By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The agency that serves Wood County veterans is looking to serve more people, in a more efficient manner.
Under the leadership of new Director Zach Migura, the office has been renamed to Wood County Veterans Service Office rather than Veterans Assistance Center.
Migura met with the Wood County Commissioners last week to talk about efforts to reach out to more veterans and provide more services they may need.
“We’re literally looking at every process we do,” Migura said. “If there’s an easier, better, more efficient way to do it, that’s what we’re going to do.”
The office will go digital, he said.
“It’s a more efficient way to make sure claims get to the VA,” he told the commissioners.
And Migura is reaching out to veterans and community organizations, offering to make presentations to groups.
“There’s so much confusion about what they’re eligible for. Every veteran is different,” he said.
Sometimes getting services may seem like a maze, Migura said. He wants to change that.
Migura has some experience in that area. He enlisted in the Army in 2002 and served as a carpentry/masonry specialist until 2004. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and to Afghanistan in 2013-2014, and has served as an Army Reservist since 2006.
Migura, whose current rank is sergeant first class, is a career counselor with the 10th Battalion Army Reserve Careers Group.
Under Migura, the office has changed its policy about seeing veterans from outside Wood County.
“Because these VA benefits are federal, we can help anybody,” he said. “Obviously, the focus is Wood County veterans.”
Migura explained that the office could not provide funding or transportation for veterans from outside the county – but could help them access their federal benefits.
“I think it’s wonderful you are opening that up,” Commissioner Craig LaHote said.
Commissioner Doris Herringshaw thanked Migura for his efforts to reach out to more veterans to make them aware of the services available to them.
“Thank you very much for your work,” she said. “It will definitely be a change.”
Herringshaw told Migura that Wood County’s residents are very supportive of veterans.
“It’s a really strong community that supports veterans,” she said.
Migura said he is interested in working with veterans in the community to establish a mentorship program. While his office provides occasional services, community mentors could provide more ongoing support, he explained.
Commissioner Ted Bowlus recognized the new push for communication in the office.
“You’re willingness to communicate with Wood County people is excellent,” he said. “Communication is so important.”
Wood County Administrator Andrew Kalmar noted that in his 22 years with the county, Migura’s visit last week with the commissioners was a rarity from the veterans office.
“We have never had a presentation from the Veterans Service Office in that time,” Kalmar said.
There is a concern that many local veterans aren’t even aware that the county service office exists.
“We want to let them know they have a local office,” Migura said.
Migura listed goals completed or in motion:
- Office renamed from “Veterans Assistance Center” to “Veterans Service Office.”
- Office logo created.
- Website is being created by a BGSU intern, and should be operational next week.
- Digital storage and submission for clients’ VA claims.
- Records retention schedule change to electronic storage only.
- All staff (two county veterans service officers, one social services worker, and director) have county email addresses.
- All county veterans service officers are members of national and state CVSO associations.
- Office computer servers to be reconfigured by the county for better collaboration, backup and support.
- A new excel accountability/tracking system is operational with the CVSOs.
- Financial assistance program is being reviewed internally.
- Office signage is being recreated with the new office name and logo.
- Presentations are being made to veterans and community organizations.
- Radio broadcasts with the Morning Show.
Migura said the office plans to conduct outreach to:
- County departments to identify veterans, spouses and family for an office Zoom presentation.
- Various veterans’ service organizations around the county.
- Township, city and village leaders for collaboration on a veterans banner project.
- Civic groups throughout the county.
