ELAC: California Benefits Overview

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez,Monterey Park CA 91754

28 April, 2023

Description

The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), California Transition Assistance Program (CalTAP), in partnership with East Los Angeles College (ELAC), would like to invite veterans and their families to attend our upcoming presentation which will provide information on California specific benefits. Representatives from CalVet, ELAC Veterans Resource Center, Los Angeles County Dept. of Military & Veteran Affairs (LA MVA), Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF), Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN), America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), and the Veterans Chamber of Commerce will be live to provide valuable information and resources and answer your questions live. Along with representatives available to assist with VA enrollment and claims, there will be raffle prizes and a box lunch will be provided. Agenda 9:00 a.m. - Welcome, CalVet/CalTAP Agenda, and Housekeeping 9:30 a.m. - Local Interagency Network Coordinator (LINC) 9:45 a.m. - Los Angeles County Dept. of Military & Veteran Affairs (LA MVA) 10:05 a.m. - Education Pathway 10:35 a.m. - Higher Education Information 10:50 a.m. - Entrepreneurship Pathway 11:20 a.m. - Break: Surprise Raffle and Lunch Provided 11:40 a.m. - Employment Pathway 12:05 p.m. - SSVF, VPAN, AJCC from JVS SoCal 12:20 p.m. - CalVet Home Loans 12:50 p.m. - Question and Answers Below you will find more information about our guest speakers. Jana Adams, Training Coordinator CalVet, CalTAP Jana Adams started with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2017 as the Department Training Officer in the Human Resources Division. She is currently a Training Coordinator on the California Transitional Assistance Program (CalTAP) team in the Veteran Services Division. Jana grew up in the Sacramento area and attended California State University Chico, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications with an emphasis in Leadership Studies. In her current role as a CalTAP Training Coordinator, Jana provides information about earned benefits and resources available to veterans, service members and their families throughout the state of California. Jana provides this information during outreach events at military installations and on higher education campuses throughout the state as well as through video conferencing platforms. Beyond her passion for serving Veterans, Jana has continued to volunteer her time as a Panhellenic Advisor within the Greek system at University of California Davis since 2012. In this role, Jana helps to plan and execute philanthropic events to raise money for various foundations. Michael Cisneros, Training Coordinator CalVet, CalTAP Born in Sacramento, CA, Michael Cisneros joined the United States Air Force out of high school in 2004, and served as a Security Forces leader until the summer of 2007. After he separated from service he went back to school and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Human Development, from the University of California, Davis. During that time Michael also worked as a student aide within his community college’s financial aid office and eventually became a permanent full-time employee in the admissions and records office. His time in student services over a span of eight years fueled an enthusiasm around assisting individuals and helping them achieve their goals. Michael went back to school and received his Masters of Science in Counseling (Career) from California State University, Sacramento. During that time, he focused most of his research on the veteran community and their unique experiences transitioning into civilian life. He is thrilled to be a part of something that has the ability to alleviate barriers for those individuals, and looks forward to a fulfilling career assisting them in achieving their personal success. Anthony Rodriguez, Los Angeles LINC CalVet Anthony Rodriguez served as a United States Marine Corps Captain, both Active and Reserve. He was stationed primarily with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. He was an Assault Amphibious & Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Officer. Upon separation from active duty, Anthony served many years as a Regional Sales Manager primarily in the industrial sales sector. Anthony transitioned to the non-profit area working for both Goodwill Industries and JVS, in the workforce and employment development arena in Los Angeles. During this time, he was introduced to CalVet. Anthony is passionate about assisting veterans with accessing their earned military benefits and services. His keen understanding of local, county, state, and federal resources provides veterans with a clear and simplified pathway to valuable information and resources.  Anthony enjoys the trust, confidence, and comradery that develops as he works with service providers to assist those who have so honorably served. Brad Pedersen, Program Representative CalVet, Home Loans Brad Pedersen's firsthand experience of over 35 years selling real estate, combined with his 24 years of loan originations, uniquely qualifies him to serve the needs of the military community as he informs and connects service members, veterans, and their families to their earned state and federal benefits. Veterans Resource Center (VRC) East Los Angeles College Their mission is to support, empower and assist military and veteran students through military-connected transitional challenges, increase student veteran retention and completion, foster the development of skills needed to succeed in their educational goals and to train faculty and staff with an awareness of military culture and how to support veterans on campus. The VRC and Veterans Club serve all enrolled student veterans, service members and their dependents, regardless of discharge status. Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (LA MVA) The LA MVA counsels veterans, their dependents and survivors regarding federal and state benefits such as compensation, pension, education, medical treatment, home loans, burial benefits and license plate designation. Our accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSO’s) also provide referrals for veterans regarding alcohol/drug abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MVA administers historical Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, a 10-story building with meeting rooms, auditorium, gymnasium, and banquet facilities available to veteran service non-profit organizations. Veterans Chamber of Commerce The Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide all military veterans the support, resources and education that will further develop their business and personal lives. In February 2019, the Veterans Chamber of Commerce was established after a group of veterans, who were also business owners, decided to make an impact in the veteran community. They saw that veterans, veteran business owners and their families needed a place to find tools, ideas, resources and community for their personal and business needs. Shortly after, the Veteran Chamber of Commerce was born. Jobs. Vision. Success. (JVS) JVS offers services and peer support for veterans including career coaching, skills assessment coaching, training opportunities in high growth industries, re-employment assistance, peer support, and job placement assistance all at no cost for veterans in Southern California. Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) Supervisory District 1 The first-ever community-driven support network serving Veterans and their families in the U.S., the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) Supervisory District 1, connects Veterans, regardless of discharge status, and their family members to community resources. This assistance is provided to address challenges confronting Veterans & their families, including housing, employment, education, financial assistance, health care, transportation and mental health. This program is offered by JVS SoCal’s Veteran Services department. Veterans America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) The Veterans AJCC is committed to assisting Veterans to re-enter the civilian workforce and to achieve a competitive edge in the labor market. This is done through a combination of education, training, career counseling, and supportive services. Our Veterans receive premier, priority of service and we strive to provide specialized, attentive services to our Veterans via a dedicated AJCC site that is staffed with Veterans who are distinctly qualified to respond to and address the unique needs of those who have served our country. Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) For very low-income Veterans, SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without this assistance.