11 GI Bill students who pursue resident courses converted to online delivery solely due to COVID 19
“Check the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search to see if the VSO is accredited at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp . Make sure your claim is being handled by a VA accredited representative,” advises Army veteran Keeyawnia “K.C.” Hawkins, Director of Bell County Veteran Services and County Veteran Service Officer. An accredited
The Veteran-Owned Businesses recognition program of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Entrepreneur Program launched October 26, 2020. Veteran owned status is verified by the program. Once verified, the program will provide a VOB logo designation for display on businesses, web sites and marketing materials. “Being recognized and verified as a
“As we honor their service, let’s also recognize veterans’ ongoing contributions. After taking off service uniforms, they bring their experiences and expertise to strengthen our society. Veterans become valued members of our communities as active volunteers, leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors and our friends,” stated TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner
The statewide Hiring Red, White & You job fair is scheduled for November 5, 2020 with multiple events being held through virtual platforms. By holding multiple, virtual job fairs across the state, Texas employers can more easily connect to highly qualified veteran job seekers. Be prepared for this hiring event and
Since 2009, the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance has distributed over $168 million in grants to organizations that profoundly impact the lives of Texas veterans and their families. When day-to-day needs overwhelm veteran families in the Lone Star State, FVA’s grantee organizations are there to bridge the gap. Assistance for veterans
WoVeN (Women Veterans Network) is a nationwide organization, a network of women veterans that fosters connections and builds relationships in communities. The group has a close, mutually beneficial relationship with the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Women Veterans Program (WVP). Together, WoVeN and WVP have produced seminars and workshops covering a
Mills County Veterans County Service Officer (VCSO) Craig Wright is a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in Vietnam during 1964-1966. “I served on a destroyer, the USS O’Bannon DD450 during that time,” said Wright. “This is a small but very patriotic county, and everyone supports our veterans. I work on
Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are sought for participation in VA SERVE (Support & Education for Returning Veterans) workshops. Compensation for participating is provided. An upcoming one-day workshop will be conducted by the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center &
The value of social innovation and being a responsible and conscious business was the focus the recently completed the Social Impact Business Bootcamp, sponsored by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP). “I always knew that I wanted to use the business to help women in other countries,
The American Legion, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) partnered to present a statewide, virtual career fair on September 15, 2020. The event turned out bigger than expected, featuring more than 220 companies and attracting approximately 780 job seekers. “It was recognized at American Legion national level
The VA 2020 Virtual Economic Investment Initiative (EII) for San Antonio will be held on September 24th and 25th. The event is produced by the VA Office of Transition and Economic Development to connect large veteran and transitioning military populations of specific geographic regions with benefits, services, and employment opportunities.
The Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Transition Alliance is a network of organizations that assist the transition of service members from active duty. Representing the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) at the JBSA Transition Alliance’s meeting on August 18, 2020 was TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner. At the meeting,
In August, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will begin awarding more than $400 million in grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program to 266 non-profit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Oct. 1,
In July, a San Antonio veteran worked with Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Margaret Jowers on filing his obstructive sleep apnea as a secondary claim to already service connected PTSD. In August, the veteran called Jowers to tell her the VA rating notification granted not only the
Caldwell’s Veterans County Service Officer (VCSO) Dr. Al Dos Santos is offering more services to veterans with the help of a Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) grant awarded in July. “With the award of a (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grant, this office can now provide assistance with housing expenditures such
Get ready to show your Veteran-Owned Business status. The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Entrepreneur Program plans to launch a Veteran-Owned Business (VOB) recognition this fall. The program will provide a VOB logo designation for display on businesses, web sites and marketing materials. “Forming a business with an idea is
Texas is now the first state in the United States to offer veterans an interconnected network of services to help them transition into the civilian workforce after their service in the military.The Texas Veterans Commission is proud to be a part of the newly formed Texas Veterans Network. This is
Assisting a WWII combat veteran in the Rio Grand Valley with his disability rating and helping a Bryan-College Station veteran in urgent need of VA documentation are ways the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims put their teamwork and resourcefulness to work in July. Further, Texas Senator Jose Menedez congratulated and
The Big Ideas & Start-ups Entrepreneurship Academy, Small Business Academy and Social Impact Bootcamp are free, virtual, multi-week courses beginning August 24, 2020. Those interested must choose the course that best fits them and class size is limited. The courses are popular and Social Impact Bootcamp has already filled. They
When it comes to helping veterans and their families get the benefits they’ve earned, Rusk County Veterans Services Officer Leo Gonzalez assists them wherever he can; either at his office in Henderson, going to their homes, visiting assisted living facilities or getting them where they need to be. “I offer
The 2019 American Legion National Employer Awards recognized Katasha Gray as Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist (DVOP) of the Year. Gray, a Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisor, was recognized last month by the America Legion’s state level employer award and has now gone on to be their national
Veteran Kristen Wahl left a job as a Security Manager for US Navy Submarines in Washington D.C. and moved to Texas with her husband. “I thought when I got to my new home state, I would have no problem finding employment,” said Wahl. About five years later, she was still
Networking Informational eXchange/Training (NIXT) is how veteran services providers are collaborating and sharing knowledge to improve veteran services in south Texas. NIXT is a weekly meeting of the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) South Texas District Employment team to which other organizations and TVC programs are invited to present information. This
Congratulations Kim Reid, Shawna Story (formerly Medina ), Sherry Byard and Tanya “Tee” Huling for being recognized as a VA Veteran of the Day during July. Congratulations all and well done! Reid, Staff Services Officer for the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services North District, was honored on July 1,
I am honored to have served as a Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Commissioner since 2018 and now being appointed Chairwoman. I look forward to supporting and advocating for TVC and all Texas veterans. I’m a veteran myself, having served in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer onboard the USS
Governor Greg Abbott appointed two new commissioners, Mary Lopez Dale of Cedar Park and Mike Hernandez of Abilene, to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) in place of outgoing Commissioners Eliseo “Al” Cantu, Jr. of Corpus Christi and Dan Moran of Houston whose terms have expired. “On behalf of the entire
The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is seeking qualified applicants to serve on its advisory committees. Advisory committees serve the TVC by making recommendations and/or providing key information and materials to the Commission. The Texas Veterans Commission has established the following three advisory committees which have member positions available: Fund for
Success for a Brownsville veteran with the VA Board of Veterans’ Appeals, reinstating a San Antonio veteran’s disability rating and getting Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for a Richland Hills widow are recent examples of how Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims can help veterans. To assist an Air Force veteran from
“There are myriad different considerations and potential obstacles when pursuing benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs,” said Paul Chandler, Fannin County Veteran Services Officer (VSO). “Do not attempt the claims process on your own. Contact a certified or accredited Veteran Services Officer in your county for assistance or a
Earning top employment services awards from the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the American Legion, Department of Texas are Katasha Gray and Tanya Huling. Both work in the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Employment Services North District. Gray was awarded as Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist of the Year by the DAV
When eight women veterans recently completed their Employment Plan to overcome hiring barriers, West Texas Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) District Coach Tremayne Hubbard celebrated them. The veterans were recognized at the annual Women Veterans Day celebration hosted by Hubbard. An Employment Plan provides a written step-by-step guide and actions to
The Army Airforce and Exchanges Services (AAFES) has a program that promotes the products and services of veteran owned businesses. The Exchanges Services Vendor Partner Program offers a marketplace for specialized and niche products from small, woman, and veteran-owned businesses. Short-term and long-term placements are offered. Under the Exchange Services
USDA commits up to $16B in direct support to ranchers & farmers with business affected by COVID-19 Farmers and ranchers, those entrepreneurs in the livestock or crop producing industry affected by COVID-19, may qualify for financial relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA committed to providing $16
NPower helps launch digital careers for military veterans from under-served communities and veteran spouses. Their digital and technology careers training is tuition free for qualifying veterans. Since 2013, NPower has served north Texas. Now via their new virtual program delivery, NPower expands its career training opportunities across Texas. Find out
“When I returned from war, I was raging and didn’t know why. I had to go get help.”- Marylyn “I retired from the military, not in any way upset with the military at all. It was the best part of my life. It wasn’t until I had been out of
Since the start of the fiscal year in September 2019 through April 30, 2020, the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Department has assisted veterans in receiving over $250 million in retroactive payments plus annual increases. Of the $250 million, $107 million was in retroactive pay disbursed to 7,088 veterans throughout
“We are a general one-stop-shop for anyone needing help understanding the VA system!,” said Laura (Spain) Clark, Wise County Veteran Service Officer (VSO). For veterans in any county, Clark encourages them to “make an appointment at your local County or State Service Office and ask all of those hard questions!
At their quarterly meeting May 14th, 2020; Texas Veterans Commissioners approved a total of $30,775,000 in Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants to be awarded to over 120 organizations across Texas. These funds are distributed as part of the 2020-2021 grant cycle and are expected to provide assistance to more
“During difficult times the goal of our office is to be a lighthouse in the storm, a place where veterans can turn to and know that they can get a helping hand,” said Sarah Gamboa, Atascosa Veteran County Service Officer (VCSO) and US Marine Corps veteran. Gamboa’s team has launched
Over the past five years, Hazlewood education benefits use increased by more than 10%. In 2019, it was used by 42,835 individuals, compared to with 38,822 in 2015. The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of
Translating military experience into civilian job matches can be difficult. Experienced coaching in writing resumes and other job search skills is a staple of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veterans Employment Services (VES). These job seeking skills trainings were interrupted by the COVID-19 health emergency. Training sessions are now resuming
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) Emma Breitbarth was recognized as VA Veteran of the Day and featured in the VA blog VAntange Point on April 26, 2020. A few days later, the VA named TVC VCA Katasha Gray as its Veteran of the Day for May 8.
From March 19 when the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Department transitioned to remote service through May 8, Claims has had over 74,000 interactions with veterans. These have been on a strong uptick. For example, the week of May 4 had 15,600 interactions compared to 2,902 the week of March
The Texas Veterans Commission’s Entrepreneur Program offers the following tips and resources to small businesses to face the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business downturn. Brainstorm creative ideas. Phone a friend, Zoom a business mentor, call a family conference. Do not underestimate ideas of young children
After serving 20 years in prison, a Tyler area veteran who had not applied for his benefits was released. He persevered to receive his benefits and transition back into the community with the help of the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN). “I got to see this veteran’s journey from before
ELISEO “AL” CANTU, JR. Major, US Army (Retired) Chairman May 25, 2020 My Fellow Texans, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a day for Americans to offer tribute and honor
Veteran Employment Services annually presents Employer Awards to business and organizations demonstrating a strong commitment to employing veterans and for effective veteran employment initiatives. The following businesses and organizations were awarded for their dedication to veteran employment in 2019. Large Employer Award (251+ employees) Allied Universal (AU)-Texas, Houston, TX
Click on COVID-19 testing to find a testing site near you.
The Texas Veterans Commissioners quarterly meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2020 starting at 9 a.m. Due to health precautions, this meeting is being held via gotowebinar. To watch, click TVC Commissioners meeting. Or, listen to the meeting by phone; dial (213) 929-4232 and enter access code 336-411-584 .
As of April 20, 2020, $880,788 in additional, emergency grant funding from the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Fund for Veterans Assistance (FVA) has been approved to 16 organizations providing veterans services across the state. The additional funds are to assist with increased service demands brought on by the coronavirus/COVID-19 State
Texas veteran business owners are facing multiple challenges as entrepreneurs brought on by the Coronavirus COVID-19 emergency. For business owners, resources are available to help provide relief to the impact caused by the state of emergency including the following. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing business guidance and loan
A Blue Water Navy Agent Orange compensation for a Kerrville area veteran and a correction on a form for a San Antonio area veteran highlight veterans’ Claims successes in March. In Kerrville, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Claims Benefits Advisor (CBA) Tammi Franklin’s work with a veteran on a Blue Water
Travel with Trekking with TVC to southeast Texas and meet Hilary Guest, an Army veteran and Jefferson County Veterans Service Officer. To serve the many veterans in his area, Guest and his team have offices in Beaumont and Port Arthur. They help veterans, their spouses and dependents file compensation claims,
On February 24, 2020, the Audie L Murphy Memorial VA Hospital became the first VA Hospital in the nation to be honored and designated a Military Order of the Purple Heart Hospital. Additionally, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, to which the hospital belongs, became the third system in
The Social Security Administration is warning of new tactics being used by phone scams to trick Americans into providing money and personal information to scammers. To see the full advisory from Social Security, click on Scam Awareness.
As Texans continue taking preventative measures against Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Department of State Health Services is working closely with the Center for Disease Control in monitoring COVID19. For the latest information, click DSHS. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Offices are closed to the public starting March 19, click VBA, but the Veteran Health
On February 24, 2020, the State of Texas Veterans Affairs & Border Security Committee held a public hearing on a variety of veteran issues in Harlingen, Texas. The public hearing was followed by an appreciation barbecue for veterans, hosted by state Senators Donna Campbell and Eddie Lucio. Read more at VABS.
Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Now is the time for all to act and slow the spread of this disease. Please follow all CDC and Department of State Health Services precautions including social distancing for your safety and the safety of others. The sooner we stop its spread, the sooner
On February 24, 2020; the State of Texas Veterans Affairs & Border Security Committee held a public hearing on a variety of topics including: Veterans Treatment Courts, Veteran Health Care, and Veterans Mental Health. Held in Harlingen, the hearing attracted over 200 veterans and was attended by a Texas Veterans
