Monday, November 18, 2013
West Michigan Veterans Coalition
February - March 1973 - Air Force Reserve C-141 and C-9 associate aircrews, medical, aeromedical, casualty assistance, legal, chaplain, and intelligence personnel supported Operation Homecoming of the return of American POWs from North Vietnam.
Members of the 126th Cavalry Squadron are welcomed back to West Michigan during a ceremony at Caledonia High School. (Oct. 19, 2012)
WWII Homecoming
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
AgendaI. Welcome
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Spotlight Session:i. 10:10 AM - Evolution of the Greater Grand Rapids Veterans Services
Forum
ii. 10:40AM - Kristina Leonardi, Strategy Division, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
iii. 10:55 AM- Break
iv. 11:05 AM - Darryl Plunkett, PhD, Team Leader, Grand Rapids VetCenter
v. 11:30 AM - James Arringdale, LMSW – Caregiver Support Coordinator, Veteran Community Partnership Coordinator
IV. NOON – Lunch provided by Davenport University
V. 1:00PM End WMVC
West Michigan Veterans Coalition
• The Grand Rapids Veterans Forum• Year 2010–
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Goodwill Industries - Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids Housing Urban Development
Health Care for Homeless Veterans
Kent County Department of Veterans Affairs
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
VA- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
VetCenter
• 2011 - Veterans Cooperative Committee• 2012 - Greater Grand Rapids Veterans
Services Forum
In the beginning…
319 South Division Street, Grand Rapids
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
The next step…
2013 - 2014 –
West Michigan Veterans
Coalition • Formation of Advisory Board• Education, Employment,
Healthcare, Quality of Life• Name change• Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency &
Altarum Institute
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
Objectives:
To identify resources, find solutions for key
issues, and communicate to the collective
group.
• Areas of concentration: Education,
Employment, Healthcare, Quality of Life
• Subcommittees meet in between quarterly
meetings via phone conferencing, email, in
person.
What to expect…
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
MISSION: The West Michigan Veterans Coalition is collaboration between local military friendly organizations that provide support, information, and resources to veterans and their families, employers, and other organization throughout West Michigan. We meet quarterly to highlight military friendly organizations and businesses, network with one another, and to help promote and enhance services to our heroes.
• Military Education Benefits
• Financial Aid
• Military Friendly Schools
• Support Resources
• From Military Service to
Academia
• Outreach/Marketing
Education
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
• Challenges transitioning to
civilian employment
• Transfer of skills
• Job searching skills
• Disabilities
• Resources
• Military Friendly Employers
• Outreach/Marketing
Employment
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
• Reintegration Counseling
• Utilizing the VA
• Health Benefits
• Mental Health
• Support Resources
• Outreach/Research
Healthcare
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
• Housing
• Homelessness
• Substance Abuse
• Transportation
• Sources of Support
• Family Support
• Other Insurance
• Veterans Justice
• Outreach/Marketing
Quality of Life
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
Questions?
WMVCWest Michigan Veterans Coalition
Greater Grand Rapids Veterans Services Forum
11/18/2013
Director
Senior Legislative and Policy Advisor
General Counsel
Deputy Director Service
Administration
Michigan Veterans’ Trust
Fund
DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans
Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
Deputy Director Targeted Initiatives
Strategy (Employment, Education, Healthcare, & Quality of
Life)
Strategic Communications
and Customer Engagement
Targeted Outreach and Performance Management
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
MVAA Mission Statement
To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.
MVAA Vision
For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by: • Providing the advice and assistance veterans need
as they transition through the chapters of their lives;
• Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and
• Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.
Goals
• Develop and Maintain a Strong Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
• Improve Communications• Improve and Enhance Veterans Services Delivery• Enhance Interagency Collaboration and Leverage
Partnerships• Define and Promote Veterans through Legislative
Action
www.MichiganVeterans.com
Vet CenterReadjustment Counseling Services for Veterans
Readjustment Counseling Service
We are the community-based professionals within the VA who welcome home the war veteran by providing top-quality, compassionate readjustment assistance to the veteran and their family in order to facilitate a successful return to civilian life within their community.
Vet Centers’ History
• First organized by veterans for veterans • Storefront outreach to Vietnam Vets• Significant numbers still having readjustment
issues.• Main idea was peer to peer counseling
• Enacted by Congress in 1979 – PL 96-22• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)• Separate charter and scope of operation
Veterans serving Veterans
Mission of Readjustment Counseling Services
Vet Centers serve veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for veterans, families, and communities. Care includes professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, the brokering of services with community agencies, and provides a key access link between the veteran and other services in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Vet Center Goals
• Provide a broad range of services to Veterans and their families– Counseling – Outreach– Referrals
• Promote a satisfying postwar readjustment to civilian life
Services Provided
•Individual and group counseling
•Marital/family/couples counseling
•Spouse/significant other counseling/group
•Grief/bereavement counseling for family members of military personnel who die on activity duty (including reservist and national guard personnel)
Services Provided
•Counseling for military sexual trauma
•Referral to alcohol/drug counseling
•Employment opportunity referrals
•Benefit and assistance referrals
•Liaison to other VA facilities/services
Transition from Warrior to Civilian
Mobile Vet Center
Cost/Eligibility
• How does the veteran pay for these services, and who is eligible?
The veteran has already paid for this service with his or her sacrifice to our country. They only need to provide a DD 214 form showing service time in a combat theater.
Keeping the Promise
“…to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan” – Abraham Lincoln.
Grand Rapids Vet Center Staff
Darryl P. Plunkett, Ph.D. Dawn Thurkettle Team Leader Program Assistant
Tracy Castillo, MA, LLP Jennifer Dean, MA, LPC Readjustment Counselor Readjustment Counselor
Brian Gripentrog, LMSW Gloria Newmiller, LMFTReadjustment Counselor Readjustment Counselor
Joe Martinez, MA, LLPCReadjustment Counselor
How to Contact Us
Grand Rapids Vet Center
2050 Breton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 285-5795
Fax (616) 285-5898
Questions?
James Arringdale, LMSWJulie Ferguson, RN, BSNCaregiver Support Coordinators
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center(122HCHV)
5500 Armstrong RoadBattle Creek, MI 49037-7314
(616)356-1806
Overview Veteran Services – Federal, State, County and
Veteran OrganizationsWhat is the VA Caregiver Support Program? Role of the Caregiver Support Coordinator Program of Comprehensive Assistance for
Family Caregivers General Caregiver Benefits Veteran Benefits Administration programs The Bottom Line
Veteran Services• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs - Federal Veteran Cemeteries, Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration
• State of Michigan - Department of Military and Veteran AffairsGrand Rapids Home for Veterans and D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, Marquette, MIVeterans Trust Fund in each countyVeteran Affairs Offices in each county Funds for Veteran Service Organizations to employ Veteran Service OfficersTuition Grant ProgramDepository for Veteran’s records
• Veteran Service Organizations – National, MI, Local Posts, Support, ServicesDisable American VeteransAmerican LegionVeterans of Foreign WarsMarine Corp League
• Multiple other organizations serving Post 9/11/2001 Veterans
History February 2009 Caregiver Support Point of Contact at VA Medical Centers December 2009 Creating Confident Caregivers – VA (Michigan) May 2010 Congress passes Veterans Omnibus Bill which includes a
special focus upon Caregivers of Post 911 Veterans and Veterans of all eras
February 1, 2011 VA Caregiver Support Line begins operation April 1, 2011 VA Central Office funds full-time Caregiver Support
Coordinators ( CGSC)
May 9, 2011 Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers begins
July 1, 2011 First Stipend and Champ VA benefits are awarded
October 2013 Around 11,000 Veterans nationwide approved for Family Caregiver Benefits and growing number of programs for Veterans of all eras.
1. VA Caregiver Support - U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsJul 7, 2011 ... Welcome to the New VA Caregiver Support website. Get started by learning about the services and support available to you as the Family ...www.caregiver.va.gov/ - Cached - Similar
VAMC Caregiver Support CoordinatorWorks with Caregivers of Veterans Coordinate the application to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Respond to referrals from the National Caregiver Support Line
Conduct caregiver assessments
Develop and run caregiver support groups and educational workshops
Provide supportive counseling Assist Veterans who are themselves caregivers
Provide referral to VA and community programs and resources
Serve as an advocate for the rights and services of caregivers and Veterans
VAMC Caregiver Support CoordinatorWorks with VA Medical Center Staff Serve as the “caregiver expert” within the Medical Center
Advise and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams
Provide education and in-service training to VAMC employees
Provide ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support
Coordinate programming in November for National Family Caregiver Month
VAMC Caregiver Support CoordinatorWorks with the Community Provide outreach to the community, including distributing educational materials provided by VA, to local, state and national caregiver organizations Work with local, area and state Veteran and Caregiver organizations to create seamless access to and transitions among care and support services for Veterans and Caregivers [Veteran Community Partnership (VCP); Aging & Disability Resource Centers; Caregiver Resource Network] Establish and maintain a facility Caregiver Support Program
Council comprised of Veterans, Caregivers, facility staff and members of the community
Public Law 111-163“Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010”
Section 101Assistance and Support Services for
Caregivers
All General Caregivers Receive:All Eras
• In person education• Interactive Web site • Telehealth training
• Teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for caring• Counseling and other services under § 1782
• Respite care, age and medically appropriate, including in home under §1720B• Information on all available VA/community services
Family Caregivers Additionally Receive:Post 9-11 Only
• Appropriate instruction and training • Travel, lodging, and per diem for training
• Lodging and subsistence for appointments• Respite care during training• Ongoing technical support
• Counseling
Primary Family Caregivers Additionally
Receive:Post 9-11 Only
• Monthly caregiver stipend• Appropriate mental health services
• Health care coverage
Qualification for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
1. Veteran must have sustained a serious injury including Traumatic Brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.
2. Veteran must be in need of personal care services because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.
3. Veteran must be enrolled for VA health services.
4. Veteran must have an eligible (unpaid)Primary Family Caregiver.• Family member who provides care for veteran as described above.• Non-Family member who lives with veteran and provides care for
veteran as described above.
Caregiver Benefits for Veterans of all ErasIn-Home and Community Based Care programsCaregiver Education and Training programsCaregiver Support Groups, Counseling and ActivitiesVA Medical Foster HomesDurable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic and Sensory Aides, Home Modification and Transportation
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Health Care
Extended Care and Caregiver Support Services
Contact Person: Social Worker______________________________________________________________________________
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATIONAll Other Benefits
VA Pensions and Aid & Attendance
Contact Person: Veteran Service Officer
Veterans Health Administration
Extended Care ServicesContact Person: Social Worker
Homemaker/Home Health Aide = Personal Care Assistance
In-Home Respite Care = A break for the Caregiver
Veteran-Directed Home Care = Severely disable veterans
Adult Day Health Care = Caregiver break and socialization
Inpatient Respite Care = BC VAMC Community Living Center
Home Based Primary Care = Long-term chronic medical care
SOCIAL WORKERS
Battle Creek VA Health System 1-888-214-1247Alison Tegel, LMSW
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic x37537
Bonny Wood, LMSW & Kevin Holzinger, LMSWBattle Creek VA Medical Center x32514
Camilla Martin, LMSWGrand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic x37569
Coral Breinneise, LMSWBenton Harbor VA Outpatient Clinic (269)934-9123
Ken Wilson, LMSWLansing VA Outpatient Clinic (517)267-3925
Rosemarie Facilla, LMSWMuskegon VA Outpatient Clinic (231)798-4445
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center(122Q)5500 Armstrong RoadBattle Creek, MI 49037-7314(888)214-1247
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic3019 Coit Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505(616)365-9575
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic5000 Hakes DriveMuskegon, MI 49441(231)798-4445
The Bottom Line The Department of Veteran Affairs is expanding efforts
to provide support for caregivers of Veterans of all eras
The VA Caregiver Support Program is “Under Construction” This requires a collaborative effort between Veteran
and Community organization and agencies Please contact us and refer Veterans to us so they and
their caregivers can take advantage of our services
Questions
Thank You