The Pima County Health Department will offer extended hours at its offices in July and August to provide more opportunities for children to be vaccinated before the start of school.

While vaccines are available at Health Department offices all year long, additional hours and opportunities to schedule an appointment will make it easier for families to beat the rush before school starts.

Back to School Clinics will be held at the following locations:

• East Office: 6920 E. Broadway Blvd. (520) 298-3888
• North Office: 3550 N. 1st Ave. (520) 243-2850
• South Office: 175 W. Irvington Road (520) 889-9543
• Green Valley Office: 601 N. La Cañada Dr. (520) 648-1626
• Catalina Office: 3535 E. Hawser St. (520) 825-9299

Hours for each of the clinics are attached, and can also be found along with fees at www.pimahealth.org.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive a vaccine, and it’s recommended that they eat before receiving a vaccine.

Remember to bring:

• AHCCCS or insurance card
• Current immunization card

For more information about the Back to School Clinics, visit www.pimahealth.org or call (520) 243-7736.

Pima County One-Stop Career Center is preparing to open the nation’s first workforce center aimed at helping military veterans find jobs and get training, benefits and support services.

The center will also help employers hire veterans.

The Kino Veterans’ Workforce Center is scheduled to open Monday, July 16, at 2801 E. Ajo Way, next door to the Kino Service Center at 2979 E. Ajo Way.

Due to an incorrect media report of an earlier opening date, Program Manager Art Burrola said Thursday that a staff member will be at the center on Monday, July 2, to direct veterans to appropriate resources.

A grand opening is planned for a later date.

The Veterans’ Center will be a partnership of the Pima County One-Stop Career Center with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Arizona Departments of Veterans Services and Economic Security, Pima Community College, Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, the Pima County Health Department, and Old Pueblo Community Services.

To improve the quality of service to veterans, reduce unnecessary duplication and maximize available resources, the partners will coordinate to offer services and streamlined resource referrals under one roof, and to share leadership, costs, information and data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the unemployment rate for Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans jumped to 12.7 percent in May, up from 9.2 percent the previous month.  The national unemployment rate for May was 8.2 percent.

In addition to employment assistance, returning veterans also often need housing, health care and other support services.

The Kino Veterans’ Workforce Center will offer veterans:

• Peer support, drop-in and welcome
• Career counseling and job search assistance
• Computer labs and office equipment
• Benefits counseling and claims assistance – education, medical care, disability
• Assistance with housing and other basic needs during transition to employment
• Guidance and financial assistance for training and education programs
• Adult education, tutoring and study skills
• Behavioral health services and recovery

Employers who hire unemployed veterans between Nov. 21, 2011, and Jan. 1, 2013, may qualify for:

• A Returning Heroes Tax Credit of up to $2,400 if the veteran has been unemployed for at least four weeks or up to $5,600 if the veteran has been unemployed for more than six months.
• A Wounded Warrior Tax Credit of up to $9,600 if the veteran has been unemployed for more than six months and has service-connected disabilities.

For more information, call 243-6700.