The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Veterans Services Department held a Veterans Open House on February 23 at the Round House Café. The event offered resources and information to support Community veterans, their families and SRPMIC employees who are veterans.

The event provided services such as health insurance eligibility and enrollment, benefits and claims assistance, toxic exposure screening and more.

“It’s crucial [for Community veterans to have access to these services] because some veterans are well-informed about resources but may not actively seek them out,” said Veterans Representative Amanda White. “By bringing these resources and services to the Community and raising awareness, we can engage our Community veterans and families, who often prefer hands-on, face-to-face interactions.”

A total of 13 vendors had booths at the event, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other local organizations that provide housing and homelessness assistance for veterans.

One of the vendors was the VA at Home Telehealth Program, which offers telehealth services that align with a veteran’s healthcare plan.

“These services allow you to meet virtually with your VA provider, adapt to your lifestyle, and support your well-being and independence at home by using computers or mobile devices,” said White. “During our discussions, I discovered that they can also supply iPads to veterans in need.”

Veterans Representative Troy Truax Jr. said that tribal communities should ensure that veterans are not only acknowledged for their military service, but are also empowered to reach their future goals by raising awareness, advocating for them and providing direct support.

A primary goal of the event, according to Truax, was to facilitate a smooth process for Community veterans within the VA system and ensure that they are accounted for and enrolled in the system.

“The Veterans Representative team’s goal is to provide the best possible healthcare for our veterans, whether through the VA system or from established healthcare providers like the River People Health Center,” said Truax.

Truax added that Veterans Services aims to improve this annual event and welcomes input from both the Community and SRPMIC employee veterans. You may share your thoughts at VeteranServices@srpmic-nsn.gov. “We hope to see you next year at our annual Veterans Open House event,” he said.