Indiana DVA official tells Howard County commissioners their veteran service office meets new accreditation

Josh Tolen, a representative of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs District Service Office, told Howard County commissioners the state has issued accreditation code 101719 to standardize expectations for county veteran service officers and reported that Howard County's office already meets and in many respects exceeds the new requirements.

"All your county veteran service officers here meet all expectations and exceed them," Josh Tolen said, adding that the local office is well set up with private space, required technology and staff who have taken the necessary training. He said he is working to secure a PIV card for Dale, which would allow access to VA facilities and systems.

Tolen said state DSOs will provide similar briefings twice a year; a future briefing will present the dollar amounts Howard County brings in from VA benefits so commissioners can see the financial impact. "Next one will talk about numbers that the county brings in for VA benefits," he said.

Commissioners and other officials praised the local veteran service officers for their caseload handling and mental-health referrals. The presentation drew no requests for action; Tolen offered to be a point of contact if commissioners have questions or receive complaints that require DSO assistance.

The briefing was informational; no binding action was taken. County officials thanked Dale and James for their work with veterans and mental-health initiatives.