From: Kenney, Rep. Phyllis <Kenney.Phyllis@leg.wa.gov>
Date: Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Subject: November E-Memo from Representative Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney
To: WALEG-HOUSE-GUTIERREZ-KENNEY@listserv.wa.gov
Honoring Our VeteransDear Friends, As we near November 11th, I'm reminded of the countless lives that have been touched by our veterans. These brave men and women have, for generations, woken up each and every day ready to lay their lives on the line. They have done this willingly and knowingly so that their family, friends, and neighbors can sleep peacefully at night. Their dedication and loyal service to their country is unforgettable. Connecting veterans with living wage jobs and additional benefits is not only an important stepping stone in building a sustainable economy, but it's also the right thing to do. As our country is simultaneously engaged in two of the most difficult conflicts of this generation, we must never forget that our veterans have and continue to forgo many of the comforts that we take for granted. These same men and women must be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve when they are deployed and when they return home. Veterans are skilled workers with knowledge and training that's applicable to a wide range of career fields. Unfortunately, job searching in this economy isn't exactly easy, and resources for veterans are not always readily available. That's why I have compiled some information on helpful educational and training opportunities, as well as additional benefits for veterans. I hope you find this information useful and share it with others. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office by phone at (206) 368-4491 or by emailing me at Kenney.phyllis@leg.wa.gov. Resources for VeteransCovering educational expenses Paying for school can be a daunting task, especially when your main concern is simply providing food for your family and the bare essentials to lead a healthy life. Easing the burden of educational expenses for veterans is one way to give back to those who have already given so much. Originally signed into law in 1944, the GI Bill was updated in 2008. As of August 1, 2009, the new law gave veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11, 2001, enhanced educational benefits that cover more educational expenses, provide a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children. Visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ for additional details about the GI Bill. In Washington, state community colleges and universities are authorized to waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible veterans or National Guard members. Each college or university establishes and operates their own veterans waiver program so it is best to get in touch with the college or university you plan to attend for details on their program. A list of colleges and universities is available at: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/links/colleges/collegesindex.asp Training for a new profession Apprenticeships are a good way to complete training while earning a living wage and gaining valuable on-the-job-experience. Many veterans have skills that transfer well into the construction industry, but they often lack the formal training and certifications that may be required. Helmets to Hardhats, which is operated by the Building & Construction Trades Council, is an example of an apprenticeship program created specifically to recruit veterans into the construction industry. With the Helmets to Hardhats program, men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan can transition into new careers as skilled tradesmen and women. It's an opportunity for veterans to earn a living wage while gaining expertise in a trade such as plumbing, pipefitting, carpentry and more. This training paves the way to a more secure financial future for veterans and their families. The Veterans Conservation Corps is also a great opportunity for veterans to earn valuable work experience while gaining skills most applicable to the environmental field. In an effort to help restore and protect Washington state's natural resources, veterans take part in activities such as stream restoration and monitoring, re-vegetation of native plants, environmental or community education and more. All veterans are eligible for this program. The Employment Security Department (ESD) provides a wide array of services to help veterans find jobs and to support themselves financially while they look and/or train for work. In an effort to assist with this process, ESD connects hired specialists who help veterans understand and use their benefits. These veterans specialists promote the hiring of veterans, particularly recently discharged veterans, and assisting veterans who face significant barriers to getting hired, such as a disability. They also work with local businesses that hold federal contracts to help them recruit potential veteran candidates to fill vacancies. Most of these services are arranged or provided through WorkSource offices that are located all over Washington. Click here for a WorkSource office directory. Veterans Affairs If you know a veteran in need of assistance, please let WDVA know how to get in touch with them. You can call toll-free, 1-800-562-2308 or visit them online at www.dva.wa.gov . The VA provides information and assistance with state benefits such as: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling: Washington State maintains an outreach/counseling program which provides confidential counseling services to WA State Veterans and family members with war-era or PTSD-related problems. OIF/OEF/ONE Veterans: The Veterans Innovations Program was created to provide emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families facing financial hardships due to extended deployments. Property Tax Relief: The Department of Revenue offers a property tax exemption and deferral program for low income seniors, persons with disability and disabled veterans who meet income requirements. Widows of 100 percent disabled veterans may be eligible for a Property Tax Grant which pays a portion of their property taxes. State Veterans Homes: Three Veterans Homes are available for veterans or widows needing long-term rehabilitative or short-term Medicare A rehabilitative care. More information is available by calling: 1-877-838-7787 Transitional Housing and Homeless Veterans Services: A 40 bed transitional housing program provides veterans with a stable living environment and supportive services to help break the cycle of homeless. Other homeless programs focus on removing barriers to employment and providing other supportive services. Incarcerated Veterans Reintegration Program: Partnerships with several counties, including King County, help veterans in county jail deal with the issues that got them into trouble and focus on preventing them from reoffending. Veterans Conservation Corps: Assists veterans by providing training and volunteer opportunities that help to restore and protect Washington state's natural resources while helping veterans suffering from war trauma get back into the workforce in 'green collar' jobs. A Veterans Academy supports veterans in higher education programs which lead to environmental certificates or degrees. Women Veterans: The Women Veterans Advisory Committee has several goals including performing outreach to improve women veterans' awareness for services and benefits and providing assistance in accessing those benefits. Veteran / Servicemember Owned Business Registry: The registry is one way that our state and its citizens can honor veterans by promoting their businesses and products statewide. Government Agencies and Corporations have access to this statewide list of Veteran/Servicemember Owned Businesses for contracting opportunities and individuals and families have easy access to a list of those businesses in their communities. These businesses may also be eligible for the Linked Deposit Program which can reduce the interest rate on their business loans by 2 percent. Please join me in thanking those who have served and are serving in our armed forces to protect our country. My home page | Contact me | House Democrats Home | Washington State Legislature Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. To send any comments, or to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please go to my E-memo page. |
