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Virginia Wounded Warrior Program & Virginia Veterans Corps Brandi Jancaitis Executive Director September 12, 2014 1 Veterans In Virginia Virginia has approximately 837,051 veterans 1 in every 10 citizens is a veteran, 1 in 5 in Hampton Roads By 2015 Virginia is projected to have the 5th largest veteran population in the nation Virginia ranks seventh among the states in total veteran population and fourth in younger veterans (age 20Veteran/Family – 49) QOL Virginia has the second largest ratio of women veterans to total veterans, 16% (Nationally, females are 10% of the vet pop) VDOE: nearly 230,000 children in Virginia have military ties; 75,000 school-age Governor’s goal is to become the most military & veteran-friendly state 2 Virginia Wounded Warrior Program In response to the growing need to improve and expand services to our nation’s veterans and service members, the Commonwealth of Virginia established the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) in 2008. Operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services. 3 Mission The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP), monitors and coordinates behavioral health, rehabilitative, and supportive services through an integrated, comprehensive, and responsive system of public and private partnerships. 4 5 6 Who We Serve The statewide program serves Veterans of any service era, with any military discharge status, and their families. Any Virginia Veteran in need of behavioral health support Members of the Virginia National Guard not on active federal service Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not on active federal service Family members of these Veterans and service members 7 Addressing the Needs Military Transition Post combat Post military Invisible Wounds & Stress-related Injuries Timely access to care & supportive services Impact on the Family Unit Education, support, and services 8 Service Provision Comprehensive Needs Assessment Family Services Homeless Services Mission: Healthy Relationships Outreach & Linkage Care Coordination Mission: Healthy Families Mental/Behavioral Health Care Family Support Specialists Rapid Re-housing Assistance Info & Referral Virginia Military and Veterans Coordinating Committee Financial Assistance Employment Referral Support Groups Prevention Criminal Justice & Re-Entry Combat Groups Capacity Building to Expand use of Veteran Dockets/Courts Peer Groups Re-Entry Councils Family Groups Jail/Prison Visits Social Networking Resource Connections for Incarcerated 24 Groups across State Outreach & Community Education Crisis Intervention Team Training Criminal Justice Training PTSD/TBI Training Suicide Intervention Training V3 Employer Training VAMC Mental Health Summits 9 VWWP Goal: A Well Coordinated System of Care and Support for Our Veterans and Their Families through Partnerships Care Coordination Housing Outreach Behavioral Healthcare Healthcare Transportation Financial Assistance Education Crisis intervention Employment Vocational Rehab 10 Engaging Volunteers in Service to Military Service Members and Veterans 11 The Virginia Veterans Corps an AmeriCorps Program • Through community outreach and service, VWWP Virginia Veterans Corps (VVC) has enhanced the work of VWWP, provided new skills and experiences to Navigators, strengthened local communities, and increased civic engagement through national/local service • VWWP has benefited directly by having reached underserved veteran populations (rural, college students, unemployed, etc.); strengthened and added community partnerships; and increased opportunities to educate individuals and organizations about VWWP and the services we provide • The VVC has operated successfully for 3 years and has been awarded a 3 year grant for 2014-2017. Services in the next grant year will include (6) Navigators who will assist in serving the needs of veterans who need transitional and permanent supporting housing services in the Hampton Roads and Richmond/Petersburg areas 12 Virginia Veterans Corps Service Sites Lancaster •Armed Services YMCA – Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach) •Community Service Boards (Hampton-Newport News; Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck; and Eastern Shore) •Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (Norfolk , Oceana & Little Creek) •Operation Homefront (Newport News) •United Way of Greater Williamsburg (Williamsburg) •Goodwill Industries Middlesex New Service Sites for Service Year 2014-2015 • Lincoln Military Housing •Old Dominion University •USO of Hampton Roads and Central VA •Regent University Matthews York Hampton Portsmouth Isle Of Wight Norfolk Virginia Beach Chesapeake 13 Virginia Veterans Corps Since its inception the Virginia Veterans Corps has directly impacted the lives of individuals from the active duty and veteran community by directing them to resources to address the following needs: – – – – – – Treatment for behavioral and physical health needs Housing Employment Financial counseling and assistance Registering veterans for military related benefits Support group opportunities 14 Virginia Veterans Corps Accomplishments • Veterans Coffee Hour: • a monthly program that presents veterans with information regarding community services which can improve their overall quality of life. • Family Wellness Services: • members are helping to implement programs such as Budget for Baby Classes, Restoration of Rights Clinic, Employment Services and Family Readiness Groups. • CSB Eastern Shores Member: • assisted with developing a van program to transport Veterans to the Hampton VAMC serving 20 to 40 veterans each month • Member Recognition: • April 2014 Member of the Month Fare Sloan • 2012 Robert E. Wone awarded to VVC Service Member Rodney Walker 15 Virginia Veterans Corps Best Practices Recruitment Start early Immediately process criminal background check paperwork Training Offer interesting monthly trainings that enhance service member’s skills Member Engagement Listen, support and recognize member’s accomplishments 16 Brandi Jancaitis, MPH Executive Director, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Virginia Department of Veterans Services Work: 804.371.4675 [email protected] 18