Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today announced an expansion of his Veterans Resources webpage to help veterans take advantage of the educational and employment opportunities available to them and help them secure the benefits they have earned.
“America’s veterans have bravely fought to defend our country. When service members leave the military, they come home with tremendous skills, and they should not have to fight for a good-paying job or for the benefits they’ve earned,” said Bennet. “I hope this improved page will serve as a helpful resource center for veterans to connect veterans with job and educational opportunities, as well as help them access available services and the benefits they deserve. We all must continue to work to ease the transition to civilian life for our veterans.”
Bennet’s Veterans Resources page provides information and links on educational opportunities through the GI Bill, a searchable job bank, links to new workforce development opportunities and information about where to find Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health and other local services, as well as other resources for veterans and their families. The page also includes information about Bennet’s Veterans Hotline, which veterans and their families can call to speak with a staff member about making a benefit claim or appeal or about benefits available to veterans.
Coloradans can access the Veterans Resources webpage by clicking on the “Veterans Resources” button on Bennet’s homepage or by visiting http://www.bennet.senate.gov/services/casework/veterans/.
The expansion of this Veterans Resources page comes on the heels of Bennet’s introduction of a bill to create a National Veterans Foundation, modeled after work being done in Colorado Springs to facilitate greater collaboration between public and private agencies, as well as service providers that support America’s veterans. The foundation is a key element of the “Better Serving Those Who Have Served” report presented to Bennet by participants in his Colorado Veterans Forum. Several other elements of the report were included in bipartisan veterans jobs bill that passed the Senate earlier this month.
In August, Bennet hosted a “Colorado Veterans Forum” in Denver and Colorado Springs that brought together veterans advocates, health experts, service providers and others in the veterans community from across the state to discuss how to make Colorado the best place to live and work for veterans. The forum participants discussed issues including VA Healthcare and Claims; Veterans of Previous Wars/Developing a 30-Year Plan for Tomorrow’s Veteran; Education, Employment, and Economic Opportunity; Transitions for Post-9/11 Veterans; Quality of Life for Families; and Whole-of-Community Collaboration.