It's coming! The West Texas Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) Road Show, starts Oct. 7 and continues through Oct. 18 in various West Texas cities. Listen for info on the Roadshow and other OBTT locations. It's a great way to get ready for the Hiring Red White and You! Job Fairs! Register for West Texas Here! Find Other OBTT Here.

Our Women Veterans Program has identified a specialized medical transportation service for veterans who require more than just a ride to appointments. Women Veteran Coordinator Sharron Stewart talks with the founder of Circle of Arms. They also discuss Vanessa Guillen Day and how they plan to recognize her on Sept 30 in San Antonio.

Peer Service Coordinators (PSCs) in our Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) offer direct peer-to-peer support for veterans and their families. PSCs are all over the state, each finding unique ways to engage veterans. Sometimes the first step is letting veterans know the network exists! PSC Oscar Pulido in Victoria seized upon an age-old method of getting the word out.

Find Your Peer Service Coordinator Here: https://veteransmentalhealth.texas.gov/military-veteran-peer-network/

VALOR, (Veterans Accessing Lifelong Opportunities for Rehabilitation), offers Justice Involved Veterans, in custody treatment instead of extended incarceration. Individualized treatment addresses their mental health, addictions and the behavior that lead to their arrest. Listen as Collin County Judge John Roach, and VALOR Clinical Director, Dr. Mia Pearl Ely, explain how it works.

Learn more about the VALOR program  https://www.valortx.com/    Learn more about the Fund for Veterans' Assistance  https://www.tvc.texas.gov/grants/

Texas Veterans Commission can be found in American Job Centers across Texas, helping veterans with significant barriers to employment, building veteran confidence with successful job matches and helping civilian employers make a valuable connection with competent employees. Today we talk with Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, (DVOP), Ron Abrams, about the role DVOPs play in connecting veterans with jobs and community resources.  

Stevens Amendment regarding TVC Employment Financing

There are three different Specially Adapted Housing Grants that can help a disabled veteran gain independence and confidence.  Jason Latona, Chief of Policy for the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing Program,  explains what those grants are, who is eligible and how to apply.  Click here for a TVC Claims Advisor who can file for the Disability Housing Grants.      Learn more from the VA here.

Texas Veterans Commission is trying to make it easier for veterans to connect with their communities and veteran services.  The Veterans Mental Health Department is working on two campaigns now. The 'Faith and Allegiance Initiative' and the 'Did you Serve?' Campaign. Listen as John Wilson our Community and Faith Based Coordinator explains how it all works. Click here for the Veterans Mental Health Department. 

The Executive Director of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program talks to us about VA Home Loans, and how veterans and active duty service members can use the program. This info could be your ticket to a new home!! Get VA home loan information here. Get Texas Veterans Land Board information here.

On this show we discuss the Hazlewood Act, a unique Texas benefit for qualified Texas Veterans that can mean 150 hours of tuition exemption  at a Public Texas College or University! Dependent children and a spouse could qualify too!  This is too good to miss! So listen!  Get more Hazlewood info here. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/

Calling all artists who happen to be veterans or family members. The Austin Veteran Arts Festival wants to showcase your talent!  Have you been healing through art?  Do you paint, sing, dance? Are you a comedian? Is music helping you heal? What ever medium you choose we want to see it. AVAFEST is happening in Austin, October 12 - November 12, 2022. You don't have to live in Austin to submit your work. Exhibits will be in person, and virtual. We talked with Glenn Towrey, founder of AVAFEST, he explained what it is and how artists and spectators can participate. You can get more info here about submitting your work and what deadlines apply. https://www.avafest.org/

Happy Women Veterans Day! TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran, Laura Koerner has a few words to share, plus meet the veterans behind the Women Veterans Program here at Texas Veterans Commission. Visit the website to find out what TVC can do for you and make sure your veteran friends know all about us. Remember all our services are free! https://www.tvc.texas.gov/women-veterans/

This month, our Veterans Mental Health Department is taking part in PTSD awareness month, helping veterans and their families understand the signs and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and what treatments area available. Listen In. Take the PTSD Self Screen Questionnaire here. 

The VA offers adaptive housing grants for veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs. This program has info on how the grant program works and what vets need to do to apply. Click here for the VA link. Texas Veterans Commission  Claims Benefits Advisors can also help. Click here to make a TVC Claims Appointment.  

The first one was such a success, Lampasas decided to do it again! The FREE Entrepreneur Summit is back at the Calvert Center, 302 E. 3rd Street, July 23, 2024 from 9 - noon. Learn about veteran owned business perks, branding, marketing and real world experiences of entrepreneurs. Listen for a preview of the summit, then Register here.

Memorial Day, first know as Decoration Day, was established to honor soldiers of the civil war. Now we pay tribute to all American military members who died while serving their country. Texas Veterans Commission is also a friend to survivors, helping them access the state and federal benefits they are entitled to. We talk with two claims advisors about survivors they have helped.  Make a claims appointment today for you or someone you know.  https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/

Family members who care for wounded warriors and ill veterans can really use the gift of time. Time for themselves. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes Program offers Free Help for Family Caregivers. Listen to learn more. Apply for Free Respite Care Here.               

Women Veterans Day is almost here! June 12 is the day. Women Veterans around the state have celebrations planned in their various communities. Everyone is invited to join Texas Veterans Commission at Camp Mabry in Austin on Saturday, June 4th for a Women's Veterans Day 5K. Walk, Run, Jog, Skip or Stroll. Bring the kids, the spouse, the friends and neighbors. Everyone is welcome! June 4th from 8:30-11:30 Register Here.  

As we celebrate military spouses on May 6-8, let's not forget the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program, helping spouses find new careers after that military move. Listen to find out how it works and how to apply. We also talk with TVC Family Career Advisor Dee Stewart who works to connect employers with spouses and dependents. Learn more about Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services Here

Texas Veterans Commission is the state agency tasked with helping veterans, family members, and survivors access all the state and federal benefits earned. Visit the Website, fill out the contact form and we'll talk. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/ You may be surprised to find out what TVC can do for you! Just listen and then tell all your veteran friends about us, better yet share the podcast!

The Texas Veterans Commission Military Veteran Peer Network is composed of Peer Service Coordinators across the state.  These coordinators are always looking for new ways to connect veterans and their families with the resources they need. In Abilene, Peer Service Coordinator Ann McKee came up with a way to support younger veterans diagnosed with PTSD. It's called MVPN Gaming. Listen in as Ann explains how her idea became reality. Click here to join MPVN Gaming.

Warning: this program contains narratives of Sexual Assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Our Women Veterans Program talks with a panel of Military Sexual Trauma Survivors about their ongoing journey to healing. We also talked with Providers who offer support, and counseling. We have compiled a list of the featured providers.

a) The Samaritan Center: Contact Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Services | Texas (samaritan-center.org)

b) The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors, San Antonio: www.endeavors.org

c) The Circle of Arms; https://www.circleofarms.org

d) The Pink Berets https://thepinkberets.org/

e) Divas in Dog Tags: https://divasindogtags.org

f) VA Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, 24/7

g) If you are a civilian call: 1-800-656-HOPE/4673.

Click here to make a claims appointment

Spend time with the Vietnam veterans in your life on Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29.  As Veterans get older, they may develop illnesses connected with military service from decades ago. Ailing Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange may qualify for disability compensation. Listen to learn more about that, from Houston VA Executive Director Robert Worley, then Claims Benefits Advisor Robert Macias has tips on filing a disability claim. We also talk with TVC commissioner and Vietnam veteran Mike Hernandez. Make a Claims Appointment Here.

Robert Worley, Executive Director of the VA Houston Regional Office, recaps the highpoints of the latest VA Tele Townhall.  Topics include new presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange and Burn Pit exposure and what vets should do about filing a claim, especially if they were previously denied.  And we learn what the VA is doing to decrease the time it takes to process claims. Texas Veterans Commission can file your disability claim for you! Make an appointment here. 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Texas women veterans you are invited to add your military history to the Military Women’s Memorial. Listen to learn how to do that and stick around to meet the coordinators behind the Texas Veterans Commission Women Veterans Program. You are bound to learn a lot.

Visit the Military Women’s Memorial here. Visit Texas Veterans Commission here. 

The Nueces Veteran County Service Officer is dedicated to helping veterans and their families. We also talk with two Fund for Veterans' Assistance grantees. Skeleton Crew, offers Adventure therapy in the Gulf and beyond, while Wheelchairs for Warriors provides customized mobility devices for veterans.

Skeleton Crew Adventures

Nueces County VCSO

Wheelchairs for Warriors

A new Texas law is affecting motorists with Texas Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates. You now need to display the ISA symbol to use parking spots marked for the disabled. What is that? You may ask. We talked with a representative of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles about the new law, he explains what disabled vets need to do, to use disabled parking spaces without getting a ticket. Get the DMV forms and information here. 

The Health Care Advocacy Department at Texas Veterans Commission has recently expanded its team of advocates to 24. Our Advocates are  located in VA facilities across the state. Listen in as some of our advocates talk about what they do and how they can help you.

Find your Advocate Here

The 2022 season of Job Fairs has begun. Get ready for the Free American Legion Career Fair on March 9th with Free Prep workshops, for job seekers and employers.  Listen in for a preview.  Follow the links to register.  Job Fair Registration. Feb 16 Employer Workshop. Feb 17 Job Seeker Workshop. March 3 Job Seeker Workshop. 

The Boots to Business Reboot is free for entrepreneurs who are military related. Register by Jan 24, right here. The Texas VFW Foundation visits the Women Veterans Program monthly meeting to talk about financial assistance for veterans, while the non profit Endeavors explains their mission to help veterans and their families. Find out what Texas Veterans Commission can do for you! Visit the website! https://www.tvc.texas.gov/

Our services are FREE!

Veterans, transitioning servicemembers, National Guard, Reserve and spouses too, are invited to get the facts about owning a business. 

Join the Small Business Administration and the Entrepreneur Center of Austin on January 25, 2022, for a one day Free Virtual Boots to Business Reboot. It's an 8-5 class so set aside that day to get valuable information before you take the plunge. Register Here by January 24.

For more info on the Texas Veterans Commission Entrepreneur Program Go to our Website: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/entrepreneurs/

'Taps for Tuition' is a state program that allows student bugle, cornet, and trumpet players to sound Taps at veteran funerals and earn vouchers to help pay tuition or fees at a Texas public college or university. Listen in to find out how 'Taps for Tuition' works. Click here for the details. 

We hope 2022 means great things for all of us. Texas Veterans Commission is looking forward to helping veterans and their families access the benefits they have earned. Listen to find out what we do and how to get in touch with us. Share with your friends. Tell the veterans you know all about our free services.  The website will also explain it all. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/

This episode features Claims Benefits Advisor Robert Macias who explains what vets need to know about filing successful claims. Texas Veterans Commission has certified advisors who will file disability claims for FREE! Click here to make an Appointment. 

If you are a military or veteran caregiver, you may be eligible to receive free respite care services. Listen in for information about the Hidden Heroes Program, who is eligible and how to apply.  

Apply today for no-cost respite care services from CareLinx, through the Hidden Heroes program of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. 

Apply Here

Veterans in the rural areas of Texas District 23, get ready for a visit from Texas Veterans Commission and other agencies that will help you file claims and access your hard earned benefits. Invited by US Representative Tony Gonzales, the two outreach events will take place in two areas: December 6 & 7 at Ft Stockton’s Rooney Park on Spring St. in the large county event room and December 9 & 10 at the Horizon City, American Legion Post 598, 141 Ellsworth Dr.  Both events will be from 9 am to 4 pm. Listen for all the details. 

The Texas Veterans Commission has helped yet another veteran achieve their dream of becoming a business owner—this time, it's a Navy veteran couple. Listen to hear how they transformed their passion for home brewing into Bay Area Brewing Co., a family-friendly place. Through extensive research, education, asking questions, and guidance from mentors, along with a boost from the Texas Veterans Commission, they turned their dream into reality. Veteran Entrepreneur Program

Bay Area Brewing Co.

Soldiers' Angels is on a mission, "To provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families".  The non profit welcomes the public's support in spreading joy! You are invited to join the quest to make some Holiday wishes come true. Click here to find out more.

On November 11, the nation celebrates Veterans, at Texas Veterans Commission we do that everyday. We also have partners, like Veteran County Service Officers who's passion is helping veterans and their families. Find out about all our free services right here. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/.

VA is hosting a free virtual event in South Texas for all veterans, service members, caregivers, and survivors. Register for 1-on-1 personalized assistance for: VA Benefits, VA Healthcare, Crisis Resources, Community Services and more. Register here. Select your day and time. The event takes place November 16-18 from 10 am to 3 pm. Hurry, appointments are limited. 

The yearly statewide Hiring Red White and You! Job Fairs for active duty, transitioning service members, veterans and spouses happen November 4th. Listen in and learn how to find the job fair near you and how to register for workshops to help you get ready. Find all the job fair locations here. Workshops can be found on the Texas Veterans Commission events calendar here.

Now is the time to apply for a 2022-2023 Fund for Veterans' Assistance Grant. Applications must be in by Nov 3, 2021. Apply Here. We have two grantees on this program, NPower talks about FREE technology training for Veterans and Spouses. While Easter Seals Houston, discusses their Mental Health Grant which includes service dog training. Check out all this year's grantees right here. 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you'll see men and women wearing pink everywhere, as a reminder that regular screenings and early detection are keys to fighting breast cancer. Join Texas Veterans Commission as we talk with two breast cancer survivors, learn about a Grunt Style cancer survivor retreat and talk with a VA Women Veterans program manager about VA medical services for women veterans.  Get more info about those VA services here.

This show explains how the Veterans Mental Health Department works with community partners. We meet Felix Rodriguez, Veteran County Service Officer, and veteran business owners who start up in 2022 can save money on certain fees for a five year period. For information on Texas Veterans Commission services, Go Here.  Fill out the contact form link at the top of the page and tell us what you need. Veteran County Service offices are here. The Entrepreneur program is here.

Texas Veterans Commission is now taking applications for next season's Fund for Veterans' Assistance Grants. Veteran serving nonprofits start working on those applications now by going here. Applications are due Nov. 3, 2021. How much do you need? What would you do with the money? Listen in for some pointers from current grantees. 

Now is the time for veteran serving nonprofits and local governments to apply for a Fund for Veterans' Assistance Grant. Thanks to the Texas Lottery we give away millions in grants every year to organizations serving veterans and their families. Applications must be in by Nov. 3, 2021.  Get applications and information right here. On this show we'll introduce you to Skillpoint Alliance, one of this year's General Assistance grantees, listen and learn about the free skills training they offer veterans. 

Sept 22, the American Legion Hybrid Career Fair is finally happening, you have one more chance to get in on a Virtual Prep Workshop, Register here for the Sept. 21st class. New Veteran Entrepreneurs can soon get a break on the business formation tax and certain filing fees. Contact a Business Consultant here.  And it is now time for veteran serving non profits to apply for next year's Fund for Veterans' Assistance Grants. All that info on one show!!!!!

This show highlights one of our newest grantees, Skeleton Crew Adventures. They were awarded a Mental Health, Fund for Veteran’s Assistance grant for what’s called adventure therapy. Sessions may involve activities like camping, rock climbing, or sailing. Activities that are supervised by mental health professionals. Skeleton Crew is all about the ocean! Listen in to learn about the history behind Skeleton Crew Adventures, and how you can be a part of it. .

There is still time to sign up to attend this very important Veteran Virtual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Townhall. It is open to everyone. Veterans, family members, friends of veterans and the community in general are encouraged to attend. Register right here!

Texas Veterans Commission is taking part in a Suicide Awareness and Prevention Townhall on September 17. Listen in for a preview of information that can benefit everyone.  Register here for the 10 am - 11:30 am event. Plus registration continues for the American Legion Hybrid Career Fair.  Register here. An extra virtual preparation workshop has been added on September 21 from 10 am - Noon.. Register here.

Military and veteran communities across Texas are invited to take part in a virtual 22K and Suicide Awareness Townhall. The 22K continues thru September 14. The Townhall will be held on September 17, 2021. Listen in to find out how you can participate and learn what Texas Veterans Commission's Mental Health Department is doing for veterans and their families. 

22K and Townhall Signup information is here.