Ohio has long prided itself on the level of care it shows its resident veterans. From the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) easy-to-use website to the higher education provided through the Ohio GI Promise, the Buckeye State continues to make efforts to show appreciation toward Americans who have sacrificed the most.
With the sixth largest population of veterans in the country, the Ohio Department of Veteran Services continues to expand its offerings and attract more veterans to the state every day.
Programs, services and funding for veterans
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services oversees the distribution of $8.69 billion in veteran benefits. Those costs go toward programs like:
- Veteran Workforce Team (VWT): The VWT works with Ohio businesses to train, place and manage veteran employees. In 2019, the team worked with nearly 600 employers at 81 training events. The VWT also designed eight training modules for employers that provide Human Resources, recruiting and management personnel guides on daily interactions with veterans.
- Ohio GI Promise: Directly contributing to Ohio’s reputation as the most veteran-friendly state, the 2009 GI Promise executive order allows veterans and their families to attend Ohio’s public higher education institutions at in-state tuition rates. Usually, an individual must have established residency in Ohio for 12 months.
- Veterans’ Homes: The ODVS oversees two veterans’ homes in Ohio, one located in Sandusky and one in Georgetown. Supported by Governor DeWine and the General Assembly, the ODVS secured a budget increase in 2019 to ensure the continued high-level of care at these facilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs helps pay for these costs, alongside a sliding scale based on a resident’s ability to pay. Soon, these homes will enjoy the support of a dedicated Alzheimer’s and Dementia Task Force. This team will implement statewide initiatives that provide training and research into Alzheimer’s and Dementia care.
The rest of the nearly $9 billion budget goes toward medical care, vocational rehabilitation and compensation for the employees of the ODVS, many of which are veterans themselves.
Operation Legal Help Ohio
Veterans can also benefit from Operation Legal Help Ohio, which connects low-income veterans with lawyers who volunteer a few pro-bono legal services. Veterans with legal issues related to landlords, credit card debt, uncontested divorce, wills, and more can contact the organization for more information.
