For Immediate Release:
November 10, 2015
Veterans Services Office marks fifth anniversary
Thousands of Veterans from WWII to today receive critical assistance
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Veterans Services Office will mark its fifth anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.
“Our dedicated veterans’ service officers have helped veterans and their families gain access to more than $7,247,103 in cash awards and several million in healthcare benefits that they are entitled to, but experienced trouble getting on their own,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the CVSO. “This money keeps people in their homes and saving lives.”
The County’s Veterans Services Office, CVSO, was created in 2010 at no additional cost to taxpayers by training existing staff from the disabilities office and using existing office space. Currently, four veterans’ services officers meet daily with veterans to help them fill out paperwork and better understand the programs and services that they have access to as a result of their service to our country.
“Whether they are individuals who are currently active, coming home or a veteran, we must do everything we can to show our gratitude to these men and woman and their families,” Curley said.
- In its five years of operation, the CVSO has:
- Filed 700 cases with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on behalf of veterans regarding compensation and pension, advocacy, referrals PTSD counseling, healthcare, education, lost records, military service, health records, service medal requests, and burial benefits;
- Responded to over 13,000 incoming requests for information and assistance;
- Developed a partnership with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department by providing monthly presentations for veteran residents at the County Correctional facility focusing on veteran’s benefits and the services provided by the Division;
- Developed a partnership with Earle Naval Weapons Station to provide quarterly presentations to Veterans that are being discharged from active duty as part of the “Transitions, Goals, Plans and Succeed” class at Earle. The CVSO provides information on veteran’s benefits and services provided by the Division; and
- Monmouth County Veteran Service Officer, Kim Shalloo, MSW, has been selected by the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) as the Northeast Washington DC Liaison for NACVSO, meeting regularly with the VA and other Veteran Service Organizations’ leadership to discuss Veteran care and VA policies and procedures.
“Veterans report that they are very pleased to have a local full service Veteran Service Office in Monmouth County,” Curley said. “Instead of having to travel to Newark, local veterans and their families are able to ask for and receive the help that they need closer to home.”
The majority of veterans who have filed claims served “In Country” in Vietnam. Their claims range from service-related PTSD to illness and diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.
The veterans’ services officers have also assisted World War II veterans with compensation claims and counseling referrals for untreated PTSD due to combat engagement with enemy forces more than 65 years ago. Many of these veterans are now in their late 80’s and early 90’s.
Many veterans are referred by the CVSO to the Vet2Vet program at Rutgers University for peer supportive services for PTSD, depressions and other adjustment issues. All veterans in need of counseling are referred to services with no cost and with little or no wait time.
Veterans can stop by the office located at 3000 Kozloski Road in Freehold from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday, call 732-683-8675 or visit the Veterans Services section of the County website at www.VisitMonmouth.com.
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