Resource Fair for Veterans to Be Held at University of Arkansas

A Veterans Resource Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge at the University of Arkansas. The event is open to the public and is specifically tailored for all veterans and their families.

Attendees of the fair do not have to be students at the university. "We want all veterans and their families to feel welcome to this fair," said Erika Gamboa, director of the Veterans Resource Information Center. "Our hope is to provide useful information about resources and providers available to them and to demonstrate that the University of Arkansas maintains a strong appreciation for the life experiences and commitments of veterans, as well as, the challenges faced when trying to access their benefits."

Veterans often have a difficult time getting connected to the services they are entitled to, according to Danette Heckathorn, counselor with the University of Arkansas Counseling and Psychological Services.

"I know as a counselor and spouse of a veteran that navigating the resources available to veterans and their families can be an exhausting process," said Heckathorn. "We hope that this resource fair will make that process easier and allow them to get all the information needed to be successful in school."

Representatives from several organizations that provide veteran services will be available at the fair to provide information. Services represented include educational benefits, health care, mental health counseling, career development and others. Representatives from the local community and around the state will include the Veterans Administration, counseling organizations, service branch organizations, and university organizations like Veterans Upward Bound and the Center for Educational Access.

The Veterans Resource Information Center serves as the central point of contact for prospective or current University of Arkansas student veterans needing assistance with the admissions process, applying for military educational benefits and scholarships, and referrals to various academic departments around campus. Additionally, the center maintains a large network within the community to refer students to organizations specializing in veteran services.

The Couneling and Psychological Services office works with University of Arkansas students and their families to assist them with problem solving, self understanding, personal growth, as well as, relationship enhancement with friends and family. The office provides counseling for students and their families, consultation, psychological testing, emergency psychiatric services, psychiatric evaluations, community education and clinical mental health training to graduate students in applicable fields.

Veterans Upward Bound exists to help veterans make the transition to college life. Veterans Upward Bound serves veterans of Northwest and Central Arkansas who desire to enter and succeed in a program of post-secondary education. Veteran with at least 180 days of active duty service that would like to academically and mentally prepare for a university, community college or vocational school program can benefit from Veterans Upward Bound services.

The Center for Educational Access serves as the central campus resource for helping students with disabilities obtain the accommodations they need for equal access to classroom activity. The Center for Educational Access provides direct support for students with disabilities and training and educational resources to the University community as a whole.