Veterans services face cuts

While serving in the military for 10 years, Lois Harvin-Ravin gained a wealth of experience that allows her to relate to her clients.

Harvin-Ravin is Orange County's only veterans service officer.

Being a veteran myself" I have a good understanding of other veterans' needs" she said.

She mostly works with veterans living in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough.

For 22 years, Harvin-Ravin has primarily assisted veterans with their applications to receive federal benefits and public assistance programs such as emergency assistance and food stamps.

But due to the ongoing recession and projected decreased county revenue, she expects services for veterans to be in higher demand.

One part is an economic strain"" said Sharron Hinton, director of community services for the Orange County Department of Social Services. We don't have the staff and we're trying to integrate as many areas as we can"" and this is one area.""

The county is facing an $8.7 million shortfall in tax revenue next year and county staff are preparing potential budget cuts.

Under the recently proposed change" Harvin-Ravin would be responsible for assisting veterans in their attempts to secure both federal and local benefits" currently handled by other social workers.

""It will become a sort of one-stop-shop that I'm hopeful will be a positive change for veterans"" she said.

Because the social services department expects to see overall increases in people using its services as soldiers return from war, social workers are worried they will not be able to meet demand.

David Kennedy, district service officer for the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, said he expects an increase in demand for veterans services will diminish the quality of benefits if no new funding comes in.

He said he expects to see more veterans using the Durham VA Medical Center, the only veterans hospital in the area.

In addition to having served as the county veterans service officer, Harvin-Ravin spent 11 years working with veterans to apply for public assistance programs.

Because of her experience in the area as well as years of noncombat military service during the Vietnam War era, Harvin-Ravin said she feels ready to take on the proposed expansion in her responsibilities.

I have a lot of familiarity in all of these programs" she said. It will be a challenge but because I have that background" the changes will work for me.""

In 2008" the Orange County Department of Social Services offered services for more than 8000 veterans to help obtain pensions and other compensation.

 Harvin-Ravin said veterans are a valuable asset to the community and benefits bring in more than $20 million in annual income to the county.



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