Did you know that the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) can connect Veteran's to their benefits and other assistance programs? All services are free and confidential.

It all starts by calling 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838). Lean on the MVAA to link those who are military connected to their benefits. Resources available right now:

• Veterans Crisis Line. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net/. For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
• Vet Centers. Discuss how you feel with other veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70 percent of Vet Center staff are veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
• VA Mental Health Services Guide. This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
• MakeTheConnection.net. Visit for information, resources, and veteran to veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
• RallyPoint. Talk to other veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of U.S. involvement?
• Download VA's self-help apps. Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Request a Peer Mentor.
• VA Women Veterans Call Center. Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern).
• VA Caregiver Support Line. Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern).
• Together We Served. Find your battle buddies through unit pages.
• George W. Bush Institute. Need help or want to talk? Check In or call 1-630-522-4904 or email checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes. Join the Community.
• American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network. Peer Support and Mentoring.
• Team Red, White & Blue. Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
• Student Veterans of America. Find a campus chapter to connect with.
• Team Rubicon. Find a local support squad.
• Michigan Veteran Navigator Program, MDHHS - Veteran Navigators (michigan.gov).

For additional information visit Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency online or call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).

Have you or a member of your household served in the military? Did you know that the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) can connect them to their benefits and other assistance programs? See some great veteran education resources below:

Support on Campus

• Student Veterans of America - The organization's mission is to provide veterans with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation.SVA has more than 1,500 chapters and also partners with numerous private partners, nonprofit partners and student-focused programs and provides services for veterans.
• Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) - A peer support program that connects incoming student veterans on college campuses with trained veteran peer advisors. A peer advisor can help student veterans navigate college life, address challenges, connect to appropriate resources on and off campus, and provide ongoing support.

Career Paths 

• Education and Career Counseling (Chapter 36) - provided by the VA for qualifying service members and veterans. The program assist with evaluating what types of employment may be a good fit for you, exploring available training and education programs for your goals, and tips and tools for success.
• CareerScope - Provided by the VA, you can use an online assessment (it's a tool not a test!) to learn more about your interests and skills. The information gathered is helpful in determining if what you like aligns with a particular career path.

Federal & State Benefits

• Federal Tuition Assistance may be available for active and reserve service members. To learn more about eligibility, application, policies and funding, visit the DANTES website.
• GI Bill® - Refers to any Federal Tuition Assistance and can be earned by members of Active Duty, Selected Reserve and National Gaurd Armed Forces. The GI Bill Comparison® Tool can be used to evaluate how to use this resource for several types of training.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31) - formally referred to as the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, can assist qualified veterans who are looking for guidance in their career path and employment opportunities.
• Michigan Career & Technical Institute (MCT) - works to develop customized workforce solutions for businesses and individuals with disabilities and provide an educational center for adults with disabilities, including service-connected disabilities, in Michigan offering career assessment services that help students explore job options.

For additional information visit Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency online or call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency partners with the Michigan Veterans Coalition to provide accredited veteran service officers across the state. The Michigan Veterans Coalition is comprised of representatives from the following veteran service organizations: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Veteran service officers assist and advocate for veterans and their family members by providing expert assistance, free of charge. They ensure veterans and families gather the information necessary to support claims, file claims and track their progress, and can also assist with filing appeals when the Veterans Administration makes a decision a veteran or family member doesn't agree with. Additionally, they can provide information, referrals and resources on education, employment, death benefits and other important resources.

American Legion 

Disbled American Veterans

Vietnam Veterans of America

Veterans of Foreign Wars

For additional information visit Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency online or call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).

The road to successful entrepreneurship can be a very rewarding but challenging one. As a veteran there are many resources available to help you move from the idea stage to your grand opening on the entrepreneuship journey:

• VA Business Accelerator - Specializes in professional and entrepreneurial development for veteran-owned businesses. Here you will find powerful and innovative courses, resources and professional development tools. 
• Entrepreneurship Boot Camp For Veterans - Offers cutting-edge training in entrepreneurship and small business management to disabled post-9/11 veterans. The program is offered by a network of eight world-class institutions. Read more here. 
• National Veteran Business Development Council - A third-party veteran-owned business certification program created for the purpose of providing a credible and reliable certifying authority that would ensure veterans have valid documentation for ownership and control of their business.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan - PTACS provides local businesses with the resources and know-how to successfully obtain government contracts. 
• Small Business Administration: Veteran-Owned Business - If you are a veteran or service-disabled veteran, SBA has resources to help you start and grow your small business. From creating a business plan, to finding your first customer, SBA is available to help veterans succeed.
• SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Business - SCORE® is a nationwide organization of active and retired business men and women who volunteer their services to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. SCORE® provides free business counseling and offers low-cost workshops on a variety of business topics. 
• VetBiz - Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, this site includes information about how a veteran-owned small business can register for the Vendor Information Pages database and get verified.
• VetBizCentral - An organization under the SBA that assists veterans, active duty service members and Guard and Reserve members in the formation and expansion of their businesses. Entrepreneurial training and counseling services, networking opportunities, mentoring programs and activities, advocacy services and procurement counseling are available.

For additional information visit Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency online or call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).

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