ODVA Makes Oklahoma-Specific Announcement
Transitional Education Program (OKSTEP)
(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) is proud to announce the launch of a new Transition Assistance Program for Military and Veterans. The Oklahoma Unique Transitional Education Program (OKSTEP) connects Oklahoma military and veterans from anywhere in the world to veteran-centric resources.
The OKSTEP framework was formed as part of the Oklahoma Veterans Life and Wellness Suicide Prevention Program and is designed to meet the critical needs encountered during the gap period that commonly occurs during transition. OKSTEP is designed to minimize the risks and challenges that military personnel and veterans may be vulnerable to during the transition period.
OKSTEP’s mission statement is to enable veterans and military personnel to discover all that Oklahoma has to offer in support of their post-military pursuit of quality of life and quality of opportunity. Program goals include recruiting and retaining veterans and military personnel in Oklahoma. Oklahoma offers a wealth of job and education options, an affordable cost of living, diverse recreation and leisure options, and an overall veteran-friendly culture.
OKSTEP may be the first of its kind in that, unlike other transition programs, veterans’ eligibility to participate does not expire! Although designed to support only the initial migration to OKSTEP, OKSTEP offers lifetime qualification. In fact, veterans are encouraged to reconnect with OKSTEP whenever they find themselves in transition and in need of support, connection, or assistance. The pathways designed into OKSTEP are pathways that veterans commonly view as transitional crossroads, and cover the topics of education, employment, entrepreneurship, recreation, leisure, and health and wellness.
Within OKSTEP, there are endless opportunities for partnerships with ODVA to connect with individual veterans. Because each veteran’s choice leads to unique opportunities within their local communities and different industries, schools, jobs, or businesses. To this end, ODVA is actively seeking partners to sign on to become connected by guiding veterans from their studies here in Oklahoma to their best lives.
In addition to educating veterans by expanding its network of support partners and connecting them to opportunities unique to Oklahoma, ODVA provides each OKSTEP participant with a valuable online skills base through Grow with Google Career Certifications. We are pleased to announce that you will also have access to training for The veteran has unlimited access to over 5,000 training topics through Udemy©.
If you are a veteran transitioning or considering a transition, or a veteran supporter willing to connect and partner with ODVA, please contact Randall Coon, OKSTEP Program Administrator, at OKSTEP@odva.ok.gov. or contact us online at Oklahoma.gov/OKSTEP. 405-522-8073
