DES MOINES – In recognition of Veterans Day, Iowa Workforce Development is holding events throughout Iowa to recognize veterans and to help veterans find employment. IWD offers numerous programs and services at its one-stop IowaWORKS offices throughout the state. Veteran Representatives in the IowaWORKS offices provide veterans and clients of Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation with the following services:

• Home Base Iowa, Iowa’s award-winning innovative program to help veterans find jobs in Iowa
• Conduct job searches
• Develop job interviewing and resume writing skills
• Help place eligible veterans in federally-funded employment and training programs
• Monitor job listings from federal agencies and federal contractors to ensure veterans receive priority service when referred for these jobs
• Provide intensive services to meet the employment needs of eligible veterans

IWD Director Beth Townsend said veterans are an important asset to Iowa’s workforce. Townsend retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2010 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of active and reserve duty.

According to Wallet Hubs 2016’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees, Iowa ranked first in the nation in the categories of Most Veteran Job Opportunities and Most Affordable Housing. Additionally, Iowa ranked third in the category of Lowest Percentage of Homeless Veterans. In 2014, Iowa passed legislation known as the Home Base Iowa Act, which provides the following incentives for veterans:

• Military Pension Income Tax Exemption – fully exempts military pensions from state income tax
• Permissive Veterans Hiring Preference – allows veterans preferential treatment in hiring decisions for both public and private organizations
• Military Homeownership Assistance Program – provides veterans up to $7,500 toward down payment or closing costs of a home by using the Iowa Finance Authority program
• Higher Education Incentives – provides automatic, in-state tuition to veterans, their spouse and their dependents.

Veterans currently living in Iowa or who want to relocate to Iowa can upload their resume at the Home Base Iowa website at www.homebaseiowa.gov.

Locally, event date/time/places include:

Creston: Event…Veterans Day Event; Date: Friday, Nov. 11; Time: 2:15 p.m.; Location: Creston High School Gymnasium, 601 W. Townline, Creston; Details: Community event held at Creston High School honoring local Veterans. The event will include a musical program, readings, and presentations by local high school students and community members. Open to the public; Contact: No RSVP required. For more information contact Cassie Randall (641) 782-2119 ext. 42.

Denison: Event…Veterans Appreciation Past, Present & Future; Date: Thursday, Nov. 10; Time: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Location: Denison Workforce Transition Center, 19 Hwy 39 N, Denison; Details: Monica Walley will speak about her experience in the military. Current veterans serving our country, sharing with those considering serving our country in the future and Staff Sergeant Aaron Helmrich will speak about the benefits of serving.; RSVP: No RSVP required. For more information contact Sherri Vaughn at sherri.vaughn@iwd.iowa.gov.

Omaha: Event…VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System STAND DOWN; Date: Thursday, Nov. 10; Time: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Location: Grace University Field House, 820 Pine St., Omaha; Details: For homeless Veterans eligible for VA health care. Free health care services will be available along with other services including drug and alcohol counseling, suicide prevention, veteran assistance agencies/employment assistance, clothing, health screening, eye exams, benefit information, Chaplains, and foot care. Lunch will be served.; RSVP: Registration is encouraged by calling your local VA business office.