Oregon Department Of Veterans' Affairs To Host 2026 Veteran Benefit Expo In Roseburg (Photo) - 07/20/26

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will host its annual Veteran Benefit Expo, Oregon’s largest statewide veteran resource event, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Douglas Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg.

Presented by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Veteran Benefit Expo brings together dozens of federal, state, county, Tribal, nonprofit, educational and community organizations to connect veterans, service members and their families with the benefits, services and opportunities they have earned through their service.

Participating organizations, service providers and veteran benefit and resource experts will be on hand to provide information and direct assistance across a wide range of topics, including VA health care, disability claims, housing, employment, education, long-term care, mental health, recreation, emergency assistance and more. The event will also feature a dedicated Veterans Job Fair connecting attendees with employers and workforce development partners.

“Our Veteran Benefit Expo is designed to be the one-stop shop for all veteran-related benefits and services,” said Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Whether someone recently left military service or served decades ago, we want every veteran and family member who walks through our doors to leave with awareness of veteran benefits they have earned, the resources available in their local communities, new opportunities and the knowledge that they are not alone.”

The Expo is free and open to the public.

Since its launch in 2015, the Veteran Benefit Expo has grown into ODVA’s signature outreach event, traveling to communities across Oregon to improve access to earned benefits and local resources while helping strengthen connections between veterans and the organizations that serve them.

The Oregon Lottery returns as the Expo’s presenting partner. Since Oregon voters overwhelmingly approved Measure 96 in 2016, allocating 1.5% of net Lottery proceeds to veterans’ services in the state, Lottery funding has expanded programs and services that improve the lives of Oregon veterans and their families throughout the state.

“Since voters directed a portion of our revenue to services for Oregon veterans, the Lottery has delivered more than $184 million,” noted Lottery Director Mike Wells. “Events like the Veteran Benefit Expo help connect veterans with the benefits they've earned, and we’re honored to play a role in promoting those important resources.”

Organizations interested in exhibiting at the Veteran Benefit Expo may register through Aug. 10. There is no cost to participate, though space is limited. Additional information about the event, including exhibitor registration and event details, is available at expo.oregondva.com.
 

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or Tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva. 

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Oregon Department Of Veterans’ Affairs Expands Program To Aid Veterans Pursuing Higher Education Or Vocational Training - 07/09/26

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has expanded its Oregon Veterans Educational Bridge Grant (VEBG) Program, increasing the amount of funding available per applicant and greatly expanding eligibility for veterans facing challenges in completing their educational or vocational goals.

The VEBG was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2019 to provide financial assistance grants to eligible veterans to alleviate financial stress during a gap period when required courses or training hours are unavailable, allowing them to remain enrolled in school or apprenticeship training.

The original lifetime maximum grant award was capped at $5,000; however, with the Oregon Legislature's passage of House Bill 4132 earlier this year, that amount has been doubled to $10,000 beginning July 1, 2026. The Legislature also expanded eligibility to include veterans experiencing financial hardships that could endanger their ability to remain enrolled in a degree, apprenticeship or training program.

Eligibility was previously limited to veterans who could not complete their programs due to the unavailability of required courses or training hours, or because of outstanding student debt preventing continued enrollment.

The Veterans Educational Bridge Grant is available to Oregon resident veterans enrolled in eligible education and training programs throughout the state, including degree programs approved for federal GI Bill® benefits, licensed private career schools, registered apprenticeships and qualifying public employer on-the-job training programs.

The program is also open to veterans who are not eligible for federal GI Bill® benefits, provided they meet Oregon’s definition of a veteran as outlined in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 407.087. 

“We know education and career training are crucial to helping transitioning veterans build stable, purposeful lives, but even a temporary financial setback can put those goals on hold,” said ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels. “These expanded benefits reflect Oregon’s continued commitment to removing barriers that stand between veterans and the futures they are working to build. Whether someone needs help overcoming an unexpected financial hardship, resolving a student account balance or bridging a gap in training, this program exists to help veterans stay on track and complete what they started.”

Veterans who believe they may qualify are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the Oregon Veterans Educational Bridge Grant Program or to apply, visit the ODVA Veterans Educational Bridge Grant webpage or contact the program coordinator at ebg@odva.oregon.gov. 

Oregon Department Of Veterans' Affairs Awards First Veteran Suicide Prevention Grants - 07/01/26

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has awarded the first grants through Oregon’s new Veteran Suicide Prevention Grant Program, investing $200,000 in community organizations that provide behavioral health support, suicide prevention services and workforce development opportunities for Oregon veterans.

The new grant program was established by the Oregon Legislature through House Bill 4132 earlier this year and provides funding during the 2026-27 fiscal year for community-based organizations working to improve veterans’ well-being while helping them connect to meaningful career and skill development opportunities.

Effective July 1, 2026, ODVA awarded grants to:

• Umpqua Valley disAbilities Network — $64,240 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Multnomah — $50,000 
• Clackamas County Social Services — $85,760 

The three organizations were selected from among proposals previously submitted through ODVA’s Veteran Services Grant Program that focused specifically on veteran suicide prevention and workforce development.

“Oregon’s veterans have already demonstrated extraordinary resilience and commitment through their military service, but we also know that many continue to face significant challenges when they return home,” said Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We are grateful to our partners in the Oregon Legislature for creating this new grant program, which will help veterans access critical behavioral health support while opening doors to workforce training, employment opportunities and long-term stability. By investing in strong community partnerships, we’re helping ensure veterans receive the support they deserve at pivotal moments in their lives.”

While the inaugural grants are supporting veterans across Oregon during the coming year, ODVA will use the 2026-27 fiscal year to establish a permanent competitive grant process for the Veteran Suicide Prevention Grant Program in the 2027-29 biennium, pending continued legislative funding.

House Bill 4132 also authorized a new position within ODVA to support the program. The agency is currently developing the position and will recruit its first Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator, who will oversee the grant program and work toward strengthening statewide collaboration around veteran suicide prevention efforts.

The new Veteran Suicide Prevention Grant Program builds upon the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs' broader commitment to preventing veteran suicide across the state. In 2025, ODVA launched Beyond the Military Uniform, the agency’s most significant statewide veteran suicide prevention initiative to date. 

The campaign connects veterans, their families and support networks with resources, community activities, peer connections and crisis support while encouraging veterans to build community and seek help before reaching a point of crisis. Learn more at BeyondTheMilitaryUniform.com.

Established in 1945, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to serving Oregon’s diverse veteran community that spans five eras of service members. ODVA administers programs and provides special advocacy and assistance in accessing earned veteran benefits across the state. Learn about veteran benefits and services, or locate a local county or Tribal veteran service office online at oregon.gov/odva. 

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