Help Your Community - Become a Veterans Benefits Coach

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Serve as point of contact at the Library to ensure that veterans and veteran families of every era know how to get connected to the State and Federal benefits and services they have earned through military service.

Veteran benefits:

• Improve the lives of veterans and their families
• Bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the State every year
• Lower the local cost of veteran healthcare
• Reduce veteran homeless numbers
• Reduce veteran unemployment numbers
• Increase veteran enrollment in California colleges and universities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. "Staff" a Veterans Resource Station in the library for a minimum of one 2-hour shift per week to meet with veterans and/or family members. Serve as expert listener and initial problem solver.

2. Help each veteran or veteran family member complete the CalVet "Veterans Reintegration Form." This form enters the individual into CalVet’s database and helps identify the benefits and services they need and for which they may be eligible. Once registered with CalVet, the veteran will receive important information and periodic updates about the various benefits for which they may qualify.

3. Guide the veteran toward those benefits that are likely to enhance their particular situation and, using the California Veteran’s Resource Book, provide contact information for the County Veterans Service Office in their county of residence, so they can make an appointment. Also, provide a checklist of the basic documents the veteran should take to their appointment in order to expedite their access to services.

4. If, during the conversation, additional service needs are identified, provide contact information to other library or community services. If a veteran is in a crisis, refer to the list of emergency service numbers provided.

5. Maintain data on number of veterans/family members served, types of questions asked, referrals made, and issues/topic areas needed but not covered in the library’s collection.