JANUARY 18-19 ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements: The Buddy-to-Buddy program is seeking community events to attend. If there are any events in your area, please let us know so that we may send a representative! Please log on to the website to submit your interaction logs, drill/event visit logs here: https://buddytobuddy.org/volunteer/auth/login. If you are on Facebook, please visit and like our page: www.facebook.com/BuddytoBuddyProgram.
JANUARY 18-19 DISCUSSION VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NOTES Summary of Volunteer Discussion: Related to Topic (Tax Prep): In Midland, at the Community Center, there is free tax preparation offered. More info here: http://www.mymcc.org/about-us/tax-aid. Related to Topic (Tax Prep): The Menominee County Treasurer’s Office offers information on tax preparation for low-income individuals. More info: http://www.menomineecounty.com/departments/?department=5cc190e2b20f Related to Topic (Tax Prep): For individuals filing taxes and wondering about the health insurance requirement – being enrolled in VA healthcare meets the requirement! To stay enrolled in the VA, be sure that you go in for your yearly physical. Issue/Concern: Veteran served 12 years in the Army, 5 deployments, medically retired. He has PTSD and is being seen at a Vet Center. He needs broader care, but is afraid to be seen at the VA because he worries he may be involuntarily hospitalized. Any suggestions for how to convince him to consider VA care? Suggestions/Resolution: Some VA peer support groups will go to someone’s house to talk to them about the group; He could request a mentor, and the mentor may encourage him to seek VA care; asking directly about reasons for disliking the VA, because often the veterans are making assumptions based on rumors; explain to him that he could get money if he can file a successful claim; explain to him that civilian doctors are not as well equipped to deal with military-specific issues Reminder about VA eligibility: Basic eligibility comes from: 24 continuous months of Active Duty service if they became an officer after 1981 or enlisted after 1980 and have a General or higher discharge. Low income, disability, and other factors can also prompt eligibility. Issue/Concern: A service member wants to take the exam to get a certified as a Social Worker (she has completed her degree), but cannot afford the ~$300 testing fee. Suggestions/Resolution: Look into the Transition Assistance or GI Bill – sometimes they’ll cover it. Other options include Michigan Veteran’s Trust Fund or county funds.