Veterans Affairs Commission - January 2024 Newsletter

Veterans Affairs Commission

January 2024 Newsletter

Have you heard of the Veterans Affairs

"What You've Earned" Campaign?

In 2024, make a New Year’s resolution to check out available VA programs and services!

On Nov. 10, 2023, the Veterans Administration (VA) launched a ground-breaking national campaign to encourage veterans to sign up for the VA health care and benefits they have earned. This campaign is a part of the largest outreach effort in VA history, and has resulted in an all-time record number of veteran benefits applications in 2023.

What are the tangible, cost saving, quality-of-life enhancing benefits of using VA services?

There’s one more very important reason to sign up for the VA benefits you’ve earned: it is the best way to demonstrate the need for continued funding for Veterans Administration programming and services.

VETERANS AFFAIRS

COMMISSION MEETING

When: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 5 p.m.

This meeting takes place the second

Wednesday of every month

Where: Community Resources Building

30 Duke Street, Suite 105

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

This month’s presenter: Xavier Teasley, Assistant Director of DC Area Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

View Current and Past VAC Agendas Online

Maryland Governor Moore stands behind a podium with a sign that reads, " 2024: Maryland's Year for Military Families." Five people in business attire applaud behind him.

Governor Moore Announces 2024 as Year for Military Families in Maryland

In December 2023, Governor Wes Moore declared 2024 the Year for Military Families in Maryland and announced a legislative package designed to support service members, families, caregivers and survivors.

The first legislative announcement by the Moore-Miller administration for the 2024 legislative session includes the Families Serve Act, encouraging preferential hiring for active-duty military spouses by both private sector and state government employers, and the Time to Serve Act, granting paid military leave to state employees who are members of the National Guard or Reserves.

Read the Official Announcement

The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits

The PACT (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. PACT Act provisions add to the list of health conditions that are “presumed” to be caused by exposure to these substances and helps provide generations of veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

The PACT Act and your VA benefits web page offers answers to your questions about this legislation and features links to file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or to apply for VA health care. You can also call 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

Learn More About the PACT Act

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) Veterans Initiatives Office Offers Resources

The Military Times ranked UMGC the Number 1 online/hybrid university for veterans in 2023. UMGC is dedicated to helping veteran students throughout their time at UMGC and beyond by providing academic advising, financial assistance and other support services. UMGC provides support and assistance to military and veteran students through…

Vessey Virtual Student Union - A student veteran’s one-stop online source for networking, advising and more.
One2One Mentorship Program – A mentorship program for individualized support to veterans, servicemembers and their families.
VetSuccess on Campus – A nationwide US Veterans Affairs program designed to help veterans transition from military service to college and beyond, and ensure that veteran students have the support and assistance they need to be successful in higher education, their careers and their lives.
Additional Resources for Veterans - Private, nonprofit and government resources for veterans.
Workshop Wednesdays - First and third Wednesdays of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Get exciting information and interact with special guests online at www.umgc.edu/workshop.

Email the Veterans Initiatives Office to Learn More!

Did you know veterans, active military and their dependents have free access to public lands?

The free Military Pass is a way to thank current US military members and their dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore millions of acres of public lands.

Free lifetime Military Passes are available for Gold Star Families and US military veterans. Current US military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual Military Pass. These passes provide free access to federal public lands managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Land Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers.

Per vehicle and per person admission may vary depending on the site and agency.

Get Your Pass Today!

Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development offers valuable services at no cost, including business and finance assistance, marketing support and workshops.

If you own or are interested in starting a business, contact them

at Info@choosecalvert.com or

410-535-4583 to get started.

Visit the "Salute to Business" Web Page

Calvert Library Offers Veteran Resources Online

Calvert Library proudly supports our veterans with a wealth of resources and virtual events tailored to their needs. Discover national and local resources, library events, fiction and non-fiction reads, all dedicated to honoring and assisting those who have served our nation.

View Calvert Library’s Veterans Resource page

This publication is brought to you by the Calvert County Veterans Affairs Commission

To learn more, contact the

Veterans Affairs Commission at veterans@calvertcountymd.gov,

410-535-1600, ext. 8803 or visit www.calvertcountymd.gov/VAC

Download the Veterans Resource Guide