MMA webinar discusses Office of the Veteran Advocate

An MMA webinar on April 30 introduced the resources available to municipalities and veterans through the Office of the Veteran Advocate.

Veteran Advocate and Retired Colonel Bob Notch shared the mission and vision of the OVA, which strives to “foster collaboration among state agencies, facilitate access to federal and state benefits, and conduct thorough investigations to enhance the quality of care provided to veterans.”

Anthony Langone, communications specialist at the OVA, said the office has four regional liaisons who serve as a bridge between state government and municipalities, primarily through a community’s veteran services agent. OVA staff work with both state and federal agencies when a municipality needs assistance, ensuring that veterans and their dependents receive the services and benefits to which they are entitled.

Ludlow Veterans Services Director Eric Segundo discussed what veteran services looks like at the municipal level. He said the Ludlow Veterans Center opened to address the rising challenge of food insecurity, providing veterans with lunches and coffee hours, free dental services, a food pantry, a space to meet with caseworkers or counselors, and more.

Ludlow has partnered with the OVA to help streamline communication with state and federal liaisons, interpret the laws that benefit veterans, and establish relationships.

The OVA “takes that burden off of my desk” when resources are stretched thin, Segundo said.

Langone moderated 25 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding community outreach to veterans, benefits available to families of veterans, and how OVA differs from other veteran services in the state.

• Office of the Veteran Advocate (OVA): What Municipalities Need to Know (4.5M PDF)