HELLO, WE ARE THE EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Workforce Solutions East Texas is sharing updates about our Longview and Tyler centers to make it easier for job seekers and employers to access the services they need. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services has closed its Alpine Road location and relocated within the Longview Workforce Center. VR staff are co-located with our Workforce Solutions team, providing seamless access to information about how VR can help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, or maintain employment. Customers can enter through the same main entrance as everyone else while still meeting with counselors privately. Co-locating VR staff at Workforce Solutions offices strengthens our commitment to providing comprehensive support for all job seekers, including those with disabilities. These services complement our core offerings, helping individuals reach their employment goals while connecting employers with qualified candidates. Workforce Solutions - Longview / Vocational Rehabilitation Office: 1905 W Loop 281, STE 40 Longview, TX 75604 VR Phone: (903) 230-9958 In Tyler, our team is preparing to relocate in mid-April. The current Tyler Workforce Center at 4100 Troup Highway will close to the public beginning at 5 p.m. on March 20. The center will reopen in mid-April at its new location in the Midtown Centre at 1421 S. Beckham Avenue, with hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. During the move, staff will serve customers virtually at 1-844-ETWORKS. Workforce Solutions East Texas provides no-cost employment and recruitment services to job seekers and employers throughout the region. Services for job seekers include: Job listings and referrals Resume assistance Veterans services Career planning and workshops GED guidance Occupational training information Internet, copier, fax, and phone access Community and child care resources Access to VR and other partner services Employers can access: On-site recruiting, interviewing, and hiring Job fairs and internet-based job postings Assistance with customized skill training Wage and labor market information Support during employee layoffs See all Workforce Solutions East Texas locations at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations .
ETCOG will host a free, three‑day Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigator Course (SAFVIC) on April 22–24, 2026, at the ETCOG offices located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore. The course will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is open at no cost to all licensed East Texas peace officers. Course topics include: History and statistics related to sexual assault and family violence Dynamics of abuse Applicable laws Investigative techniques Effective courtroom performance Drug‑facilitated sexual assault Stalking Community response and coordination Victim support resources SAFVIC, taught by ETCOG’s Special Projects Director, David Scott, Ph.D., is designed to better equip officers with the training and tools necessary to respond effectively to sexual assault and family violence cases. Participants will receive 24 hours of TCOLE credit (Course #3264) upon completion. Officers who have their TCOLE Intermediate Certificate will be eligible to receive the Sexual Assault/Family Violence Investigator Certificate from TCOLE upon completion of this course. The training may also be taken in lieu of Special Investigative Topics (TCOLE #3232) and the Trauma‑Informed Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations Courses (TCOLE #470 & #4070). The SAFVIC program is a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening law‑enforcement response and ensuring victims receive trauma‑informed, professional assistance. Officers interested in attending can learn more at www.safvic.org or contact training@safvic.org or (800) 848‑2088. For questions, contact David Scott at David.Scott@etcog.org .
At its February meeting, the East Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee awarded the City of Longview and the City of Winnsboro as this year’s recipients of the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation. The Veteran-Friendly Community Designation program was created in 2025 to recognize communities that actively welcome and support veterans and their families by meeting real needs in everyday life. In its first year, ETCOG designated the City of Tyler/Smith County and the City of Quitman/Wood County as the program’s inaugural Veteran-Friendly Communities. A Veteran-Friendly Community is defined as one that provides ongoing support in areas including employment, housing, transportation, health care, education, and overall quality of life. Communities seeking designation were required to meet established standards, including: Provide proof of community and organizational support. Submit a comprehensive community profile with key information for veterans and their families, including demographics, housing, and healthcare access. Maintain a community development strategy that directly addresses veterans’ needs. Complete an initial and annual self-assessment to identify service gaps and guide improvements. “Recognizing Longview and Winnsboro as Veteran-Friendly Communities reflects the real work these cities are doing for the men and women who served our country,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “Veterans deserve more than words of thanks. They deserve access to jobs, healthcare, housing, and support systems that help them build strong lives at home. These communities are setting the standard for what that looks like in East Texas.” “Programs like this help communities take a clear look at what they’re doing well and where they can grow,” said ETCOG Special Projects Director David Scott. “It’s about making sure veterans can live, work, and raise families in places that value their service and invest in their future.” With continued interest from communities across the region, ETCOG plans to reopen the application process annually to allow more cities and counties to pursue the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation.
