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.

Overview of MVAA • • • • March 20, 2013 Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Veterans Homes – Grand Rapids – Marquette Targeted Initiatives – Strategy • Employment, Education, Healthcare, Quality of Life – Strategic Communications and Customer Engagement – Targeted Outreach and Performance Management

Veteran Demographics • • • • • • 11 th largest population of veterans Michigan veterans receive one of the lowest amounts of per capita federal spending out of 53 states and territories In Michigan, 45 percent of veterans are age 65 or older, compared to 17 percent for non-veterans. With the drawdown, it is expecting that 10,000 veterans will return home to Michigan annually for the next few years Veterans nationwide are doing better than those in Michigan. The U.S. unemployment rate for veterans last year was nearly a full percentage point lower than in Michigan.

More than half Michigan’s 660,000 veterans are not officially counted in the labor force. Only about 44 percent of our veterans are in the work force.

Veteran Population by County

When there is “No

Wrong

Door” Too often the desire to provide services to deserving veterans stops at a “Wrong Door” F E A

Vet

B C D Service Collaboration, Coordination, and Integration is achieved.

And services are DELIVERED.

7

Veteran Community Pilots The pilots establish a community-based veterans • • services system of care characterized by a comprehensive network of service providers, empowered with knowledge, information, and tools.

Federal Veteran Service Partners State Veteran Service Partners City/County Veteran Service Partners

Community Veteran Service Partners

Informal Support Network Veterans and their Families 8

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Strategy Division • Focus Areas – Employment – Education – Healthcare – Quality of Life

Key Initiatives • Employment – Veteran Hiring Strategies for Employers – Licensing and Credentialing Reform – Employment Council – Human Resource Training – Entrepreneurship

Key Initiatives continued • Education – Credit for experience/ fast-track programs – Veteran Friendly Campuses – Connections to the community – Vet Education Initiative – In-state tuition for veterans

Key Initiatives continued • Healthcare – Partnerships with Community Mental Health – Tele-health – Transportation – Long-term care – Culture Education

Key Initiatives continued • Quality of Life – Prisoner Re-entry – Veteran Treatment Courts – Housing (transitional) – Recreational Opportunities

Employment Initiatives • • • Partnerships with Workforce Development Agency, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Talent 2025, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and more CEO level conference, Mackinac Policy Conference, MichAuto Conference Veteran Employer Workgroup

Employment Initiatives cont.

• • • • • •

Licensing and Credentialing

Veteran Friendly Criteria - Gold, Silver, Bronze

Veterans Expos Reboot

CEO level conference, Mackinac Policy Conference, MichAuto Employer Conferences

Veteran Resource Center

1-800-MICH-VET

www.michiganveterans.com

Employment Tab

Veterans Seeking Employment

Employers Seeking Veterans

www.resumeengine.org

www.MiTalent.org

https://usmilitarypipeline.com

VA Counseling • VA Detroit: McNamara Federal Bldg., 477 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 Herbert Thomas, Employment Coordinator (313)421-5311 [email protected]

MichiganWorks! Office

Vet Expo and HOH Job Fairs

Network!!!

• • • • • • • Team Red White Blue Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) American Legion/VFW Young professionals groups Detroit Chamber of Commerce Student Veterans of America Drink LOTS of coffee! Schedule appointments

READ!!!

• • • • “What Color Is Your Parachute? 2014: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career Changers” by Richard N. Bolles (Author) “PCS to Corporate America” Cameron Brooks Fortune Magazine, Money, etc.

Books that help you determine “who you were” and “what you want to be”

Questions?