Veterans, families invited to learn about VA benefits through special outreach program
Dubois County is launching the new Veteran Service Officer Outreach program this week, bringing certified service officers directly to veterans at American Legion posts and VFW halls throughout the county.
The initiative will kick off on Thursday at American Legion Post 147 in Jasper, where veterans can meet with multiple certified service officers from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to learn about available benefits and begin the application process.
“We’re utilizing veteran service officers to go around the county and help veterans closer to their home or at better times because they can’t come in during a regular hour to the VSO office,” said Dave Flynn, adjutant of the Dubois County Veteran Council.
The program addresses growing demand for veteran services following recent changes in federal and state laws that expanded eligibility for benefits. The PACT Act and other legislative changes have made more veterans eligible for services that weren’t available even five years ago.
“There’s a greater need. This stuff wasn’t in place even five years ago,” Flynn said.
The federal government has also made it easier for veterans to access care through community care programs, allowing them to receive treatment from local doctors rather than traveling to VA hospitals when they meet certain distance requirements.
Tina Carpenter, a retired postmaster and service officer at Legion Post 147, served as the driving force behind the initiative. Carpenter, who has served as post commander multiple times, will work alongside County VSO Kenneth “Speedy” LeFevre and other certified service officers to provide assistance.
The program will bring together veteran service officers from multiple counties and organizations, including representatives from Greene County, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. Darrell Hensley, past president of the local DAV chapter and a certified DAV service officer, helped coordinate additional volunteers who had assisted with a similar event in October.
The outreach addresses a fundamental challenge in veteran services: veterans don’t automatically appear in the VA system and must actively enroll to receive benefits.
“You don’t magically show up in the system just because you’re a veteran,” Flynn explained.
Veterans must be enrolled in the system to access various VA benefits, including grave markers for deceased relatives who served in the military, state benefits, federal benefits, education assistance, and housing programs.
“The veteran service officer is the gateway to that system,” Flynn said. “They input you in the system.”
The program serves not only veterans but also their dependents, including spouses and children, who may qualify for benefits they are unaware of. Service officers can help families navigate available programs even after a veteran has passed away.
During the Thursday session, service officers will assist veterans in filing intent-to-file forms and provide guidance on gathering the necessary documentation. Veterans don’t need to bring all required documents to the initial meeting, but should bring their DD 214.
“We can steer them in the right way to get the documents they need,” Flynn said.
The program’s flexible approach became evident during a similar event last year at a VFW post, where organizers stayed well past the scheduled 10 p.m. closing time to help all veterans who arrived.
The initiative represents part of a broader effort by the Dubois County Veteran Council to expand services beyond quarterly meetings and ceremonies. The council collaborates with county officials, commissioners, chambers of commerce, and other organizations to explore the potential for making the VSO position full-time rather than part-time.
“We’re trying to have a bigger outreach,” Flynn said.
The program acknowledges the significant number of veterans in the region, particularly in Dubois County. The county also serves as a regional hub for veterans from surrounding counties.
“People see Jasper as a hub to get stuff done,” Flynn said.
The outreach program plans to rotate among the county’s five American Legion posts and three VFW halls to make services more accessible to veterans throughout Dubois County. Organizers said traveling to different locations helps veterans who may be elderly, disabled, or unable to leave work during regular VSO office hours.
The program operates alongside existing veteran services, including weekly Monday morning meetings at Mind Body Soul, located at the River Center, at 7 a.m., and Thursday morning veteran breakfasts at Cranberries restaurant. Both gatherings are open to all veterans.
The Thursday breakfast has drawn significant participation, with 24 veterans attending recently. The gathering has also attracted visits from State Senator Daryl Schmitt and Senator Mark Messmer, who have asked about ways to assist veterans.
Veterans interested in learning about available benefits can attend future outreach events as they rotate throughout the county or visit the regular weekly gatherings in Jasper.
