How The Texas Veterans Commission Serves Veterans in Texas
On this episode of The Dog Tag, our host Matt Elledge sits down with Col. (ret.) Tom Palladino, the Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). This Texas State Agency has been serving Veterans in Texas since 1927 and has many programs for Texas Veterans, their dependents and survivors.
The TVC has disability claims officers and Veteran representatives in VA hospitals across the state. They have employment services to help Veterans and their spouses find jobs, and an incredible entrepreneur program dedicated to helping Veterans realize their dream of running their own business.
The TVC also runs the Military Veteran Peer Network which provides peer-to-peer counseling and the Women Veterans Program, that offers women Veterans traditional assistance with VA health care, disability claims, and employment and education benefits, as well as specialized services like assistance with VA maternity care and counseling for military sexual trauma. The TVC also provides grants to Veteran Service Organizations that provide direct services to Texas Veterans and their families.
While the TVC serves a vast population spread across this great state, they remain focused on their mission and are passionate about the services they provide.
“I could think of no other way to spend my foreseeable future than to help Veterans,” says Tom Palladino.
Show Notes:
Tom Palladino Introduction [1:11]
The history of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). [2:00]
The TVC provides VA Disability Claims Representation and Counseling to Texas Veterans. [4:18]
The TVC trains County Veterans Service Officers to assist Veterans and their families across the state. [4:57]
Do other states have equivalents of the TVC and County Veterans Service Officers? [6:33]
The TVC works hand in hand with other Veterans Service Organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and more. [8:06]
The TVC works very closely with the VA to resolve disability claims and expedite appeals. [8:42]
The TVC Texas Veterans Health Care Advocacy Program. [11:19]
The TVC offers employment services to Texas Veterans. [15:19]
The TVC works with the Texas State Government to hire Veterans. [17:49]
Have a plan for your future before you leave the service and remember to ask for help. [19:11]
What is Disability Compensation? [27:05]
Register for VA Health Care. [29:07]
How to “talk the talk” in the civilian world while searching for employment. [29:39]
How the TVC helps Veteran Entrepreneurs. [30:58]
How the TVC helps Women Veterans in Texas. [34:04]
TVC Roll Call Events for Women Veterans in Texas. [36:20]
How does the TVC Fund for Veterans Assistance help Veterans? [38:00]
TVC grant categories: General Assistance, Housing 4 Texas Heroes, Veterans Mental Health, Veterans Treatment Court, Federal Transportation. [39:28]
How to apply for a TVC grant to help Veterans. [43:32]
How the TVC grants are funded: Texas Lottery, Vehicle Registration Donations, Driver License Donations and Direct Donations. [43:43]
How the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) provides peer-to-peer counseling for Veterans. [44:42]
The TVC partners with 22 state agencies that form the Texas Coordinating Council of Veterans Services to help Texas Veterans. [47:47]
The TVC helps Texas Veterans access their education benefits. [48:36]
TVC Veteran Education Coordinators collaborate with colleges and universities to support Veterans in their pursuit of higher education. [54:32]
Tom Palladino’s advice for transitioning service members. [57:20]
- Stay tuned for our next podcast: The Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission
- Listen to our previous podcast: Find Your Dream Job with Hiring Our Heroes
Helpful Resources:
TVC Claims and Representation Counseling
VA Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA)
VA Veteran Health Administration (VHA)
TVC Texas Veterans Health Care Advocacy Program
TVC Veterans Employment Services
Title 38 of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)
TVC Veterans Entrepreneur Program
U.S. Department of Labor Women Veterans Program
Texas Coordinating Council of Veterans Services
TVC Veterans Education Program
Listen to this podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
