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Attention Minnesota Veterans! Pose questions now and federal, state and community experts will post answers starting at 2PM CDT, October 26
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Ask a question now and experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and the community will provide answers at 2PM CDT, Oct 26th.
You can ask questions to the following experts:
SSG Bradley Lindsay, Deputy Commissioner at MDVA
HN Ron Quade II, Director of Veterans Service at MDVA
PO1 Dave Bellefeuille, Director of Veterans Education and Employment at MDVA
SFC Andrew Garvais, Director of Veterans Programs and Memorial Affairs at MDVA
Lt Col Kurt Thielen, Associate Director/COO, Minneapolis VAHCS
Elizabeth Morris, Congressional Liaison, St. Paul Veterans Service Center
SGT Jeanine Solberg, Outreach Specialist, St. Paul
Stanley Walton, Outreach Specialist, VBA Saint Paul Regional Benefits Office
Allison Adams Alstrin, Project Manager, Minnesota Military & Veteran Exchange
Cpl Timothy Tackett, Congressional Liaison, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
Denise White, Rating Quality Review Specialist, Pension Management Center
PO1 Jose Tarnowski, Legal Administrative Specialist, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
MSgt Brian Koeltzow, Legal Administrative Specialist, St. Paul Regional Office
1stSgt (Join to see), Rating Quality Review Specialist, St. Paul Pension Management Center
MSgt Paul Pedersen, Senior Case Manager, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
You can ask questions to the following experts:
SSG Bradley Lindsay, Deputy Commissioner at MDVA
HN Ron Quade II, Director of Veterans Service at MDVA
PO1 Dave Bellefeuille, Director of Veterans Education and Employment at MDVA
SFC Andrew Garvais, Director of Veterans Programs and Memorial Affairs at MDVA
Lt Col Kurt Thielen, Associate Director/COO, Minneapolis VAHCS
Elizabeth Morris, Congressional Liaison, St. Paul Veterans Service Center
SGT Jeanine Solberg, Outreach Specialist, St. Paul
Stanley Walton, Outreach Specialist, VBA Saint Paul Regional Benefits Office
Allison Adams Alstrin, Project Manager, Minnesota Military & Veteran Exchange
Cpl Timothy Tackett, Congressional Liaison, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
Denise White, Rating Quality Review Specialist, Pension Management Center
PO1 Jose Tarnowski, Legal Administrative Specialist, VBA St. Paul Regional Benefits Office
MSgt Brian Koeltzow, Legal Administrative Specialist, St. Paul Regional Office
1stSgt (Join to see), Rating Quality Review Specialist, St. Paul Pension Management Center
MSgt Paul Pedersen, Senior Case Manager, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
Minneapoolis
Camp Ripley
Minneapolis-Saint Paul ARS
St. Paul
Responses: 17
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I feel many HR people out there are giving more credence to those who have recently served in the Middle East versus looking at a other non combat veterans. I have seen many qualified veterans get passed over versus those with little experience. How do we change that mindset in those HR people especially those that have no military background at all? Also how are veterans being considered for jobs when now-a-days some many companies are using third parties for their hiring?
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Elizabeth Morris
Response on behalf of the St. Paul VA Regional Office:
Thank you for your observation regarding hiring, Mr. Binning. We would also like to make you aware of the VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program. VR&E assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities & an employment handicap, as well as Servicemembers who are in the process of transitioning from military to civilian employment prepare for, find & keep suitable jobs. To qualify, a Veteran must have an Honorable or Other-than-Dishonorable discharge and a service-connected disability evaluation of 10% with a serious employment handicap or a service-connected evaluation of 20% or more with an employment handicap.
A Veterans Readiness Counselor will complete a comprehensive evaluation to include:
- A full assessment of your interests, aptitudes & abilities.
- An assessment of whether service-connected disabilities impair your ability to find and/or hold a job, using the occupational skills you have already attained.
- Vocational exploration activities & goal development leading to suitable employment and/or maximum independence at home & in the community.
- Exploration of labor market & wage information.
- Selection of a VR&E program track.
- And development of an individualized rehabilitation plan to achieve the identified employment and/or independent living goal.
For more information, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp
Thank you for your observation regarding hiring, Mr. Binning. We would also like to make you aware of the VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program. VR&E assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities & an employment handicap, as well as Servicemembers who are in the process of transitioning from military to civilian employment prepare for, find & keep suitable jobs. To qualify, a Veteran must have an Honorable or Other-than-Dishonorable discharge and a service-connected disability evaluation of 10% with a serious employment handicap or a service-connected evaluation of 20% or more with an employment handicap.
A Veterans Readiness Counselor will complete a comprehensive evaluation to include:
- A full assessment of your interests, aptitudes & abilities.
- An assessment of whether service-connected disabilities impair your ability to find and/or hold a job, using the occupational skills you have already attained.
- Vocational exploration activities & goal development leading to suitable employment and/or maximum independence at home & in the community.
- Exploration of labor market & wage information.
- Selection of a VR&E program track.
- And development of an individualized rehabilitation plan to achieve the identified employment and/or independent living goal.
For more information, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
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Allison Adams Alstrin
Sir,
You make a great point. We are hosting an event this week you might want to check out. E2020 https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020 This Thursday the 29th!
There is a session for employers about that exact topic as well as three great courses with information and support around any job searching, networking, or mentoring you might be interested in. Hope you will join us!
You make a great point. We are hosting an event this week you might want to check out. E2020 https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020 This Thursday the 29th!
There is a session for employers about that exact topic as well as three great courses with information and support around any job searching, networking, or mentoring you might be interested in. Hope you will join us!
Experience 2020 is a rallying event for all MN military connected:(currently serving, prior service/Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters)(
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PO3 Mike Binning
SPC Lisa Klenk - I have done that many times, already; only to have the employer offer a different position and lower wages, as they "already found someone to fill the position from within, but we have this other position for you if you are interested." That's the response to me and how they deflect looking bad to the Employment Reps and other veterans applying for employment.
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PO3 Mike Binning
PO1 Dave Bellefeuille - I have worked with a few of them already. What I seem to be encountering at times is that the perspective employer offer a different position and lower wages, as they "found someone from within to fill the position" but they have another position I may be interested in.
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I retired from Army Reserve in 2004. Did not do an exit physical or get evaluated for disability. Is it still possible to be evaluated for disability rating?
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Lt Col Kurt Thielen
Yes it is, I recommend you get in touch with one of the VSOs and they will help you with the claim process. Quite a few Veterans at Mpls work with the American Legion.
Additional information on eligibility can be found here https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
Additional information on eligibility can be found here https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs
Review VA health care eligibility criteria. Find out if you qualify for VA health care, how VA priority groups may affect you, and how to apply.
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MSgt Ron Woolery
You can also start with your local County Veteran Service Officer. They are a great resource for all benefits. You can find yours here: https://www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html
Did you know that by statute every county in the State of Minnesota shall hire a County Veterans Service Officer? The County Veteran Service Officers of Minnesota are here to ensure that all Veterans, their families and survivors receive all of the benefits and services they so well deserve for the hardships they have endured.
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SSG Bradley Lindsay
COL Carter, I would just add to Mr. Thielen's answer, that the website where you can find the contact for County Veterans Service Officer is https://www.macvso.org/
Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislation recently approved $6.2 million to provide $1,000 emergency grants to Minnesota Veterans financially affected by COVID-19. Please follow the link to find out more.
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Allison Adams Alstrin
MN is having an event this week, Thursday, Oct 29th for all you are currently serving, Veterans, families and caregivers. Learn more about it here! MN organizations are coming together to serve you to say thanks. https://www.accelevents.com/e/mnme2020
Experience 2020 is a rallying event for all MN military connected:(currently serving, prior service/Veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters)(
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If you have a questions on VA services and benefits and need to talk to a live agent. Please call our WH/VA Hotline.
White House VA Hotline: [login to see] .
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
White House VA Hotline: [login to see] .
Calls are answered by a live agent 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hotline is staffed by more than 60 agents who have had extensive training on VA programs and services. Most of these agents are a Veteran, military family member, caregiver or a survivor.
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VA shares news to use each week with VA and non-VA resources, please subscribe today and don't miss out: https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
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To find out information on outreach events and to join resource events, please visit our outreach events page where VA and non-VA event info is shared: https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/
Outreach events | Veterans Affairs
Outreach events
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Many devoted and very competent subject matter experts from the federal VA (including from both health care and benefits) and from the community, as well as representatives from https://www.stpaulguttercleaner.com the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, are present today.
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