~ C ^ COMMISSIONERS' COURT AGENDA REQUEST PLEASE FURNISH ONE ORIGINAL AND NINE COPIES OF THIS REQUEST AND DOCIIB~NTS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT. MADE BY: ~ ~r'~ T~~~~r OFFICE: MEETING DATE: ~~ ZZ, ?1~>S~ TIME PREFERRED: ~•~~~~~"/ -- SUBJECT: L~~L?,e ~Cl4t/TU I~ET~7li¢(/5 e~~U/~E D~l~'E.~ ~~PosvG EXECUTNE SESSION REQUESTED: (PLEASE STATE REASON) __~ NAME OF PERSON ADDRESSING THE COURT: !OM .t?Ot~~,2 , ESTIMATED LENGTH OF PRESENTATION: /©f'/~~«-~5 IF PERSONNEL MATTER -NAME OF EMPLOYEE: Time for submitting this request for Court to assure that the matter is posted in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 551 and 552, Government Code, is as follows: Meeting scheduled for Mondays: THIS REQUEST RECENED BY: THIS REQUEST RECENED ON: 5:00 P.M. previous Tuesday. All Agenda Requests will be screened by the County Judge's Office to determine if adequate information has been prepared for the Court's formal consideration and action at time of Court Meetings. Your cooperation will be appreciated ar~d c~tribute towards you request being addressed at the earliest opportunity. See Agenda Request Rules Adopted by Commissioners' Cour[. 1989 Bear Creek Rd. '. Kemille, Tz. 78028 830) 367 5548 , tproutsr@ho[mail.com August 16, 2005 County Commissioners Kerr County Texas Kemille, Texas 78028 DearCommissioners: This is a proposal to establish a Kerr County Veterans Service Officer and assistances for our County. There will be NO county salaries involved in this proposal. This is to be a volunteer program offered through the county by the local veterans organization According to the Texas Veterans Commissions regulations, a county service officer must be certified by the NC annually. I was certified last year and am scheduled to be re-certified in October. At the same time, the American Legion will be sending their service officer, Larry Vetter to the school to become certified. I have been active as a veterans service officer for over 20 years and started as an employee of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs at the VA Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Volunteers from the Vietnam Veterans of America as well as the other big three have had people talkto me abouttraining and volunteeringtheirtime to make this program a success. What we ask of the commission is a office/buildingwith a minimum of two rooms, utilities and a local telephone. The veterans organizations will be responsible for stamps, paper, envelopes and all the other logistics as well as furnishing the office space. Wejust need a secure and private place to work. I have enclosed information on myself, letters from the veterans service organizations and information from the Texas Veterans Commission describingthe counties with CSO's and the .-. amount of revenue that is generated by this service to ourveterans. Our onty representative in Kerr County is Ms. Judith Blanchard, a employee ofNC that works out of the VA hospital. Herwork load is excmciating, the paperwork alone takes her over 3 hours a day which only allows her 5 hours for interviews. Ms. Blanchard and Mrs. Robin Gutierrez, the Administrative Officer atthe VA have added theirfull support of this endeavor. Besides, Ms. Blanchard plans on retiring within one year and we must strive to keep the continuity of these claims and the many that will be forthcoming flowing without any interruptions which could cause irrevocable problems for ail involved. The community is willing to do their part in getting this most worthwhile program started, now it's up to the letters of Kerr County to support and guide the creation of Kerr County Veterans Service Office. Thankingyou in advance, I am, very sincerely yours ~~~~- Tom Prout, Sr. Veterans Service Officer, DAV, VFW ~~ ,~ Utz ~.~~ ~~~~~~n~ ~ ~~ ~ P outs ~ r p Oii v~~ past 1~$O ~tiV~d ~~u~2~ t~£ ~~E~~ ~~~i.n rr~[y~'~On ~acc£y~fuC~~ cotn~ ~ f~E t~Exa~. (V£~s~,an~ ~Om o*~ f ~,av%c~£d ~~ on f E*c~na~ a+c of ~na~n~n~ ~ ~'~a`n''n~ ~ s a~ t~iE ZD~4 ~~~,in~ ~£~d i.n ~E~c*cv~~eE, ~Exa ~ - - l / c ~ ~f f~~~~.~ ~ -E~,YO~ ( {18~g~.aYtS. G~E*GV ~G£ ~-- "~ CR ~M~arion &Training Director °~ 200A -_` S E. NIER ~. \\ ~tire pirectoT March 12, 2Q0~1 March 12, J 1 i L , 1 4 1 0~5P$~~o ~~RI CAN VETERAN S ~~ ~n N~~ ~~ ~ Z~e ^~1 ~Q11~ ~ V ~ t,~ ,~ "/' tKCI~`1tCYt~' COIC'X.~ " ~~~~~~,~~ xe~ r ~ert~.~"ic~'~~~~ ~~ 5cacc ~ ~ . tln,ta. Serv-~ce Q zc II,{~~~ts~?t~ ~. "~ ~~I'~I~ I~~teR~C1tI~~ A .p,-~a, ,rerlr,,i, LL n r ~lra~~4 ~~t ~naallera y~y~at?rrau~ .~ ~~nce r~~r7/i 1~ I~-i,rx aJ e ~' bale, +~~ (_?~~?Ltt'!6 9tnuj CPY(?1~4;CI~ C,6/. _!l~ u~'~TtF,~/ (fe/CFXB~ Gj t A jt~ mariner pegartnient C ~~~~,,/ ommander C~ tonal lax National CiGK'"" ,~ ~~ National SeruticE Dtrector $.fRpTEf.~1G PLAN ~~ent Jutal . " pepar NSO Instructor ~irtfl''~I~ cm n~.o-nlmal ~jlt ~a~il'a ~rP$Pn#P~ C`~SD ~Dr ~Prt#DrtIILiB ~tn~ ~t9#tn~nt~l~P~ ~Pr~ttP ~~P~tls tri ~nr#~Prtn~ #I~P ~1tm~ ttnd D~ #I~P ~P#Pr~In~ D~ ~DrPt~n (~iben #his ~o+.~~i..da~ of 200~- (Qnmmxnder ,zf~o ~1dju#an# ~~~~~~~ ttr~ Df #~P ~nt#P~ ~#tt#PS_ `~£T~It~NS O~ ~OIiEIfiN lAla~~S O~ TIIE UNITED STiAT~S POST 1480 220 TIIOMPSON DftlifF K£RRL/ILLF, TE~CRS ?8028 Post Officers Commander Bill Hagele ~- Sr. Vice Cmdr Freddie Dimery Jr. Vice Cmdr Ivan Arrendzll ,_ Quartermaster Mike Tivy (830)896-3494 July 19, zoos Director Kerrville VA Medical Center Memorial Blvd. Kerrville, TX 78028 Deaz Director: As Commander of the 535 members of the Kerrville Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary, "- I am requesting that the Veterans Administration provide space (the old DAV ofTice) to the service officers of the veterans organizations. '-' Since we have no county service officer and since Ms. Judy Blanchard is swamped with work, it would ease everyone's case load if we had more assistance. The VFW and the DAV's service officer is Mr. Tom Prout, originally trained by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs in 1985, having over twenty years experience in this critical field. He has been an Accredited Representative with 14 organizations and a State Service Officer with 3. Tom has agreed with the other organizations to head up this office and also to train new service officers from the service organizations ranks. Since I have been Commander, I have received numerous phone calls for his assistance, even referrals from the employees at the KVAMC. v It is my understanding that the logistics of such an endeavor will be born by the local veterans organizations, i.e., stamps, paper, envelopes, etc. This will be a multiple task that we will all share in to complete the service to our veterans. Your assistance and cooperation will be greatly appreciated by all concerned. Thanking you, I am Very truly yours, `f/~ William Hegele Commander VFW Post 1480 American Legion Kemrille Memorial PostNo. 208 July 20, 2005 Kerrville VAMC 3600 Memorial Blvd. __ Kerrville, Texas 78028 Director; At a membership meeting of the American Legion Post 208 on July 14, 2005 it was approved that this Veteran's organization wholeheartedly supports the Service Officer's .... Program. Post 208 provides the support of 658 current members and encourages you to provide space for the service officer's of our veteran's to function. It is common knowledge in our community that there is no county service officer anywhere neaz Kerrville VAMC and Ms. Blanchazd is overworked and could use the assistance. Larry Vetter and Tom Prout have already assisted many veterans with their -- benefit difficulties. Tom Prout has become a steadfast representative in this community regazding veteran's benefits and in assisting them and their families. Mr. Prout has over twenty years experience in this field and has been an extremely reliable asset to the -- American Legion, The Veteran's of Foreign Wazs, The Hill Country Vietnam Veterans and The Disabled American Veterans organizations in Kerrville, Texas. As the Post Commander and the 21sT District Commander overseeing 39 other Posts, I extend my -- support and best wishes in this endeavor. Receiving many phone calls and accolades it is always a pleasure to work with Tom and Larry. -- This organization stands prepazed to support this endeavor with clerical supplies, i.e. Stamps, envelopes, paper, etc. -- Y nsideration in thi quest i highly appreciated. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ °° van Arren ell Post 208 & 21sT District Commander 2005 - 2007 P.O. Box 290121 Kerrville. Texas 78029-0121 i~AV K~~~vgflfle cCh~~te~° ~ 1989 BEAR CREEK RD. Kerrville, Texas ?8028 GENE RITCHIE COMMANDER (830) 257-5362 JULY 21, 2005 v DIRECTOR KERRVILLE VA MEDICAL CENTER .~ 3600 MEMORIAL BLVD. KERRVILLE, TX. 78028 DEAR SIR: TOM PROUT, SR ADJ./SERVICE OFFICER (830) 367-5548 .... IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I CAN INTRODUCE TO YOU, OUR LOCAL SERVICE OFFICER, MR. TOM PROUT, SR. ,_ MR. PROUT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, IS WILLING TO DONATE HIS TIME TO LEAD A SERVICE OFFICERS OFFICE AND INSTRUCT NEW SERVICE OFFICERS. ,,- THIS CONCEPT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOUR MAJOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. ,_ NOW WE MUST PROCURE ADEQUATE SPACE FOR THIS ENDEAVOR TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THEREFORE WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING AN OFFICE AT THE KERRVILLE VA. HOPEFULLY, WE _„ COULD USE THE OLD DAV OFFICE IN BLDG 1. SUPPLIES WILL BE FURNISHED BY THE VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS. ,_ SINCERELY, GENE RICTHIE COMMANDER, CHAPTER #S ~. ~~~ ~ VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA HILL COUNTRY CHAPTER 863 ,.. P.O. BOX 291704 , KERRVILLE, TEXAS 78029-1704 (830) 896-2081 July 25, 2005 Robin Gutierrez Administrative Officer Kerrville Division STVHCS Robin: The Vietnam Veterans of America-Hill Country Chapter 863 agrees with a proposal for a combined veteran's service office. This office would represent the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America, and any other veteran's organization in the 14 county service areas. The coalition of these veterans' organizations would greatly _ enhance the service to all veterans. Sincerely: ,~, ~r~~ A. Alan Hill V. V. A. Chapter #863 President Compact with Texas Page 1 of 3 Texas Veterans Commission Compact with Texans The principle services offered by the Commission are claims representation and counseling services for our State's veterans and their families and training for Veterans' County Service Officers (VCSO). The Texas Veterans Commission is the advocate for Texas veterans, their families and [heir survivors. The Commission pledges to provide every Texas veteran with quality service. .- The cornerstone of quality service is the ability to provide veterans needing counseling with a dedicated, professional and well-trained work force, at both the state and the county levels. To achieve this end the Commission provides both ongoing and initial training for both TVC Veterans Counselors and VCSO and their Assistants. This work force and the service it provides must be readily available to the population it serves. The services must be tailored to [he needs of veterans. The "" Texas Veterans Commission takes the lead in coordinating efforts of service providers, sharing of resources, providing innovative and effective training and developing a partnership with other levels of government, particularly at the county level, to achieve the highest quality in assisting the veterans, their families, and their survivors. _.. We will fully address all of your questions, concerns, and complaints. The customer service representative for the Texas Veterans Commission is: Cruz Montemayor Director of Administration & Training P.O. Box 12277 Austin, Texas 7871 I-2277 (512) 463-6564; FAX (5 1 21 475-23 95 Email: info(gtvcstate.tx.us ~' There are two distinct consumers of Texas Veterans Commission programs: (I) Veterans and their families, and (2) Veterans County Service Officers. Veterans & Their Families As either a veteran or a member of a veteran's family you have dte right to expect the Yollowing services from [he Texas Veterans Commission: 1. We will interview you at our office or return your phone call within the shortest possible time. 2. We will counsel you concerning your rights and entitlements and we will treat you with courtesy, '- compassion and respect at all times. We will communicate accurately, completely, and clearly with you by explaining the full range of benefits and services available to you. 3. We will prepare your claims for benefits, which will be forwarded to the VA within one working day of completion of the application for benefits. ,,,_ 4. We will provide you with a realistic estimate of how long it will take to process your claim or answer your request. 5. We will keep you informed of the status of the claim or request, and clearly explain [he reasons for VA decisions, your rights [o appeal those decisions and assist you in preparing an appeal. http://www.tvastate.tx.us/compact.htm 8/15/2005 Compact with Texas Page 2 of 3 _. 6. We will provide you, your family, your fellow Texas veterans and their families with public ittfonnation pamphlets concerning the full range of benefits available from both the State and Federal government at all TVC office locations. r 7. We will provide useful information to you and your family at [he TVC web site (http://www.tvcstate.tx.us). Veterans County Service Officers "- At a minimum as a Veterans County Service Officer you should expect the Texas Veterans Commission to provide the following services: ._ I. Within two weeks of the Commission's notification of your appointment as a Veterans County Service Officer, we will schedule a staff assistance visit from a TVC counselor to introduce the TVC services available to you, to orient you [o your new duties and to assess any special needs for your office. 2. After the staff assistance visit and within six months of notification of your appointment as a VCSO, we will provide you, and all other recently appointed VCSO, with afour-day formal program of initial training. 3. We will provide you with ongoing training opportunities twice each year. 4. We will process the claims for the veterans in your county as expeditiously as possible. 5. We will ensure you ready access to our services. 6. We will respond to your telephone calls within thirty minutes. 7. We will answer or acknowledge your benefit inquiries within two working days. 8. We will represent the veteran claimants from your county before the VA and make every effort to ensure that they receive all of the benefits [o which they are entitled under the law. TOP OF PAGE '~`~ "' Back to Texas Veterans Commission Main Menu 1 I About the NC I Compact with Texans ~ Privacy & Disclaimer Policies I PSAs I Office locations I Job Opportunities ~ Organizational Chart I NC Forms I NC Publications ~ Counry Service Officers I VA Facilities in Texas I Training. Schetlule I '~ I Other State 8 Federal Agencies Assisting Veterans ~ Women Veterans I Veterans Organizations ~ I Veterans' Preference/Employment-Reemployment I Educational (Hazlewootl) Benefits ~ Hazlewood FAQs_ I I Texas Veterans Lantl Boartl Loans I Texas State Veterans Homes I More Texas State Veterans Benefits I Metlals or a Copy of Your DD214? I r I Other States' Offices I VA Checks 8 VA Automation Center I Moving. Wall I The. Wall That Heals I Links to Other Sites I Contnct the Teras 6 eterans Commission Headquarters: Texas Veterans Commission " P.O. Box 12277 Austin, TX 7871 I-2277 For benefits info, call us toll free on the Veterans' HOTLINE: 1-800-252-VETS (8387) or email us: infoi~[vastate.tx.us Veterans Counry Service Officers should continue to contact their respective TVC Regional -- Offices and the Austin Headquarters via the to/1 free numbers Riven to them during their initial http://www.tvastate.tx.us/compact.htm 8/15/2005 Annual Fall Training Conference Page 1 of 2 Texas Veterans Commission 58th Annual Statewide _ Conference for Veterans Service Officers October 11 - 14, 2005 San Antonio, Texas Holiday Inn Travel Day: Select Monday, _ 77 NE Loop 410 October 10, San Antonio, 2005 Texas 7832+ Note: The TVC 210/ 349-9900 employees Single/Double will travel on $70.00 Sunday, October 9. Cut off for Hotel Reservations: _ September 23, 2005 - NO EXCEPTIONS -- ~- MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY -- -- _ -- -- ROOM AVAILABILITY IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED! -~- -- ~,:« Click picture above left for info on the Holiday Inn Select -International Airport, San _ Antonio. Click on the map and directions to the hotel. (Click on stars below to return to top of page) _ http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/Training.htm 8/15/2005 i~,us~ v'~;i~.~vS%i;ii~iviiSiivlV F.FFFCTiVF, APRiL 2005 Rick Perry Governor Leonard Barraza,Chairntao LTC James R Adams, (USA Ret), Vim Chairman Hector Farias, Secretary John A. Brieden, HI, Member Karen S. Rankin, Brig Gen (USAF Ret), Member James E. Nier Executive Director Administration Finance & aad Information Training Resources Marketing ~ ....~ Waco Region ~ Houston Region .. a ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ~ 7 Hospital 9 Field 3 Hospital 9 Fiell ^ ~ ..~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ # # # # # # # i # i # # # # # # # i # # # # ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ s.. ^ # # ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ " # ^ ^ ^ # ^ ^ # ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ * # ~ ^ ^ # # ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ..~ ^ # # ^ ^ # ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 1 ^ ^ "VCSO are county employees. # # ^ TVC provides training and support. s ~ ^ ^ ^ ». ^ ^ • ^ ^ ^ ^ Counties with Veterans County Service Officers Andrews Culherson Hays Matagorda Sherman Angelina Dxllam Hemphill Maverick Smith Aransas Dallas Henderson Medina Snmervell Archer Dawson Hidalgo Menard Start Amscusa Dcaf Smith Hill Milam Stephens Austin Co. Delta Huckloy Mills Sterling Bailey Denton Hood Mitchell Stonewall Bandera De Witt Houston Cu. Montague Swisher Bastrop Dickens Hunt` Montgomery Tarrant 6aylor Dimmit Hutchinsun Moore Taylor Bee Donley Trion Mortis Tcrrv Bezar Duval Jack Morley Throckmortun Basque Eastland Jackson Nacogdoches Titus Buwie Ector Jasper Navarzo Tom Green Brvoria Fllis JetPDavis Newton 'T'ravis 6razos EI Paso JetFerson Nolan trinity Brewster Grath Jim Nogg Nueces Tyler Co. Brooks Fannin Jim Wells Ochiltree lJpshur Brown Fayette Johnson Oldham Upton Burleson Fisher Jones Orange Uvalde Burnet Floyd Karnes Palu Pin[u Val Verde Caldwell Fort Bend Kaufman Panula Van 7.andt Calhoun Franklin Kendall Parker **Victnria Callahan Freestone Kent Farmer Walker Cameron Frin Kimble Peens Waller Camp Gaines King Polk Ward Cass (ialveslon Kinney Presidia Washington Castro Gillespie Klebere Rains Webb Chambers Goliad Knnx Red River Wharton Cherokee Gonzales Lamb Reeves Wheeler Childress Gray Lampasas Refugio Wichita Clay