Veterans Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting To Be Held In Person And Virtually On September 3 In Pendleton -08/05/25

The September quarterly meeting of the Veterans Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will be held virtually and in person on Wednesday, September 3, in Room M-100 of Morrow Hall on the campus of Blue Mountain Community College, located at 2411 NW Carden Avenue in Pendleton. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a town hall meeting at 11 a.m., which is open to the public.

 

Established in 1945, the Veteran Advisory Committee holds a distinct and fundamental role in advising the director and staff of ODVA. The nine members of the Veteran Advisory Committee are military veterans from all corners of the state, appointed by the governor to serve and act as advocates for veteran issues and veteran concerns across Oregon.

 

Following every quarterly business meeting, the committee holds a town hall inviting the public to raise questions or concerns about broad veteran issues or to share information with the committee and agency director.

 

Members of the community are also invited to submit written public comments to the committee by emailing odva_vaac@odva.oregon.gov. The Advisory Committee meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of March, June, September and December.

 

REGISTER TO ATTEND
Please register at events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/479e2265-6efc-43ec-b092-48d6b1917213@aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf to attend the business or town hall portion of this meeting. Attendees will be allowed to participate during the town hall portion only and will be invited to turn on their camera and unmute mics during a recorded meeting that will be posted online at a later date.

 

Information about the Veteran Advisory Committee and meeting materials can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Advisory-Committee.aspx.

 

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.

 

###

Oregon Department Of Veterans’ Affairs Seeks Applications For Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program -07/28/25

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is now accepting applications for its 2025–27 Campus Veteran Resource Center (CVRC) Grant Program. This competitive grant opportunity is designed to support Oregon’s student veterans by expanding and strengthening Campus Veteran Resource Centers at the state’s public colleges and universities.

 

The Oregon Legislature has approved up to $800,000 in funding for this biennium’s grant cycle. The CVRC Grant Program is funded in part by Oregon Lottery dollars, made possible through the passage of Measure 96, which directs a portion of Lottery proceeds to support Oregon veterans.

 

Campus Veteran Resource Centers are vital to ensuring student veterans have the tools and support they need to thrive in college and beyond. These centers help veterans successfully transition from military to academic life, navigate the challenges of higher education, and prepare for meaningful careers in the civilian workforce. Services offered at many CVRCs include academic advising, peer mentoring, mental health and wellness resources, and connections to VA and community benefits.

 

“Oregon’s Campus Veteran Resource Centers, along with their dedicated coordinators and staff, serve as a critical cornerstone to support student veterans’ environmental, intellectual, and social well-being while earning a post-secondary degree or certification,” said ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Daniels.

 

“This grant program underscores our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of student veterans across the state by supporting campus resources and services that promote student veteran personal growth and academic success.”

 

Oregon’s 17 community colleges and seven public universities (not including Oregon Health & Science University) are eligible to apply for these grant funds.

 

To be eligible for grant funds, a community college or public university needs to currently have a Campus Veteran Resource Center, a Campus Veteran Resource Coordinator (or intends to hire one prior to the distribution of grant funds), or both.

 

The window for applications for the Oregon Veteran Campus Resource Center Grant Program will open Monday, July 28, 2025, and will close Monday, September 22, 2025. Grant requests may be up to $100,000.

 

A webinar will be hosted at 10:00 a.m. August 1 to provide additional information about the application process. To register for the webinar, visit CVRC Grant 2025 - 2027 Intent to Apply.

 

For more information about this grant or to apply, visit www.oregon.gov/odva/agency-programs/grants/pages/campus-grant.aspx or contact ODVA Grants Coordinator Brenna Bandstra at brenna.bandstra@odva.oregon.gov or 971-388-8204.

 

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.

 

###

Registration Now Open For 2025 Oregon Women Veterans Conference (Photo) -07/17/25

Registration is now open for the 2025 Oregon Women Veterans Conference, the state’s largest gathering dedicated to honoring and supporting women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The biennial event, hosted by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will bring together women veterans from across Oregon for a weekend of connection, resources and recognition.

 

The event is free and open to all women veterans, but registration is required. The 2025 Oregon Women Veterans Conference is being held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Riverhouse Lodge in Bend.

 

“This year’s theme, ‘Stronger Together: Community and Connection,’ reflects the heart of what this conference is all about,” said Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Women veterans have long served with distinction, strength and resilience — often in the face of tremendous challenges and barriers.

 

“This conference is an opportunity to honor our service, share our stories, and ensure every woman who has worn the uniform feels seen, valued and supported. We are stronger when we stand together, and united, we will continue to drive the ODVA mission forward.”

 

The Oregon Women Veterans Conference began nearly 30 years ago as a grassroots effort by a small group of women veterans seeking connection, support, and resources. Since the first event in 1998, the conference has grown into a unique statewide gathering that brings together women veterans from across Oregon to access benefits, build meaningful connections, and amplify their voices.

 

The 2025 conference will continue that legacy with inspiring keynote speakers, engaging workshops, fantastic networking opportunities and assistance for women veterans connecting to the full range of benefits and resources they have earned. It is a supportive space where women who have served can connect, grow, and thrive beyond their military service.

 

This year’s keynote speaker is Erin McMahon, director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, attorney and combat veteran. During her 24-year career in the U.S. Army, McMahon served as the principal deputy general counsel for the National Guard Bureau, advising senior leaders through a wide variety of domestic disaster responses and serving as the first female Army National Guard general officer in the Office of the General Counsel.

 

Registration is free and may be completed online at www.eventbrite.com/e/odva-women-veterans-conference-tickets-1407725487829. Generous support from Oregon Lottery and other sponsors help ensure this conference is open to all women veterans free of charge.

 

Registration for the Women Veterans Conference covers the event only; attendees are expected to make their own lodging and travel arrangements. More information about the Women Veterans Conference, including local lodging, donations and sponsorship opportunities, can be found online at wvc.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.

 

###

Oregon Department Of Veterans' Affairs Signs Agreement With Confederated Tribes Of Siletz Indians (Photo) -07/10/25

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has signed a formal agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians that will provide a framework for collaboration and increased resources dedicated to supporting the Tribe’s veterans in accessing their earned federal and state veterans’ benefits.

 

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed Friday, June 27, by ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Council Daniels and Tribal Council Chairman Delores Pigsley, with Tribal government leaders and representatives, Tribal veterans and ODVA staff gathered to commemorate the historic partnership. The formal signing was hosted at ODVA’s headquarters in Salem.

 

The agreement will pave the way for the establishment of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ first Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO), which will be jointly funded by ODVA and the Tribe to serve Siletz veterans and their families.

 

“Oregon’s Tribal veterans have long served with honor and distinction, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and recognition they have earned,” said Dr. Daniels. “By partnering with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, we are committing to a future where Siletz veterans are served in a way that honors their stories, their service, and their sovereign identity. We’re proud to walk alongside the Tribe in building something that will truly make a difference in the lives of their veterans and families.”

 

“I am excited for the future of our honored Tribal veterans and the opportunity this brings to them,” said Chairman Pigsley. “Not only to support them but to help advocate for them. This memorandum with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is more than a collaboration or a partnership. It’s a commitment to honoring and empowering those who have served our nation. Their deep-rooted connection to the veteran community and unwavering dedication to their well-being make them a trusted and invaluable partner.”

 

This Memorandum of Understanding is ODVA’s sixth with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and, most recently, the Coquille Indian Tribe in May.

 

Oregon’s statewide network of County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices are collaborative partnerships between the state and counties, or Tribal governments and deliver free local access to veteran benefits for veterans and their families.

 

Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSOs) are trained by ODVA and then accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs through a series of regular trainings facilitated by both agencies. TVSOs provide a wide variety of benefits and services to veterans and their family members, including the development and submission of claims to the federal VA for earned veteran benefits.

 

To learn more about veteran benefits, resources and services near you, or to schedule a session with your local Veteran Service Officer, visit the website of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at www.oregon.gov/odva/Services/Pages/Tribal-Veteran-Services.aspx.

 

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.

 

###