About Our Outreach Events
Well-being is not just about having a job, it’s about meeting all of your needs- education, employment, housing, and much more. Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development (OTED) was created by the Veterans Benefits Administration to provide the military community with opportunities to achieve prosperity and peace-of-mind.
OTED does this by partnering with numerous federal, state, and local agencies, and for profit and non-profit organizations in underserved communities to bring the benefits and services needed to support a seamless transition from military to civilian life for Veterans, transitioning service members, caregivers, family members, military spouses, Veteran spouses, and survivors.
However, OTED’s mission doesn’t stop after separation from the military. Through large, “one-stop-shop” events, called “Veterans Benefits and Hiring Fairs,” OTED connects Veterans and their families, in all stages of life with the benefits, tools, skills, and resources they need to achieve holistic well-being and financial success.
Although all Veterans Benefits and Hiring Fairs have shared characteristics, the details vary based on regional needs. Outreach events include a tailored combination of the following:
- connect the military community with the benefits and health care they earned and help them find federal, state, and local resources.
- connect the military community with Veteran-friendly employers, giving them the opportunity to learn about the opportunities available to them.
- are chosen based on the needs of the community. VA brings subject matter experts to cover topics such as housing assistance, strategies for finding employment, and access to VA benefits, services, and health care.
- assist Veterans and transitioning service members with filing claims for service-connected conditions or checking the status of a current claim.
- offer a forum for senior leaders from VA and the local community to share updates on relevant initiatives, programs, and services.
- bring together public and private partners in a small-group, invitation-only setting to find solutions to specific challenges faced by Veterans and military communities, such as overcoming challenges in accessing VA benefits or health care, education, and financial stability.
Scroll down for more details on the components offered at Veterans Benefits and Hiring Fairs and then check out our Financial Literacy page for additional resources and events.
Town Hall
Town Halls are open forum events where key leaders present relevant Veteran benefits, services, and resource updates. Town Halls are approximately 90 minutes long and may include a keynote speaker, a panel, or 10 to 15-minute presentations by individual leaders from- VA, state offices, local Regional Offices, and other government agencies.
Benefits Fair
Benefits & Hiring Fairs are tailored to the community in which they are held to help Veterans and their families achieve economic success and total well-being. These Fairs help the Veteran and military community members find resources and connect them with the benefits and health care they have earned.
Potential benefits and resources include access to information and support on:
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- State Benefits
- Burial Benefits
- Career Resources
- Caregiver Support
- Community Partners
- Education Benefits
- Health Care Enrollment
- Housing/Homeless Resources
- Mental Health
- PACT Act Screenings
- Pension
- VA Eligibility
- Veteran Food Insecurity
- Veteran ID Card
- Women Veteran Health Care
Stakeholder Roundtables
Stakeholder Roundtables bring public and private partners together in a small-group, invitation-only setting to find solutions to specific challenges in the Veteran and military communities. Stakeholder Roundtables help foster partnerships that join community leadership with Veteran resource programs to promote career development, education, training, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities.
Stakeholder Roundtables consist of 3 groups of 8-10 individuals hand-selected for their ability to make a significant impact within the scope of the region-specific topic.
Historically, topics have included how to bring resources, benefits, and solutions to various Veteran populations, such as the elderly, homeless, or minority Veterans. Roundtable topics address how to help specific populations overcome challenges in accessing VA benefits, health care, education, and financial stability.
Claims Clinics
Claims Clinics provide tailored claims assistance to the Veteran community. During claims clinic appointments, each Veteran or transitioning service member receives one-on-one assistance from a VA claims representative. The private appointment enables them to learn more about the claims process, check their claim status, or receive insight into the next steps in filing a VA claim for service-connected conditions.
Hiring Fair
As many as 50 Veteran-friendly employers may attend the Hiring Fair, ready to assist jobseekers with resume reviews, interview tips, and specific information about their company’s culture and open roles.
Workshops
Workshops offer hands-on assistance, insight, training, tools, resources, and direct guidance on topics such as writing and updating resumes, networking, and interview strategies, benefits, education, the PACT Act, physical and mental health care, planning for retirement, and saving and investing.
