Veterans Services

When ADVA was first formed in 1923, our mission was to connect state and federal benefits to Arkansas Veterans and their eligible dependents.
While today the scope of ADVA has grown, we proudly carry on the tradition of our core “ADVAcacy” mission through our VSO network. We are honored to serve our fellow Arkansas Veterans by continuing to connect them to the local, state, and federal services they have earned.

Veteran Service Officer Network

In 2015, we implemented our first ever Strategic Plan with our number one goal to "increase the overall effectiveness of the Veteran Service Officer (VSO) program”. We are forward deploying the VSOs into nine new districts across the state, and creating a formalized training and accreditation program to increase VSO effectiveness at the state and county levels. The District Veteran Service Officers’ primary responsibility is to provide direct support to the County Veteran Service Officers.

Gina Chandler

Director Veterans Services

Gina Chandler comes from a long line of military in her family. Both grandfathers, mother, father, and two brothers served in the military she continued the family tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1990-1992. She served as a supply specialist. She served stateside during the Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

After Ms. Gina Chandler’s service in the military, she worked for various organizations, performing customer service and case management. Ms. Chandler joined the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs in 2008 as a State Veteran Service Officer. She is an accredited service officer for 13 service organizations she has tried over 500 cases for veterans and their spouses at the Board of Veterans appeals.

In 2015, she was promoted to the Director for Veterans Services. As Director Ms. Chandler was responsible for implementing the first District Offices across the state. She opened 8 offices in 2 years.

Ms. Chandler is active in the National Association of State Women Veteran Coordinators and was President from 2013-2015. She coordinated Arkansas’ first Women Veteran’s Summit in 2010 and held others in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. She was also appointed to the Women’s Advisory Committee by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki 2012-2014. During her role on the Women’s Advisory Committee, she made recommendation to Congress regarding Women Veterans Health Care and Benefits with the VA. Ms. Chandler continues to advocate and educate the public on veteran issues. She is the mother of 3 daughters.