LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Office of Veteran Services (NOVS) recently launched its new digital platform for Nevada veterans called "Green Zone Network" (GZN) at a summit in Las Vegas.
Nearly 300 veteran group representatives, community leaders and business representatives from around Nevada and neighboring states have registered to see the launch of this networking portal allowing the public and private sectors to connect directly with the veteran community. GZN is the culmination of a strategic plan initiative to realign assets for veterans in both the public and private sectors in the areas of Employment, Education, and Wellness throughout the state.
"This is an innovative digital approach to create communication and access for veterans and their family members," said Executive Director Caleb Cage. "It will be a two-way resource for the veteran community and the public to learn, offer and connect about opportunities in the both the public and private sectors.
"The Veteran Community Councils (VCCs) will be very important to the Green Zone Network's ongoing development," says Cage. "Through these councils we will be able to get continuous feedback of the needs of veterans within communities and, most important, the benefits and opportunities in the three focus areas of employment, education, and wellness." The VCCs will include veteran, business, and community leaders with in the geographic areas they represent and will serve as a clearinghouse for ideas and help promote GZN within their communities.
Outreach will also be expanded to women veterans in the sate, said Deputy Executive Director, Kat Miller. "GZN will be a great tool for us to raise awareness in Nevada for our growing women veteran population."
Additionally, a business in any area of the state can post its job opportunities specifically to veterans or a math tutor could offer their services to veterans looking for education assistance, said Cage. "There's just no limit to the doors GZN will be able to open and allow the "The Sea of Goodwill" to be take full effect in a way never before attempted in Nevada"
The development of GZN began the fall of 2012 after the publishing of the Green Zone Initiative report. The report was based on meetings held throughout the state with veteran, education, business, and health leaders who came together to help identify both assets and gaps in each of their sectors. "It was from these meetings and conversations where we came away with a real idea of what the veterans' landscape in Nevada was," said Cage. "The Green Zone Network will be the home where all of these ideas and solutions can develop and grow."
The digital platform will not only benefit veterans coming back from the Middle East, but will also help the existing veteran population, family members, caretakers, and others in finding services to help them.
When the veteran is seen a resource and not just someone in need of more benefits, communities become stronger by embracing veterans and their attributes. "There are many gaps to be filled for veterans," says Cage. "Communication is the most pressing need we have, and I believe GZN can and will be a great step forward in that respect."
To follow announcements leading up to the launch date, signup at www.greenzonenetwork.org and follow the Facebook page - Greenzonenetwork.org and Twitter GreenZoneNetwork@GreenZoneNV.
"The Green Zone" refers to an area of Baghdad which was the safest zone for military personnel. GZN is named to create the same feeling for veterans in the state of Nevada. It is a recognizable name to veterans and lets them know Nevada is where they can flourish and grow regardless of when they served.
The strategic plan has been published in a 40 page brochure, "The Green Zone Initiative, Connecting A Veteran Community," and distributed to leaders in government, business, education and health.
and helps each understand where the state currently stands with available assets, gaps and proposes solutions in both the public and private sectors for each sector. The GZI brochure is available at http://www.veterans.nv.gov/GZI_Brochure.html
With mission-focused employees, NOVS is responsible for the administration of two State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, a State Veterans Home, and a State-wide Veterans Service Officer program. NOVS is instrumental in connecting Nevada's veterans and their families with benefits and assistance from both the State and Federal government. For more information, call (866) 630-VETS or visit www.veterans.nv.gov.[[In-content Ad]]
