In what felt like State Level DOGE cuts last week, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) abruptly ended the visiting Veterans Service Officer (VSO) program.
Alarmed members of Atoka County’s veterans organizations reached out to their state representatives, Dist.
22 Rep. Ryan Eaves and Dist. 19 Rep. Justin Humphrey to see what could be done to keep Atoka’s VSO.
It was quickly determined this was not due to budget constraints, but a reorganization and implementation of new policies, following leadership change within the ODVA.
Starting this month, ODVA Veteran Service Officers will be working from “static” locations reachable by phone, text, email, or video chat. Quentin Cox, who had made the Atoka County Veterans Building his regular Tuesday stop since October 2024, is conducting business at the Oklahoma Works/ American Job Center Building, 2202 SE Washington Street, in Idabel, OK 74745.
He can be reached at 918348-9648, email [email protected]. For information on other veterans service representatives and programs available to Oklahoma veterans visit the ODVA website at https:// oklahoma.gov/veterans.
Lisa Acevedo, ODVA Director of Veteran Services, stated there will soon be a program in place to accredit more volunteer service officers throughout the state. VFW Post 4859 and American Legion Post 48 of Atoka County, have offered their facilities as a location for that training in Southeastern Oklahoma.
