POW MIA Recognition Day
 September 15, 2017 has been designated POW MIA Recognition Day. Today, we pause to remember the service and sacrifice of those who were taken prisoner or who remain missing. We will never forget.
 On September 12, 2017, the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Small and Local Business Development hosted the first Veteran Build A Dream Entrepreneurship Workshop. The nine-hour workshop is designed for assisting veteran entrepreneurs to use the Lean Canvas model. This model replaces elaborate business plans with a single page business model. Focus is on business content, not presentation and saves money for product testing.
If you missed the course - don't worry - we are planning to host another course in the near future. Stay tuned for additional details!
DC VA Medical Center Mental Health Summit
 On September 12, 2017, MOVA was proud to host the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center's Mental Health Summit. It was an excellent opportunity to connect the medical center with the local community. The purpose of the Mental Health Summit was to bring together key stakeholders in the community with the goal of enhancing access to mental health services and addressing the mental healthcare needs of Veterans and their family members in the DC area.
Another Successful Veterans Round Table
On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, we held another successful veterans round table. Thank you to all of the veterans that took the time to come out and join us. It was a great discussion and the veterans came with a lot of great ideas.
The next event will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 12 - 2 pm. If you haven't stopped by the office for a round table discussion - you are missing out!! Give us a call at 202-724-5454 if you would like to join us.
U.S.Vets D.C. 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance Stand-Down
 On Wednesday, September 13, 2017, U.S.Vets held their first 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Stand-Down. MOVA joined with a number of community and veteran service organizations to support our Ward 8 veterans.
George Washington University Student Veteran 9/11 Vigil
 On Monday, September 11, 2017 MOVA joined the George Washington University Student Veterans Organization, several GWU student organizations, and three first responders to the attack on the Pentagon. It was an opportunity to honor and remember the fallen.
UDC 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service
 On Monday, September 11, 2017, MOVA was on deck to support the University of the District of Columbia as it held a 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service. We had the opportunity to meet with a number of local student veterans and shared stories of service. Thank you to our great community partners at UDC for organizing and hosting!
 On Saturday, September 9, 2017, MOVA joined with Serve D.C., Team Rubicon, and members of the local community in paying tribute to those we lost by volunteering for a 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Together we worked to on a beautification project at Access Housing for women veterans in Ward 8.
Voice of America was on hand and put together a great video of the event.
Click here to watch!
 Click on the MOVA crest to download the latest D.C. Veterans Resource Guide. This ten page guide contains a comprehensive and vetted list of Federal and District agencies, Veteran Service Providers and emergency services for the District of Columbia Veterans, their families, survivors, and military caregivers.
Letter
from the Mayor
Dear Washingtonians,
Last weekend, surrounded by students,
educators, and community members, my Administration launched the new five-year strategic
plan for DC Public Schools (DCPS).
In 2012, DCPS released a plan that
recommitted the system to providing every student with a safe, academically
challenging, and inspiring learning experience. Today, five years later, we
know without a doubt that DCPS is on the rise. DCPS continues to be the fastest
improving urban school district in the country, and a recent report confirmed
that our schools have made significant gains on student achievement, graduation
rates, Advanced Placement exams, student satisfaction, and attendance. However,
there is still much more work to be done to ensure that every student, in every
ward of our city, receives the education and opportunities they deserve.
The new five-year strategic plan presents a
set of priorities and goals that will continue to transform DCPS into a school
district of both excellence and equity. In the months leading up to the
creation of the plan, we heard from thousands of students, educators, families,
and community members about their visions for the future of DCPS. With its
focus on creating a more equitable system, the plan reflects the feedback of
families and educators who all want the best for their own children, but also
recognizes that our city cannot reach its full potential if policies and
investments do not support all children.
Today, our school communities are stronger
than they have ever been, and I am committed to continuing the investments we
are making in and out of the classroom that ensure all students are exposed to
a diverse range of rigorous, hands-on learning opportunities. A Capital
Commitment 2017-2022 will help us give more students a fair shot at
success by focusing the energy of all eight wards on creating a system of
excellence, equity, and love.
Sincerely,
This week's District Minute features stories about
the launch of DCPS' five-year strategic plan, Workforce Signing Day, and the 202Creates Arts
and Music Festival.
Connect with your Mayor!
Mayor Muriel Bowser
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | Washington DC, 20004
(202) 727-2643
muriel.bowser@dc.gov | mayor.dc.gov | @mayorbowser
Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) is seeking diverse and passionate individuals to work in DC Government. Candidates must submit their resume and any additional eligibility materials. Please click here for more information and how to apply.
Open Positions Include:
Executive Service/Cabinet Positions:
Excepted Service Positions:
Specialty Positions:
Internship:
The D.C. Department of Employment Services is here to help veterans who need assistance finding employment. Check out their veterans services page to learn more about the veteran employment services DOES offers. Don't hesitate to reach out to them.
The D.C. government is looking for a few good candidates. Click here to find out more about the opportunities we have to offer.
As an FYI - the District of Columbia Government has enhanced its applicant tracking system. Please be advised that you will have to create a new profile and upload your resume. If your Careers DC profile was created prior to Wednesday, August 30th, you will have limited access to your old profile information. Access will be provided until September 30, 2017, click here Careers-x.dc.gov. After September 30th, you will not be able to access profiles created prior to August 30th. For more information, please see our FAQs. Thank you for your patience during this process.
 Veteran Staffing Network of Easter Seals
Veterans are our mission. Employment is our business.
Our proprietary eLearning and coaching prepare veterans, military family members, National Guardsmen, and Reservists for success in civilian careers. Our career coaches and recruiters learn about your skills and career aspirations and get you on the right path toward those goals. Our services include:
- Personalized on-boarding through intake interviews
- Individual career development planning, including translation of military skills to the civilian workplace
- Resume writing and interview skills assistance
- Networking and social media skills support
Job placement in temp-to-perm, contract, and direct hire depending on your needs and qualifications
To learn how the Veteran Staffing Network can help you: 1-855-Vets111 or www.vsnusa.org
Team Rubicon
Volunteer Opportunity: Hurricane Recovery Operations
 On Saturday, September 23, American Airlines is chartering a flight of Team Rubicon volunteers from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to support post-hurricane recovery operations in Texas
or Florida (destination TBD). During the deployment, volunteers will support post-hurricane recovery efforts, including debris removal; damage assessments; mucking and gutting flooded homes; and
chainsaw operations. Volunteers will return to DCA on Saturday, September 30.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led non-profit disaster response organization comprised of veterans, first responders, and civilians. Team Rubicon volunteers deploy to disasters around the country to provide assistance to homeowners free-of-charge. Since it’s founding in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed to over 210 disaster response operations around the world and maintains a growing roster of over 50,000 volunteer members across the country. If you have got a week to give and a willingness to get dirty, Team Rubicon needs you.
Team Rubicon will cover your travel, lodging, feeding, and supplies. No skills or prior experience needed. You will work side-by-side with veterans, police, fire, EMS, and civilians to help those most impacted by disasters.
How to Get Involved:
1. Sign-up at http://www.TeamRubiconUSA.org/volunteer.
2. Complete a background check (takes less than 15 minutes to complete) and Team Rubicon’s
online crash course on disaster operations (“Module 1”).
3. Submit your availability to deploy through our Google Form at http://ow.ly/y3yf30fa2LD.
4. Await confirmation of flight information. (Please note seats are first come, first serve.)
5. Pack your bags, arrive at the airport, and get ready to change lives.
Each month the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs compiles a list of vacant positions. If your government agency or
nonprofit organization in DC would like to promote employment, or
internship opportunities for D.C. Veterans please send an email message to
ova@dc.gov.
The Jim Graham 10th Annual Tenant and Tenant Association Summit.
Come out and join us on Saturday, September 16, 2017. We will be out supporting the Office of the Tenant Advocate and joining in celebrating their 10th anniversary!
DATE AND TIME
Sat, September 16, 2017
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
LOCATION
Gallaudet University
Kellogg Conference Hotel
800 Florida Avenue Northeast
Washington, DC 20002
Learn what to do about:
- Landlord/tenant issues
- Housing code violations
- Federal housing policy
- Veterans housing
- Illegal evictions
PLUS! Onsite legal clinic from 1:30 pm to 4:45 pm
Real estate agents get three CEUs from the Renters' 101 class
The closest Metro station is NoMa Gallaudet– Shuttle service provided
Schedule at a Glance
7:30 am Registration
9:00 am Welcome
9:20 am Ceremonial Resolutions
10:10 am Plenary Session
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 – 4:45 pm Legal Clinic
1:30 – 3:00 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions 1
3:15 – 4:30 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions 2
VA Disability Claims Counseling
On Thursday, September 21, 2017, MOVA will host an accredited claims representative from the American Legion. If you have questions, he has answers! Give us a call at 202-724-5454 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome! Please note, scheduled appointments will be seen before walk-ins.
Are you a member of the military community (active duty, Veteran, National Guard or Reserves) or a military spouse? And are you thinking about starting, or have you recently started, a small business?
If you answered "yes" to both of these questions - then the DC Small Business Boot Camp is for you!
Before you register your business, create a website, go after funding, sign a lease or hire employees, you need to determine if your business idea is feasible. This one day intensive workshop is designed to introduce prospective entrepreneurs to the fundamentals of small business start-up and to help you determine the feasibility of your business idea. We will focus on your business concept, industry and market analysis, small business economics and financial forecasting - and introduce you to the resources to help you start and grow your business.
This is a non-selling event! Seating is limited to members of the military community who are interested in starting and growing their small business. Members of the service professions (CPAs, attorneys, real estate agents, financial representatives, etc.) who wish to do business with Veterans will not be admitted.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
DD-214 Upgrade Clinic
 On Thursday, September 28, 2017, the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs will be hosting an attorney from the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium to assist veterans with DD-214 upgrade requests. Give us a call at 202-724-5454 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome! Please note, scheduled appointments will be seen before walk-ins.
Stand-by for updates and future clinics!
Are you a Veteran in need of vocational rehabilitation assistance?
The District of Columbia Department of Disability Services has partnered with the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs to provide dedicated vocational rehabilitation assistance to our veteran community. This program and separate and apart from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' vocational rehabilitation program. If you have been denied or are currently using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' program, you may still be eligible for District assistance. Come speak with one of our counselors!
Overview:
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program provides vocational and rehabilitative services to individuals with disabilities to help them prepare for, secure, regain or retain employment. Persons with disabilities face some challenges in today’s modern workplace. We believe that people with disabilities, given the right opportunities can work and be fully integrated into mainstream society and the work place. Vocational rehabilitation services can reduce or remove barriers to employment.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for VR services, a person must have a physical or mental impairment that is a substantial impediment to employment; be able to benefit from VR services in terms of employment; and require VR services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment. Priority is given to those individuals
who have the most significant disabilities.
Location:
You can meet with a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affair office space located at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 870 North.
Time and Date:
9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 3, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 17, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Scheduling:
You can schedule an appointment by calling our office at 202-724-5454. You can also walk-in on the days the counselor has office hours. Please note, however, appointments will be seen before walk-ins and space is limited.
 Veteran Round Table Discussions
The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs will be holding two round table discussions every month over the summer. If you are a D.C. Veteran with some ideas about how we can help our community, come out and join us! Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 27, at 12 pm. If you would like to participate, just give us a call at 202-724-5454!
 One Judiciary Square
Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
441 4th St. NW, Washington DC 20001
1114 South Conference Room
This meeting is open to the public. Please come out and join us!
 The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center is primarily an oral history program that collects and preserves the firsthand interviews of America's wartime veterans. VHP relies on volunteers, both individuals and organizations, throughout the nation to contribute veterans’ stories to VHP. In addition to audio- and video-recorded interviews, VHP accepts memoirs and collections of original photographs, letters, diaries, maps and other historical documents from World War I through current conflicts.
The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs will be conducting VHP interviews every week. If you are a veteran - we would love to hear your story! Once your interview is complete, we will submit the recording to the Library of Congress for preservation.
Please give us a call at 202-724-5454 to schedule an interview.
The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs Newsletter is distributed to over 5,000 subscribers every month. If you would like your event to be featured in our calendar, please submit the following details: what, when and where the event will take place. If available, please provide a link to direct readers to more online information. Please send all inquiries and posts to ova@dc.gov.
Director Ely S. Ross
202-724-5454
www.ova.dc.gov |
