13 August 2021
Resources for Veterans and Military Family Members
Important Dates and Events
August
September
  • September 2 – Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families meeting, 7-8:30pm. Email veterans@howardcountymd.gov for the link to join.
  • September 11 – 4th Annual Warrior Bike Ride, Broad Run, VA
  • September 17 – Save the Date: Outdoor viewing of “Bastards Road” veteran documentary at Chrysalis in downtown Columbia. 7-10:30pm. Details coming soon!
Happening Now
  • Now - Registration for Howard County Veterans Day Parade, 9:30am in downtown Columbia. To participate, be a vendor or to sponsor, email info@howardcountyveterans.org.
  • Now - Registration for McVets 5K Run to benefit homeless veterans on Nov. 7.
  • Now - Howard County Fallen Heroes Tribute. To honor Howard County residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the Office of Veteran and Military Families is proud to announce the creation of the Fallen Heroes Tribute page. We hope that you will use this form by sharing their stories of valor which will be highlighted on a future webpage. Fallen Heroes Form
  • Now – Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is now accepting residents
  • Now - Warrior Canine Connection is in search of Veterans, spouses and family members who are looking for an opportunity to give back. Come help WCC train service dogs that will later be placed with a Veteran who has a disability. For more info, contact WCC's Veteran Training Program Manager Emily McNeal at emcneal@warriorcanineconnection.org or 270-704-641
  • Now - Fort Meade Military Spouses Workforce Survey
  • First Monday of the Month– Veterans Connection Support Group, 6pm – 7:30pm. For more info, Shambry Ratliff, sratliff.namihc@gmail.com. Register for zoom link.
  • Every Monday - SeniorsTogether Men’s Forum, 10am-12pm. A friendly group for discussion on a variety of topics, swapping stories, and sharing life experiences in a comfortable, good-humored, social setting. Facilitated with occasional guest speakers. A drop-in group, for more information contact Karen Hull, khull@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-7466. howardcounty.gov/aging
  • Two Fridays a Month – Veteran Legal Support. Meet with an attorney to discuss discharge upgrade matters, family law, consumer law, landlord/tenant law, employment law, benefits claims & more. www.vetsprobono.org. To make an appointment, call (202) 733-3317. Serving DC, MD & VA residents. Speak virtually with an attorney for free.
  • Last Thurs of the month – Veteran Job Club, MD Workforce Exchange. Monthly 1am-12:20pm. Join with Google Meet: meet.google.com/nog-aidc-bfv. Join by phone (US) +1 316-778-8309 (PIN: 237445104)
  • Veterans Virtual Kiosk – Pilot. Join with Google Meet https://meet.google.com/awf-yoqx-mmu Join by phone ‪(US) +1 516-268-6742 PIN: ‪748 066 507#  The veterans virtual kiosk is a pilot service provided by the MD Department of Labor's Veterans Employment Program. It was created to expand our ability to touch veterans and their immediate family from across the great state of Maryland who are looking for employment, better job opportunities, or support in their career development. It is meant to help reach those who have little or no knowledge of the American Job Centers or awareness of our program and its services.
  • Every Day – Veterans Yoga Project Livestreaming classes.  
  • NAMI Howard County Virtual Support Programs for parents/caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties, family members of individuals w/ mental illness, adults and veterans living with mental illness.
Resources
Education
  • Financial Relief & Discount Guide For Veterans With Disabilities
  • Military Dependent's Scholarships 
  • VFW Student Veteran Scholarships
  • AFCEA Scholarships
  • Vets N Transition – (VNT) is a half hour television program that promotes the veteran community. Each episode features a diverse group of veterans who share their stories of contributing to the community through business, government, non-profit and philanthropy. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at hollandnmd@aol.com or 301.848.3476and do follow us on Facebook
  • Project Opportunity is an intensive curriculum based 10-week cohort program. The Fall 2021 program will meet every Thursday, September 9 – November 11, 2021 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM City of Refuge in Baltimore. Through grants and community business support this program is free to all veterans. The curriculum and material are facilitated by small business professionals and subject matter experts. The program concludes with a formal business pitch and Graduation Ceremony on Thursday December 2, 2021. Training Includes: Assessing Your Business Idea, Marketing Analysis, Financing and Financial Management, Business Structure and Taxes and Development of a Business Plan

Health and Wellness
  • Operation: Campout! Active duty and veterans may borrow camping equipment for free at MD State Parks. Below you will find a list of the six participating parks. We encourage you to visit our website for park descriptions and amenities offered at each park. www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/ Once you’ve decided where your adventure will take you, contact the park directly to make your camping gear reservation. The park will be able to assist you in checking available dates. Make sure you let the park staff know you need to reserve “Operation Campout!” gear.
Swallow Falls State Park – (301) 387-6938
New Germany State Park – (301) 895-5453
Rocky Gap State Park – (301) 722-1480
Cunningham Falls State Park – (301) 271-7574
Patapsco Valley State Park – (410) 461-5005
Pocomoke River State Park – (410) 632-2566
 
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Share Your COVID-19 Vaccine Experiences!
Do you help provide care or support for a loved one with a cognitive or intellectual disability? Would you like to contribute to a public health study by sharing your unique experiences?
If you are a Maryland resident, you may be eligible to take part in a virtual study from the University of Maryland where you can share your experience related to the COVID-19 vaccines.
You May Qualify If:
●       You are 18 years and older.
●       Live in Maryland.
●       Provide care for a loved one (18 years and older) who has a cognitive or intellectual disability.
●       Have access to a computer, phone, or tablet connected to the internet. Participation Includes:
●       Completing a brief screener questionnaire (1-3 minutes).
●       Completing an online survey (30-40 minutes)
Interested in Participating? For more information, please contact Katherine F. Raymond at the University of Maryland Horowitz Center for Health Literacy: By email: raymondk@umd.edu. By phone: (202) 845-6195



Key Information
  • Proper Flag Disposal – If you have a tattered or torn flag, there is a big red container at the Howard County Alpha Ridge Landfill. Flags are picked up quarterly and retired properly at a flag retirement ceremony by local Boys Scouts and veteran service organizations. There is also an old mailbox on the front porch of the Ellicott City VFW Post 7472 where you can leave your flags as well.
  • Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program, Contact the CARE Line at 410 313 2273 (CARE) or email: children@howardcountymd.gov to locate childcare.

Newsletters, Articles and other Information
Employment Opportunities

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Training & Resources Center for Veterans Starting Businesses
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC). For more info:
Coverage: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania
Address: Maryland Innovation Center, 6751 Columbia Gateway Dr, Suite 500, Columbia, MD 21046
Telephone: (301) 955-6328  Email: scolella@umd.edu
 
Veteran Staffing Network - connects veterans and military spouses to employers using a veteran staffing agency model. We work with employers to fill temp-to-perm, contract, and direct-hire positions.

Career Coach to assist transitioning service members and active-duty spouses. This is a joint position with Howard County Workforce and will be housed at Fort Meade.

 DMAC Strategies is Hiring:
1. Unarmed security officer
2. Unarmed flex officer
3. Armed officer level I
4. Armed School resource officer
5. Drivers
6. Vehicle processors
7. QC inspector
8. Dispatchers
9. CCTV remote monitors
 
Cyber Workforce Academy - Students have the opportunity to complete two SANS training courses and their corresponding GIAC certifications in preparation to enter the cybersecurity workforce in the state of Maryland. The cost of the training and certifications is 100% tuition free to the students and provided in part by the EARN Maryland grant and the SANS Institute. For more info, contact Beth Corcoran, GISF, SANS CyberTalent Admissions Coordinator

 
GI Bill for a Coding Bootcamp- 

Veteran Employment Resource Center - Resume-writing tutorials & guidelines specific for military members and veterans, How-to / Instructional videos, Interviewing techniques and best practices guidance and list of career fairs.
 
Military Spouse Resource Center - Resume-writing tutorials & guidelines specific for military spouses, How-to / Instructional videos, Interviewing techniques & guidance and a list of career fairs.
 
Search & Employ Magazine - Digital bi-monthly military and military spouse employment focused publication
Gregory Ingram, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist
Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor
 
Roslyn Jones, Regional Veteran Employment Manager Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor
 
Orion Jones, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
Max Outreach - OutreachCoordinator@maximus.com or by phone at 1-800-274-8582 ext 185