Read the April 2024 Newsletter from the Delaware Valley Veterans Consortium, which serves member organizations by providing information to share with the Veterans they serve. Do you have news to share or upcoming events for the May 2024 newsletter and beyond? Please share! This newsletter is published monthly as part of DVVC’s efforts to connect, collaborate, and communicate in service to Veterans throughout our region.
Send your updates and questions to dvvcinfo@gmail.com
Member Organizations: To submit articles to the newsletter, please email Ashley Griffiths agriffiths@gc-habitat.org by the 25th of the month with your news.
To submit news to DVVC social media sites, please email Lynne Williams at director@greatcareersphl.org with “For DVVC Social Media” in the subject line.
Let us know how we can help!
SOCIAL MEDIA
In addition to the newsletter, the DVVC shares news and upcoming events on social media. Member organizations can follow our social media platforms to receive updates and share information about your organization’s news and events. Please engage on the posts and repost or share.
- LinkedIn Company Page – click on the bell at the top right and choose All New Posts
- LinkedIn Group
- LinkedIn Hashtag – in the search bar at the top left, type #dvvcorg and click follow
- Facebook Page
NEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Within the past few weeks, the VA announced an expansion of health care benefits that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – may be eligible to receive. The VA announced that beginning March 5th 2024, many Veterans who were not previously eligible for VA Healthcare benefits will now be eligible. What the expansion means is that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. This means that there will be no need to apply for disability benefits to obtain eligibility for VA Health. And those many who may be ineligible due to exceeding income thresholds now may be eligible by virtue of serving our Country in selected locations both in and out of the country. This could mean that even Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.
As noted, eligibility went into effect beginning March 5th 2024. Veterans who believe they may be eligible need to complete the updated VA FORM 10-10EZ which has been modified to capture the information for VA to decide.
For information about how the PACT Act is helping Veterans and their survivors, visit VA’s PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. More information on eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT.
Sincerely,
Ted Gallagher, Director
Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs
DVVC Quarterly Meeting Update
There will be no quarterly program/meeting in April.
Keep an eye out for announcements about the July program as well as an upcoming Town Hall.
At the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterans Upward Bound program, we recognize the unique challenges and opportunities faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. Join us on 26 April 2024 to discover pathways to success, gain valuable insights, and take the next step towards achieving your educational and career goals.
Penn’s VUB honors and supports those who have served our country, and this event provides veterans with valuable resources and opportunities for educational advancement. Whether you’re considering college, vocational training, or career development programs, our fair offers a comprehensive range of options tailored to meet your needs. Explore booths hosted by colleges, universities, and other training programs, where representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information about admissions, financial aid, and support services specifically tailored to veterans.
For registration and Information here: https://vpse.upenn.edu/vub/fair/
Bucks County Suicide Prevention Task Force is sponsoring a walk to support suicide prevention efforts on Saturday, April 27, 2004. The walk will be held at Bucks County Community College’s Upper Bucks campus on Hillendale Road, Perkasie, PA.
Registration is at 10am and the walk starts at 11am. For more informaiton, visit https://holdonyoumatter.com/
The Chester County Veterans Affairs Department is sponsoring a luncheon seminar called, ‘Women Veterans Rise.’
Location: Chester County Historical Center, 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380
Date: 30 April 2024
Time: 12 noon to 3 pm
Join other women veterans for lunch, conversation, and camaraderie. Seating is limited, so please RSVP no later than April 1 at:
Over the past several years, the Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst (JBMDL) has hosted an Event referred to as the Joint Retiree Appreciation Day (JRAD). This Event has occurred every year since 2013 except for the three years when everyone was challenged by COVID.
The Event draws Military Retirees from New Jersey, Southern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware to the JBMDL to obtain information about of variety of benefits and services available to them. Such benefits and services span the Federal, State and Local levels.
Benefits at the Federal level would be Social Security, Health benefits from the VA, Tricare and the Joint Base, and various Joint Base services. Services at the state Level primarily come from the State’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
And local services would involve the various Veteran Service Organizations such as the American Legion and VFW plus other Organizations such as Samaritan, Catholic Charities, and Volunteers Of America (VOA). All of the Organizations which attend are provided with tables and are spread among three separate rooms where information can be shared with the Retirees.
Past Events have drawn upwards of several hundred Retirees and their families to obtain information on benefits. The event is held at the Timmerman Theater on the Dix side of the Joint Base. Ample parking is available to accommodate the attendees.
The event kicks off at 0830 hrs. with the singing of the National Anthem, the Posting of the Colors, and other formalities. The Formal Program will begin at 0900 hrs. with a Welcome from a representative of the Joint Base, then the Keynote Speaker, followed by presentations from individuals sharing information on Veterans Health and Service benefits plus a Legislative Update. The Formal program will end at approximately 1100 hrs. when attendees will be given the opportunity to visit the Resource tables and/or enjoy Lunch at the Post Consolidated Mess.
HIRE VETERANS MEDALLION AWARD 2024
The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2017 (HIRE Vets Act or the Act), requires the Secretary of Labor to establish a program, by rule, that recognizes employer efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans. Employer-applicants meeting criteria established in the rule will receive a “HIRE Vets Medallion Award.”
As described in the Act, there are different awards for large employers (500-plus employees), medium employers (51-499 employees), and small employers (50 or fewer employees). For each award, the employer must satisfy a set of criteria. Verification of these criteria includes a self-attestation by the applicant and a check for violations of veteran related DOL labor laws by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Criteria for recognition vary by level (platinum or gold) and employer size (large, medium, and small). However, the criteria for most of the awards are based upon the following measures:
- The percentage of new hires during the previous year are veterans.
- Percentage of veteran employees retained for a period of at least 12 months.
- The percentage of employees who are veterans.
- Provision of an employee veteran organization or resource group to assist new veteran employees with integration, including coaching and mentoring.
- Provision of programs to enhance the leadership skills of veteran employees during their employment.
- Employment of a dedicated human resources professional or initiatives to support hiring, training, and retention of veteran employees.
- Provision of compensation, to employees serving on active duty in the United States National Guard or Reserve, that is sufficient, in combination with the employee’s active duty pay, to achieve a combined level of income commensurate with the employee’s salary prior to undertaking active duty.
- Provision of a tuition assistance program to support veteran employees’ attendance in postsecondary education during the term of their employment; and
- Employer with an adverse labor law decision, stipulated agreement, contract debarment, or contract termination, as defined in the rule, pursuant to either of the following labor laws will not be eligible to receive an award: Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA); or Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).
Most awards do not require the employer-applicant to satisfy all of the above criteria.
The Act requires the Secretary to establish a fee sufficient to cover the costs associated with carrying out the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. Application fees are:
1. Small Employer—$90
2. Medium Employer—$190
3. Large Employer—$495
Over 1,650 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, and they are highlighted at https://www.hirevets.gov/about
YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE
Monthly Newsletters from Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs for News, Veteran Events and Opportunities in NJ and PA
In PA see: https://maestro.pa.gov/list/k3hdw2n4/230302C/8z6u9k2ia3mw.vib?test&a0=903
In NJ see: https://dmava.org/
Join the adult career education topics and networking in April 2024 at the Great Careers Groups (GCG) whether you are unemployed, self-employed, or employed. Visit the EVENTS page for registration info. Connect on social media and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- Mon Apr 1 – How to Create Snazzy Graphics for Social Media Overview
- Tue Apr 2 – Ready for a Career Change?
- Wed Apr 3 – How to Gain Customers with a LinkedIn Company Page Lunch & Learn (in person Paoli)
- Thu Apr 4 – Your Authentic Brand Voice with ChatGPT
- Sat Apr 6 – Open Career Forum for Students Seeking Internships and Jobs
- Mon Apr 8 – Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
- Mon Apr 8 – How to Create Snazzy Graphics for Social Media Step-by-Step Demo
- Tues Apr 9 – LGBTQ+ OUTstanding Careers Group™
- Wed Apr 10 – Embracing Your Misfit Identity, Uniqueness = Superpowers
- Thu Apr 11 – Tell Me About Yourself
- Thu Apr 11 – Virtual Jobseeker Support Group
- Thu Apr 11 – Meet the Author Inspiration & Empowerment Panel (in person Philadelphia)
- Tue Apr 16 – Career Support for Immigrant Professionals: TBD
- Tue Apr 16 – Lehigh Valley Business Executives Networking Group (BENG)
- Wed Apr 17 – Interview Techniques
- Thu Apr 18- Recruiter on Call with Jobs LinkedIn Audio
- Thu Apr 18 – Overview of AuthoredUp for Enhanced LinkedIn Content Creation
- Fri Apr 19 – 2024 Tips to Build Your LinkedIn Brand (in person Princeton)
- Tue Apr 23 – Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) & Guests
- Thu Apr 25 – Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
- Tue Apr 30 – Five Keys to Your Legally Sound Business Lunch & Learn (in person Paoli)
- Tue Apr 30 – Take Control of Your Job Search
For unemployed veterans who want to attend for free, contact Lynne Williams in advance director@greatcareersphl.org.
VA Updates
VA health care travels with you Are you traveling?
VA has resources across the states to provide you with easily accessible information about telehealth options, the closest VA location, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
