Service Goes Online

By Tyler Francke, Veterans News Magazine

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs launches series of virtual town hall meetings to stay connected and hear concerns from veteran community amid pandemic

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs — like most state agencies — underwent a rapid and significant transformation of its operations, as it pivoted to increased remote and online services in an effort to keep veterans and their families safe and healthy.

Out of a desire to stay connected to important segments of the Oregon veteran population, ODVA in November launched a series of virtual town halls to discuss services and answer questions, beginning with two successful and well-attended events aimed at women veterans and LGBTQ veterans, respectively.

Trained and certified Veteran Service Officers and other benefits experts were on hand to provide direct assistance to participants and help connect them to services, file a claim for benefits or submit an appeal for earned benefits that had previously been denied.

ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick, who hosted both town halls, said the agency was uniquely suited for both virtual events, as the only state department of veterans’ affairs in the country with full-time resources allocated to both a women veterans and LGBTQ veterans coordinator.

“At ODVA, our mission is to serve and advocate for all Oregon veterans,” said Fitzpatrick, who is the first woman director and first director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to identify as LGBTQ. “We are proud of the strength and diversity of our Oregon veteran community, but we know our work is not done until every veteran has access to the benefits and resources they have earned through their service.”

For more information about ODVA’s town halls, including future events, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/ Pages/Townhalls.aspx.

Cover photo: The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs in 2017 participated in Portland Pride, after becoming the first and only state to create an office dedicated to working with LGBTQ veterans.