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The Department of Veterans Affairs now offers a Spanish version of the application to receive benefits. Hispanic Americans have been very much part of the U.S. military, going all the way back to the Civil War.
In World War II, Hispanic Americans were nearly 5 percent of the military that fought overseas. Hispanic women were very much a part of it as well, serving in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Services.
The benefits application produced by the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans can help all Hispanic vets claim the benefits to which they’re entitled. Today there are 1.5 million living U.S. military veterans, but only half a million of them are enrolled in VA health care. This application will help expand the range of service and benefits they get. To apply, go online to www.vets.gov/health-care/apply or call 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
At the same time, if you are Hispanic American and hope to work for the VA itself, there are programs in place to help you get there. The VA Hispanic Employment Special Emphasis Program has policies to promote diversity, identify barriers and ensure equal consideration when it comes to promotions and training. For a recruitment video in Spanish, go online to www.diversity.va.gov/vids/player.htm?v=ad-spa.flv. You’ll need the Flash plugin to view it.
The VA’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion has more information at www.diversity.va.gov/programs/hispanic.aspx. Check out the many links, including those to universities, Hispanic organizations and the outreach and retention plan, which outlines their strategies. Note the Hispanic participation rate; the VA wants to raise that. You can contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (202) 461-4131.
(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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