Parisi: “Veterans Service Office Provides Invaluable Resource for Our Nation’s Heroes”
March 15, 2017
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
County Executive
Celebrates 75 Years of Service
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi proclaimed it Dane County Veterans Service Week today to celebrate 75 years of service of the Dane County Veterans Service Office to Dane County veterans and their families.
“Our veteran’s service office provides an invaluable resource to our nation’s heroes,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “I am proud of the work we do to serve our veterans.”
The staff of the Dane County Veteran Service Office act as local, frontline advocates for those seeking local, state, and federal veterans benefits. Serving a population of approximately 30,000 veterans and their family members, in 2015 alone this small office played an integral role in helping veterans and their families acquire more than $63 million in VA service-connected disability compensation and VA needs-based pension benefits.
In addition to fielding countless e-mail and telephone inquiries, last year this office conducted more than 4,100 face-to-face interviews with veterans and families, connecting them to disability benefits, as well as VA health care, education, and other benefit entitlements.
In 2016 the office connected a total of 78 area veterans with assistance designated for eviction prevention and utility disconnect prevention. In his 2017 budget Dane County Executive Parisi allocated $19,500 for Veterans Aid which assists in eviction & utility disconnect prevention. Also, Parisi allocated $30,500 for Vets Ride with Pride which helps veterans get to appointments.
Six County Veterans Service Officers have presided over the office since its inception in 1942, and Desert Storm veteran Dan Connery currently leads the office.
“Our staff is proud to serve our nation’s heroes,” said Dan Connery Dane County’s Veterans Service Officer. “We take great pride in knowing the work we perform daily has a profound impact on the lives of those we serve.”
Dane County CVSO also helps with the Veterans Treatment Court which promotes sobriety, recovery, and stability through a coordinated effort to provide treatment for addiction and mental health issues and to maintain regular contact with the court. The Veterans Court utilizes volunteer veteran mentors to encourage, guide, and support the veteran through the Court process.
Dane County has partnered with the UW Law School Pro Bono Program and the Dane County Bar Association for the Veterans Law Center to help provide legal assistance to veterans. It is available in our office spaces the 2nd Thursday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In addition to hours at the City County Building, the Veterans Law Clinic is also available at Porchlight on the 4th Thursday of every month from 5-7pm and at the VA Hospital on the 4th Friday of every month from 12-2pm.
“Dane County is committed to serving our veterans,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Thank you to our County Veterans Service Office staff for their years of dedication and service to our nation’s heroes.”