To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Linda Haley, Senior Resources Division Manager, Community Resources; Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
Prepared By:
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Joshua Medina, Veteran Services Office Supervisor, Community Resources
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presenter
Presenter: Joshua Medina, Veteran Services Office Supervisor, Community Resources
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Subject:
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1:00 PM *Veteran Services Office Updates and Direction
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to provide information to the board and to seek direction regarding the future activities of our Veteran Services Office.
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Background:
The Veteran Services Office is currently staffed with three full time Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and a part time Business Associate who provides office support, resources, and referrals. We currently receive support from the State of Colorado in the amount of $29,400 per year, have an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Aurora and Adams County to cover 50% of the cost on one VSO, and the remainder of the office is supported by Arapahoe County General Funds.
Arapahoe County Veteran Facts:
* We have 42,619 Veterans in the county1
* We are the 2nd largest county in the state by veteran count, however only 6% of our population are veterans.
* 62.5% of our veterans are under the age of 65.
* 13% of our veterans are female compared to the national average of 10%.
* 12% of homes in the state of Colorado have a Veteran head of Household and 75% of these are homeowners.
* 10% of our companies are veteran owned.
Discussion:
Our office has seen tremendous change in the last year and a half with Covid, a complete change in staff and many process improvements made by the VA. Though our county has always been a leader in
Veteran Services, there is incredible opportunity to continue to improve our services and leverage the community of support that Arapahoe County has to serve our veterans. We want to...
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