NEPA VMA Untangles Bureaucracy, Connects Vets to Services

Navigating the many offices and agencies of government can be daunting for even the most organized and determined individuals. Go to this office for compensation questions that office for housing help, another for medical care eligibility and still another for educational issues. The Northeast PA Veteran Multi-Care Alliance was established to address the needs of veterans as they attempt to access all of those services, filling out complex forms and more.

Bringing together community service organization, NEPA-VMA is provides an additional wave of support that represents the new direction for comprehensive care for our returning veterans and for those who have served in previous wars who are still in need. It is a one-stop resource that bridges the gap between veterans’ programs and non-veterans’ programs - on the Federal, State, County and privet levels.

The Luzerne Foundation has serves as a means for the group to accept contributions during their 501©3 application process, which was recently approved. The Foundation sees a long-term relationship with the Alliance as it continues to grow both in geographic coverage and services provided. “With all the cutbacks in federal and state funding for some veterans’ programs,” notes Charles Barber, President of The Luzerne Foundation, “their services are more critical than ever.”

The staff at NEPA-VMA completes an intake form when a veteran arrives at their door and begins the process of helping the veteran find out what they may be eligible for in veterans’ programs and then through other social service agencies. Appointments are made and the staff follows up with the veteran to make sure the appointment was kept and to learn of the outcome.

To do this, the organization has solicited information from as many social service agencies as they can in the area. Brochures, program requirements, benefits, etc. are all made available to the veterans. In addition, the NEPA-VMA takes their “show on the road”, having presented information to over 300 military people in the area. Attendees come away with program information, contact names and a list of websites where more information can be found.

Because they are not a federal, state or county agency, they have the flexibility to adjust to the changing needs of the veterans. For example, they are receiving many questions regarding the GI Bill and thus decided to create a PowerPoint presentation to take to the military groups and other veteran’s organizations.

The NEPA-VMA’s goal is to cover the same 19 county area as the Wilkes-Barre VA Hospital from their main headquarters in Wilkes-Barre. They have seen a large up-tick in the number of referrals they are receiving from agencies as word spreads about their services. This also means there is a need for additional outreach, services and perhaps a second office and all of that takes funding. The group has been the beneficiary of several fundraisers and is in the process of applying for Federal and State grants to cover its budget for 2010. For additional information please contact the NEPA-VMA staff or the Executive Director Richard Wren at 570-706-2066