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
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
“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
“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%.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.
