Tester to host Veterans Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls

Nov. 10 event to include presentations for new veterans, their families

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester will host a forum to help Montana veterans find jobs and better understand their educational and health care benefits on Wednesday, November 10—the day before Veterans Day.

Tester’s Veterans Opportunity Workshop, at the Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls, will feature several guest presentations on specific issues facing new veterans and their families.  Presentations will include:

• Jobs Skills (job searches, interviews, training, resumes)
• Education Benefits (understanding the 21st Century G.I. Bill)
• Navigating the VA (eligibility and health care)
• “While They’re Gone” (understanding services for families of deployed service members)

“As military efforts continue overseas, more and more young Montanans are joining the ranks of our nation’s veterans,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  “We’re working to make sure these folks can take advantage of the benefits they’ve earned, and to make sure their families have the support they deserve.”

The event will begin with “stand down” activities (accepting donated clothing for Montana veterans, canned goods for Montana Supporting Soldiers) at 8 a.m.  Tester’s forum will begin at 8:30.

Tester encourages all Montana veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families to attend the workshop.  The day’s events are free and open to the public, but participants are asked to RSVP at tester.senate.gov/veterans.

EVENT: Veterans Opportunity Workshop hosted by U.S. Senator Jon Tester

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, November 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Best Western Heritage Inn, Great Falls

Over the past year, Tester has held four other well-attended Opportunity Workshops geared toward creating jobs and boosting Montana businesses.

Tester’s landmark Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act became law earlier this year.  The legislation permanently raised the mileage reimbursement rate for disabled veterans, opened up grants to transport veterans to VA facilities, and is strengthening recruitment and retention of quality providers in rural communities.