Veterans can explore their benefits through Network of Care web site
CHADDS FORD » State Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-160 of Upper Chichester, unveiled a new website for veterans and their families — the Network of Care website, www.networkofcare.org. Barrar is a member of the Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in the state House.
Network of Care is a program that veterans can use in their homes to find out about programs and services on a federal, state, local and grassroots-level along with specific programs offered by the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense. It will offer job boards with a database maintained and updated 24/7 that focus on jobs for returning servicemen and women. They can search by state and county and even if they plan to relocate look in other areas.
There are quick references to all crisis intervention and emergency services along with local and national hotlines for veterans to access along with a library of articles targeted to veterans and their families.
“This program has been designed for mental health now it will be available to our veteran communities. I think it is a very valuable tool to our county’s veterans office to have. It can do a lot to change the way that the veterans services will be applied. We all know when our veterans come home some of them are dealing with housing issues, mental health challenges, physical health problems, and job placements. Finding the right job can help your mental state,” said Barrar.
“We have created state programs for training but job placement is one of the hardest things. Job growth is well in our country but it is very difficult to get veterans the jobs that they need,” said Barrar.
Adjutant General Brigadier General Anthony Carrelli spoke about how important communication with those who served. Carrelli is with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap. He is responsible for command, control and supervision of National Guard units – Army and Air – allocated to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, six state-owned veterans homes and programs for Pennsylvania’s more than 900,000 veterans.
Carrelli expressed how important it is to get the word out about Network of Care to our veterans so they know what they to for their service.
“It’s mostly about communication. They have earned these benefits. These are all benefits and entitlements that you have earned through your service. It’s not a gift. It’s not an award, you earned this through your blood, sweat and tears for your service to the country … What good are these benefits if you don’t know what they are or how do you expedite these programs once you find out? We have to do a better job of communicating,” explained Carrelli
“When you first got are out of entitled uniform you might not have needed this financial help. You might not have needed any mental health services or any of the other programs offered. You might not have been eligible at the time. Five years later, ten years later, 25 years now you are in a position when you need these programs. How do you get them? We are here to help you connect with those programs. When I came out of Desert Storm I didn’t think I was entitled to anything. I find out 20 years later there were a whole host of diseases and anomalies,” said Carrelli.
“Network of Care is next step in the evolution of providing services to our veterans. It is a powerful software search tool so you can narrow down your search to your needs in Delaware County. It’s about the quality of the search not the quantity. We still have all these great people standing by to help you. If you are confused or have a question or need to talk to a person, our numbers are still there. It’s a very powerful thing (Network of Care) and a great step forward,” continued Carrelli.
Veterans can personalize their information site storing their documentation of service, medical records and claims for VA benefits so that if by chance information is lost, it is accessible to them.
Many of the younger veterans have an affinity with the internet but older veterans many not.
Bruce Bronzan, the CEO of Network of Care, gave an overview of how the website works and said that he is willing to offer classes to veterans who are not as a attuned to working on the internet.
Barrar‘s staff will help anyone with questions about the program and help them navigate through the Network of Care for the Veterans site.
The program is totally free veterans and their families
Anyone who has any questions can call Barrar’s district office at 610-358-5925. to