| Oregon Stories of Recovery |
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| Community Action Team provides services through the Veteran's Program |
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| Veterans Affairs Officer, Joe Pyle |
CSBG ARRA dollars have been hard at work at the Community Action Team in St. Helens, Oregon. Through federal funding, the Veteran Services Program has been expanded significantly, hiring a Veteran Services Officer and a Veteran Services Program Assistant.
The Community Action Team began serving veterans in 2007 when they contracted with Columbia County to take over the services. "The start-up process was a little difficult," said Ken Johnson, Program Supervisor. "We literally had to hit the ground running." The expectation was that CAT would provide a Veteran’s Assistant Representative five days a week. Initially, there was difficulty finding a permanent VA rep, but eventually Joe Pyle was hired full time to run the program. "This position is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Pyle says. "Every day that I come into this office…is a personal reward to me."
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Veteran Services Program
Assistant,Steve Dewolfe
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ARRA dollars have primarily been used to fund a Veteran Services Program Assistant, Steve DeWolfe, who assists Joe with phone calls, filing claims, outreach projects to veterans in nursing homes and living facilities, to name a few items. ARRA funds have also been used to provide assistance with transportation to medical appointments.
In the 2008-2009 year, there were 59 disability claims granted for veterans, totaling $283,902.00. However, in the 2009-2010 year so far, there have been 82 disability claims granted totaling $1,044,175.00. The program’s growth is apparent, and Pyle says his workload has increased dramatically. Of the 20 appointments he has weekly, more than half are new Veterans or Dependants seeking Veteran’s Benefits.
Article provided by Community Action Partnership of Oregon. See www.caporegon.org for more information.
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