UPCOMING EVENTS

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Class: February 1, 2010 - February 4, 2010 at American Legion Post 416, located at 1216 W. Clay St. Houston, TX 77019

The February 2010 TAP Class is for all local returning Veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses in the Greater Houston Area that would like to learn more about VA/DoD benefits, employment, education and networking opportunities.

To RSVP please logon to the City of Houston Office of Veterans Affairs registration site and fill out the required information. For more details on what will be covered in the class, please refer to the agenda provided below:

TAP Class Agenda: 1 FEB – 4 FEB 10
American Legion Post 416
1216 W. Clay St. Houston, TX 77019

Day 1 (1 FEB 10): 0800 – 1100/1230 – 1530 (DoD Counseling & TAP Overview)

• 0800 – 0930: Department of Defense Pre-Separation Counseling PS2 Reginald Thompson, US NAVY
• 0930 – 0945: Break
• 0945 – 1100: Department of Defense Pre-Separation Counseling
• 1100 – 1230: Lunch break
• 1230 – 1400: Department of Defense Pre-Separation Counseling
• 1400 – 1415: Break
• 1415 – 1530: Completion of DoD Pre-Separation Counseling and TAP Overview PS2 Reginald Thompson and John Boerstler
• 1530: Participant Surveys

Day 2 (2 FEB 10): 0800 – 1100/1230 – 1530 (VA Healthcare & Compensation)

• 0800 – 0930: Overview of VA/DoD healthcare benefits and transition assistance programs
  Vickie Tolliver, MEDVAMC OEF/OIF Program
  Marcus Smith, Vets Resource Center
  Rhonda Kidd, US Family Health Plan
• 0930 – 0945: Break
• 0945 – 1100: Overview of VA claims, benefits
  Larry Meador Houston VA Regional Office OEF/OIF Program
  Vincent Morrison, Harris County Veterans Services Office
• 1100 – 1230: Lunch break
• 1230 – 1400: Overview of VA and State of Texas home loans
  Joe Christie, Sr. Loan Specialist, VA Home Loan Program
  Lynn Staes, Texas Veterans Land Board
• 1400 – 1415: Break
• 1415 – 1530: Overview of county and non-profit organization claims services
• Ryan Pavlu, Wounded Warrior Project; Luz Rebollar, AMVETS
• 1530: Participant Surveys

Day 3 (3 FEB 10): 0800 – 1100/1230 – 1530 (Training & Education)

• 0800 – 0930: Overview VA Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits in public 4-year universities
  Allen Grundy, University of Houston Veterans Services Office
  Michael Records, University of Houston-Downtown
  Mark Santelia, University of Phoenix
• 0945 – 1100: Overview of VA VOCREHAB Programs
  Darwin Dawson, VA VOCREHAB Program
• 1100 – 1230: Lunch program: Overview of VA Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits in private 4-year universities (food provided by University of St. Thomas)
  Shannon Wilson, University of St. Thomas
• 1230 – 1400: Overview VA Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits in public community colleges
  Dr. Rudy Soliz, Houston Community College System
  Tony Castillo, Lone Star College System
• 1400 – 1415: Participant Surveys

Day 4 (4 FEB 10): 0800 – 1100/1230 – 1530 (Employment & Networking)

• 0800 – 0930: Resume writing, dress for success and job fair programs
  Dr. Dianna Dale, Worklife Institute; Stephen Freeman, Playsmint.com; Rick Jones RecruitMilitary
• 0930 – 0945: Break
• 0945 – 1100: Overview of State employment assistance and referral programs
  Shane Linnell, Texas Workforce Commission
  Reginald Parker, Texas Veterans Commission
• 1100 – 1230: Lunch program presentation by VFW District 4 (lunch provided by District 4)
• 1230 – 1400: Local employment and unemployment programs for Veterans
  Marcelo Uriegas, American GI Forum; Goodwill Industries; Career and Recovery Resources
• 1400 – 1415: Break
• 1415 – 1530: Networking and industry employment assistance programs
  Angela Kohl, CenterPoint Energy; LtCol Rod Long, Team Trident Oil & Gas Staffing; Gene Tulich, Houston Military Affairs Committee; Joe Jones, PS Houston Staffing; Capt. Rodriguez, Marine For Life; Ricardo Steele, United Way 2-1-1 and John Boerstler, Lone Star Veterans Association
• 1530: Participant Surveys

For updates on all upcoming events, please refer to the City of Houston Office of Veterans Affairs/Houston Military Affairs Committee Joint Event Calendar via this link:

http://www.houstontx.gov/vetaffairs/calendar.html