We have an obligation to ensure our nation’s veterans are provided with the most comprehensive and accessible assistance programs available. We must not only redouble our efforts to care for those who have already served in the armed forces, but as a new generation of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Sentinels, Marines, and Space Guardians return home from around the globe, we must also make certain that they have continued access to the health, education, and employment services they undeniably deserve.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran, newly transitioning from military services, or a military spouse or caregiver, please reach out to my state offices for individualized services and referrals.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA carries out four specific missions to carry out their commitment to veterans and other beneficiaries: Veterans Health Care, Veterans Benefits, National Cemeteries, and the Fourth Mission, to improve the Nation’s preparedness for response to war, terrorism, national emergencies, and natural disasters by develop plans and taking action to ensure continued service to veterans.
Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services: The state of Maine also provides specific benefits and resources to veterans who live in the state. Their website can provide information about all those benefits, services, and programs available to veterans, their family members, and active duty and transitioning servicemembers.
VA Maine Healthcare System: The Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta is a full-scale hospital. The hospital also has nine satellite Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) throughout Maine in Bangor, Calais, Caribou, Lewiston, Lincoln, Portland, and Rumford. CBOC facilities provide primary care, mental health services, medical benefits counseling, lab services, and more.
VA-operated Vet Centers: Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military such as a deployment or military sexual trauma. Vet Centers also offer bereavement counseling to family members of Armed Forces personnel who died in the service of their country. In Maine, we have five Vet Centers with multiple community access points: Springvale, Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Caribou. Please call your nearest Vet Center for more information.
Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects you to a real person specially training to support veterans. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use the Veterans Crisis Line, and responders are available via phone call, chat or text. You can also reach them by dialing 988 then pressing 1 or sending a text to 838255.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): The organization helps veterans access the benefits they have earned and specifically helps veterans in underserved communities.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): The VFW ensures that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made.
American Legion: The organization works to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities.
DoD Skillbridge Program: This program helps service members prepare for their next career, increases the workforce in Maine, and provides benefits to Maine companies to support both their business needs and our Vets. SkillBridge is open to all military personnel and allows them to spend the last six months of their time in the military working as an intern in the private sector. You can contact the SkillBridge information line at (866)-755-2734 and more information can be found here.
Career Centers' Veterans' Services: This program, operated through the Maine Department of Labor Career Centers, offers specialized employment and training service for veterans.
Boots2Roots: This Maine organization focuses on preparing active duty military members, up to a year before they transition, by helping them to find meaningful employment and providing personalized resume and interview prep, peer mentoring, connections to Maine businesses, and local networking opportunities.
Stateside Legal: StateSide Legal is operated by Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and receives funding from the Legal Services Corporation and the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium. They help ensure that those with military experience have the information they need to understand and protect their rights, especially as related to access to benefits, housing, education, financial concerns, family matters, and more.
