For Rochelle Arnold, service didn’t end when she left the military, it evolved.
Today, as Sacramento County’s Veterans Service Officer, Arnold leads a dedicated team focused on one mission: making sure veterans and their families receive the benefits and support they’ve earned through their service. As a veteran herself, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life and the life-changing impact that access to benefits can provide them.
A Career Rooted in Service
Arnold’s journey into public service is grounded in her own military experience. Being a retired Air Force veteran who served a 7-month deployment to Iraq as well as in multiple leadership roles during her career, she works with an authentic understanding of the sacrifices made by service members and their families. That perspective continues to guide her work today.
“As a veteran and mother, I understand firsthand how life-changing these benefits can be,” Arnold shared. “Our team is deeply committed to honoring that service by making sure every veteran and their family have access to the resources they’ve earned.”
Her commitment to service extends beyond her own experience, it's also part of her family. Her father who recently passed away from Agent Orange related illnesses served in the Army during Vietnam and in the Navy for 20 years during her childhood. Her oldest son is currently serving in the Air Force, stationed in South Korea—a source of pride that reinforces her connection to the military community across generations.
Connecting Veterans to Critical Benefits
The Sacramento County Veterans Service Office serves as a vital link between veterans and the benefits available to them at the federal and state level. Under Arnold’s leadership, the office helps veterans, active-duty service members and their families navigate what can often be a complex and overwhelming system.
Services include:
- Assistance filing and tracking claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Access to health care and disability benefits
- Support for education, housing and survivor benefits
- Ongoing case management and advocacy
All services are provided at no cost, ensuring that every eligible veteran has access to support. In 2025, the division assisted more than 13,000 veterans in accessing benefits they were entitled to, resulting in $21.4 million awarded to Sacramento County veterans, a 58% increase in federal benefits over the previous year.
Arnold leads a team of accredited specialists, many of whom are veterans themselves, who understand the system and work one-on-one with clients to help them secure the maximum benefits they are entitled to.
“Since Rochelle stepped into this role seven years ago, she has transformed Veterans Services for the better,” said Human Services Division Manager, Kristin Gibbons. “We’re now hearing from veterans not just locally, but from other counties and even other states who are reaching out for help. That speaks volumes about the trust and amazing work she and her team have built.”
Expanding Outreach, Increasing Impact
A key focus of Arnold’s work is expanding outreach to reach more veterans in the community. With tens of thousands of veterans living in Sacramento County, ensuring they know about available services and how to access them is critical.
Through community partnerships, events and targeted outreach, her team is working to connect with veterans earlier and remove barriers to access.
Arnold’s background in public administration and research reflects this focus. Her work has explored ways to improve service delivery through increased staffing, strategic office locations and expanded outreach, efforts that continue to shape how services are delivered today.
As part of these efforts, the department is preparing to move to a new location to better serve veterans and improve access to services. The new office will be located at: 3075 Prospect Park Drive, Ste 170, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
This move will provide a more accessible and welcoming space for veterans and their families to connect with support.
Continuing the Mission
For Arnold, this work is more than a job, it’s a continuation of her service.
Every day, she and her team help veterans secure benefits that can mean the difference between stability and hardship: support for housing, health care, education and more.
“Whether it’s a first-time claim or helping a family navigate survivor benefits, every interaction matters,” Arnold said. “It’s about honoring service by showing up for our veterans when they need it most.”
Ready to Learn More?
Veterans, active-duty service members and their families can connect with the Sacramento County Veterans Service Office for free assistance in accessing benefits they’ve earned.
Don’t leave your benefits unclaimed. Visit our website, call us at (916) 874-6811, email us at dha-veterans-services@saccounty.gov, or visit us at our new office location at 3075 Prospect Park Drive, Ste 170, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 to speak with a Veterans Services Specialist today.