The Verification Counseling Program provides education, assistance, and certification to Verification Assistance Partners through Verification Counselor Training. Verification Assistance Partners are then equipped to provide Verification counseling to applicants.

Additional elements of the program include outreach to the Veteran community in which:

• Insight is provided to applicants regarding the interpretation of regulation 38 CFR Part 74
• Review of a firms business model
• Assist the Veteran with questions on how to use the Self Assessment Tool
• Status Checks on where an applicant is in the Verification process

Training and Registration

Training for Verification Assistance Partners is conducted to explain the Verification process, along with the rules of the Veterans First Program (38 CFR Part 74). The training component of VAP consists of a four part training series that is conducted monthly and covers topics on the Verification process, policy and regulations, and an overview of the Verification Assessment Tool.

Visit the Verification Assistance Program Counselor Training page to view upcoming training dates and to register for participation.

Verification Assistance Partners and Resources

If you are currently going through the Verification process or interested in being Verified there are several resources to assist you:

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)

Congress created the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) to help businesses seeking to compete successfully in federal, state and local Government contracting. Funded through cooperative agreements between DoD and state/local entities, PTACs provide a range of expert services at little or no charge. No Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) membership is required. To engage a PTAC Counselor in your area to assist you with the Verification process, visit the APTAC website and select your state to get help.

PTAC Counselors Certified by VA

You may also access a list of PTAC Verification Counselors trained by VA OSDBU.

No PTAC in Your Area?

If you are interested in requesting help from a Verification Counselor in your state, and there is no one on the PTAC Verification Counselor’s list for your state, please call Mr. Bob Warren at (713) 752-8470.

American Legion

It is the nation’s largest wartime Veterans Service Organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for Veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s Veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership. If you are interested requesting help from a Verification Counselor in your area, please call Mr. Joe Sharpe (202) 861-2700 or Mr. Davy Leghorn (202) 263-5746.

National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC)

NVSBC provide Verification assistance in the following areas. NVSBC requires payment up front for all stages of reviews and assistance. The Verification process, criteria, and standards continue to evolve. NVSBC personnel have a current and detailed understanding of underlying statutes, regulations and guidance as implemented by the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) examiners and evaluators. NVSBC cannot guarantee approval; however, with extensive training, knowledge, and communications with CVE, NVSBC can greatly enhance the opportunity for a successful conclusion. NVSBC is committed to your success and will work quickly and diligently with you to obtain your Verification through any and all of the CVE Verification stages. If you would like to contact NVSBC for help with the Verification process, or have any questions about the assistance they can provide, please contact Mr. Scott Denniston at (703) 282-4140.

Vet-Force

The Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force), organized in 1998 to advocate for the development and passage of Public Law 106-50, the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999, wherein Congress realized that the United States must provide additional assistance to Veterans, particularly Service-Disabled Veterans, with forming and expanding their own small businesses; and thereby enabling them to “realize the American dream that they fought so hard to protect.” Vets-Force provides Verification assistance free of charge. If you are interested in requesting help from a Verification Counselor in your area, please call Mr. Bob Hesser at (703) 318-8819.

VETS Group

VETS Group offers training in Federal Procurement, Verification counseling, small business development, education in financial literacy, credit repair and identity theft; and is now in the process of implementing an initiative to identify more procurement opportunities for Veterans in the private-sector. Partnerships are being formed with large corporate enterprises to offer Veteran employment opportunities, business education, mentoring, technical assistance, growth capital, and access to international markets. VETS Group provides Verification assistance free of charge. If you are interested requesting help from a Verification Counselor in your area, please call Mr. Joe Wynn at (202) 822-0011.