Transcript Veterans Outreach

CA State Library Volunteers Training
Introduction
Agenda
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Introductions, CA State Library-CalVet Partnership
The Veteran (and families, our customers)
Veterans’ Benefits Resources (our product)
Connecting the Veteran to the Benefits
Volunteer Methods and Techniques for Service
Tie-Together (Going Live at your Site)
Library-Specific Needs
Interactive Wrap-up/Site Walk-Around
CA State Library
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Provides guidance and helps standardize services
for 183 library jurisdictions statewide
Responded to veteran outreach need as identified
through CA Research Bureau and Governor’s
Interagency Council on Veterans
Identified 3 Pilot Sites for volunteer staffing
Partnered with CalVet to support with training,
information products, and continued consultation
CalVet
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The CA Dept of Veterans Affairs employs about
2,200 people, across 5 primary divisions
The Veterans Services Division (VSD) is the
smallest, employing approx. 35 people
An outreach network exists within VSD, comprised
of 8 field agents and a manager
These agents are called LINCs (Local Interagency
Network Coordinators), and are active in 7 CA
regions (More about their locations/duties in a
later module)
CalVet Veterans Services
Our Mission
To provide outreach for California’s nearly 2 million
veterans and families; to assess their needs, educate them
about the benefits and resources they have earned, and
connect them with the services available for successful
reintegration with civilian life.
Our Purpose
To give veterans straightforward and easy access to the
services and benefits they have earned through their military
service. California has streamlined this process via a
collaboration of government agencies and departments, nongovernment entities, and volunteer organizations.
CalVet Partners
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Government
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Non-Gov’t: Veterans Service Organizations
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Other State Agencies (DMV, EDD, Gov’s Office, Librarian’s Office)
County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs)
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56 of CA’s 58 counties have them
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Locations online (http://cacvso.org) or in CalVet Veterans
Resource Book
Federal VA (USDVA)
VFW, AmVets, American Legion, DAV, VVA, etc.)
Non-Profit Organizations (many…big maze at times)
Corporate Partners (veteran-friendly companies)
VOLUNTEERS !!
Library/Calvet Partnership
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State Librarian’s Office sought way to use resources
for community benefit throughout the state
Helping veterans is viewed as a noble, non-partisan
effort, with tremendous community support
CalVet was requested to provide overview and
training for assisting veterans at library sites
Volunteers, once trained, will be able to assist with
basic, in-person veteran queries (Q & A with Vet)
Volunteers will primarily be Connectors to
information, guiding the veteran to the next
path(s)
How to Be a Veteran
Volunteer (in 5 Easy Steps)
1. Know Your Customer (Veterans and their families)
2. Know a little bit about a lot of Products (Resources)
 It’s not how much you know, but where to find answers
3. Know about the Process (Connecting to the Benefits)
4. Tailoring the Process to the Needs (Methods)
5. Tying it all Together (Going Live at Your Site)