PROVIDENCE - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today addressed a conference attended by more than 75 veterans’ service professionals from colleges, universities and other agencies across the country participating in the Certificate for Veterans’ Service Providers (CVSP) professional development training.  The program, designed by New Jersey-based Operation College Promise (OCP), and sponsored in part by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICURI) and the Rhode Island Foundation, educates and empowers veterans’ service providers to support veterans as they reintegrate to civilian life, particularly to higher education.

Since Wednesday, participants have been hearing from some of the nation’s most prominent experts on veteran reintegration.  The program featured presentations from the Office of Warrior and Family Support, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Soldier for Life; American Council on Education (ACE); Rhode Island Division of Veterans Affairs; and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), among others. 

“Our duty to support and honor our veterans extends beyond health care.  It is essential that we equip them with the professional development and educational opportunities they need to build and advance their post-military careers,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).   “I am proud to stand with Operation College Promise and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island to assist our veterans and ensure a smoother transition to civilian life.”

The VA now reports that approximately one million veterans and servicemembers have taken advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill – the most generous education entitlement since World War II.  The growth of the veteran population on college and university campuses is expected to continue to grow as more than one million servicemembers are slated to transition to civilian life over the next five years.

“Each year, thousands of returning veterans and active servicemembers enroll in the state colleges and universities of New Jersey, NJASCU institutions and campuses across the country,” said Michael W. Klein, Executive Director and CEO. “These returning veterans, who have so selflessly served our country, are a distinctive group with shared and individual experiences that can influence the way they learn and integrate themselves into campus life.  I am proud of the work of OCP in identifying best practices to help these students succeed and disseminating them nationwide through the Certificate for Veterans’ Service Providers (CVSP) model.” 

The CVSP’s research-driven agenda is comprised of seven modules designed to assist professionals supporting veteran clients.  Special emphasis is placed on contemporary resources available for veterans of Post-9/11 conflicts.  Participants seeking certification, which is limited to 60 registrants per class, will gain perspective in utilizing the comprehensive sets of skills and practices discussed to develop a holistic blueprint for supporting veterans in transition.  The group also toured Naval Station Newport as part of the curriculum.

“There is no population that we as a nation are more indebted than those brave men and women who have worn the uniform and sacrificed so much on our behalf,” added Wendy A. Lang, OCP Director. “Our mission this week is to provide the attendees with a comprehensive framework to construct environments that will optimize the success of veterans to, through, and beyond the attainment of a college degree.” 

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About Operation College Promise (OCP): Operation College Promise (OCP) is a national policy, research and education program based in Trenton, New Jersey, which supports the transition and postsecondary advancement of our nation’s veterans. The program’s mission is to support student veterans “To, Through and Beyond” the attainment of their higher education objectives. Founded in 2008 as a web-based resource, the project was initiated by the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) to centralize transition information for servicemembers on a comprehensive website. Today, the program has reached more than 500 professionals in 35 states through its signature training – the Certificate for Veterans’ Service Providers (CVSP) program and is a national leader in research efforts on students veterans’ progress toward degree and employment, as well as in the development of innovative degree plans for military students. For more information, visit: www.OperationCollegePromise.com