A VA Economic Development Initiative is coming to Waco
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will host an in-person event titled “Homeless and At-Risk Veteran Outreach Initiative.” This event is for Veterans, Service members, and their family members. It will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT November 21 at Veterans One Stop located at 2010 LaSalle Avenue Ste A, Waco, Texas. This is a special addition to the Waco Veterans Benefits and Employment Fair, which is focused on addressing the needs of homeless and at-risk Veterans in the Waco area.
No DOD ID is required, and parking is FREE! Keep scrolling for more details and the opportunity to register for the event.
VA Serves the Entire Military Community
all are welcome
VA is committed to fulfilling President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.
As such, our events are open to the entire military community- Veterans and transitioning Service members, their spouses, family members, caregivers, and survivors.
**No DOD ID is required for participation.**
Special Event
disability Claims and resources
Join VA at Veterans One Stop in Waco for specialized workshops on the Veterans Benefits Administration’s (VBA’s) Justice-Involved Outreach program and Mental and Financial Well-being.
This special event is part of the Waco Veterans Benefits and Employment Fair, an Economic Development Initiative (EDI). EDIs are multiday events aimed at helping the Veteran community understand their VA benefits and establish connections with career opportunities. The events provide:
- Career training and guidance
- Hiring fairs
- Information about benefits
- Information on mental and physical health care options
- Spouse and caregiver resources
- Hands-on help filing benefits claims*
- ..and more.
*for those interested in receiving assistance with a VA Disability Claim, please scroll down to make a CLAIMS CLINIC appointment.
Schedule of Events
All times are Central TimeThursday – Nov 21Day 3
09:00 – 09:05
Pledge of Allegiance
Led by Ms. Shawnta Sampson, Supervisory Program Analyst, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED), Economic Development
09:05 – 09:10
Welcome/Opening Remarks
Mr. John Green, Deputy Executive Director, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED)
09:10 – 09:20
Introduction to Veterans One Stop
Presented by Ms. Melinda Bonds, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services, Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network
09:20 – 09:30
Break
09:00 – 15:00
Virtual Employment Fair
MilitaryHire
09:30 – 15:00
Claims Clinic/MDEO
Make an appointment below- Waco RO claims processors will assist Veterans and their families who have pre-scheduled an appointment for processing or checking on the status of a disability claim.
09:30 – 15:00
Mobile Vet Center (MVC)
The MVC offers confidential help for Veterans, Service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Services include counseling for needs such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST).
09:30 – 15:00
Benefits Fair
8 vendors including Texas Veterans Commission, Soldier On, Veterans One Stop (Mental Health and Social Work Services), and VA. VA vendors include the Office of Connected Care and Suicide Prevention (VHA), Economic Development, Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, Justice Involved Veteran Outreach and the PACT Act.
09:30 – 09:40
Specialized Resources: Information on Housing and Mental Wellbeing
Speak to experts about ways you can manage your Mental wellbeing during uncertain times. Ask about accessing the resources the Veteran Health Administration and community organizations in Waco and the Heart of Texas region have to offer for Veterans experiencing housing instability. Experts will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Mr. Michael Ormsby, LCSW, Doris Miller VA Medical Center in Waco, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans and Ms. Sue Burdett Robinson, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, LPHA, Clinical Program Manager for Veterans’ Services, Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network*
09:40 – 09:50
Specialized Resource: Information on Justice-involved Veteran Services
Speak to experts about VBA’s Justice Outreach Program. Ask about resumption of benefits for Justice-Involved Veterans and the roles and responsibilities of VBA’s Justice-Involved Veteran Outreach Coordinators. Experts will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Mr. NaShid Dickerson, National Outreach Program Manager, Justice Involved, OTED and Ms. Tiffany Love, Veterans Justice Outreach Clinical Social Worker, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System*
09:50 – 10:00
Specialized Resource: Information on Financial Resources available from USAA Educational Foundation
Speak to an expert about resources available to Veterans and their families from USAA. Expert will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Jeff Jurgemeyer, Program Manager Lead, USAA Educational Foundation (EF)*
10:00 – 10:10
Specialized Resource: Information on Military Veteran Financial Counseling
Speak to an expert to explore the basics of financial well-being and learn about free financial resources for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. Expert will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Mr. David Ramirez, Home and Credit Education Program Manager, Soldier On*
10:10 – 10:20
Specialized Resource: Information on Mentorship for Veterans
Speak to a Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) Coordinator about resources available for Veterans. Expert will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: COL Elmer Speights, Army-RET, MVPN*
10:20 – 10:30
Specialized Resource: Information on Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
Speak to the Chief of VBA’s Post-Separation Unit about receiving assistance with resume writing, interview skills, education, and job search. Expert will be on site from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Mr. Dorian Jenkins, Chief, Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG)
14:45 – 14:55
Closing and Thank You from Veterans One Stop
COL Elmer Speights, Army-RET, Certified MVPN Supervisor, Veterans One Stop and Ms. Melinda Bonds, Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services, Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network
14:55 – 15:00
Closing Remarks
Mr. John Green, Deputy Executive Director, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED)
