About our 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 Veterans, transitioning service members, caregivers, family members, military spouses, Veteran spouses and survivors, benefits and services needed to support a seamless transition from military to civilian life.
However, OTED’s mission doesn’t stop after separation from the military. Through large, “one-stop-shop” events, called “Benefits & 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.
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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- 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.
