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Kent County veterans services says outreach helped bring nearly $11 million in federal benefits to local veterans
Summary
Veterans Services Agency Director Ryan Grams told the Kent County committee that increased outreach and a new outreach coordinator helped produce 747 fully developed claims (506 awarded), bringing almost $11 million in federal benefits to veterans and families this year; program-level aid and partnerships were also detailed.
Ryan Grams, director of the Kent County Veterans Services Agency, told the County Board’s Community Health and Safety Committee on Nov. 25 that expanded outreach this year produced a steep rise in claims and awards, bringing “almost $11,000,000 of federal money coming in for veterans into their households.”
Grams said the agency completed 747 fully developed claims for disability ratings in the last year and recorded 506 awards, a 133% increase from the prior reporting period. He attributed much of the gain to a new outreach coordinator and targeted work in outlying communities, including on-site claims assistance and resource fairs.
The increase in federal benefits, Grams said, supports veterans’ basic needs — food, housing and utility assistance — and circulates in the local economy. “We hired a new outreach coordinator, Daniel Zarr, who is absolutely amazing. He’s getting out there,” Grams said, describing efforts to reach Rockford, Kent City and other rural areas.
The agency also reported program-specific assistance. Grams said the Soldier Sailors relief fund approved 93 applications and distributed about $107,000 this year for housing, food and utilities. The county burial assistance program approved 19 applications; Grams said the county’s burial fund pays a set burial contribution (as described during the presentation) and the agency disbursed roughly $5,400 this year on burials.
Grams outlined partner services: disability advocates assisted about 77 veterans (often for higher-cost home modifications), Community Rebuilders helped roughly 48 veterans with accessibility work, Senior Neighbors completed large-ticket repairs for about 15 seniors, and the My Community Dental program served 262 veterans across three county locations. He said the Riverside home-cleaning initiative served about 48 participants and completed roughly 481 cleanings for veterans with disabilities.
Grams said the Veterans Services millage, approved by voters through 2029, remains the agency’s primary funding source; he reported roughly $2,900,000 in millage revenue last year and noted an earlier state MVAA grant experienced problems this year that reduced grant revenue. Grams explained that the millage is set at approximately 0.0496 mil (about 5¢ per $1,000 of taxable value), a figure he said is on file in his office.
Commissioners asked about sustainment and capacity. Grams said demand can move in demographic waves tied to veteran cohorts: “as you age up, we get the non-service; when wars happen, service-connected claims go up.” He said outreach remains a top priority to ensure veterans know and can access benefits.
The committee did not take formal action on program changes at the meeting; Grams closed by thanking the board for ongoing support and volunteering community partners for their role in outreach and events.
The committee moved on to a housing needs presentation after Grams’ report.
