June 17, 2009

Charlotte, N.C. – For its work to raise awareness and bring benefits information and services to veterans throughout Mecklenburg County, the Outreach Section of the Veterans Services Office (VSO) has won a National Association of Counties Achievement Award.

The NACo award honors the VSO, a division of Mecklenburg Community Support Services, for its aggressive and strategic approach to using community outreach as a way to strengthen its service to veterans and their families.

Creation of the Outreach Section is a result of recommendations in the 2007 Status of Veterans Initiative report by Mecklenburg County. That study showed that many of the estimated 55,000 veterans in Mecklenburg County’s total population of about 900,000 people were not aware of the VSO or its work to help eligible veterans apply for and gain access to benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

“Getting this award lets everyone know that we truly care about our veterans and their dependents,” Fran Garrison, VSO outreach manager, said. “Helping our veterans and their dependents means a lot.”

The VSO added staff, and as part of an ongoing awareness campaign, the office created brochures; purchased promotional items; developed billboards; formed new partnerships with groups such as the Charlotte Chamber; aired locally produced commercials on television and increased speaking engagements; and participated in community fairs and other special events. Outreach Section staff use laptops and portable printers to complete applications in veterans’ homes and assisted living facilities.

From July 2008 to December 2008, outreach visits to veterans numbered 1,318, compared to 708 visits during that time in the previous year. Also, office visits increased 22 percent as a result of the expanded outreach push, according to the VSO. From July 2008 to December 2008, office visits numbered 4,352, up from 3,561 during the same time frame a year before.

“The Obama administration has pledged to reach out to returning veterans and assist them with obtaining benefits from the VA,” VSO Director Bob Weeks said. “This award affirms the commitment that Mecklenburg County elected officials and the County Manager has made to ensure veterans and their families are aware of VA services and are able to connect to those services.

“The Veterans Services Office is reaching not only returning veterans fighting the War on Terror, but veterans from every era,” Weeks said.

According to the NACo Web site, the annual Achievement Award Program began in 1970 and is a noncompetitive awards program that recognizes innovative county government programs. Awards are given in a number of program categories such as arts and historic preservation, children and youth, community and economic development, jails/corrections, county administration, emergency management, environmental protection, health, human services, libraries, parks and recreation, transportation, and volunteers.