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Register for Veteran’s Virtual Fair 2020

VETERANS COLLABORATIVE PLANS RESOURCE FAIR

October 27, 2020 – San Luis Obispo CA.  A Virtual Veterans and Family Resource Fair has been announced by SLO Veterans Services Collaborative (SVSC), with Internet presentations planned for Monday November 9th, Tuesday the 10th, Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13th.   Information of interest to veterans and their families will include current opportunities for EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, HEALTH AND EDUCATION

BACKGROUND:

This third annual Veterans and Family Resource was planned for June 13 at Cuesta College, however Covid-19 changed these plans.  Our Collaborative response: “Adapt and Overcome.”

The 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic and resulting quarantine restrictions we’ve all had to endure, have been particularly stressful for veterans. 

  • Suicides are up more than 20% so far this year for active military, reserves and veterans.
  • Veteran homelessness had been cut in half over the last decade, however the VA and others report that veteran homelessness is again on the rise due to the Pandemic.
  • PTSD and other service related medical conditions are obviously compounded by the stresses of quarantine and restricted access to medical services.
  • Education is on hold for most students, however veterans enrolled in schools, colleges and technical training tend to be older and can’t afford this setback in educational plans.

DAILY WEBINARS

Monday Nov. the 9th (morning 9-12) VETERANS EMPLOYMENT will feature presentations by many of the dozens of employers that have recruited veterans at past Resource Fairs.  Also, discussions on prospects for veteran employment in SLO and “how tos” on resume writing, interviewing and career planning.

Join us for vital information from local and national employers searching for veterans and veteran family members to fill open positions now.  Several business sectors are represented, and feel free to contact the employers via Zoom chat to submit resumes or to ask questions.  Talk to representatives from such organizations as InDyne, RG Next, Cal Fire, Cal Poly, Condor Security, United Staffing, Embassy Suites, Rantec, Toyon Research and more!  Whether you’re recently separated or not, employers are searching for skilled employees to fill many important positions. Meet with them today to get the right fit for you. 

Monday Nov. the 9th (afternoon 1-4) LIFE TRANSITIONS features discussions on a wide range of topics involving personal and professional development for veterans.  Included will be discussions of career and life transitions, financial planning, veterans and family experiences.

Separating from the military can be a major change for veteran and family members.  It will not be the last or possibly most challenging experience.  When change is viewed as a process rather than an event, it can be more manageable and result in new learning and satisfaction. 

This Life Transitions presentation will offer a guide for making successful changes as well as tools and resources to prepare for future changes.  The transition process is grounded in research and life experience.  Our presenter, Deb Humphreys, has devoted her own research and career to helping other individuals and organizations make successful transitions.  Her own adjustment to her son’s military experience as a helicopter pilot during Iraqi Freedom made this research come to life in real time.  Hear directly from other local resources, veterans and family members who have learned from their own life transitions.  Recognizing that each military transition story is unique, we have captured some lessons learned from those stories as well as from related research. 

Tuesday Nov. the 10th (morning 9-12) VETERANS HOUSING features overviews by the Housing Authority of SLO County (HASLO), the VA, VASH-HUD, CalVet and Support Services for Veterans Families.  Also, presentations from People’s Self Help Housing, RVs for Vets, lending sources, mortgage brokers and others.

Join us for vital housing information from local and national entities providing short-term to long-term housing as well as home financing and purchasing.  You will find the presenters cover all possible services for financing.  A complete overview of all the entities and programs which can help you purchase a home. Did you know the Department of Agriculture provides no money down loans?

Feel free to contact any of the presenters via Zoom chat get answers to your specific questions related to your unique needs.  Whether you are recently separated or not, our team of presenters will provide details on the programs available to you to solve your housing needs.

Thursday Nov. the 12th  (all day 9-12 & 1-4) VETERANS HEALTH features a comprehensive presentation by the VA on the Mission Act that allows veterans to go to local medical service providers instead of travel to the nearest VA Hospital (West LA).  Also featured will be the SLO Vet Center that services combat veterans and their families, medical service providers, AMSURF, SLO Veterans Outreach and much more.

We invite you to join us as we look at resources to sustain our veterans and their families physical, mental, and emotion health as well as suicide prevention. The greater Los Angles VA will be making a deep dive into The Mission Act that allows vets to be treated by local providers instead of making the long drive to west LA.  And we will have a local provider presenting what they need from The Mission Act.  We will be looking at all of the activities that help keep our vets and their families mental and physically healthy, activities such as surfing, horseback riding, zip lining, cooking, sculpting, painting, writing, movie nights, etc. The Collaborative has been working to build a network with the churches in the county to help inform our vets on their benefits and help with suicide prevention.  We will discuss suicide prevention, this something that effects our veteran’s community in a disproportionate number.

Friday Nov. the 13th (all day 9-12 & 1-4) VETERANS EDUCATION featured Webinar  presentations and discussions by CalPoly, Cuesta College, Hancock College, San Joaquin Valley College, Brandman University and Laurus College.  Discussions to include how to plan and pay for advanced education and career training.

Presentations will focus on admissions for both veterans and dependents. Our community college partners will highlight their extensive vocational training programs. Representatives from campus veterans’ centers will join in to discuss specific campus resources and programming. In the afternoon, experts on VA and state military education benefits will present a workshop on paying for college. This will cover both veteran benefits and the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver which pays state tuition costs at public institutions throughout California for the dependents of veterans with a disability rating. The day will end with a student veteran roundtable, so bring your questions!