Local providers pitch VA onboarding and six‑week trades training for veterans

Two community presenters used the public‑comment and community‑update portions of the meeting to highlight services for veterans and to request closer operational links with the VA and local partners.

Representatives from Right at Home (identified in remarks as David Schultz, Jerome Hanway and Melanie Delgado) described their nonmedical in‑home care model and wrap‑around services, including transportation coordination and respite care. "We are a non medical in home care... the VA does pay what they call homemaker program services to service our veterans at home," a representative said, and asked for assistance finalizing onboarding with the El Paso VA Hospital so their new El Paso and Las Cruces offices can serve the local catchment.

In a separate presentation, Jose Veron of Forge Now played a recruitment video and explained the program’s accelerated six‑week certificates in HVAC, electrical, plumbing and facilities maintenance. Veron said Forge Now is veteran‑owned, places graduates with employers, accepts the GI Bill and vocational rehab (VR&E), and has received a reported $150,000 grant to help veterans who do not have GI Bill benefits. "In 6 weeks, the veteran or the student... they get trained, certified, credentialed," Veron said.

Both presentations invited follow‑up: Right at Home was told a fuller presentation will be scheduled for the next meeting to complete onboarding discussions; Forge Now fielded questions about eligibility, grant use and placement partners and said it will provide local contact and enrollment information to attendees.

Context: Right at Home’s request concerns credentialing and local affiliation with the El Paso VA Hospital; Forge Now’s pitch aligns with subcommittee recommendations to expand SkillBridge‑type opportunities and local workforce connections for transitioning service members.