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Human services reports staffing and benefit changes for veterans services; one VSO resigning
Summary
Human Services said it currently operates two veteran service officers (VSOs), with one VSO resigning tomorrow; the county has increased veteran assistance benefits and is reviewing whether it should fully fund the second VSO position.
Human Services Director Kyle told commissioners the county currently supports veteran services and has taken recent steps to increase direct benefits while reviewing staffing and fund use.
Kyle said the department currently has two veteran service officers (VSOs) on staff but that one VSO, John Penny, submitted his resignation and his last day is tomorrow. Kyle said Benton County had been funding 1.5 VSO equivalents and Franklin County 0.5; if the board moves forward with the new position the total would effectively shift toward parity at 1.5 Franklin / 1.5 Benton in aggregate staffing, depending on the final hires and MOA.
The department increased cash assistance limits in May. “It went from $1,200 per 12 months to $2,000 per 12 months,” Kyle said, explaining the Veterans Assistance Fund benefit change adopted by the board. He also said the county raised the burial assistance benefit from $1,000 to $2,500 after checking local funeral costs.
Kyle said the Veterans Assistance Fund historically pays for low-dollar emergency items such as food and gas vouchers, and that the department usually uses other grant funding for rent payments even where the Veterans Assistance Fund might be an allowable source. He said the county did not authorize collection for the veterans tax this year and that historically the fund is intended for direct, local veteran support.
Commissioners and Kyle discussed outreach and how VSOs might be used to reach veterans who live in more rural parts of the county and might not otherwise travel to an office for help. Commissioners expressed support for ensuring the VSO function is adequately funded, and Kyle said he will continue conversations about whether to post and fill the vacant VSO position and how to balance the shared‑county MOA with Benton County.
Ending: Kyle said he will prepare more detailed program information and follow up with the board about staffing plans and how the Veterans Assistance Fund is used going forward.
