New Programs Rolled Out For Veterans And Military Families Month

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials have unveiled several new assistance programs and events that the county government and partnering agencies are launching this Veterans and Military Families Month to support Howard County’s veterans, active and retired military personnel and their families.

This November, the county has partnered with local area law schools and Maryland Legal Aid to host three free Veterans Legal Clinics for county veterans and their families at the County’s East Columbia 50+ Center. These clinics include a:

• Veterans Legal Tax Clinic on Nov. 10 from 12 to 2 p.m. in partnership with the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. During this clinic, the University of Maryland will provide a presentation on veterans and taxes, as well as provide one-on-one assistance.
• Etate Planning and Wills on Nov. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. in partnership with Maryland Legal Aid. During this clinic, Maryland Legal Aid will provide a presentation on estate planning and wills, as well as offer one-on-one consultations for simple will planning and intakes for more advanced work.
• Veterans Advocacy Clinic on Nov. 19 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. held in partnership with The University of Baltimore School of Law. During this clinic, the University of Baltimore will provide a presentation on veterans’ advocacy and offer one-on-one consultations.

“The proud son of a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, our veterans come from every background, every corner of our nation and every branch of service, united by a shared commitment to protect and defend. Their dedication strengthens not only our military, but our democracy, our workforce and our communities,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This Veterans and Military Families Month, I hope that through these initiatives, we are able to show our gratitude and support towards the more than 20,000 veterans and active-duty members who call Howard County home.”

LaVonda Reed, dean of The University of Baltimore School of Law, said the Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic with the leadership of Professor Hugh McClean, "does important work positively impacting the lives of our state’s veterans and military-connected families."

“A product of a military family with a generations-long history of military service, including being the daughter of the late Colonel Henry Reed, a career officer in the United States Marine Corps and two-time Vietnam War veteran and a veteran of the first Gulf War, I am proud to lead a law school that has committed to help meet the legal needs of veterans in our state,” Reed said. “Our Bob Parsons Veterans Advocacy Clinic under the outstanding leadership of Professor Hugh McClean, does important work positively impacting the lives of our state’s veterans and military-connected families. I am happy that the students in our highly ranked clinical program will be a part of the Veterans Advocacy Clinic later this month.”