Financial Literacy Week - April 9-12, 2024

Veterans, start your plan for financial freedom.

Veterans Affairs, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development and USAA Education Foundation is hosting a four-day financial event for Veterans, transitioning service members, spouses, family members, caregivers and survivors. You’ll learn how to lay the foundation to achieve your financial dreams at this event. You can connect with career resources and employers who value your experience and skills. Submit or follow up about your disability compensation claim.

Click a button below to learn more or register:

No Cost to Register

Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) is hosting this event in partnership with USAA Education Foundation. There is no cost to register. Join us to connect with your financial benefits, get career training and check on your VA claims status. This event features Presentations, Benefits Fairs, a Job Fair and Claims Clinics.

Event Registration

Click the button below to register for the event. A new AddEvent registration page will open.

April 9

Tuesday Schedule of Events

  • Claims Clinic: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Opening Ceremonies: 10-11:20 a.m.
  • Presentations: 11:20 a.m. – 3 p.m.

April 10

Wednesday Schedule of Events

  • Opening Ceremonies: 10-11 a.m.
  • Presentations: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Benefits Fair: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

April 11

Thursday Schedule of Events

  • Opening Ceremonies: 10-11 a.m.
  • Presentations: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Hiring Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Benefits Fair: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

April 12

Friday Schedule of Events

  • Claims Clinic: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Opening Ceremonies: 10-11 a.m.
  • Presentations: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Event Partners

So many reasons to attend

Learn how to maximize the use of your earned VA benefits and services. Attend the Benefits Fair, listen to presentations and connect with a claims processor. Presentations will cover topics such as VA benefits, health care and mental health and wellness. Additionally, this event will offer claims assistance to help Veterans file claims or check on current claim status. 

Learn About Your Benefits

» Presentations and Benefits Fair booths to help you learn about your VA benefits. 

Connect With Claims Processors

» An opportunity to meet with claims processors to check on or to learn to file VA disability claims. 

Veterans Initiatives

» The Town Hall will showcase progress made on local Veteran initiatives.

Learn About Your Benefits

» Presentations and Benefits Fair booths to help you learn about your VA benefits. 

Receive DOL Career Training

» DOL VETS workshops that will explain self-marketing techniques, networking and interviewing skills.

Connect With Job Options

» A place to learn more about current employment opportunities, special hiring authorities and career support resources.

Schedule of Events

Day One

Tuesday08 Aug 2023

10 a.m.-
4 p.m.

Town Hall and Presentations

The Town Hall will showcase progress made on local Veteran initiatives. Presentations are informational sessions that highlight benefits and resources. (More information about individual presentations is below.)

10-
11 a.m.

Town Hall

The Town Hall will showcase Veteran Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration and National Cemetery benefits and initiatives.

11-
11:20 a.m.

PACT ACT Presentation

Frank Wijngaarde, Supervisory Policy Analyst, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development

11:20-
11:35 a.m.

Legacy of Care Transport

Jonathan Jackson, Executive Officer, Legacy of Care Transport

11:35 a.m.-
12:35 p.m.

VA Benefits 101 MLC

VA TAP Benefits Advisor

12:35-
12:50 p.m.

Adult Day Health Program

Patricia Smith, LMSW and Michelle Torzewski, MSN

12:50-
1:35 p.m.

Break

1:35-
1:50 p.m.

Women’s Wellness

Judy Sexton, Woman’s Peer Support Specialist

1:50-
2:05 p.m.

Caregiver Support Program

Stephanie Anzalone, LCSW, Program Manager

2:05-
2:20 p.m.

Veterans Crisis Line

Dr. April Foreman, VCL Deputy Director of Technology and Innovation

2:20-
2:35 p.m.

WNY Behavioral Health Spectrum of Care

Dr. Barbara Nelson, LCSW, Chief of Mental Health

2:35-
2:50 p.m.

Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY Presentation

Daniel Arnold, Director of Veteran Engagement

2:50-
3:05 p.m.

Mental Health Services, Vet Center

Mike Shurmatz, LMSW Readjustment Counseling Therapist

3:05-
3:10 p.m.

Break

Day Two

Wednesday09 Aug 2023

10 a.m.-
5 p.m.

Benefits Fair

Learn about the benefits to which you are entitled, such as mental and physical health care, education, employment transition assistance, home loan options, assistance in starting a business, independent living services and more.

10 a.m.-
5 p.m.

PACT Act and Claims Clinic

Connect with a claims representative to learn more about claims related to the PACT Act, check claim status or receive insight into next steps in filing a VA claim for service-connected conditions.

August 8, 2023

Town Hall and Presentations
  • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Town Hall and Presentations

The Town Hall will showcase progress made on local Veteran initiatives. Presentations are informational sessions that highlight benefits and resources. (More information about individual presentations is below.)

Town Hall
  • 10-11 a.m.

Town Hall

The Town Hall will showcase Veteran Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration and National Cemetery benefits and initiatives.

Presentations
  • 11 a.m.-3:10 p.m.

Presentations

Time Presentation Speaker
11–11:05 a.m. Introduction of Presentations Mike Jones, Master of Ceremonies*
11:05–11:20 a.m. PACT ACT Presentation Frank Wijngaarde, Supervisory Policy Analyst, Outreach, Transition and Economic Development
11:20–11:35 a.m. Legacy of Care Transport Jonathan Jackson, Executive Officer, Legacy of Care Transport
11:35 a.m.–12:35 p.m. VA Benefits 101 MLC VA TAP Benefits Advisor
12:35–12:50 p.m. Adult Day Health Program Patricia Smith, LMSW and Michelle Torzewski, MSN
12:50–1:35 p.m. Break Break
1:35–1:50 p.m. Women’s Wellness Judy Sexton, Women’s Peer Support Specialist
1:50–2:05 p.m. Caregiver Support Program Stephanie Anzalone, LCSW, Program Manager
2:05–2:20 p.m. Veterans Crisis Line Dr. April Foreman, VCL Deputy Director of Technology and Innovation
2:20–2:35 p.m. WNY Behavioral Health Spectrum of Care Dr. Barbara Nelson, LCSW, Chief of Mental Health
2:35–2:50 p.m. Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY Daniel Arnold, Director of Veteran Engagement
2:50–3:05 p.m. Mental Health Services, Vet Center Mike Shurmatz, LMSW Readjustment Counseling Therapist
3:05–3:10 p.m. Break Break
*Master of Ceremonies to quickly introduce each panelist.

August 9, 2023

Benefits Fair
  • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Benefits Fair

Learn about the benefits to which you are entitled, such as mental and physical health care, education, employment transition assistance, home loan options, assistance in starting a business, independent living services and more.

PACT Act and Claims Clinic
  • 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

PACT Act and Claims Clinic

Connect with a claims representative to learn more about claims related to the PACT Act, check claim status or receive insight into next steps in filing a VA claim for service-connected conditions.

Claims Clinics

Receive personalized support from a qualified claims specialist. During your appointment you can learn more about the claims process and PACT Act benefit options to which you may be entitled, or find out information regarding the current status of your existing claim.

Appointments are on a first come, first serve basis at the Freeman Coliseum, Expo Hall A, 3201 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas 78219, April 9 and 12 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. No need to register in advance. When you arrive, please check in. You will be issued a number and can participate in event activities until your appointment time.

Step 1 of 2
Do not list all nine digits - only the last four
(Do not provide personal identifiable information in this section.) Appointments are on a first come, first serve basis at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, August 9, 2023 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. When you arrive, please check in. You will be issued a number and will have the flexibility to visit the Benefits Fair until your appointment time.

Location

Freeman Coliseum, Expo Hall A 

3201 E. Houston Street 

San Antonio, Texas 78219 

Testimonials

“Amazing event! The presentations were great!”

Testimonial from Past EDI Attendee

“Attending an EDI event connects you with key benefits and services that can help you find success in civilian life. Whether you are a transitioning service member, a Veteran or the family member who supports someone who has served, EDIs are for you.”

Testimonial from Joshua Jacobs
Senior Advisor for Policy Performing the Delegable Duties of the Under Secretary for Benefits

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