SUBJECT
Discussion and possible action to approve a Resolution awarding up to $972,000.00 in TIRZ funding to Live Small, LLC for the Veterans Transition and Conference Center project, located at 508 Roper Street, to authorize Staff to negotiate the appropriate agreement, and to authorize the appropriate amendments to the Project and Finance Plans.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of the Army continues to be concerned with the successful transition of their servicemen and women as they transition from active service to civilian status. This concern is not specific to rank or time of service. Too many of our servicemen and women fail at this transition. One of the causes is that the current Transition Office on Post is only effective until the date of separation. There are a number of efforts in the community to assist these Veterans; however there is not one clearinghouse that the veterans may visit and obtain information and access to these services.
The proposed 20,000 sq. ft. two story Veterans Transition Center is to be located off Post. The current Army Transition Program (Under a pilot program from the Secretary of the Army) will relocate to our Veterans Transition Center. RP6, USO, Army for Life, Texas Workforce Commission, Center for Veterans Success, and interested community partners. The serviceman or women will enter the program 18 months prior to discharge. (This is currently 12 months). Once the individual is entered into the process, a case manager is assigned to them. During the first three months the individuals and spouses meet with the case manager. These meetings are held to determine what they want for themselves after discharge, what type of work is desired, what additional education is needed in order to obtain employment in the desired expertise, and where they want to live. The next period includes taking classes in the desired fields and preparing the individuals for the employment search. During this whole process the case manager will be advisi...
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