VAC Partners – Veterans Assistance Commission of Winnebago County

VAC Service Partners

The VAC of Winnebago County is proud to partner with veterans’ service organizations both locally, statewide and federally. The organizations below are ready to serve you and your family as you have served our country.

Veterans Health Services

Rockford Vet Center

We offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Our services include counseling for needs such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). We can also connect you with more support in VA and your community.

Veterans Outpatient Center — Rockford, IL

Our outpatient clinic provides primary care and specialty health services, including mental health care, nutrition and dietary care, physical and occupational therapy, podiatry (foot care), social work, and more. Below, you’ll find our address and hours, parking and transportation information, and the other health services we offer at our Rockford VA Clinic.

William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital

At the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and Clinics, we serve 95,000 Veterans across 19 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois. Our health care teams are guided by the needs of our Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Find out which of our six Community Based Outpatient Clinics and Primary Care Clinics located in Madison, Beaver Dam, Baraboo, and Janesville, WI as well as Freeport and Rockford, IL is near you. Manage your health online, check out upcoming events and sign up for email updates. We are committed to providing all eligible Veterans with exceptional health care services.

Veterans Funeral Services

Illinois Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors

Honoring Those Who Served is our commitment to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our nation’s veterans. The rendering of military funeral honors is one of the ways to show the nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. The ceremonial playing of Taps, the folding of the American flag and presenting it to the next-of-kin are the final demonstrations that a grateful nation can provide to veterans’ families.

Veterans Housing Services

HUD-VASH Veterans Homeless Program

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities.

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides energy assistance to residents in the form a benefit paid directly to utilities on behalf of eligible households.

Veterans Employment Services

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) — Veteran Employment

Assisting veterans in finding family sustaining and meaningful employment is a top priority at IDES. The American Job Center staff provide veterans with priority of service for employment services (does not apply to unemployment insurance). In addition, Illinois has over 30 American Job Centers and offices located throughout Illinois that provide a full array of employment focused services to assist veterans. Training services are available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act partners that are collocated at each American Job Center.

Veterans Education Services

Voc-Rehab

Voc-Rehab offers educational benefits similar to those provided by the regular GI Bill. Participants receive a monthly stipend and their tuition, books, fees, and the VA pays for supplies. Under certain circumstances, help may also be available for medical and dental care and financial emergencies.

Veterans Business Services

Veterans Small Business Assistance

SBA offers support for veterans as they enter the world of business ownership. Look for funding programs, training, and federal contracting opportunities. To help you succeed, our custom courses are available in-person and online. Learn the basics of owning a business and get access to SBA resources. You will also hear from small business experts.

Veterans Business Program (VBP)

VBP assist businesses owned by qualified service disabled and veteran-owned business gain access to State of Illinois contracting opportunities and participation in the competitive procurement process.

In order for a business to qualify as a Veteran Owned Business and participate in the program your business must be ALL of the following:

• At least 51 percent owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veteran or veterans
living in Illinois (Public Act 097-0260, Public Act 098-0307)

• Applicant(s) must have valid DD214

• Annual gross sales of less than $150 million

• Home office in Illinois

Veterans Legal Services

Veterans Justice Outreach

The mission of the Veterans Justice Programs is to identify justice-involved Veterans and contact them through outreach, in order to facilitate access to VA services at the earliest possible point. Veterans Justice Programs accomplish this by building and maintaining partnerships between VA and key elements of the criminal justice system.

Prairie State Legal Services

The mission of Prairie State Legal Services is to ensure equal access to justice and fair treatment under the law by providing legal advice and representation, advocacy, education, and outreach that serve to protect basic human needs and enforce or uphold rights.

PSLS envisions a community where all low-income, elderly and vulnerable people have ready access to legal services to meet their basic needs and where everyone knows, understands and can exercise their rights and be treated fairly in their pursuit of justice.

Veterans Outreach

IDVA Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is here to help you navigate the many federal, state, and local resources and benefits available to veterans. Whether you have a specific question or would simply like us to help identify programs and benefits for which you may be eligible, our Veteran Service Officers are standing by to help.

By Standing Up to Be Counted, you will also be assisting your fellow veterans by helping IDVA and the entire veteran advocacy community to gain a better understanding of whom and where Illinois’ veterans are. This will help us plan for future services, lobby for further federal VA funding and facilities, and generally serve Illinois’ veterans better.

Veterans Drop-In Center

The Veterans Drop-In Center is a nonprofit organization that provides essential social services to veterans by offering a variety of programs and services that address their unique needs.

The Center came onto the scene in 2009, when a group of caring, compassionate people decided that Rockford area veterans and their families needed a place to gather and meet with their peers – without some of the formalities that come with other veterans organizations. Since then, we have served hundreds of veterans and their families, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed.

Support and services available include onsite meals, food and housing needs, personal services, medical support, transportation, job training and assistance, government and VA Services. Additionally, veterans and their families can find camaraderie, learning opportunities, guidance, and special events.

All veterans are welcome.

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