VAAC Staff Report December 2021

DECEMBER 1, 2021

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Vincent Goesahead Jr. of the Crow Nation performs with a smudge pot during the opening ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Public Flower Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 9, 2021.

Photo by Elizabeth Fraser, U.S. Army.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 1, 2021 ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Howard, USN, Chair .................................................................................. Medford Reynold “Reyn” Leno, USMC, Vice Chair ................................................... Grand Ronde Christine Gittins, USA, Secretary...................................................................... Redmond James Gardner, USA ........................................................................................... Eugene Robert “Bob” Van Voorhis, USA ....................................................................... John Day Nell Stamper, USCG………………………………………………………………………………………...Astoria Christina Wood, USAF…………………………………..………………………………………….…..Portland Micah Ashby, USN………………………….......................................................................Bend Mayme Cawvey, USA………………………………….………………................................... Portland ODVA STAFF Kelly Fitzpatrick, USA ......................................................................................... Director Martha-Estela Garcia, USA ........................................... Special Assistant to the Director Jennifer Donovan ......................................................................Interim Deputy Director Vacant .............................................................................................. Legislative Director Lisa Durden ............................................................................................Internal Auditor Rebecca Cameron ............................................................... Human Resources Manager Ana Potter ...................................................... Aging Veteran Services Division Director Kelly Breshears.……………………………….…. Aging Veteran Services Division Asst. Director Helen Ireland………………………………………………………………………. Conservatorship Manger Sheronne Blasi, USN................................ Statewide Veteran Services Division Director Joseph Glover, USN ....................... Statewide Veterans Services Division Asst. Director Martin Ornelas, USCG….……………………………………………………...ODVA Portland Manager Vacant .......................................................................................... Chief Financial Officer Rich Kline…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Controller Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager John Osborn, USN ................................................. Facilities and Construction Manager Nicole Hoeft ............................................................ Communications Division Director David Kampff ................................................................. Information Services Manager

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, December 1, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Join by Zoom via Videoconference: You may pre-register for the meeting by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkc-

GvrD8oH9XIpghBztEeeHkzQXr8zubL Once pre-registered you will receive a link to the meeting. To prevent background noise, all attendees will be muted upon joining the meeting. To improve bandwidth during the meeting, only members of the Committee and Department staff will appear on video feed. We ask the public to turn their cameras off.

Join by Zoom via Telephone: You may join the meeting by dialing 1 (253) 215-8782. When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 849 4872 4251# and password/participant ID: 504986# To prevent background noise, all callers will be muted upon joining the meeting.

Meeting Materials: Staff reports for individual agenda items, when available, can be found on the Committee’s website by clicking on the following link: https://issuu.com/odva/stacks/38107bb40c054695831edf5634865ca4 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION – Business Meeting • Call to Order – Chair James Gardner • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair James Gardner • Moment of Silence – Chair James Gardner • Meeting Rules – Vice Chair Christine Gittins • Installation of Officer – John Howard, Past Chair • Committee Member Introductions II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT • ODVA Director, Kelly Fitzpatrick III. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS • VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics (SORCC) – Associate Director, Valdez Bravo • Central Oregon Vet Center – Greg Ford • ODVA Legislative Update – Director Fitzpatrick IV. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS • Open for Committee Members

V. NEW BUSINESS • Discuss updating By-Laws • Topics for the next years meetings • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2022| Time: 9:30 – Noon Location: TBD VII. BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED TOWN HALL (Speakers Limited to 3 Minutes) The town hall time is for individuals to bring up broader veteran community issues. Members of the community may also submit written public comments to the Committee at the following email address: vaac@odva.state.or.us

CONNECT WITH ODVA

WEBSITE www.oregon.gov/odva BLOG www.oregondva.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/odvavet TWITTER @oregondva or www.twitter.com/OregonDVA ADVISORY COMMITTEE vaac@odva.state.or.us PUBLIC INFORMATION ODVAinformation@odva.state.or.us SUBMIT AN EVENT www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Events.aspx SUBMIT A STORY VetsNews@odva.state.or.us EMAIL SUBSCRIBE & Vets News www.oregon.gov/odva (Under “Connect with ODVA then Agency Publications”) LEGISLATIVE Page www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Legislation.aspx

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick The last few months have been a time of celebration and transition at ODVA. While we had the opportunity to come together in person to celebrate Veterans’ Day and incorporate a new perspective of inclusion with focus on our Vietnam era veterans, we have also seen Covid-19’s continuing effect on how our nation’s workforce has been changed.

A lasting effect of the pandemic will be the evolution in worker expectations and the shift to remote work for a majority of staff. The pandemic has led to both a new understanding of how work can be accomplished, and for many, a new understanding of how work fits in to our lives.

These new perspectives have led to historic numbers of worker resignations. Economists have called this time the “Great Resignation” and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “quits” are rising in almost every industry – and Oregon state government has not been spared.

Our agency is no exception. “Quits” coupled with new PERS retirement changes made November a favorable month for some of our employees to move on to new experiences.

Although this is a challenge, it is not insurmountable. We are extremely fortunate to have a Human Resources team that is talented and committed. Our team has been working quickly and closely with program areas impacted by staffing decline to not only expedite the recruitment of new skilled staff, but work with program managers to construct hiring plans to maximize diversity and talent in our recruitments.

In November, CFO Aaron Hunter left ODVA to pursue a new opportunity to serve as CFO of Chemeketa Community College. We warmly congratulate him and wish him the very best in his new role and know he will serve students as well as he served our veterans for more than 15 years at ODVA. He will be missed as both a friend and co-worker.

As we work to build new teams and recruit new staff, we continue to not only work for our veterans but celebrate them. On November 10th, In the first in-person event to be held since before the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, we held our Veterans Day celebration in the Capitol Park across from the State Capitol building. While the event honored all veterans, Oregon’s Vietnam veterans took the spotlight. In our national memory, Vietnam was the site of a war fought by our nation’s military, after which many servicemembers returned home to communities that did not welcome them home. These veterans deserved then and now to be honored for their service. This year’s event was dedicated to their honor. In our quest to create an event that would recognize the many lives affected by the Vietnam War, we were thankful for participation by Mr. Thao Tu, the President of the Oregon Vietnamese Community of Oregon, the Color Guard from the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and many Oregon Vietnam era veterans. We were also pleased to provide state legislators and special guests including Congressman Kurt Schrader and Washington, D.C. based USDVA Deputy Assistant

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs Raphael Chavez-Fernandez the opportunity to express their appreciation and gratitude to our veterans.

As an extension of our ceremony, attendees had an opportunity to walk the grounds of the future Oregon Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. The site was dedicated by the Oregon Legislature this year in Senate Bill 319, and will be located on the grounds of our State Capitol, near the revered Oregon WWII Memorial. When the Vietnam War Memorial is completed, it will be a place of honor, peaceful contemplation and ideally, closure for all who visit. Anyone interested in learning more about the Oregon Vietnam Memorial Fund can visit: www.vietnamwarmemorialfund.org On November 11th I was had the distinct privilege to be a judge at this years Douglas County Veterans Day Parade. Cooperative weather allowed a full showing of parade entries honoring the men and women who have, and continue to serve our nation. Distinguished in 2019, Douglas County boasts the nation’s highest rate of veterans seeking VA healthcare in the nation. It was an honor to be a part of such a joyous celebration and to further connect with veterans and families in this beautiful and patriotic area of Oregon.

I look forward to the challenges and opportunities of the coming new year. The last twenty-two months have been strange and unprecedented, they have provided an opportunity to reimagine how we work, and how we serve. Though these opportunities come with challenge, we, as veterans, are conditioned to excel in the face of challenge and rally together to bring about the results we desire.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Stacey Jochimsen, Director Preparing for 2022 The Oregon State Legislature is gearing up for the 2022 Short Session which will open on February 1, 2022 and run no later than March 7, 2022. While we expect the Capitol to largely be open to the public during the 2022 session, there will be some accessibility issues and closures due to ongoing Capitol building construction which will necessitate some remote activity.

During a Short Session, agencies may not submit bills to be considered by the Legislature, thus ODVA will not be submitting any legislation. ODVA is working to craft Legislative Concepts for the 2023 long session and will reach out for input as our concepts start to take shape.

Updates As previously discussed, HB 2094 relating to the definition of “veteran” for Oregon Housing programs passed in the 2021 session. This bill authorized Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS) to define “veteran” through agency rulemaking specifically for programs the agency administers.

OHCS stood up a Rules Advisory Committee in October 2021 to discuss their proposed definition and solicit feedback. OHCS has proposed the following definition: “Veteran" means a person who served in the military, naval, or air service that has been discharged or released from that service and has been determined by the United States Department of Veteran's Affairs to be eligible to receive any benefit from that Department.

The proposed rulemaking has been published in the Secretary of State’s November Bulletin of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment; the public comment period closes November 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Please visit the bulletin on the Secretary of State website to review and/or submit comments.

Again, this does not change the statutory definition of a veteran under 408.225 and only changes the definition of “veteran” for purposes of OHCS programming.

Thank you for your partnership and engagement; I know we will have much to discuss as the Short Session takes shape.

Warm regards and happy holidays, Stacey Jochimsen, MPH / Legislative Director C: 503.510.3733 700 Summer Street NE / Salem, Oregon 97301 Visit ODVA online | Follow us on FB | Get emails from ODVA

Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Central Oregon Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

BRIEFING AGENDA • • • • • • • • •

Organizational Structure – within VA Mission – why it exists Services – what it does Eligibility – who it serves Effectiveness – why it works Outreach – reaching veterans MVC – specialized initiative Contact – Web & Hotline Q&A – ask away…

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

SPECIAL TOPICS • • • •

Differentiation – VAMC’s CBOC’s Billing – Veteran and Insurance Collaboration – VA; Diagnosis, RX, Etc… Records and ROI – Getting a Veteran’s File

• Questions? – Feel Free to Ask Questions at any moment…

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

When and Why

• The Vet Center Program is recognized as the first program to address the psychological and readjustment issues of combat and armed conflict related problems. (VHA Handbook

1500.01)

• Authorized by Public Law 96-22, which was enacted on June 13, 1979 • Initially for Vietnam Veterans

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

VET CENTER VIDEO

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Centers serve veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for veterans, families, and communities.

Care includes professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, and the brokering of services with community agencies. Vet Centers provide a key access link between the veteran and other services in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

VET CENTER SERVICES Readjustment counseling is a wide range of services offered to eligible Veterans and their families in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Services offered at the 300 Vet Centers nationwide include: • Individual and group Counseling for Veterans and their families

• Family counseling for military related issues • Bereavement counseling • Military sexual trauma counseling and referral • Outreach • Substance abuse assessment and referral • Employment referral • Referral to other VA services • Community education Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

VET CENTER ELIGIBILITY Any Veteran or active-duty Service member, to include federally-activated members of the National Guard and Reserve components, who: • Has served on active military duty in any combat theater or area of hostility.

• Experienced a military sexual trauma (MST) while serving on active military duty; • Provided direct emergent medical care or mortuary services, while serving on active military duty, to the casualties of war; • Served as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crew that provided direct support to operations in a combat zone or area of hostility

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

ELIGIBILITY Cont.

• NO CHARGE & NO LIMIT - All readjustment counseling services available at Vet Centers are at no charge to the eligible individual or their family and are also available without time limitation.

• VA ENROLLMENT NOT NEEDED – Service members and Veterans are not required to enroll in the VA health care system or have received a service connection for conditions caused by military service.

• NO DISQUALIFYING DISCHARGES - These services are also provided regardless of the nature of the Veteran’s discharge. This includes service provision to those individuals with problematic discharges.

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

EFFECTIVENESS

• • • • • • •

Greg Ford

WHAT WORKS: Veteran to Veteran Services Confidentiality Veteran Focused Services Eligibility to See Families Listen to Veterans/Families and adjust services Adaptive / Flexible Culturally Competent Services

Outreach Specialist

OUTREACH

More than Outreach: Reaching Out • Face to Face connection • Veteran and Family Centered • Building Trust • Welcoming home returning Veterans back into their communities Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

MOBILE VET CENTER (MVC’s)

• Fleet of 70 Vehicles • Provides outreach and services to Veterans and families geographically distant from existing VA services.

• Provides early access to Vet Center services to Veterans newly returning from war via outreach to demobilization active military bases, National Guard, and Reserve locations nationally.

• Each Mobile Vet Center is equipped with a state of the art satellite communications package that includes fully encrypted tele-conferencing equipment, access to all VA systems and connectivity to emergency response systems Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

SPECIAL TOPICS • Differentiation – VAMC’s/CBOC’s vs. Vet Center VAMC = VA Medical Center (Hospital) CBOC = Community Based Outpatient Center • Not medical clinics • Non-traditional hours • Serve veteran’s family • Broader eligibility; lifetime award • No Med RX’s • Billing – Veteran and Insurance • Never bill or invoice • Do not need the veteran’s financial info • No Means Test Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

SPECIAL TOPICS Cont.

• Collaboration – VA; Diagnosis, RX, Etc… • Bi-directional referral process • Participate in VAMC Mental Health Councils • Clinical Liaisons coordinate complex cases • External Clinical supervision • Joint Participation in Events • Records and ROI – Getting a Veteran’s File • Veteran MUST SIGN an ROI for there to be any form of communication or information to be shared about the Veteran and/or the Veteran’s file, treatment, etc…

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

24/7 HOTLINE Vet Center Call Center 877- WAR-VETS (927-8387) • An around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans

and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.

• Product of VA leveraging technology to condense a national system of toll-free numbers into a single modern center • The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as family members of combat Veterans.

•

Greg Ford

Warm handoff capacity has been established with all Vet Centers, as well as VA Crisis Hotline

Outreach Specialist

OREGON LOCATIONS •

Central Oregon Vet Center: 1645 NE Forbes Rd, Suite 105 Bend, OR 97702 (541) 749-2112

•

Portland Vet Center: 1505 NE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97220 (503) 688-5361

•

Eugene Vet Center: 190 East 11th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 465-6918

•

Salem Vet Center: 2645 Portland Road, NE, Suite 250 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 362-9911

•

Grants Pass Vet Center: 211 South East 10th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 (541) 479-6912

Greg Ford

Outreach Specialist

GETTING CONNECTED WEBSITE: www.vetcenter.va.gov HOTLINE: 877-WAR-VETS (927-8387) Outreach Specialist: Greg Ford Email – Gregory.ford2@va.gov Office – (541) 749-2112 Mobile – (541) 508-8113

QUESTIONS

CO Outreach Specialist: Greg Ford Email – Gregory.ford2@va.gov Office – (541) 749-2112 Mobile – (541) 508-8113

WEBSITE: www.vetcenter.va.gov HOTLINE: 877-WAR-VETS (927-8387)

Veteran Volunteer Program Update Mark Newell The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) Veteran Volunteer Program is an outgrowth of our commitment to ensure every Oregon veteran is connected to the benefits they have earned through their military service. The role of the volunteer is to help aging veterans and their family members learn about county, state and federal veteran benefits to which they may be entitled. Working through ODVA and in collaboration with our community partners, volunteers work to locate veterans who have not accessed all of their veteran benefits.

After the initial success of the pilot program in three counties and with 17 volunteers, we expanded the program with the goal of opening it up statewide. We held our first statewide training for Washington, Multnomah, Columbia, Marion, and Yamhill counties on January 20, 2020. We now have a total of 36 volunteers located in 8 counties.

Prior to COVID-19 we had reached almost 1400 people (veterans and their families) and informed them of their earned benefits and where they can go to get help connecting to them.

The Pandemic struck just after this first statewide training and by March 9th, 2020 we had to put the volunteer program on hold.

Working within the Pandemic restrictions: With all long-term care facilities on lock down, senior centers closed, and group and in person visitations stopped, we asked our volunteers for ideas on how to continue the outreach to veterans and their family members without putting people’s health at risk.

As a result of that collaboration: •

• • • • • • •

ODVA developed a brochure and created a 1-800 number that connects veterans and their family members to a volunteer who then educates veterans and their family members of their potential benefits, we then connect them to the local county veteran service office and other appropriate state, federal and county resources, all done by phone ODVA developed the ability to train and background check potential volunteers with a distance training and background check program ODVA sent over 12,000 of the brochures to the Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meal Programs ODVA sent over 1300 brochures to adult foster homes in the state ODVA sent brochures to all food banks in the state ODVA sent brochures and/or newsletter articles to many senior centers throughout the state ODVA gave Zoom talks to senior centers informing veterans and their family members of potential benefits ODVA sent brochures or newsletter articles to many long-term care facilities within the state

As a result of this outreach effort we have managed to reach out to veterans who are aging in place and/or struggling with economic or food insecurity.

According to the VA: Food insecurity is a lack of access to enough food for a healthy lifestyle. In 2018, about 11 percent of US households were food insecure at least some time during the year. Food insecurity tends to be higher in households relying on social assistance, singleparent homes, ethnic minorities and people who are homeless or house insecure. The number of food insecure Veterans is also high among those who served in the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These Veterans are almost twice as likely to be food insecure compared to the general population.

Volunteer network in action: During this period, we had a number of successes. One we want to highlight exemplifies how a long-term volunteer program can have an impact within our state. At a recent golf tournament, a volunteer had set up a table outside of the office where gofers had to register for the tournament. She had made signs showing that she was a volunteer for ODVA and that she could help with veteran benefit questions. She spoke to over 30 individuals about veteran benefits.

A veteran that she had previously spoken to prior to the pandemic came up to the table to inform her of his new service connected disability rating. After he had thanked her profusely, he went on to tell her how he was speaking to other veterans about going to see their local county VSO. These kinds of successful connections can change the Oregon landscape of veterans not knowing and/or not thinking about their potential benefits to a landscape of veterans being informed and exploring the benefits they may be entitled to.

General AVS update Ana Potter Kelly Breshears Training: • All AVS staff watched a webinar from the Elder Law section of the Oregon State Bar on Medicaid eligibility and planning.

• Lauren Gerstner, Lacey Carter and Ana Potter attended the Oregon Healthcare Association Annual Convention. This is an annual convention with several good speakers and topics.

• Ana Potter attended the Elder Abuse Conference hosted by Oregon Department of Justice.

• All conservatorship staff and Kelly Breshears attended the Guardian Conservatorship Association of Oregon Annual conference.

Presentations/Webinars: • Ana Potter: o Presented virtually to a group of veterans for Veterans Day. o She also worked with representatives from US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), Oregon Housing and Community Services and Oregon Department of Human Services to provide information for those who help aging and at-risk veterans in Oregon.

• Lacey Carter presented also presented virtually to a couple of groups regarding programs and benefits for aging veterans to the following groups: o Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 271 o Senior and Disability Services with Lane County Council of Governments.

Staffing: • Front Desk Reception: We currently have one opening for a front desk position. We are working through the hiring process and hope to have the position filled in the near future.

• In April 2021 the Property Manager for the Conservatorships Program left employment with ODVA. We have recruited for this position and are in the last stages of hiring a candidate.

• The Program Director for The Dalles Home, Melissa Sanders, has resigned her position. We are in the process of recruiting for this position. In the interim other AVS staff, specifically Ana Potter, Lacey Carter, Mark Newell, and Kelly Breshears, will be providing coverage for this position until filled.

General Information: • In response to current supply chain issues, conservatorship staff sent out letters to clients early to help purchase gifts to be given by our clients.

• Ana Potter has been asked to be a member of the Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) Advisory Board to represent a veterans’ lens. For more information about the ADRC, please visit the ADRC website by clicking here.

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Aaron Hunter, Chief Financial Officer

Finance and Accounting: Issuance of State of Oregon, General Obligation Veteran Bonds On November 18, 2021, the Department successfully “closed” on an approximate $46 million bond sale. The purpose of the bond sale was: (1) to refund some existing higher cost debt to replace it with lower cost debt; and (2) to raise funds for originating new veteran home loans. This sale refunded approximately $7.5 million of outstanding debt and also raised approximately $39 million in new funds for qualified veterans applying for a loan within 25 years of their date of discharge from military service.

Fiscal Year 2021 Audited Financial Statements The Veterans’ Home Program audited financial statements show an overall increase in net position of approximately $2.1 million for the full twelve months of fiscal year 2021, compared to an increase in net position of approximately $3.0 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Included in the 2021 figures was approximately $1.1 million in USDVA Per Diem monies (CARES Act) and an additional $1.1 million in CARES Act Provider Relief Federal Funds provided to the Oregon Veterans’ Homes for lost revenue and increased expenses related to COVID-19. The Veterans’ Home financial statement audit resulted in a “clean” opinion from the external auditors with no qualifications noted in their stated audit opinion.

Additionally, the Veterans’ Loan Program financial statement audit is expected to be completed near the end of November. At this time, no significant issues have been noted in the Loan Program. Copies of the audited FY 2021 financial statements can be found on the Department’s website at the following link: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Reports.aspx Staff Transition Over approximately the past quarter, Finance and Accounting have had the following staff changes: Dave Peterson was hired for the previously vacant Accountant 4 position, Laura Cassil resigned and Alison Rudd was hired to fill Laura’s Accountant 3 position. We are excited to have Dave and Alison join our team and welcome them to ODVA. We also want to thank Laura for her 2 ½ years of service with ODVA and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

As of November 30. 2021, we will say goodbye to Aaron Hunter, our current CFO. Aaron spent seventeen years with ODVA, first as internal auditor, then comptroller and finally as CFO. Aaron has been an invaluable asset to ODVA during his time with the agency and we wish him success as he undertakes a new adventure.

Other Financial Services Division Activities Over the past several months, the Financial Services team worked on contracting and procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, worked on the Fall 2021 bond sale, interacted with the Department of Administrative Services - Chief Financial Office and the Legislative Fiscal Office on budgetary and legislative matters, provided information to external auditors for the annual financial statement audits

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Aaron Hunter, Chief Financial Officer (Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program), and performed other related financial activities as needed.

Home Loans: The quarter-ended September 30, 2021, showed a continued increase in mortgage application volume from earlier in the calendar year. With the private sector conventional loan (30-year) rates fluctuation on both sides of a 3.00% rate, ODVA has continued to be able to offer lower than market loan rates.

During the quarter, ODVA received 54 loans for a total of $20.6 million in loan submissions and funded 40 loans for $14.5 million in new loans. While there remains some portfolio runoff, the pace has slowed from earlier in the year. As of September 30, 2021, ODVA had 1,372 loans, totaling $268.5 million, in the servicing portfolio. ODVA continues to maintain a high performing servicing portfolio, with 0.9% of the portfolio 30-days or greater delinquent. ODVA does have 1 loan in a foreclosure status, due to the passing of a veteran borrower and the heirs unwilling to show interest in the property.

Facilities: The Department continues to prepare documentation in anticipation of applying for a USDVA State Home Construction Grant in 2022. The application would request funding to replace the five Air Handling Units (AHU’s) at The Dalles Veterans’ Home with new AHU’s and a new electronic control system. The project would also involve altering air circulation and ventilation ductwork at various locations within the building. A mechanical engineering firm is presently developing specifications and drawings for this work and should be completed by January 2022. The projected cost for this project is $1.6 million to $2 million.

Additionally, at The Dalles Veterans’ Home the Department is developing a site plan to construct a picnic area near the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located on campus. This picnic area will be an outside gathering space for all residents that will include a covered seating area, chairs and tables placed around landscaping and shade trees.

At the Lebanon Veterans’ Home, construction of the delta wing activity room, the storage building and CNA classroom is proceeding. There have been a number of delays of construction material due to various supply chain issues. However, work is continuing and we hope to have the project completed by the end of December 2021.

Earlier this summer, the Department engaged Otak/Day CPM, a project management group, to help develop a project timeline for the Roseburg Veterans Home project. The Department is working closely with the contractor to develop a comprehensive project schedule, a more defined budget and intergovernmental agreements with City, County and State stakeholders. This early work will lay the foundation for moving the project forward when matching funds become available.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICES Nicole Hoeft, Director Communications This quarter, ODVA communications supported numerous awareness efforts across the agency.

In September, the agency amplified communications in support of National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month which followed efforts over the summer to amplify awareness of veteran behavioral health resources available to veterans who may be impacted by the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan. October marked Hispanic Heritage Month where ODVA published profiles spotlighting the contributions Oregon Hispanic veterans in the military. In November, ODVA hosted the 2021 Statewide Veterans Day celebration which was returned to an in-person – format for the first since 2019. The event was attended by approximately 100 attendees was also broadcast live on Facebook with more than 2,000 views.

Information Services Due to retirements and other staff turn-over, the Information Services section is currently recruiting to fill multiple vacancies to support agency IT operations.

Cyber Security Assessment: As part of an on-going statewide initiative to modernize the state’s technology, the agency participated in a Cyber Security Assessment by the states Cyber Security Services Division under Enterprise Information Services. This engagement assessed the agency’s technology securities and the practices in place to best protect the agency’s data.

ODVA will continue to work in partnership with CSS to implement any best practices and technology needed to continue to improve the overall security of the State of Oregon’s technology.

Modernization Projects: IS continues to provide project management coordination and business solution work to support modernization efforts to the Home Loans origination and servicing systems and the Conservatorship application.

Records and Information Management Services Records and Information Services continues to support the agency’s records functions and mandates including the management of more than 100,000 military service discharge records for Oregon veterans. Requests for records can be made online or by calling ODVA.

STATWIDE VETERANS SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director Campus Veteran Coordinator Summit The aim of the Campus Veteran Coordinator position is to help establish a network among, and provide support for, Campus Veteran Resource centers and programs, and the coordinators located within Oregon’s community colleges and public universities. The emphasis of these programs is to assist veterans with successful transition from military service to student life and higher education, and help them succeed in college to complete their educational goals, and transition back into the community and workforce.

On August 19-20, the Campus Veteran Coordinator hosted ODVA’s first Campus Veteran Coordinator (CVC) Summit, which was held virtually. The goal of the summit was to provide a platform for the Campus Veteran Coordinators to expand their network to off-campus partners, share best practices, and learn about programs that provide more comprehensive services to student veterans. Topics included information about ODVA’s Campus Resource Center Grant and the Veterans Educational Bridge Grant, veteran’s legislation, ODVA’s Houseless Veteran Program, and a listening session with Director Fitzpatrick. The summit also hosted panels that included: •

•

•

Best Practices- Led by seasoned Veteran Resource Center (VRC) coordinators and students to share common VRC practices such as Peer Advisors for Veteran Education or introduce new ideas like an Alumni association.

DEI Connections- Acquainted Summit participants with Jessica Bradley, ODVA’s Woman Veterans Coordinator; Ian Michael, ODVA’s LGBTQ+ Veterans Coordinator; and Ramona Quenelle, Tribal Veteran Service Officer from Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde.

Employment Resources- Led by Melissa Bay, formerly of Veterans Readiness and Success (VR&E); Nate McChord, Disabled Veterans Outreach program (DVOP); and Tonja Maas, State Director of Veterans' Employment and Training.

Overall, the attendee feedback for this summit was resoundingly positive, and attendees are looking forward to the next annual event.

SVS Training, Certification & Outreach Team The Training Team is responsible for the initial and ongoing training, testing, and certification of ODVA, County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers (VSO) across the state. October 18-22, the Training Team hosted ODVA’s annual Fall 2021 VSO Training Conference, which was held virtually. VSOs received training and updates on many, key USDVA benefits such as, Service Connection for Disabilities Caused by Exposure to Burn Pits. Further, attendees were provided

STATWIDE VETERANS SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director an opportunity to network with peers, receive training from the National Veterans Legal Services Program, and participate in Q&A’s with subject matter experts. The training curriculum was developed in partnership with ODVA’s Aging Veteran Coordinator and the Association of Oregon County VSOs. On average, over 105 individuals attended the week-long conference.

Presentation topics included: • Musculoskeletal Disabilities; • Working with Aging Veterans; • Degenerative Neurological Conditions; • Whole Health: Innovations in Healthcare for a Veteran Population; • Military Culture;

• • • •

•

Legislative Affairs Updates; Veteran Readiness and Employment; Conscious Inclusion: Diversity, Equity and Access; Oregon Housing and Community Services: Veteran Rental and Utility Assistance; BVA Updates;

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Burn Pit Presumptives; Pension and Survivor Benefits; Identifying and Reporting Abuse of Vulnerable Adults; Audiology Services at Portland VAMC;

USDVA Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) For eight years ODVA has successfully administered the USDVA Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG), which provides free transportation to and from VA medical appointments to veterans living in one of Oregon’s participating highly rural counties. All ten of Oregon’s highly rural counties are participating in the grant: Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, and Wheeler. In 2018, it was estimated that 8,531 veterans resided within one of these highly rural counties.

The program runs on a year-to-year basis, and transportation services are subject to grant fund availability each fiscal year. Services include door-to-door pick-up and drop-off in ADAcompliant vehicles, with assistance in loading or unloading at no cost to the veteran.

Throughout the pandemic, veteran’s transportation to medical appointments are continuously being scheduled with safety of both program staff/volunteers and veterans in mind.

Oregon HRTG Program Highlights as of October 2021: • • 1

Counties have spent 62,206 hours transporting, on average, 242 veterans annually1.

Since 2014, counties have completed 28,625 trips traveling over 1,818,808 miles.

Many veterans are consistent riders, and they are counted anew each quarter.

STATWIDE VETERANS SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director • •

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Historically, Oregon’s counties enjoy greater than a 98% veteran satisfaction rating for this grant program.

Counties work in collaboration with Transportation Coordinators in the VA Medical Centers, so no federal funds in the form of transportation reimbursements are disbursed to veterans for these trips.

Counties partner with County Veteran Service Offices (CVSO) for HRTG program promotion, and provide veteran referrals to CVSO’s for assistance filing for veteran benefit claims.

For the 2022 grant cycle, USDVA awarded Oregon $500,000 for HRTG. Additionally, with the passing of Oregon House Bill 2139, the highly rural counties are now eligible to apply for the Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation grant.