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

James.Arringdale@va.gov 

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