AOC-ODVA Partnership Supports CVSO’s

The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) continues to build upon a strong foundation of training County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) across the state. ODVA and counties have partnered since 1945 to support a shared commitment to serving veterans and their families. The main role of counties is to employ CVSO’s as community based assets, who can develop and sustain trust with local veterans and thereby help veterans successfully navigate the complex Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits claims process. The role of ODVA has been to provide the ongoing and ever evolving training and technical expertise to CVSO’s, so that CVSO’s can file the highest quality and most effective claims possible.

Currently, 35 of 36 Counties have a CVSO. Four regional trainings have been held thus far in 2017 and five more scheduled. Topics of these trainings have included: how to use the latest computer software programs when filing claims, developing and documenting legal strategies when initiating a claim, how to build trust and appropriately address expectations of veterans as they file claims, and how to best work in tandem with ODVA staff who specialize in pursuing appeals of denied claims. According to 38 USC § 5901 and 5904, no person may help a veteran with an initial claim for benefits unless that person is accredited through the VA. The training period for a new CVSO to get federally accredited is approximately 12-18 months.

The regional trainings being held this year are spearheaded by Gus Bedwell, training/certification and outreach specialist for ODVA. Gus is responsible for the instructional design and training curriculum for a network of 85 accredited veteran service officers across Oregon, including seven tribes. Gus served in the US Army from 1992-1998.

In addition to these nine regional trainings, ODVA holds a four day, annual training each year. The 2017 Annual Training for CVSO’s will be held in Florence, OR (Lane County) from October 17-20, 2017.

Contributed by: Andy Smith | AOC Veterans Policy Manager