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The event will offer an opportunity to meet and talk with professionals prepared to assist veterans and service members.
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Community and University Veterans Collaborate in Hosting Resource Event

September 8, 2016

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MACOMB, IL - - The Western Illinois University Veterans Resource Center and the YMCA of McDonough County Checkpoint, a support group for military veterans, are hosting a Stand Down Day Saturday, Sept. 10. The program is first of its kind in which the University and local community veterans have partnered to together to host several professionals and experts who serve veterans and service members.

The event will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the University Union Sandburg Lounge, and all veterans and service members are encouraged to visit the fair. There will be three Iowa City VA Hospital officials who will be prepared to answer questions regarding eligibility; suicide prevention and the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.

"The VA Choice program was established to provide veterans with opportunities to seek health care services from non-VA entities or providers," stated Kathy Meyers. "One of the goals of the program is to offer health care to veterans more efficiently and effectively manner but many veterans and service members have encountered questions and concerns regarding implementation of the Program. Rarely is there and chance to talk one-on-one with experts about the VA Choice program. It is extremely important for veterans to share their personal experiences with the Program."

Another helpful resource to be represented is the partnership between WIU and the VA Rural Health Care Program. The Center for Military/Academic Transition and Health on the Macomb Campus offers resources, including telemental health services with Iowa City or surrounding VA professionals. Veterans and service members who qualify for VA health care are eligible to receive these services without leaving the local community.

Mike Gilmore, a military affairs advisor for U.S. Representative Darin LaHood, will be in attendance in the afternoon to meet with the representative's constituency and discuss issues or questions with service men and women of the 18th Congressional District. As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Gilmore is committed assisting veterans with health care, education, housing and potential employment opportunities.

There will be several agency representatives including the VA Community Resource and Referral Center, Davenport; Peoria Vets Center, Peoria; Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth; Goodwill Industries, Peoria; Monmouth, WIU/VA Center for Military/Academic Transition and Health, Macomb; Salvation Army Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Galesburg; and many other representatives providing assistance free of charge.

For additional information, contact Meyers at (309) 298-3505 or email at KJ-Meyers@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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