Training to Commence 7 March in South Bethlehem

In response to the growing concern over the unemployment rate of returning veterans, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) is once again offering its JOVE (Job One:Veterans Employment) program to veterans willing to invest their time to hone their job-seeking skills. Priority will go to those returning from the recent conflicts, for they are less likely to have the job hunting skills needed.

Call 484-602-JOB1 or 610-349-5856, or send an email to JOVE@lvmac.org if you are interested in enrolling. Applications are being accepted now.

Starting on March 7, the Council’s program will offer a continuing series of free Wednesday night, one-hour training sessions – a complete cycle requiring nine weeks – at a location in South Bethlehem. The program will address all the techniques necessary to presenting a veteran’s skills, strengths and experiences to the civilian employers.  It will go beyond teaching how to present oneself, prepare a resume, or ace an interview to developing one of the most vital but under-emphasized skills required for finding and securing well paying employment in the modern work world: networking. The instructors and mentors will be local businessmen and professionals who are both knowledgeable and experienced in the skills they teach – many of them military veterans.

While older veterans generally experience less unemployment than their non-veteran peers, the same cannot be said for the post-9/11 generation of veterans, which has experienced the highest unemployment rate.[i] They are 75% more likely to be unemployed than Vietnam era veterans; two-thirds of them being under the age of 35.[ii] Lately, about 20% of all veterans 18 to 24 years of age are unemployed and veterans in the Reserves and National Guard are seeing significantly higher unemployment than their compatriots discharged from the Active Duty forces.[iii] Unemployment has contributed to over 12% of veterans in the age range of 18 to 34 being in poverty – a 100% increase since 2000.[iv]  The Council believes it is possible 20-25% of all veterans in the Lehigh Valley who served after 1990 are out of work.  In November 2011, almost 6,000 valley veterans were unemployed, placing Lehigh and Northampton in or near the top quartile of Commonwealth counties.[v]

Consequently, Project JOVE is a concerted effort by the Lehigh Valley’s military veterans community to attack this issue. In addition to conducting the training, the program works with both local employers and government to achieve its aim.

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As of 20 Jan 2012

The Good:  As far as websites go, the new website My Next Move for Veterans, which tries to automatically relate military occupational specialties with civilian careers plus provide advice on the future prospects of those career fields, identify their characteristics,  salaries, educational requirements and apprenticeship programs  — and then even goes further in helping you locate actual job offerings in a state or zip code area –  is a long sought idea come to fruition.

The Department of Labor is to be commended  — though one could hope for the day when military very good re-credentialing sites such as the Army’s and Navy COOL sites and job banks such as My Skills My Future, the Veterans Job Bank, and other state and national job banks are all consolidated seamlessly, so one could ensure he  or she is not missing something if one or the other is overlooked.

The Bad:  The timing could not be better.  Any tool that assists in preparing for and finding jobs is most welcome, for employment opportunities for veterans have been at their lowest in decades in the Lehigh Valley for a variety of reasons, not all related to the availability of jobs themselves  — scarce as the good ones are.  As we previously reported, Senator Casey reported on the number of out-of-work veterans in Pennsylvania in November of last year.  Of local counties in the Lehigh Valley region, Lehigh was the highest with 3,328 unemployed veterans and Northampton had 2,520 unemployed veterans.  Such numbers put the Lehigh and Northampton counties in or near the top quartile of counties with unemployment problems for our veterans.  The unemployment rate for younger veterans has been  particularly acute in recent reports, but the general scene has been sufficiently bad to be worrisome for the first time in memory.

The Ugly:  One cannot say the same for the Department of Labor Veterans Gold Card Program which provides to post-9/11 veterans six months of case management and counseling at career centers (CareerLinks in Pennsylvania).  This joint effort of the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is simply nothing more than selective re-targeting of effort  — not really a new program at all.  The current war veteran has the emotional draw earlier eras have not had since World War II — especially the younger veteran.

There needs to be a deeper sense of responsibility, considering how the funding is calculated, to all veterans who are unemployed.    The  state labor programs financed through the federal government for veterans need questioning generally and now is the time.  The wider-ranging Jobs for Veterans Act  has been on the books since November 2002 (P.L. 107-288/H.R.4015) and it already required priority of service to veterans when it came to employment, training, and placement services.  Its impact?  Nothing one can really detect in Pennsylvania, for example.  It needs full resuscitation, not just for a select few.

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RJH

16 January 2012

On 1 December 2011, we reported on  the tax incentives for employers of P.L. 112-56, signed into law on 21 November 2011, as it seemed at the time the most significant part of the act and had grabbed all the attention, but what about the other major provisions?  Below are five of possible individual interest:

1.  Makes the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for the first time mandatory for service members leaving active duty within a year of enactment of the act.  In addition to requiring other agencies to cooperate with the Department of Labor, it places an additional requirement on the Department of Defense to conduct and provide to the Department of Labor individualized assessment for each departing service member of those “civilian positions available through military experiences.”

2.  Allows service members to formally apply for federal employment (an appointment to a  position) up to 120 days prior to discharge in an effort expedite  transition.

3.  Provides for enhancing a previous efforts on licensing and credentialing standards intended to match civilian jobs with military skills by way of a demonstration project.  [This provision seems partly fuddled or behind the times in light of the requirement in item 1.]

4.  Provides on 1 June 2012 disabled veterans with up to one year of additional VA vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits if the individual has exhausted his/her rights to unemployment benefits under state law.

5.  Provides up to 100,000 veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 with up to one year of additional Montgomery GI Bill benefits after 1 July 2012 for the purpose of “retraining” with the following additional conditions:

a.  You must be a fulltime student
b.  Courses are conducted at a community college or technical school
c.  Training leads to an associate degree or a certificate (or other similar evidence of the completion of the program of education or training)
d. Training is for a high-demand occupation, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor Statistics

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As of 16 January 2012

]]> http://lvmac.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/lvmac-tidbits-30/feed/ 0 lvmac http://lvmac.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/lvmac-tidbits-29/ http://lvmac.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/lvmac-tidbits-29/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:57:11 +0000 LVMAC http://lvmac.wordpress.com/?p=1637 ]]> Employers Now Can Now Receive Expanded Tax Credits for Hiring Veterans

On 21 November, the President signed new legislation, a portion of which continued and expanded tax breaks to employers who hire veterans.  H.R. 674 became Public Law 112-56 and Title II within it, the section which applies to veterans, is known as the “VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.”

While the bill directs certain federal departments to reform or improve veterans retraining and placement,  includes improvements to  Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and directs improvements in the somewhat infamous Transition Assistance Program (TAP) — among  other items of interest  — what seems to be grabbing the attention has been a small section on new tax credits found under “Other Matters.”

In a previous Recovery Act,  employers who hired certain unemployed veterans were eligible for a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages, for a maximum credit of $2,400. However, this credit expired at the end of 2010. Under the new law,  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 51 and 52),  two new tax credits have been put in place  in addition to ostensibly simplifying certification:

1.  The Returning Heroes Tax Credit which provides an incentive for businesses to hire unemployed veterans as follows  [Despite the corny name, it does not matter if they are veterans of the current war.]:

• For the  short-term unemployed, a credit of 40 percent of the first $6,000 of wages (up to $2,400) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks.
• For the  long-term unemployed, a credit of 40 percent of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600) for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

2.  The Wounded Warrior Tax Credit which will double the existing tax credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.

• For the  short-term unemployed and disabled, maintains the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans with service-connected disabilities (currently the maximum is $4,800).
• For the long-term unemployed and disabled, adds a new credit of 40 percent of the first $24,000 of wages (up to $9,600) for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities who have been unemployed longer than 6 months.

The Act also  allows tax-exempt organizations to claim the lesser of the amount of the work opportunity tax credit for hiring veterans or the amount of the payroll taxes paid by such organizations during the calendar year, extending  through 2012 such credit with respect to such veterans.  Finally, it provides a credit against payroll taxes for their employing such veterans.

For more details and other provisions, go to:

• http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/21/fact-sheet-returning-heroes-and-wounded-warrior-tax-credits
• http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-674&tab=summary  [Use the XML version of Thomas.gov cited for full details.]

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RJH
As of 30 November 2011

CLYDE HOCH SPEAKS TO THE COUNCIL

Clyde Hoch, author of Tracks – Memoirs of a Vietnam Veteran, spoke to the Council on his service in the Marine Corps, his remembrances of war and his return home.

First off, he expressed his appreciation to the Council for their concern for veterans as he thinks too often veterans “are tossed aside” once they have played their role in the defense of the nation.

Now in his sixties, he believes he has a story to tell – as many other veterans do also – which can help the young understand that sometimes great sacrifices are made on their behalf, that millions of men and women before them have left their loving families to do whatever is necessary to protect our way of life. Nor does it matter they ultimately served as cooks or infantry, for the deed was in the willingness to sacrifice for others even when those “others” often little understood or cared for the service members during the Vietnam era.

As result, with the help of his daughter he wrote book and now is active in going to schools, such as Liberty High School, to speak.

Originally from Pennsburg, he entered the Marine Corps as a volunteer in 1965.  Mr. Hoch recounted his boot camp experiences and training as an M48 tank driver.  After two tours with the Mediterranean fleet and after two years, he finally arrived in 1968 in Vietnam for a thirteen month tour to do what he had signed up to do. He was in C Company, 1^st Tank Battalion, First Marine Division.  As it also happens, he showed up during one of the most intense periods of the war, the NVA Tet Offensive, when the NVA lost about one-third of its capability.  He operated in the Marble Mountains south of Da Nang and survived several firefights and a mine explosion to his tank, rising to the rank of Sergeant and the position of tank team leader. In one operation he rescued injured Korean Marines during an assault.

When he returned home as a “man grown up”, he experienced many of the same readjustment issues our current generation of soldiers and marines do, but in a lot less supportive society.  Nevertheless, he has gone on to live a productive and useful life and raised a family.

For those who would like to learn more, click here.

OPERATION JOVE

Dave Newton and his employment steering committee are now meeting regularly Wednesday nights.  There is discussion of starting in February at a place to be determined.  We have a long way to go to get ready and are just firming up our marketing plans.  This time we will also work at developing connections to potential jobs in addition to developing the job hunting and networking skills so needed nowadays.

Our concern in this area is justified.  On 9 November, Senator Casey reported on the number of out-of-work veterans in Pennsylvania.  Of local counties in the Lehigh Valley region, Lehigh is the highest with 3,328 unemployed veterans, or 13.4 per cent of the county’s veterans. Northampton has 2,520 unemployed veterans or 10.6 per cent.  This is in comparison with Berks which had 7.2 per cent and, surprisingly, Carbon which had 8.5 per cent veterans unemployed. Such numbers put the Lehigh and Northampton counties in the top quartile (if not higher) of counties with unemployment problems for our veterans.

HOMELESSNESS

Pat DiLuzio, our Homelessness Subcommittee Chair, is busy with helping set up the ArtsQuest “Salute to the Troops” event on 20 November. Organizations interested in having a display table should have contacted him by now.

The Veterans Affairs Committee will be developing a new homelessness business plan as previously reported.  We still await Wilkes-Barre’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness for Veterans.

Why is this important to be concerned about?  On 10 November, in his role as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Casey also made a statement about impoverished veterans nationwide.  His staff found 12.4 per cent of post-9/11 veterans live in poverty.  For younger veterans between 18 and 24 are, it is an astonishing 21.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, the VA is making an initial stab at preventing homelessness by encouraging family, friends and citizens in the community to “Make the Call” and help prevent and end homelessness among veterans. Since March 2010, VA has offered a toll-free telephone number, staffed around the clock by trained professionals, to help homeless veterans, their families and at-risk people.  The number is 877-4AID-VET (or 877-424-3838).

HEALTHCARE IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE VA (HOCVA)

Eric Johnson, our new Healthcare Subcommittee chief, conducted a healthcare focus group session on 9 November.  It went well, though attendance could have been better.  About half the hospitals were there.  The goal is to get the community to work with and complement the VA and any other government healthcare service provider working with veterans.  Laying aside competition between organizations for business for the betterment of returning veterans was one theme emphasized. It became apparent in the initial session that more professional of awareness of veterans and their service period related maladies.  One suggestion that surfaced of immediate benefit as we go forward is for each hospital system to have a champion or liaison officer.

The Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, Rich Hudzinski, will be discussing with Eric Johnson his progress since the meeting.  There is a need to do some survey work, especially with those who did not attend; and follow-up planning is required. He is looking to scheduling a meeting with the local VA as one of the next steps.

As a footnote, there was a lot of discussion on mental health lately.  The situation seems to be worsening. According to a recent Center for a New American Security Suicide report, “America is losing its battle against suicide by veterans and service members.”  One veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes or 18 per day. Military suicides have also been rise since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and it can no longer be maintained that war service has little to do with the problem.  In the fiscal year 2009 alone, 1,868 veterans of these wars have made suicide attempts, according to the Army Times.

However, it should be also be noted that the VA relies on a limited statistical database to make its analysis because currently only 16 states submit the cause of death among veterans and the VA relies on 3-year-old data for its reports. Improved information collection could help determine if veterans are committing suicide soon after leaving the military and if there’s a higher risk among post-9/11 veterans compared with earlier generations, the study noted.  To say the least, we do not have a good handle on the situation.  More than 1-800-273-TALK is needed as a countermeasure.  Sturdier efforts within and between Department of Defense and the VA are required as the report points out [and the need to use community resources in “Reserve Component” communities.]

PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING

Phil Hublitz and Trout Unlimited-Hokendauqua are fleshing out their schedule for next year.  The business plan has been updated.  Looks like there will be: 1)  a fly tying course starting 28 March; 2)   two major local events, one on 5 May and another on 6 October; and 3) a camping trip 20-22 June.  LVMAC will once again reserve funds to support these activities, based upon their input.

VETERANS SANCTUARY

Veterans Sanctuary rolls along.  They are working to expand their referral base with the VA, the Veterans Courts, and the Department of Corrections.

On 10 November, it had a meeting with VISN-4’s Director, the organization which is responsible for the network of VA hospitals in Pennsylvania.  The possibility of a working, contractual relationship with them emerged.  The possibility of fee-basis work is real and also a pilot project, as it provides services that are not within the VA system of care.  Meanwhile, it will be meeting with the Department of Corrections to establish referrals of veterans to Veterans Sanctuary instead of sending them under the existing contract to Keenan House.

Meanwhile, in our opinion the total dependence on government for this sort of venture limits the good this concept can do in treating those who do not qualify for VA assistance or wish to use its services [This is not a statement about the quality of VA services, but rather a recognition that one size does not fit all.].  Major sponsorships are still needed.

LVMAC will be attending Veterans Sanctuary’s Veterans Planning Committee in early December.

MILITARY SUPPORT

Half the order for “family PTSD Booklet” has been completed and the balance should soon arrive. The Veterans Affairs Committee chairman has asked Dick Moore, the subcommittee chair for military support activities, to provide his distribution scheme for ensuring this product gets into the hands of local families [this project is about providing families in a “Reserve Land” environment with an understanding of PTSD and available local resources – crisis intervention, counseling and support. It is not about educating the service members.] We want to place a booklet in the hand of every affected family, whether that service member is married or single.

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

Chuck Jackson and Rich Hudzinski met with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) on 3 November about the State Department of Veterans Affairs legislation which LVMAC had proposed.  DMVA elected to take no action in recommending separation of its Office of Veterans Affairs to the new Governor – nor did it reveal any actions for improving its generally subpar performance as a veterans affairs activity.  We have a meeting scheduled with Senator Browne on what can be done regarding state department of veterans affairs legislation on 28 November.

It was recently reported Michigan has been ranked as the worst state in the union for veterans benefits.  The irony is that DMVA and some veterans organizations misguidedly used this state as a model for how it fields claims officers.  Our state performs nearly as badly.  We see a larger role, however, for state veterans affairs — one that extends into assisting in the  veterans back into civilian life and recovering those who have fallen along the way.  Ironically, the Commonwealth has chosen to create a Department of Drug and Addiction Programs to bring focus, efficiency, and accountability to the effort in helping recover addicts, but when it comes to its veterans, unlike in the majority of other states, the Commonwealth cannot see its way clear to a better system [at relatively little increased cost and with a huge return on investment for its sons and daughters and communities].

DOD/VA NEWS:

COLA INCREASE:  The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 (S. 894) was signed by the President on 9 November. It will result in a 3.6% increase or cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for those receiving service-connected disability compensation and those survivors receiving dependency indemnity compensation. It will take effect on December 1, 201.  This increase matches the increases granted to Social Security recipients.  This marks the first increase in two years. For more about the COLA increase and how it applies to those still in the military, click here.

The Congressional Impasse May Have Negative Effects on Our Servicemembers:  According to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) these are the current three “scare-worthy” issues:  1) straightening out the Medicare/TRICARE Payment cuts mess Congress promotes yearly; 2)  the Super Committee failing to arrive at a satisfactory compromise plan for budget cuts will impact on health and welfare of the military community (it’s not all about weapons projects) and could hollow out our military; and 3) the failing to pass a Defense Bill for the first time in decades will cause a major disruption of vital programs and important retention bonuses.  For more information, see MOAA’s Legislative Update of 28 October 2011.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO THE BLOGSITE AND CALENDAR.

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16 November 2011

First Generation Visual Communication in Allentown “gets it.”  While it is important to support our troops when deployed, it is also important to support them as veterans when they return home and are most likely to be forgotten.  First Generation realizes it takes the  “whole village” to do this.  Not only must federal, state and county governments do their part on our behalf, but in times of war our community must make a special effort to ensure those local nonprofits effectively helping the local military veteran community are supported as well.  One cannot afford the opinion of one former state legislator who stated helping veterans is the federal government’s responsibility alone.

And while it is good to donate to the various national-level agencies and organizations  — one can only admire their support to Department’s of Defense and Veterans Affairs hospitals  — most do not have nearly the local focus we often need.   Unfortunately, this is also not widely understood locally; and gaps in support occur, consequently.

Therefore, it is good to see another business step forward.  Through its “Twelve Weeks of Christmas” campaign,  First Generation is  contributing to some of the  most active, local organizations serving the Lehigh Valley’s military veterans and their families.  In addition to LVMAC,   member organizations such as Victory House, Veterans Sanctuary, and Keystone Wounded Warriors are also benefiting.

We expect more organizations will be surprised by this company’s wisdom and generosity.  Kudos to the team at First Generation.  They provide another good example for the rest of the local business community.

For more about First Generation’s Twelve Weeks of Christmas campaign and those it has helped,  click here.

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As of 15 November 2011

For 2012, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase will be 3.6% for most military retirees, for military survivor benefit plan and social security recipients, and for those drawing VA compensation (to include DIC) – a welcomed increase after two years without one.  The President signed the last of the necessary legislation on 9 November — the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011 (S. 894).  This dispels a local rumor that spouses and children receiving dependency indemnity compensation (DIC) would be forgotten.

The 3.6% adjustment will become effective 1 December 2011 and will be received beginning with the January 2012 retired pay, Survivor Benefit Plan, Veterans Administration, and Social Security payments (note: to be received 30 December 2011 this year by military retirees).

However, there are two groups of military retirees who will not see a full COLA increase:

1. Those who entered service on or after Aug. 1, 1986 and chose the REDUX retirement plan.  The REDUX plan gave a $30,000 Career Status Bonus at 15 years of service.  In return for the bonus, those servicemembers agreed to accept reduced retired pay and also a reduced COLA (1% below the normal COLA rate).  They will see a 2.6% COLA.
2. Those who retired after the first calendar quarter of 2011.  Because they are considered to have already benefited from the active duty pay increase of 1.4%  in January 2011, their COLA will be adjusted based upon the quarter in which they retired as follows:

a. Those who retired in the first quarter (January-March) will receive the full 3.6%,

b. Those who retired in the second quarter (April-June) will receive 2.4%,

c. Those who retired in the third quarter (July-September) will receive only 0.4%, and

d. Those who retire(d) in the fourth quarter (1 October and after) will see no increase at all this year.

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As of 12 November 2011

VISN-4′s  (the next higher organization to our Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center) Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC)  in Philadelphia is conducting a funded study to understand how war-related psychiatric symptoms may interfere with family reintegration and functioning.   The obvious is not apparent to them.  Nevertheless, there are benefits to such a study.  The means to improving care in the VA is most often  lead through documented study.  The VA has been known to be  loath to move without one.   The benefit we see?  … another step towards a more family-oriented VA.   Therefore, you can help by participating.

The center is now in the process of calling for volunteers to participate.  The focus of the proposed study is military veterans returning from OEF/OIF and their spouses or intimate partners.  It is proposing  to recruit 270 couples (married/living as married), with one partner being an OEF/OIF veteran, from various sources.

If interested in participating,  click here for the informational flyer.

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As of 10 November 2011

SWINFARD ADDRESSES COUNCIL

Dr. Ronald W. Swinfard, M.D., President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LHVN) spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 19 October.  During the Vietnam War, he served in the Medical Service Corps as a Battalion Surgeon (a lieutenant position)  of an Aid Station (a platoon equivalent organization) in 195^th  Brigade of the Americal Division (23^rd Infantry Division), circa 1970.  After a short stint as a high school teacher, upon return from service and decommissioning, he embarked on a career as a doctor, first training in internal medicine and later dermatology as a specialty.  In 2003, Swinfard was hired by the Lehigh Valley Health Network as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) after serving at fifteen years at the Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri, eventually rising to the position of Section Chief for Dermatology.  He was also a key figure in the University of Missouri Hospital – Columbia.  In November of 2010, he was selected for his current position.  He stated that he is ever mindful of the sacrifice of others who gave their lives and because of them, believes we should celebrate our lives and make them useful in the service of others.

In his talk, “The Downstream Health Effects of War,” he observed that few doctors are veterans and hence a learning curve is often required when it comes to their care.  He noted that that LHVN sees a lot of veterans in their Emergency Rooms; and that while the organization has done some work with the local VA Clinic, it intends to do more on the behalf of our local veterans.

He went on to say that the VA system has done a pretty good job over the last few years and has ramped itself up.  As an example, its electronic medical records (EMR) system is more sophisticated than much of private medicines’, for it has a far more integrated system [though internal to its own networks], whereas most private healthcare systems have an un-integrated approach and hence difficulty in exchanging information, even regionally.  [This has an impact on the safety of patients under care and efficiency of properly directed service.  It should be noted also one problem existing with the VA is the electronic sharing of information with the healthcare organizations who serve the same patient, when the capability might exist.]  The VA has also been in a leader in post operative surgical care monitoring and evaluation.

Nevertheless, he noted that many Vietnam veterans remain cynical of the VA.  It is one reason the VA created storefront operations [VA Veterans Centers] to serve in the area of mental health [We have none in the Lehigh Valley].  In fact, what seems to worry most is the PTSD recovery of our veterans.  He can see the parallels of the situation in Vietnam with the current war zones, where one likewise encounters a “friends by day, enemies by night” situation.  Getting veterans to needed behavioral health care remains a major issue.  He mentioned that “while 18% of veterans seek out care for other medical issues, 80% seek care for diabetes and behavioral health ones.”

Therefore, going forward, he intends to reach out to other healthcare organizations in the area, and while the LVHN has no unique programs for veterans at this time, that might change as it becomes more involved in serving veterans.  They are in the process of developing strategic objectives in this area.  Meanwhile, he stated that they will serve any veteran, even those without insurance.  “No one will be turned away.”

VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHARTING A NEW COURSE

 The emphasis of the last Veterans Affairs Committee meeting was on forming task forces for healthcare, homelessness, and employment in our community.  It is its belief, backed by the observations, the Lehigh Valley’s veterans in many ways are caught in a healthcare service desert between Wilkes-Barre, Lebanon, Lyons, and Philadelphia VA Medical Centers.  The presence of the Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic and the small Northampton VA Outpatient Clinic mask an important issue to those unaware of how the VA operates: the need for a convenient, full range of convenient services for working veterans entitled to federal health services. Homelessness among veterans also needs greater awareness.  Employment of returning veterans needs more concentrated attention.

HOMELESS VETERANS

Pat DiLuzio, our new Homelessness Subcommittee Chair, is in the process of revising our business plan and forming a task force to address veterans homelessness issues.  Ultimately a task force will be formed.  The first emphasis will be on awareness of homeless veterans and their needs. We are wondering if Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center actually has a plan for the Lehigh Valley to eradicate veterans homelessness in another three and a half years — as the Secretary of the VA Shinseki national effort, his contribution to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness’s “Opening Doors” plan.

Repeated requests to see the written plan in order that we might understand it and help in the Lehigh Valley have currently led nowhere. Regardless, the timing is good for getting the community more involved. Recently, the VA began transforming its efforts in the fight against homelessness.  It is changing from a program focus upon temporary, shelter-based services, to prevention, employment, permanent housing, and help to families and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless.  This will require more partnership efforts if the dream is to become a reality – much more than the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has developed in the Lehigh Valley over the last two decades.  We need to ensure the Lehigh Valley is not forgotten.

HEALHCARE IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE VA

Eric Johnson, our new Healthcare Subcommittee Chair, is on a schedule to convene a focus group in early November to identify the medical and mental health services currently available to veterans, whether offered by the VA or another source – the good, the bad, the gaps or problems with such services.  The ultimate goal is to develop an action plan with short, intermediate, and long-range tasks to improve access to and quality of care.

There will be an emphasis on improving coordination and cooperation between VA (both VHA and VBA) and local non-VA service providers to the benefit of veterans as patients or clients.

OPERATION JOVE (Employment)

Dave Newton and his committee members will meet on the night of 20 October to kick off the planning for the second cycle of our job hunting training program.  Marketing is a key concern and developing the connections for jobs is another one.

PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING

Phil Hublitz and Dale Steventon reported the third PHWFF event of the year, which occurred on 8 October at Robin Hood Dell in the Lehigh Parkway, went off exceptionally well on bright and sunny day. Over 52 people attended, about 31 of these being veterans and their families – the balance being instructors. Seems Channel 39 is interested in doing a story on this program.  We extend kudos to our partner, Trout Unlimited – Hokendauqua, and can see why they were voted best chapter in the state for 2011.  Importantly, we are finally reaching the younger generation of veterans. It is apparent.  Persistence pays.  It has developed through a grassroots effort.  Government connections have not proven the key as first through – for the Lehigh Valley.

 VETERANS SANCTUARY

Veterans Sanctuary will need the community to step forward in new ways if it is going to be a success. The community has been amazing in helping get it up and running and meeting all the codes and licensing requirements, but now they have clients that they must turn away because there is no government source of funding for them to receive their care.  Hopefully, a coming meeting with the VA VISN-4 will improve the situation, but the root of the problem lies deeper.

Our state and federal governments have not worked together to work out a more realistic system of providing mental health care to returning veterans.  The present system is inadequate to the needs of most local communities such as ours.  “Big bucks” are spent and wasted because government is not recognizing that solving the problems of returning veterans does not lie in traditional investment in the VA  as much as investment into the community resources closest to them that can help.  Until government assumes a leading role, communities are left holding the bag to fund efforts such as Veterans Sanctuary through private funding.

The vision for Veterans Sanctuary included as early an intervention as possible – for it to be more than another program that treats veterans after they have been picked up in the criminal justice system.  We can do better by them.

MILITARY SUPPORT

The “family PTSD Booklet” should be out by the end of this month.  Had hoped to have copies by now, but the political campaign season has interfered with our printing contractor’s priorities.

“Supporting the Homefront”, a family, psycho-educational program operated by Treatment Trends, which we are sponsoring, kicked off 27 September.  With the coming redeployments we expect it will eventually find its market.  While this program should prove a worthy addition to the arsenal of tools helping military families cope with this war, it will encounter the dual problems of: 1) state and federal acceptance of community-based alternatives to their own efforts; and 2) reaching those spouses, parents, and children who could most benefit. Persistence and dialogue will prove necessary.

VETERANS DIVERSION COURTS

In October, the District Attorney of Lehigh County announced his “Leaving No Veteran Behind” initiative, a program that has similarities to a veteran’s treatment court, but falls short.  We are thinking the Lehigh County judicial system remains resistant to the idea of specialty courts in general, a proven product, or they would be leading the charge.

Nevertheless, Lehigh County is joining a growing list of Pennsylvania counties who are at least trying to address the problem of those returning from war who sometimes get into trouble while dealing with inner demons and just need a little extra handling in consideration – and not to be cast away when duty is done.  At least 8 counties are implementing treatment courts and a further 10 are projected.

Sad to say, it needs to be a statewide movement organized by state government. The responsible caring for a returning veteran in need of help and having difficulties adjusting should not be an accident of where one lives.  Equally sad to say, we live in a state where there is little hope of that.  But worse still for us in the Lehigh Valley is while Lehigh County is trying to do something (albeit incompletely), Northampton County sits on its rump.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

We will be talking with the National Guard, sometimes called the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, about the State Department of Veterans Affairs legislation we are proposing through Senator Browne.

The Pennsylvania War Veterans Council has added an additional legislative priority to those I listed last time:  Increase DMV A budget to support opening of 120 beds at Southeast Veterans Center in FY 2013.  This amounts to approximately $1.2 M for about 88 employees.  As you might know, the state and federal government invested heavily in the renovation to bring it into compliance with new standards of care.  It would seem that our state government should not need prodding to finish the task — appropriating sufficient funds to operate it properly.  There’s a disconnect somewhere.

It has also now begun rank ordering its priorities, they are:

- Full funding of Act 66 VSO service officers
- A small games of chance bill (SB 369 and 444)
- Increase DMV A budget to support opening of 120 beds at Southeast Veterans Center in   FY 2013.
- Full funding of Pennsylvania’s DAV vans program
- Mark the driver’s license with a “veteran” indicator   (SB 165)
- Modify the real estate tax exemption program to include DIC and KIA dependents; change limit to Household Income rather than personal income (SB 572 and 385)

We’re still waiting to hear about Northampton County’s new county director of veterans affairs being hired.  We have heard other counties, to include Lehigh County and Warren in NJ, have picked up customers.  That is not exactly fair – for one set of taxpayers to pay for another’s.  It also demonstrates the problem with a county versus state service officer system in being able to respond to personnel turnovers in maintaining continuity of service. Northampton County needs to move along.

DoD/VA NEWS

VA is encouraging family, friends and citizens in the community to “Make the Call” and help prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. Since March 2010, VA has offered a toll-free telephone number, staffed around the clock by trained professionals, to help homeless Veterans, their families and at-risk people.  The number is 877-4AID-VET (or 877-424-3838).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO THE BLOGSITE AND CALENDAR.

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23 October 2011

A concert on 20 November conducted by the Allentown Band, America’s oldest concert band, and sponsored by the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotarians in recognition of the Armed Forces worldwide and the coming 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor will benefit largely Victory House’s Homeless Veterans Program.   It will be held at the Musikfest Cafe in the Artsquest Center (101 Founders Way)  in South Bethlehem. Victory House is currently the only VA-recognized homeless shelter in the Lehigh Valley.

Tickets cost $10 each.  Free parking is available.  Doors open at 6 p.m.  The concert will occur between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Amy at alukow@victoryhouselv.org or call 610-691-3373.

For a flyer, click here.  It is suggested you use the contact information above instead of the one on the flyer if supporting Victory House.

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As of 20 October 2011