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Welcome to the Veteran Assistance and Services Program

The Veterans Assistance and Services Program (VASP) is here to support the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services, National Guard and Reserves in their pursuit of the American dream of entrepreneurship.

VASP services include:

  • Self-Assessment
  • On-line counseling
  • Distance learning
  • Web-based assessments
  • Government contracting assistance
  • Business planning and start-up assistance
  • Assistance with preparation to obtain bank loans and financing

Who We Are

The Veteran Assistance and Services Program (VASP) is sponsored by the South-West Texas Border SBDC Network and funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide a wide range of resources and referrals.  We provide a one-stop point of contact for veterans and military personnel who are nascent entrepreneurs or owners of small business concerns.

Who We Serve

The Veterans Assistance and Services Program provides free, confidential business counseling and training through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to:

  • Veteran owned businesses
  • Service disabled veteran owned small businesses
  • Personnel transitioning from military to civilian life
  • Members of the National Guard
  • Reservists
  • Dependents and spouses of veterans

Our Host

SBDC Contracting Resource Center

The Veteran's Assistance Program is just one facet of the many services offered through the SBDC Contracting Resource Center. To find out more about:

  • Bidmatch
  • Supplier/Vendor Network
  • Human Capital
  • Sustainable Business Program

Visit: http://crc.txsbdc.org

 


 

VA Recognizes “Presumptive” Illnesses in Iraq, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2010) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking steps to make it easier for Veterans to obtain disability compensation for certain diseases associated with service in the Persian Gulf War or Afghanistan.  This will be the beginning of historic change for how VA considers Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses.

Following recommendations made by VA’s Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Task Force, VA is publishing a proposed regulation in the Federal Register that will establish new presumptions of service connection for nine specific infectious diseases associated with military service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, or in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001.

“We recognize the frustrations that many Gulf War and Afghanistan Veterans and their families experience on a daily basis as they look for answers to health questions, and seek benefits from VA,” said Secretary Shinseki.

Read more: VA Recognizes “Presumptive” Illnesses in Iraq, Afghanistan

   

Women Veterans: An Education and Empowerment Forum" to Focus on Women Veterans

WASHINGTON (March 31, 2010) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will invite women Veterans and their advocates to a forum in July to discuss the quality of VA health care, the provision of benefits for women, and ways to improve access to the care and benefits for women Veterans.

“This forum will continue our identification of how best to serve this growing population of Veterans through our quality health care, benefits for service-connected disabilities, mental health services, or supporting their community, said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki. “We must constantly reevaluate and solicit input on our performance as measured against the needs of our women Veterans.” This forum will build on the momentum from 2008 quadrennial National Summit on Women’s Veterans’ Issues and expand the dialogue necessary to enhance VA’s benefits and services available to women Veterans. The one day forum will not only help VA learn more from women Veterans who depend on VA for care, but will also develop tool kits for strengthening women Veteran networks through work with local VA facilities.

Read more: Women Veterans: An Education and Empowerment Forum

   

Statement from VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

March 21, 2010 (WASHINGTON) - As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I accepted the solemn responsibility to uphold our sacred trust with our nation’s Veterans.  Fears that Veterans health care and TRICARE will be undermined by the health reform legislation are unfounded.  I am confident that the legislation being voted on today will provide the protections afforded our nation’s Veterans and the health care they have earned through their service.  The President and I stand firm in our commitment to those who serve and have served in our armed forces.  We pledge to continue to provide the men and women in uniform and our Veterans the high quality health care they have earned.

President Obama has strongly supported Veterans and their needs, specifically health care needs, on every major issue for these past 14 months – advance appropriations, new GI Bill implementation, new Agent Orange presumptions for three additional diseases, new Gulf War Illness presumptions for nine additional diseases, and a 16% budget increase in 2010 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, that is the largest in over 30 years, and which has been followed by a 2011 VA budget request that increases that record budget by an additional 7.6%.

Read more: Statement from VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

   

Department of Defense Launches National Resource Directory For Wounded Warriors, Families And Caregivers

The Department of Defense today launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs.

The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them.

Read more: Resource Directory For Wounded Warriors

   

Veteran Login & Messages

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Upcoming Events

 
 
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VASP Information

  • 501 West Durango Boulevard
  • San Antonio, TX 78207-4415
  • PH: 210.458.2458
  • FAX: 210.458.2754
  • Directions
UTSA Contracting Resource Center
UTSA
SBA