Connecting With Veteran-Related Services In Your Area

If a friend, family member, or loved one has recently returned home after serving in the military, they may require certain services to help them get reestablished in their life at home. Veteran services exist across the country and are intended to connect servicemen and women with the resources required to live an active, happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Some of these services are made available through the federal government as part of the Veterans Administration or VA. Other services are offered through state and local governmental bodies, civic organizations, private groups, businesses, and churches.

Connecting with these groups can be surprisingly challenging, especially if you are not aware of exactly what services these groups offer and how to get in contact with them. There are agencies that offer services intended to assist all aspect of a veteran’s well-being. If you or someone you know needs to get in touch with these veteran-related service organizations, keep these tips in mind.

Locating Resources Using the Internet

The Veterans Administration website is perhaps the best and most comprehensive online resource for veterans’ services currently available. Though the website is specific to the services offered through the VA, it allows users to locate services in specific states and cities. This is a good place to go to get direct answers to questions related to these services.

Another way of looking for veteran-related services is to use a search engine query with your city’s name or the name of the nearest major city. This will cast a wider net though may return some results with outdated information; conducting a successful search may therefore take some time. Search for terms like:

• Veteran support groups
• Health care for veterans
• Veteran housing services
• Jobs and employment for veterans

These terms will certainly bring you numerous results but not all of them are going to be immediately helpful. You may have to take a more direct approach.

Locating Resources Nearby

One good local resource to investigate is the health department that serves your area. These agencies connect citizens with programs and services directly related to public health. This can include health-related services for veterans though some health departments will have connections to local housing groups and other agencies that provide services specific to the needs of people who have returned from duty.

Churches and major civic groups may have connections with veterans’ service groups, as well. You can speak with local scouting groups, service clubs, and even colleges and universities in your area. Agencies that serve specific communities are also good resources to contact. Simply reaching out to these organizations can demonstrate that there is an active need for these kinds of services. A single person can begin an initiative that results in additional service offerings.

Another valuable source of information is veterans themselves. If you do not know any personally, simply ask friends and family members. There are millions of veterans living across the country and many of them have connections established with various service-related groups.

Talking with veterans, calling local government agencies and community centers, and looking online are a few excellent ways to welcome your service member home. Your efforts will certainly be appreciated.

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