Other Resources

2-1-1Maine: Online Resource Directory (Free 24/7)

2-1-1Maine is a comprehensive resource directory of available Maine services and programs which have registered with 211Maine. 

The search service is free to the public.  If you have problems using this service, you can call:  2-1-1.

External Website: 2-1-1Maine

Map: Veteran Services in Maine Cities & Towns

This map offers a pictorial snapshot of federal and state veteran services in Maine cities and towns.

It should be noted that the Maine Veterans' Homes is a public, not-for-profit organization created by the 108th Maine legislature in July, 1977.

Map of Maine Veteran Services--Copyright Permission Received--25 Oct 2016

Maine Military & Community Network (MMCN): Events/Regional Meetings

This Maine Military & Community Network (MMCN) is "a community effort to understand, prevent, and help deal with the lingering after effects of war on service members, their families, and their communities."  MMCN raises awareness about:

• Challenges faced by service members and their families.

• Resources available to help them.

• How to connect service members and their families to their Maine communities.

Join a Regional MMCN Group

Aroostook County MMCN (Houlton)
Washington County MMCN (Machias)
Hancock County MMCN
Greater Bangor Area MMCN
Kennebec County MMCN (Augusta)
Lewiston/Auburn MMCN
Mid-Coast MMCN (Brunswick)
Greater Portland MMCN
York County MMCN

Participate in Scheduled Maine Events

Contact MMCN

External Website: Maine Military & Community Network

Maine Military Community Services Guide

The Maine National Guard Bureau publishes the online "Maine Military Community Services Guide," a comprehensive resource of Maine services for military, veterans, and their families.  It includes programs and contact information.

External Website: Maine Military Community Services Guide

ME Veterans At-a-Glance: Who They Are & VA Expenditures (FY14)

Ever wonder how many Maine veterans there are and how much the Department of Veterans Affairs spends in Maine?  This two-page summary provides a quick overview.

External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs State Summaries

Maine Veterans' Coordinating Committee (MVCC): Meeting Schedule/Minutes

The Maine Veterans' Coordinating Committee (MVCC) voting membership includes several Veteran Service Organizations.

The committee receives updates from Maine VA Health and Benefits and Maine Veterans' Services representatives, Maine's Congressional Delegation, MVCC officers and members, as well as other guests. 

Other interested veterans and Veteran Service Organization auxiliary members also attend.

Annual Schedule 

First Monday, September-May, 7:00 p.m.
Meetings may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Location 

Maine Veterans' Home, 310 Cony Road, Augusta ME 04330

Meeting Minutes

Posted below when available.

Meeting Minutes--MVCC--4 Jan 2016

MVCC Meeting Minutes--December 2015

MyVA Community Network in Maine

What is MyVA Community?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is engaging with existing community veterans' groups to improve service outcomes for military, veterans, and their families. In areas where there are no existing community veterans groups, VA is facilitating the development of veteran-focused community networks, using the "MyVA Communities" model.

The MyVA Communities model enables veteran advocates, service providers, veterans, and stakeholders to have a voice in identifying their community goals and work to improve service delivery for veterans, military, and their families.

VA provides an online toolkit with resources for community networks.

Maine "My VA Community" Contacts

Amy Line, Co-Chair
Veteran Success Coordinator, UMaine Augusta
E-Mail:  amy.line@maine.edu

Peter Ogden, Co-Chair
Putting Maine Veterans First
E-Mail:  326engrltc@gmail.com

Map  

MyVA Community Veterans Engagement Boards Listing:  List of known state board contacts

Resources

MyVA Community Toolkit

MyVA Advisory Committee to the VA Secretary (Charter/Bios/Minutes)

Flyer: My VA Community--July 2015

My VA Community--Model Diagram--12 Jan 2016

My VA Community FAQs--20 Ag 2015

My VA Community--Maine Environmental Scan--8 Jul 2015

My VA Community--Maine Partners--12 Jan 2016

External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs "MyVA Community" Program

National Resource Directory (NRD)

The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a comprehensive one-stop online information center where servicemembers, veterans, and those who care for them can find information about available federal, state, and community services and programs.

External Website: Department of Veterans Affairs "National Resource Directory (NRD)"

"Operation I Served" Handbook

Operation I Served is a comprehensive veterans' resource guide providing Maine veterans information on federal and state benefits they may have earned as a result of their service. It includes brief program descriptions and contact information.  The Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee and Maine Veterans' Services collaborated on this project.

Veteran Benefit & Resource Guide

External Website: Maine.gov

Requesting Military Discharge Forms

Your official discharge/separation document is one of the most important military service documents you and your family or caregiver will need. This official separation form verifies and characterizes your active military service. You may need it for employment, education, home loans, filing a benefits claim or other federal, state and community veteran benefits and services.

Maine Veterans' Services Assistance

Maine Veterans' Services lists three options for securing an official discharge form on their state web pages.

Military Discharge Requests

Other alternatives are noted below.

Active Duty and Reserves

Military records for World War I and later are are archived at the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records (SF180), is used to request the following types of archived military-related records.

Discharge/Separation records including replacements: DD Form 214, Certificate of Release of Discharge from Active Duty from the United States, or equivalent. This form contains information normally needed to verify military service.
Personnel records
Medical/Health records

To correct your DD214, you'll need to complete a DD215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

National Guard

NGB Forms 22 and 22A is the official record of Army and Air National Guard service. The NGB Form 22, Report of Separation and Military Service, includes information about your National Guard service time, military job, decorations, reason for discharge, and discharge characterization.

There is not a central repository for National Guard records as the National Guard belongs to the individual state, not to the federal government. To obtain a copy of your NGB Form 22/22A, you have to contact the National Guard Adjutant General's Office for the particular state in which you performed National Guard service. For contact information, contact the visit the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services or the National Guard website.

Safeguard this document and be sure someone else you trust knows about this form should they need to assist you!

External Website: National Archives at St. Louis

State of Maine Veterans Benefits: License Plates, Park Passes, and Recreation Licenses

The State of maine offers several other veteran benefits not mentioned in other WomenVetsUSA sections to include:

• Veteran License Plates & Decals
  
• Gold Star Family License Plate

• Maine Resident Veteran Free Day Use Park Pass to State Parks and historic sites to eligible veterans

• Maine Active Duty Enlisted Day-Use Park Pass
  
• Recreational Licenses and Access to Parks

External Website: Maine Veterans' Services State Veteran Benefits

"Stay in the Loop" Information Updates: E-Mail Notifications, Subscriptions, & Mobile Applications

Do you want to choose what you wish to stay informed about?  Here are some options:

Maine Transition Assistance:  E-mail Updates

Receive Maine job announcements as well as upcoming Maine military and veteran program and event notices. Add your e-mail address by contacting:

Addresses:

"Stall Talk" E-Flyer

Receive an e-flyer with quick announcements about Maine military and veteran activities and services.  Add your e-mail address by contacting:

Maine.gov:  Notifications & Subscriptions

E-mail & Text Notifications

Maine.gov news, alerts, and updates, are offered via a few free notification services.  Subscribe to receive automatic Maine.gov e-mails for specific topics of interest, including veteran-specific, labor and other state department, news, weather, alerts, lottery numbers, foliage reports, and other updates.

Maine.gov RSS Feeds

Subscribe to Maine.gov RSS feeds to receive automatic updates for topics of interest, including news, weather, alerts, lottery numbers, and more.  What is RSS?  RSS is the acronym for Really Simple Syndication. It's an easy way to keep up with news and updates from a variety of websites without having to visit each site. You receive the information you choose to follow with automatic updates delivered to the electronic address you provide. RSS is becoming more popular and you'll find many sites now offering RSS feeds.

Maine.gov Mobile Phone Links

Maine.gov was designed for mobile applications to make your experience fast and easy on any device. It is a responsive design offering Maine.gov on any screen size. Other online services and state agency websites continue to be developed into responsive, mobile-ready design.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):  Events Portal

This VA portal offers online interactive chat events about VA benefits and services.

VA Events Portal:  Subscription & Reminders

Transportation Services

DAV Voluntary Transportation Network for Veterans

The Maine VA Medical Center (VAMC) operates a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer Transportation Network which is funded through donations to the DAV( Department of Maine).  This statewide "free ride" service is provided for Maine veterans who need transportation to and from appointments to the Maine VA (Togus) Medical Center in Augusta, Maine.  There are some restrictions.

Program Guidelines

Schedule a Ride

Phone: 207-623-5790 or 877-421-8263, x5790
Fax: 207-621-4822

Business Hours:  Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Western Maine Transportation System (WMTS)

WMTS serves Franklin, Oxford, and Androscoggin counties.  Buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts.  WMTS also offers weekly trips from the Farmington, Rumford & Norway areas to Lewiston/Auburn including service to the Maine VA Lewiston Community-based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).  Fares are posted on their site.

Phone:  1-800-393-9335

Business Hours:  Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website:  Western Maine Transportation Services

External Website: DAV/VA Voluntary Transportation Network