While Veteran Energy was founded on the principle that more needs to be done for U.S. military veterans and their families, the public sector is also recognizing the need for additional efforts to assist veterans in their transition back to civilian life. One such body is the City Office for Veterans’ Affairs, in Houston.
The office was created in October 2007 by then-Mayor Bill White with significant assistance from Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. According to the office’s web page, a call was sent out to public, private and nonprofit organizations to gather testimony from returning veterans and the analysis of experts. Two summits were held, and the mission of the office was defined to provide advocacy, referral and counseling to returning veterans in obtaining entitlements due them without bureaucracy.
In November 2007, Judge Emmett called for the creation of a Veterans Resource Directory to provide information to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The directory would offer listings of resources to veterans getting acclimated back to life in the U.S. It is available in hard copy, either full-size or wallet-size, or a digital version can be found here.
The city also offers regular Information Expos to bring new information to veterans and their families, attends job fairs, and makes presentations to veterans groups. “This is just one aspect of our Returning Veterans Initiative; a commitment shared by our national, state and local partners to serve those injured while defending the country and support their recovery and successful rehabilitation,” said Judge Emmett and current Mayor Annise Parker in a joint statement prefacing the Veterans Resource Directory.
Families can reach the City Office for Veterans’ Affairs in Houston directly by calling 311.
