Transcript Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

Family Support Training
Paul Pedersen
Community Outreach Coordinator
A Veteran Defined….
Character
Personal Integrity
Honor
Sacrifice
MACV Mission
To provide assistance throughout
Minnesota to positively motivated veterans
and their families who are homeless or
experiencing other life crises. MACV
accomplishes this by providing direct
services or by collaborating with other
agencies/providers.
MACV
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501c3 Nonprofit
Established 1992
Operates 3 Regional offices for statewide
outreach: Mankato, Duluth, Twin Cities
Certified by MN Charities Review Council
Audited ANNUALLY by Larsen Allen and
throughout the year by specific funders
Total Assets $3,578,507.00
Minnesota Locations
St. Paul Headquarters:
MACV-Metro:
360 Robert Street North
Suite 306
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-8756
One Veterans Drive
VAMC Building 47
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-726-1327
MACV-Duluth:
MACV-Mankato
101 West 2nd Street
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-8763
12 Civic Center Plaza
Suite 2090
Mankato, MN 56011
507-345-8258
VA Programs
Veteran
Statistics
There Are over 24.5 million
veterans in the U.S. today,
representing 1.5% of the
total population
Military and Veterans
OEF/OIF National Findings
• Approximately 1.7 million have deployed since 2001
• 34% have deployed multiple times
• 28% are National Guard or Reservists (average age
is 36 years old)
• 46% of Regular Forces are under 25 Years Old; for
many this is the first time they have left home.
• Approximately 895,000 OEF/OIF veterans are
separated from the military and ELIGIBLE for VA
services.
Military and Veterans
OEF/OIF National Findings
Women in the Military
• An estimated 180,000 OEF/OIF veterans are
women
• Women now make up 15% of active duty
military
• 17% of National Guard/Reserves
• 20% of New Recruits
Military and Veterans
OEF/OIF National Findings
• Roughly one in every 5 suffer from a major
depression or PTSD, estimated at 300,000. Only half
have sought treatment.
• As many or more report possible brain injuries from
explosions or other head wounds. An estimated
50%-60% of spouses of TBI patients suffer
depression.
• Roughly 50% have spouses and children
• Reasons for not seeking help were cited as concern
over side effects of medication, they believed family
and friends would help, or they feared seeking care
might damage their military careers.
Military and Veterans
OEF/OIF National Findings
• Studies have found that veterans returning
from combat are 63% more likely to report
new-onset heavy drinking than those not
deployed to combat zones; young veterans
had the highest risk for developing alcoholrelated problems.
• Alcohol is commonly used as a coping
mechanism after traumatic events.
Minnesota Military and Veterans
OIF/OEF Comments
20% of the veterans recently back from
tours of duty are UNEMPLOYED. Of
those employed since leaving the
military, 25% earn less than
$21,840/year.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs survey of 1941 veterans
Minnesota Military and Veterans
OIF/OEF Comments
Leading Cause of death of returned
veterans:
MOTORCYCLES
HOMELESSNESS
Homelessness Among Veterans
National Statistics
 Estimated more than 154,000 Homeless
Veterans on any given night (NCHV)
VA estimates it can meet 20% of the need
The other 80% is up to community based
organizations.
 23% of all homeless are veterans
 33% of all homeless men are veterans
Homelessness Among Veterans
Minnesota Statistics *
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Approximately 410,000 veterans in MN (23,000 female);
approx. 100,000 are getting VA Health Care, but another
70,000 are eligible (for female veterans only 1500 are
connected to the VA)
Estimated that over 4000 are homeless or at risk of
becoming homeless at some point in the year
624 veterans are homeless on any given night; (250 in the
Metro area)
1 in 4 homeless men are veterans
Veterans represent approx. 13% of the total homeless
population (1 in 8)
32% of homeless veterans have served in a combat zone
* Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of Homeless Veterans in Minnesota
Homelessness Among Veterans
Minnesota Statistics *
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Veterans were older than non-veteran homeless
men
92% of homeless veterans had a high school
degree
1/3 reported alcohol/drug abuse
60% reported a serious mental illness
52% had a chronic health condition
* Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of Homeless Veterans in Minnesota
Homelessness Among Veterans
Minnesota Statistics - Employment
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Veterans are more likely to be employed (24%).
Barriers to employment are physical health and
mental health, lack of transportation, age,
criminal background, lack of housing.
Unemployment rates as of May 2009:
- Duluth – close to 10%
- Minneapolis/St. Paul – 9%
- St. Cloud – 9.8%
- Rochester - 7.3%
Homeless Veterans Need….
A coordinated effort that provides secure
housing, food, essential physical health
care, substance abuse aftercare, mental
health counseling, and employment
assistance.
employment = housing = empowerment
HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY
Homeless Veterans Need….
According to the National Coalition for
Homeless Veterans, the cost effective
programs are community-based, nonprofit,
‘veterans helping veterans’ groups.
Programs that seem to work feature
transitional housing settings that offer living
in a structured, substance-free environment
with fellow veterans.
MACV
Continuum of Care
Prevention:
Assisting veterans and their families who
are about to lose their residences or are
at risk of becoming homeless.
Outreach:
Veterans and their families who are
experiencing homelessness.
MACV PROGRAMS
MACV 2009 STATISTICS
• Close to 12,000 contacts annually
• In 2009, we assisted over 840 veterans and
their families with direct services; a 58%
increase over 2007.
• Female Veterans: 10% and rising
• Veterans with a Disability: 65%
• OIF/OEF Veterans: 21% and rising
MACV PROGRAMS
Services:
Intensive case management, and other
supportive services such as training, education,
etc.
Assistance:
Direct assistance including short-term rent
assistance, security deposits, mortgage
assistance, utility assistance, transportation
assistance, food vouchers, etc.
MDVA PROGRAMS
In our attempt to not duplicate any service already
available to a veteran, we make sure a referral is made
to the CVSO (County Veterans Service Officer) in order
that the veteran can be assessed for eligibility in
county/state programs such as:
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State Soldiers Assistance Program
Special Needs
Dental and Eye Care
Education Benefits
MACV Funding Sources
• Program Fees from the Veteran Participants
• Federal VA Grant & Per Diem – Building 47
• State Grants from MN Department of Veteran
Affairs, Office of Economic Opportunity
• Federal Grants: DOL HVRP, HUD, EFSP, ESG
– ARRA HPRP Stimulus Funds in Specific Regions
• Donations (Unrestricted and Restricted)
– Foundations, Corporate Giving, Individuals
• Fundraising Events/Campaigns
Eligibility for Services
• Veteran status verified – DD214
- 181 days Active Duty Service
• Homeless Status (some programs)
• Prevention (some programs); must
demonstrate financial need and meet
program guidelines
• Minnesota Resident (30 days most
programs)
Must be Positively Motivated to Make a
Change
What we Assess with the Veteran
• Housing Status
• Health Status,
mental & chemical
• Medical Problems
• Employment &
Income Status
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Appropriate Housing
Living Skills
Eye & Dental Care
Legal Issues
What we Provide……
• Transitional &
Permanent Housing
with Supportive
Services
• Eviction Prevention
• Mortgage Foreclosures
• Utility Payments
• Transportation
Bus passes
Gas Cards
• Food Vouchers
• Clothing Vouchers
• Employment
Assistance
• Tax & Legal Referrals
• Case Management
• Network of Providers for
Referrals
Desired Outcomes
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Placement in appropriate housing
Increased level of life/living skills
Increased level of income
Increased level of financial responsibility
Increased level of health (mental & physical)
Increased level of responsibility and
connection to the community
• Increased ability to interact in relationships
MACV - HQ
Kathleen Vitalis – Executive Director
651-222-0613
[email protected]
Cari Jaksha– Operations Administrator
651-291-8756
360 Robert St. N.
Suite 306
St. Paul, MN 55101
MACV – METRO REGION
Jimmy Collier – Regional Director
612-726-1327
Kimoja Emeka – Outreach Case Manager
Nathaniel Saltz – Program Manager – Bldg. 47
Edwin Williams – SIL Housing Case Manager
Doran Hocker – Case Manager
Brian Madson – Community Outreach &
Employment Coordinator
MACV METRO
Transitional Housing
Minneapolis
Building 47 - 13 Veterans
SIL Houses - 24 Veterans
VA GRANT & PER DIEM
• Must be found eligible by the VA Health Care
for Homeless Veterans Outreach Team to be
funded by this grant
• 13 Beds
• Can be up to 2 years
• VA & MACV co-case manage each veteran
• Reimbursed only for total expenditures @
$34.40/day*
Structured Independent Living
SIL Housing
• 8 SIL houses with supportive services
- 6 Minneapolis, 1 Richfield, 1 St. Cloud
• Transitional Housing: Temporary housing
combined with supportive services to assist
veterans overcome the problems and
conditions that resulted in their having
become homeless- can be up to 24 months
MACV - DULUTH
Durbin M. Keeney – Regional Director
101 West 2nd Street
Duluth, MN 55802
1-218-722-8763
• Cliff Gawne-Mark – Program Manager
• Steve Saari – Program Manager
• Paul Pedersen – Community Outreach
Coordinator
• Michael Dickinson – PT Discharge Planner
DULUTH – Major Programs
• HUD NE Minnesota Counties
- 6 Disabled Veterans & their Families
• HUD – St. Louis County – Supportive
Services
• Discharge Planning Pilot – St. Louis County
• 38 County Outreach Program
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE
• Ramsey Neighborhood – West Duluth
• In partnership with Northern Communities
Land
Trust (Developer) – Project is a Priority within
‘Heading Home St. Louis County’ Plan to End
Homelessness.
• 5 Units of Transitional Housing
• 11 Units of Permanent Housing with
Supportive Services for veterans
• Duluth Office Co-located
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE
• Estimated Completion - FALL 2010
• Construction Began FEB.15th
• WALL BREAKING CEREMONY
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE
MACV - MANKATO
Sue Sorenson – Regional Director
Gretchen Blais – Case Manager
12 Civic Center Plaza
Suite 2090
Mankato, MN 56001
1-507-345-8258
MANKATO HOUSING
Paul & Dorothy Radichel
Town Homes
11 Units Permanent Housing with
Supportive Services for Disabled
Veterans
Opened Fall 2006
RADICHEL TOWN HOMES
VETLAW
• Veterans Employed Through Legal
Advocacy Work
• Removes legal barriers to employment
or housing
• Must be a MACV participant enrolled in
one of our programs
• No criminal/defense cases
StandDowns 2010
• Minneapolis - May 25th and 26th
2009: 411 Veterans served – 50 Service Providers – 150
Volunteers
• International Falls – TBD
2009: 80 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 45
Volunteers
• Bemidji – TBD
2009: 60 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 25
Volunteers
• Duluth - August 29th
2009: 150 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 30
Volunteers
• Mankato - November 9th
2009: 277 Veterans served – 35 Service Providers
• Rochester - New for 2010 - TBD
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US
• Provide as much detailed information as
possible when you make the referral
• Leverage other sources of funding
• Make a connection with the CVSO
PLEASE CALL WITH QUESTIONS
TO SUMMARIZE…
We fill the gaps………………
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Some programs have very strict income guidelines that
even though you are unemployed, they base your
income off the past 3 months which disqualifies the
applicant
• Others have restrictions based on disabilities
• Other programs, you MUST be employed
• Assistance such as energy or even benefits that have
been applied for, experience a time lag from
application to actual benefit received of 1-4 months.
AND IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE THEY WAIT………….
KEYS TO OUR SUCCESS
 STATEWIDE
 Non-Duplicated Services
 Leveraged Sources of Funding
 Partners & Collaborators
 Case Management
 Bridge the Gap – Be The Safety Net
Veterans’ Offices and Resources
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans:
Provides assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated
veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing
other life crises.
www.mac-v.org
County Veteran Service Officers:
First point of contact to assist Veterans.
Directory: A listing of all the County Veteran Service Officers
(CVSO) in each county. The listing is available in both on-line and
PDF versions.
http://www.macvso.org/cvso.html
Minnesota Veteran One Stop Website: This website was developed to
provide Minnesota Veterans, their families and employers a one
stop location for information or links available for veterans.
www.minnesotaveteran.org/
VETERAN RESOURCES
Veterans Linkage Line
1-888-LINKVET (546-5838)
• For active duty military members to retirees to
veterans and all concerned family members
• MDVA manages the LinkVet call center
• During business hours, MDVA staff provide
information on veterans' benefits, healthcare,
education, and reintegration.
• The line will roll to Crisis Connection counselors for
24-hour, seven days a week coverage (including
holidays) for immediate crisis intervention and
psychological counseling.
VETERAN RESOURCES
WEBSITES
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www.mac-v.org
www.nchv.org
www.va.gov
www.mdva.state.mn.us
http://www.macvso.org/cvso.html
www.minnesotanationalguard.org
www.militaryonesource.com
“We are a National Guard Family. Recently my
husband lost his job due to active duty orders. This
is being investigated through federal and state
agencies, but we are about to be evicted and our
utilities shut off. We are the parents of twin girls and
we are frantic. He has lost a lot of wages due to this
ignorant employer. Do you help people like us or do
you know who can? We are desperate…………….”
An 89 year old decorated Army AF Fighter Pilot WWII
(1942-1945). Facing a financial setback due to some
unexpected bills, he and his wife were facing a shut
off notice from the gas company.
OIF Veteran is going through several surgeries that
are service related and in and out of work; he is
supposed to have 100% rating but has not yet been
received (7 weeks)
Homeless, Married, disabled Army veteran with 2
minor children; connected to HUD VASH, but
needed first month rent.
Collaboration with Family Assistance Center and
County VSO; veteran laid off and unable to pay rent;
FAC helping with food; MACV paying one month rent
to prevent eviction
Collaboration with County VSO for disabled veteran
with multiple health issues; VSO is in process of
submitting VA claims to increase income; MACV
providing mortgage assistance to prevent
foreclosure.
30 year old OIF Veteran with a spouse and 3 children
in need of rental assistance; collaboration with VSO
and FAC.
56 year old homeless veteran in need of first month’s
rent; collaboration with Workforce Center.
Female Marine Veteran with 2 children needs to
move out of extremely overcrowded trailer; 20%
service connected disability; we will provide ongoing
case management and first month rent; veteran has
applied for Voc Rehab with CVSO and plans to
attend local CC using GI Bill.
……Questions?
St. Paul Headquarters:
360 Robert Street North
Suite 306
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-8756
MACV-Duluth:
101 West 2nd Street
Duluth, MN 55802
218-722-8763
MACV-Metro:
One Veterans Drive
VAMC Building 47
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-726-1327
MACV-Mankato
12 Civic Center Plaza
Suite 2090
Mankato, MN 56011
507-345-8258