1. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Annie Walker, Director Veterans Education Training and Employment 900 East Main Street, Sixth Floor, West Wing Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-786-0571 Virginia Department of Veterans Services Overview

2. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Pre-DVS: state veterans services in 2002 Education (located in DOE) VDVA Headquarters Roanoke VDVA Headquarters Roanoke Benefits Amelia Cemetery Policy Board Small Mgt. Staff in Roanoke Supervisory Board 15 Field Offices Virginia War Memorial Virginia Veterans Care Center (state owned, but operated by private contractor) Supervisory Foundation SAA - G.I. Bill program certification VMSDEP

3. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2002-2003 Governor’s Advisory Commission on Veterans Affairs (Governor Warner, 2002) Governor’s Advisory Commission on Veterans Affairs (Governor Warner, 2002) -- Studied delivery of veterans services in other states, especially Kentucky & Wisconsin -- Created blueprint for change -- One policy board to replace 2 policy and one management board -- Council of veterans service organizations -- Commissioner to lead; located in Richmond -- Emphasis on unity of command and mission 2003 General Assembly -- Created DVS effective July 1, 2003 -- Policy board (BVS), advisory council (JLC), and foundation (VSF)

4. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2003-2004 Benefits Care Centers VVCC Richmond Care Center Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk (2004) Education (2004) Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Roanoke Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Roanoke Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services 15 Field Offices VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees Virginia War Memorial

5. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2005-2007 Benefits Education Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk Care Centers VVCC SBVCC Virginia War Memorial (DVS Mgt. Support) Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services 15-20 Field Offices VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification

6. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2007-2010 Benefits Education Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk Care Centers VVCC SBVCC Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke Virginia War Memorial (DVS Mgt. Support) Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Regions 1/2 Region 3 Regions 4/5 Southwest Virginia SBVCC Addition Nelson County (2020 or later) Northern Virginia Hampton Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees 20-22 Field Offices VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification

7. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2011-2012 Benefits Education Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Region 2 Region 3 Care Centers VVCC SBVCC Nelson County (2020 or later) Northern Virginia Hampton Region 5 Region 1 Region 4 Dublin SBVCC Addition Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke Headquarters in Richmond Management Team Richmond/Roanoke 20-22 Field Offices Virginia War Memorial (DVS Mgt. Support) VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification

8. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2013-2014 Headquarters and Management Team Richmond Headquarters and Management Team Richmond Virginia War Memorial Board Benefits Education, Training, and Employment Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Region 2 Region 3 Care Centers VVCC SBVCC SBVCC Addition Amherst County (2025 or later) Northern VirginiaHampton Region 5 Region 1 Region 4 Dublin Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program VTAP Virginia War Memorial Addition Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services Virginia War Memorial 23 Field Offices Housing/homeless VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification

9. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 2014-2015 Headquarters and Management Team Richmond Headquarters and Management Team Richmond Virginia War Memorial Board Benefits Education, Training, and Employment Cemeteries Amelia Suffolk Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Region 2 Region 3 Care Centers VVCC SBVCC SBVCC Addition Amherst County (2025 or later) Northern VirginiaHampton Region 5 Region 1 Region 4 Dublin Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program VTAP Virginia War Memorial Addition Veterans Services Foundation JLC Board of Veterans Services Virginia War Memorial 23 Field Offices Housing/homeless VMSDEP SAA – G.I. Bill program certification

10. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Benefits The Virginia Department of Veterans Services advocates for Virginia veterans and connects them to benefits and services they have earned. Information on current federal, state and local veterans’ programs, entitlements and referral services is available in Virginia through a network of 26 benefit service offices. All services are provided free of charge.

11. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Benefits Health Benefits Disability Compensation & Pensions Education Employment Home Loan Guarantees Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Licenses Real Estate Tax Exemption Veterans ID Card Virginia SWaM Program: SDVOSB Designation Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small-Business designation

12. Virginia Department of Veterans Services 26 Benefits Offices Accomac Benefits Office Alexandria Benefits Office Big Stone Gap Benefits Office Bristol Benefits Office Charlottesville Benefits Office Chesapeake Benefits Office – Tidewater Community College Campus Chesapeake Benefits Office – Tidewater Community College Campus Danville Benefits Office Fairfax Benefits Office Fredericksburg Benefits Office Hampton Benefits Office Hampton VA Medical Center Benefits Office Hampton VA Medical Center Benefits Office Henrico Benefits Office Lynchburg Benefits Office McGuire VA Medical Center Benefits Office McGuire VA Medical Center Benefits Office Norfolk Benefits Office Petersburg Benefits Office- Freedom Support Center Petersburg Benefits Office- Freedom Support Center Portsmouth Benefits Office Quantico Benefits Office Roanoke Benefits Office Salem VA Medical Center Benefits Office Salem VA Medical Center Benefits Office South Hill Benefits Office Staunton Benefits Office Strasburg Benefits Office Tazewell Benefits Office Virginia Beach Benefits Office Wytheville Benefits Office

13. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Veteran Family Support (VVFS) Cooperates with: Department of Behavioral Health &Developmental Services Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services Monitors and Coordinates: Behavioral health, rehabilitative, and support services through an integrated, comprehensive and responsive system of public and private partnerships. VVFS facilitates these services for Virginia veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves (not in federal service), and their families with a special emphasis on those affected by stress related conditions or traumatic brain injuries resulting from military service.

14. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Veteran Family Support (VVFS) Comprehensive assessment of individual and family needs Direct linkage to needed services including medical, behavioral healthcare, veterans benefits, housing, and employment assistance Peer and family support groups Couples workshops and family retreats Assistance to homeless or incarcerated veterans Statewide Toll Free Number: 1-877-285-1299, Ext. 5

15. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Veterans Education & Employment (VETE) The VETE Directorate ensures that every Veteran or eligible person has a full and fair opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential through assisting and training them in successful strategies for transitioning and gaining a civilian career by ensuring access to GI Bill approved post-secondary educational, training, licensure/certification, entrepreneurial opportunities and V3 certified employers www.dvs.virginia.gov

16. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Veterans Education & Employment (VETE) Directorate Programs – Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) – Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP) – Virginia Values Veterans Program (V3) – State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training (SAA) www.dvs.virginia.gov

17. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program For spouses and dependents of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. Tuition and required fees are waived for qualifying students at Virginia public colleges and universities; students also receive a stipend of up to $1,800 per year through a General Fund appropriation to offset costs associated with room, board, books and supplies

18. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP) Recognizing that transition from military service is not complete on the date of your discharge, the Virginia Transition Assistance Program is designed to provide transition resources and assistance to all Veterans who now call Virginia home.

19. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Transition Assistance Program Mission To build a comprehensive military transition assistance program across the Commonwealth to ensure the successful transition and post military careers of Virginia’s Veterans This will be obtained by streamlining the transition process by channeling relevant information to Virginia’s Veterans regarding education, employment, and entrepreneurial services through coordination with military installations, federal, state, and local governments and community service providers

20. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Today’s Veterans are highly skilled, well educated, easily trained, and willing to work hard. They know the meaning of loyalty, dedication, integrity, discipline, unselfishness, and teamwork. They have worked in high-stress environments, developed a safety-conscious mentality, and honed their leadership skills through practical experience. In a word, today’s Veterans are profitable.

21. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Mission Through broad public and private partnerships the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program assists Virginia employers in meeting their recruiting, hiring, and retention needs using the Commonwealth’s Veteran population

22. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov Virginia Values Veterans (V3) The V3 program will:  Educate employers on the value of hiring Veterans  Train organizations on how to effectively recruit, hire and retain Veterans  Connect engaged companies with qualified Veterans

23. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov

24. Virginia Department of Veterans Services www.dvs.virginia.gov State Approving Agency for Veterans Education & Training the only organization in Virginia that approves educational programs so Veterans and their dependents receive their education benefits

25. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Veterans Education Training and Employment www.dvs.virginia.gov Mission To ensure access and quality instruction, appropriate administration, and fair and equitable practices for every Veteran (and eligible person) who enters a Virginia SAA-approved educational program We do this by:  Validating and approving educational courses and programs to be pursued by Veterans and eligible persons  Overseeing Virginia’s educational institutions, and ensuring compliance with federal and state guidelines  Ensuring the interests and prerogatives of the State are preserved in both processes State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training (SAA)

26. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Department of Veterans Services: Veterans Education Training and Employment www.dvs.virginia.gov GI Bill Enrollment in Virginia Source – US DVA Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report 2014

27. Virginia Department of Veterans Services Education Totals FY 2014TotalRanking % California111,22610.04 Texas93,5648.45 Florida84,1917.60 Virginia62,9915.69 Arizona59,6715.39

28. Virginia Department of Veterans Services

29. QUESTIONS