The Monterey County Military Veterans Affairs Office (MVAO) assists veterans and their dependents by advocating and filing claims for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Benefits Administration (VBA) Healthcare Administration (VHA) and Cemetery Administration (VCA) along with California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) benefits to include the California college tuition fee waivers, admission assistance to the Veterans Homes of CA Program (VHC) and Incarcerated Veterans Community Outreach Programs. The MVAO operates offices in both Monterey and San Benito Counties. Transitional assistance is also provided to both active duty and reserve service members along with their dependents at the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Presidio of Monterey, Naval Post Graduate School and local Reserve and National Guard Centers. Satellite offices in Salinas and Hollister.
Program Information CHHS interns will work with program office staff in all program, with emphasis on developing skills to be an effective community outreach worker. Students will learn to cope with situations that involve men and women who have returned from combat and are experiencing drastic changes in their lives such as unemployment, adjustment, homelessness, substance abuse and periods of incarceration. Special projects may include Veterans Reintegration and Adjustment Out-reach Program (VRAOP). This program is designed to assists veterans and their dependents reintegrate and adjust to civilian society after return from war zones. Also, assisting those veterans who did not receive adjustment services from any periods of service both active duty and reserve.
Filing claims for VA benefits, Providing information about veterans benefits including education, housing, employment, disability, pension, and death. Assisting homeless and formerly incarcerated veterans. Connecting various veterans groups, organizations, committees, and students with service providers and resources.
One project focuses on creating awareness and support for military women by implementing a seminar to deliver information, support, and knowledge for all female service members. Resulting in education for female service members, assisting them in the understanding of the Veteran Affairs benefits system and preparation for discharge.
The Veterans Treatment Court is another opportunity for a CHHS intern. Where a student will support the implementation of the existing Monterey County Veterans Treatment Court by learning administrative duties within the MVAO, attending and observing MCVTC proceedings, conducting field research of other active Veteran Treatment Courts of both similar and different demographics, collecting and collating data and research.
Desired characteristics; passion/desire for work with veterans; good time management; attendance at VTC and use of professional customer service skills.