El Paso County veterans develop updated online resource guide, plan briefings for service providers

Mike Barnes, representing the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board, told the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on April 17 that the county is reviving a veterans resource guide that had fallen out of service and is being rebuilt as an online product.

Barnes said the county verified agencies on the earlier guide and is scheduling briefings so each provider can explain the services they offer veterans and families. He said the resource will be hosted on the county website as a searchable online product and will be available as a printable PDF.

Why it matters: The guide is intended to centralize social, medical and benefits information for veterans, families and for county and city staff who refer veterans to services. Barnes said the county’s IT staff and webmasters are working on a product the committee can review "in the next couple months." He asked the committee to expect outreach and to coordinate on content validation.

Key points

- Barnes said the county had initiated the effort about eight years ago but the previous product had not been maintained. The renewed effort will include verification of provider program details and a validation process to avoid unvetted endorsements.

- Barnes told committee members the resource will be web-hosted with a printable PDF option and that IT policy and legal review will guide how providers are listed to avoid suggesting formal endorsements.

- Barnes also announced the county Veterans Advisory Board’s next meeting would be May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the County Courthouse.

Ending

Barnes closed by asking for continued cooperation between city and county staff as the resource is finalized and briefings are scheduled.