VAAC Report March 2017

A Marine participates in a field training exercise during Iron Sword 16, a training exercise, in Rukla Training Area, Lithuania, Nov. 29, 2016. The annual multinational exercise involves 11 NATO allies training to increase combined infantry capabilities and forge relationships. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kirstin Merrimarahajara

MARCH 1, 2017

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2017 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dennis Guthrie, Chair ....................................................................................... Redmond Tony García, Vice Chair ......................................................................................Portland Kim Douthit, Secretary .....................................................................................Portland John F. Howard ................................................................................................. Medford Mike Jones .......................................................................................................... Ontario Reyn Leno................................................................................................... Grand Ronde Rosy Macias............................................................................................................ Salem Jon Mangis ............................................................................................................. Salem Val Valfre, Jr. ……………………………………….....................................................Forest Grove

ODVA STAFF Cameron Smith .................................................................................................. Director Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager Martha-Estela Garcia ................................................... Special Assistant to the Director John Haytas..................................................................... Information Services Manager Nicole Hoeft ..........................................................................Communications Manager Mary Jaeger.................................................................. Aging Veteran Services Director John Osborn .......................................................... Facilities and Construction Manager Julie Owens ......................................................................... Human Resources Manager Laurie Skillman ...............................................................................Senior Policy Advisor Bruce Shriver ................................................................................ Chief Financial Officer Mitch Sparks.......................................................... Statewide Veteran Services Director

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 1, 2017 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM St. Helens Elks Lodge #1999 / 350 Belton Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 I.

WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION • Call to Order – Chair Dennis Guthrie • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair Guthrie • Committee Member Introductions • Meeting Rules – Kim Douthit • Audience Introductions • Review and Approval of December 7, 2016 Minutes

II.

ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Mitch Sparks, Director Statewide Veteran Services

III.

SUBCOMMITTEES UPDATES – ODVA Staff • Finance – Bruce Shriver • Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman • Statewide Veteran Services – Mitch Sparks • Home Loans Program – Cody Cox BREAK

IV.

PRESENTATION – Van Moore, Veterans Care Centers of Oregon • Oregon Veterans Homes

V.

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS •Expo July 15, 2017 at Deschutes County Fairgrounds

VI.

NEW BUSINESS •Open for committee members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: VFW Post 4108| 1836 SW Veterans Way, Redmond, OR 97756

VII.

PUBLIC COMMENT (Speakers Limited to 3 Minutes) Public comment time is set aside for persons wishing to address the Advisory Committee on agenda matters. Action will not be taken at this meeting on citizen comments. However, the Advisory Committee, after hearing from interested citizens,

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may place items on a future agenda so proper notice may be given to all interested parties. At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a Town Hall forum 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 VIII.

BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED VETERANS TOWN HALL

CONNECT WITH ODVA

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www.oregon.gov/odva www.oregondva.com www.facebook.com/odvavet @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/INFO/Pages/index.aspx SUBMIT A STORY VetsNews@odva.state.or.us EMAIL SUBSCRIBE ODVA”) VETS NEWS

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(Under “Connect with

www.oregon.gov/odva/INFO/Pages/vetsnews.aspx 503-373-2389 LEGISLATIVE BILL DIGEST www.oregon.gov/ODVA/Pages/VetsLeg.aspx

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting Wednesday, December 7, 2016 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Department Of Public Safety Standards & Training, Salem, OR

Dennis Guthrie, Advisory Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Val Valfre Veteran’s Story: by Jon Mangis Jon shared the story of his father, a WWII pilot.

Committee Member Introductions: Dennis Guthrie –Redmond, US Army Veteran (medic) Tony García - Portland, US Army Veteran and ORARNG Kim Douthit – Portland, USCG, Student Veteran Advocate at Portland Community College, Navy spouse John Howard – Medford, US Navy Veteran, former legislative assistant to Congressman Walden Val Valfre - Forest Grove, US Air Force, Vietnam Veteran, Housing Director for Washington County Jon Mangis – Salem, US Air Force Veteran, former director ODVA Rosy Macias – Salem, US Marine Corps Veteran, Outreach Coordinator at the Salem Vet Center Reyn Leno –Grande Ronde, US Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran, Tribal Council Chair (Absent) Mike Jones – Ontario, US Army, Vietnam Veteran Cameron Smith – Portland, US Marine Corps, Director ODVA Martha Garcia – Salem, US Army Veteran and ORARNG Meeting Rules: Tony Garcia, Vice Chair, reviewed the rules of Advisory Committee public meetings for those in attendance.

Audience Introductions: Mike Brickley - DAV/VFW/Marion-Polk Task Veterans’ Task Force Wayne Harvey - Retired Enlisted Association / UVGO Adam Cook - Retired Army veteran, student at Marylhurst University Amanda Beitel - Legislative Fiscal Office Jay Lillie - Retired Marine Melonie Beauchamp – Military OneSource Jeff Ruthardt -Central Oregon Veterans Ranch Pam Mint - Central Oregon Veterans Ranch Dan Herrigstad - Army Vet, VAPORHCS Public Affairs Jeremy Woodall - Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Mary Jaeger – ODVA Aging Veteran Services Director Joe Glover – ODVA Salem Claims Office Manager Jon Haytas – ODVA Information Service Manager, Navy Vet Robert Dozler – USMC Veteran Bruce Shriver – ODVA Chief Fiscal Officer Niki Volz – NW Senior & Disability Services Van Moore – VCCO / WestCare James Webb – DPSST Thomas Vanderhoof – VFW Post 661 Andrew Holbert – Western Oregon University Eric Ensley – Multnomah County VSO Fritz Graham – US Senator Wyden’s Office Review and Approval of September 7, 2016 Meeting Minutes : A motion was made to accept the minutes as published, motion seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Director’s Report – Cameron Smith This past September, we were proud to present the Advisory Committee’s Annual Report to the Governor. The accomplishments highlighted throughout the report are not just the work of our team at ODVA, but are a result of the broad efforts of the Oregon veterans’ community.

While we celebrate all that we have accomplished together, we also know how much further we have to go to better serve Oregon’s veterans and their families. We still have almost 1,500 homeless veterans across Oregon and tragically, veterans are over a quarter of all suicides in this state. At the same time, we have the opportunity to better leverage significant resources of the Federal VA, fellow state agencies, service organizations and community partners.

As we have continued to share the story of challenges and opportunities to better serve Oregon veterans, our efforts have resonated not just for the veterans’ community but all Oregonians.

There is perhaps no greater example of that continuing support then in the passage of Measure 96 in the November election. This Constitutional amendment will dedicate 1.5% of net lottery revenues to better serve Oregon veterans (approximately $18 million a biennium). M96 did not just pass, but passed with the resounding approval of 84% of Oregon voters.

With our previously submitted Agency Request Budget for the 2017-19 biennium, we offered our priority recommendations for how to focus investments to best serve Oregon’s veterans.

The first priority area is to target veteran services to ensure a robust statewide network of advocates in partnership with counties and National Service Organizations to help veterans access their earned benefits. The second priority area is to strengthen and sustain existing state

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) veteran benefits administered by ODVA such as the Home Loans, Conservatorship and Veterans Homes. The third priority area is to mobilize partnerships to better serve veterans for their health, education and economic opportunity. We particularly want to focus on better supporting student veterans on campus, ensuring access to mental health resources, and preventing veteran homelessness.

While we have a great opportunity to leverage lottery funds to better serve veterans, the broader state budget will be challenging for the next biennium. There is a projected $1.4 billion budget gap that will result in cuts to many essential state programs. One of the main decisions for the legislature will be how much of the M96 lottery dedication is for new efforts to serve veterans and how much is simply helping fund existing efforts.

Measure 96 is an important advocacy milestone for the Oregon veterans’ community. But what is perhaps even more valuable in the long term is how the veterans’ community continues to work together to mobilize its voice. The strength of our efforts going forward depends on the input and advocacy of Oregon veterans and their families. All of you on the Advisory Committee continue to be an essential link connecting us to communities and partners across the state.

Thank you!

Again, we are incredibly proud of where we have been and where we are going. Please dig into the sections’ quarterly reports and do not hesitate to reach out to our team with questions or comments.

Subcommittee Updates: Aging Veteran Services – Mary Jaeger, Aging Veterans Coordinator, ODVA Mary shared her story of coming to work at ODVA stating that she started as long term care ombudsman and then came to ODVA so she could access greater resources for aging veterans.

Mary explains that aging veterans’ services reach is greater than the veterans’ homes and fiduciary/conservator programs. Most of the estimated 5,000 WWII veterans in Oregon are not receiving aging care services from ODVA - only 300 of them are being cared for in Veterans Homes and about 250 are being cared for by conservator program. Mary intends to do more outreach to make sure that aging veterans are accessing their benefits.

Conversations were had over outreach between Advisory Committee members and ODVA staff members. The concern was whether VSO’s are able to go out to the veterans location versus them coming in for an appointment. The answer is yes. VSO’s do go out to the veterans homes when time and staffing allows. The same is applied to walk-ins. Not all can take walk-ins all the time, as VSO’s are able to help more customers by scheduling appointments and they want to continue to help the greatest amount of veterans and their families as possible.

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Mary mentions that she and Mitch (Sparks) are receiving referrals from ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) for aging veterans. New hires at the ADRC are receiving training from ODVA on veterans benefits. This reinforces the director's message that non-veteran agencies (hospitals, colleges, other public services) do not understand veterans’ benefits and aren't making the referrals.

Legislative Affairs and Policy - Director Smith offers an update on behalf of Laurie Skillman.

ODVA is trying to embed in statutes a healthcare navigation element to help veterans’ access VA health benefits more easily, particularly since VSO’s work more frequently in disability compensation.

Director Smith encourages folks to sign up for legislative updates (via e-mail) to stay informed on vets initiatives at the local level.

Statewide Veterans Services – Joe Glover, Salem Claims Office Manager Stand up of Polk County Veteran Services Office Polk County is moving forward to open their county office January 1. A VSO from Eastern Oregon has been hired and in December they will hire one support staff person. The building that they will work in is being updated and redesigned. Our Salem Office is currently working with Polk County on the layout and what equipment they will need to effectively file claims for Polk County veterans and for the first couple of months will be working alongside the new VSO and ensure a smooth transition.

Incarcerated Veteran Program Since the completion of the task force, Pat McGuffin, our incarcerated veteran outreach coordinator has been very active. We now have a permanent presence at the Coffee Creek DOC intake site and are screening every veteran who self-identified as a veteran on the intake screening checklist. Here is a list of the goals and objectives for the Coffee Creek outreach: - Positively ID each eligible veteran passing through the intake center. Screened were 160, of the 160 46 are eligible for benefits and services.

- Assess their needs on intake such as specialty medical needs and possible apportionment claims for family members.

- Work with the veteran in notifying the Federal VA to turn off their VA Compensation or Pension Benefits in timely manner.

- Build an electronic claims record for eligible veterans in the Vetraspec system to track the veteran through their incarcerated time.

- Build an accurate list of veterans who are currently in our state prison system.

In the first half of December we will send out to every veteran on the current DOC list a survey to determine their veteran status and clean up the list of veterans previously ID’ed.

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) The second part of this program is to work with veterans who are within one year of transitioning out of prison. Our goal is to file any claims and ensure that we work with the Federal VA coordinator that each veteran has been assessed for post incarcerated healthcare, housing and support needs. The electronic file that we have created for the individual veteran will be transferred to the county that they will reside in after release. This will allow the county VSO office to immediately work with the veteran when they arrive without waiting for any supplemental data.

PARIS List Project The Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) project is a joint DHS and ODVA venture to assist in identifying Oregon veterans who are currently receiving a public assistance benefit. In the last six months we have been working with DHS, OHA, OBI and OPARS to build a specific PARIS list for veterans. Last month we received the first list which contains over 9,000 veterans. This is a long term project. The best case for the veterans who are on the list and not receiving benefits is that they are getting into a county VSO office and screened for federal VA benefits that they might be eligible for.

Here our goals for this program: - Look at every veteran on the list and determine if they are currently receiving a federal VA benefit.

- The veterans who are determined to not be receiving VA benefits will be consolidated in a list broken down by county. Each county will receive their list and use it for a focused outreach.

DHS Integrated Benefit Project We were invited to participate in this project by DHS to ensure that veterans were included in each part of this new computer system. This is a massive undertaking by DHS to bring together different public assistance eligibility and benefit delivery systems into one system. In the past we did not have the in reach into each program to ensure veterans could self-identify when applying for a state benefit. This program will have features to automatically notify us and deliver a list for outreach opportunities. This program will also self-generate the updated PARIS list to us.

TVR Update The Federal VA has proposed a rule change to the 38 CFR that would allow TVR to gain accreditation as a VSO. The proposal has two distinct paths for accreditation. First, a TVR could become accredited through a State DVA. This would be very easy for us to accommodate since we would treat a tribal entity as a CVSO. The second pathway is for a tribal nation to apply for an independent POA organization through the VA’s Office of General Counsel. With either

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) option we are ready to assist in establishing a program that supports tribal veterans that emphasizes tribal veterans served by tribal veterans.

Update on the VA’s National Queue The VA’s national queue of claims flow is fully up and running. This program brings on-line all VA claims to be processed in their VBMS management system. It also completely changed the work flow of claims throughout the process. Claims are entered in the national queue and worked by the first available VA claim processor. This could mean that the initial development could be done here in Portland then put back into the national queue and awaits the next VA claims worker available to work on it. This could mean that a VA employee in Nevada could pick up the next segment of the claim process. This has solved an issue of claims awaiting work in a suspended status without any oversight by VA management. We have seen an uptick in improved claim times so far.

Update on the Highly Rural Transportation Grant We successfully reapplied and was awarded another year of this grant. All 10 highly rural counties are in this year and we expect that we will have the same success of transporting veterans as the last few years. This is a valuable addition to current transportation options such as the DAV van. Counties under this grant do not have restrictions in where the medical appointment is or if the appointment is non-VA. With the expansion of the VA choice program, veteran can use this program to attend appointments that are outside the VA system.

Additional converstation was had over VSO’s being able to go out and do home visits. It was reiterated that they do go out, as time allows. The best way to service the community is to schedule an appointment so that more veterans can be seen.

HB 2838 (Incarcerated Veterans Outreach) has enabled a VSO to meet with veterans who selfreport their status while incarcerated to ensure that their benefits are properly taken care of so they don't end up in debt to the VA upon release. About 1/3 of incarcerated individuals who report being a veteran actually do not have veteran status (when ODVA attempts to investigate their status).

Finance – Bruce Shriver Bruce reports that the Home Loan program is experiencing losses partly due to low interest rates and funds being re-allocated to veterans’ services.

Lebanon (Veterans’ Home) experienced a loss in last FY but is now operating in the black after coming up to full operations.

ODVA closed a $40 million dollar bond sale to support home loan program just that day (December 7). The bond raised $17.5 million new dollars to help vets get new homes.

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Further discussion was had within the advisory committee.

Dennis Guthrie calls for a 15 minute break.

Services to Student Veterans: A Snapshot– Andrew Holbert (Western Oregon University) & Kim Douthit (Portland Community College) A short five question survey was sent out to a number of campus veterans’ service providers in Oregon. The following schools responded and provided information for this report: Portland Community College (PCC) Portland State University (PSU) Corban University Willamette University Western Oregon University (WOU) Oregon State University (OSU) Marylhurst University A summary of the information provided by these schools follows. More detailed information can be provided on request.

1. Who provides services to student veterans at our schools?

Only four of the responding colleges employ full-time veterans’ service providers –PCC, PSU, WOU and OSU. These colleges enroll the largest number of student veterans among the institutions listed. Staff members at the other institutions provide resources to student veterans in addition to full-time duties. Many institutions hire work-study students to help provide outreach and services to their student veteran population and supplement their veterans’ resource work.

2. What types of services are colleges and universities currently providing to student veterans?

All public institutions in Oregon are now offering priority registration for student veterans.

Many colleges report offering a student lounge, tutoring, counseling, advising, and mentoring services for student veterans. Marylhurst University and Oregon State University offer financial incentives to veterans including a veterans’ scholarship (Marylhurst) and waivers for application fees and partial tuition (OSU). PCC participates in PAVE (Peer Advisors for Veteran Education) which is a national peer-to-peer mentor model that employs trained peer mentors to guide new student veterans through their first term on campus.

3. What gaps in services to veterans do these colleges and universities report?

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Corban and Willamette would like to add a dedicated lounge for veterans on their campus.

OSU currently has a number of veteran spaces on campus but would prefer to centralize the veterans’ spaces into a single, full-service, veterans’ community space. PSU and PCC have noted a lack of housing options in the Portland metro area for students who move to the area to enroll in school. Without secure housing, veterans cannot be fully prepared for classroom success.

4. What do the institutions need to do to fill the gaps?

Institutions that are lacking a veterans’ lounge need dedicated space to house the lounge as well as permanent funding to sustain it.

Full-time staff dedicated to providing veterans’ services would benefit institutions with large and/or growing student veteran populations. PCC and Willamette University could use additional funding to hire professional staff. PCC employs staff at three of its four campuses and would like to employ full-time staff at each campus. Willamette has a growing population of veterans that could benefit from a dedicated resource provider.

Housing security issues for student veterans also need to be addressed, particularly for institutions in the Portland metro area.

5. What community and campus partnerships are benefitting student veterans at their colleges & universities?

The most commonly mentioned partnerships include WorkSource, County Veterans’ Service Offices, ODVA, and Returning Veterans Project. Several schools also support veterans’ clubs through their campus student services or Student Veterans of America. Common partnerships with campus services include Financial Aid, Disability Services, Counseling, Academic Advising, and Cultural/Diversity Centers. Valuable partnerships such as these help to provide holistic support to veterans on campus.

Summary: The resources available for student veterans varies among institutions. Much of how resources are allocated to veterans on campus depends on the number of veterans enrolled at the institution. Most college and university service providers agree that a physical veterans’ center is important to helping veterans with their transition to higher education. A veterans center helps student veterans find their community and access veteran-specific advocacy and services.

Partnerships are highlighted as a way to help meet some of the student veterans’ needs outside of the classroom so they can be more successful in the classroom. Many institutions of higher

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) education are recognizing student veterans’ as a growing population and are discussing best practices to facilitate successful transition to the university environment and completion of their educational goals.

Old Business: No Old Business to review New Business: • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training | 4190 Aumsville Hwy, Salem OR 97317

• Chair Guthrie let the audience know that the 2016 Annual Report was available for all to take.

• Chair Guthrie opened the floor for the audience.

Public Comment Wayne Harvey mentions that the United Veterans Groups of Oregon (UVGO) are having a meeting this afternoon to discuss the governor's budget. They will be meeting at 1:30pm at the ODVA building. The meeting is open to public (several National Service Organizations will be present - PVA, MOPH, American Legion, DAV, etc.) with plans to follow up at the public hearings next week.

James Webb, referring to presentation on student veterans, says he agrees with the complexity of dealing with VA benefits for student veterans. He mentions the lack of consistency in flow of information to veterans. Many veterans have opted to transfer their education benefits to dependents who need to access to the same advocacy services that student veterans can access.

Tom Vanderhoof talks about the VFW uniform display museum. They have a four person staff (all Vietnam vets). Tom found out about the advisory committee meeting via e-mail. The Museum was not invited to the state fair this year nor was their request to attend accepted. The museum reached out to ODVA to report this incident and Martha (Garcia) followed up - she received info that the museum had not requested space early enough then referred the museum to the fair manager (Don Hillman) who told the museum that they may not be welcome because they don't pay for space (due to their non-profit status). Don promised to follow up in October with the museum but has yet to fulfill that promise. Now the public is asking why the museum was not at the fair. The public reached out to the fair administration and public comments were published in the newspaper. The public comment showed that people really missed the display at the fair. They (the museum) have 1600 uniforms ready for display in the inventory. Their efforts are kept alive by public donations. Tom has been with the organization for 10 years after viewing the display prior to his retirement. He had donated some of his own memorabilia and eventually ended up

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) volunteering. The museum is entrusted with the care and preservation of the uniforms. This year a student approached them re: her senior thesis which she would like to focus on the efforts of the museum.

Mike Brickley recommends Tom Vanderhook appeal to the state fair board on behalf of the VFW Uniform Museum.

Niki Volz works for the ADRC as a veterans benefit specialist in a pilot program in Yamhill County. Her program is designed to help aging veterans in assisted living navigate the benefits process. She was trained by Gus Bedwell (ODVA) in veterans benefits. Nicky also understands Medicaid. She is offering her program as a solution to filling some of the gaps discussed at today’s meeting.

Dennis Guthrie reminds attendees of the meeting at the ODVA office re: budget discussion.

Dennis tells the public that this is a proposed budget and an opening to the discussion of what the permanent budget will look like.

Meeting adjourned at 1155

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ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Cameron Smith

One year ago, the Legislature unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 202 that referred a ballot measure to dedicate 1.5 percent of net lottery proceeds to better serve Oregon’s veterans. Oregonians showed their strong and bipartisan support of Measure 96 in the 2016 general election with a historic 84% voting in favor.

Now, with the kick off of the 2017 legislative session, our elected leaders are wrestling with how much of these lottery resources will be supplemental to current funding for veteran efforts and how to best spend and leverage these additional resources.

Our team is deeply thankful for the broad public support for Oregon veterans, but what may be most inspiring is the continued rising voice of the veterans’ community. With much at stake, we are seeing veteran organizations and partners reengage as leading advocates in these important public discussions.

The Advisory Committee is an essential link in these community connections. I’d especially like to recognize Chair Dennis Guthrie for his dedication and commitment this past year to ensure a robust two way street of communication. He has often made the long haul to Salem to personally represent the committee and Oregon veterans – even getting stuck behind an avalanche on one trip back home over the mountains!

While the legislative session will take much of our attention these next few months, we also continue to deliver on the core efforts across our team. Your questions, comments and guidance help make us better as a department and reinforce where we need to head to better serve Oregon’s veterans and their families.

Please take the time to read through the program updates that follow and our team looks forward to seeing you all in March in St. Helens!

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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor The 2017 Oregon Legislative Session began on February 1 and is targeted to end on June 23. As of February 1, over 1,500 bills had been filed. Note that 2,641 bills were filed during the 2015 Session.

Accessing Veteran Bills At the end of this report is a list of all veteran bills ODVA is tracking as of February 3, 2017. ODVA has a great webpage on the 2017 Legislative Session that lists veteran bills and provides a lot of useful information, including how to track a bill, watching live video of a hearing, and how to testify. On the webpage, veteran bills are listed by topic and links will take you to a website with all information about the bill including the text of the bill, hearing dates, sponsors, meeting materials, and history of bill. The public may also receive a weekly email update on these bills by signing up on the ODVA webpage.

ODVA legislative Webpage: http://www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/VetsLeg.aspx

See the list of veteran bills. Sign up for weekly Email Updates. See Veterans Committees hearing agendas.

ODVA Proposed Legislation for 2017 •

SB 79 Home Loan Technical Fix The bill is a technical amendment to the veteran home loan statutes to make statutory requirements consistent with 2015 legislation.

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SB 80 Tribal Veterans: The bill recognizes and honors the service and sacrifice of Native American veterans and provides statutory authority for ODVA to assist Oregon Indian Tribes with their programs of service to veterans through Tribal Veteran Service Representatives.

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SB 81 Health Care Navigation: The bill recognizes the challenges and barriers to accessing and utilizing health care and mental health care from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, state, and local community resources, and authorizes ODVA to provide statewide expertise, advocacy, and assistance in navigating the complex health care systems for veterans.

Highlights of Veterans Bills • • • • •

Nine bills honor and recognize individuals for their sacrifices or honor Medal of Honor recipients.

Three bills enhance the existing property tax exemptions for veterans.

Several bills provide veterans with very low or no fees for vehicle registration (former POWs), access to state forests, and medical marijuana cards.

Uniformed service members and the Oregon National Guard may buy back up to four years of PERS. Education bills include a waiver of certain requirements of a veteran to obtain a high school diploma; gives priority to National Guard for the community college tuition waiver program; and clarifies veterans priority enrollment program.

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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor • • • •

A grant program is established for campus veteran resource centers and coordinators at community colleges and universities.

Apprenticeship programs for plumbers or steamfitters must give credit for military work. Return there are taskforces on innovative housing and on veterans with PTSD. A “Support Our Troops” license plate is established.

Military possess firearm on military property. Age reduced to 18 for concealed carry active service/vets.

ODVA Budget Bill: HB 5039 The Governor’s budget recommends an increase in total funds for veteran efforts (new Lottery Funds and a reduced level of current General Funds). The Ways and Means Co-Chairs Budget Framework proposes adding back some additional General Funds. The 2017 Legislature will have a robust conversation about funding for veteran efforts through Lottery and General fund dollars.

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Veterans Bills Tracked |2017 Legislation | As of 8 Feb 2017 | 45 Bills

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ODVA bills o SB 79 – technical fix for home loans o SB 80 – ODVA to provide aid and assistance to Oregon Indian tribes o SB 81 – ODVA to provide expertise, advocacy navigating health and mental health care

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Honor and recognition bills o HB 2100 – Memorial signs for 26 Medal of Honor recipients o HCR 1 – Designates Medal of Honor communities o Six bills: HCR 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 – Recognize/honor individual veterans + Bend Heroes Foundation o SB 573 – Encourage all to remember those who gave lives in service; 21 seconds at noon on 21st day

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Tax bills: Tax benefits, property tax benefits and tax credits (5 bills) o HB 2082 – Extends sunset for tax credit for physicians at Veteran Homes o HB 2234 – Reduce fed taxable income by benefit received from veteran survivor benefit plan o HB 2235 – Allows county to provide veteran tax exemption greater than statutory minimum amount o SB 178 – Extends sunset for tax credit for physicians at Veteran Homes o SB 562 – Allows county to create property tax exemption for surviving spouse of active military KIA o SB 694 – Grants higher property tax exemption for service-connected disabled veterans

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Bills impacting state agencies: reduction in state fees and certain benefits from State Agencies (9 bills) o HB 2149 – One $15 fees vehicle registration for former POWs o HB 2233 – ODVA and counties help Korean Vietnam War veterans access to health care o HB 2405 – Parks make rules on disbursing funds to tribes for veteran memorials on public property o SB 116 – No fees for service-connected disabled veterans in state forests on three specified holidays o SB 130 – No fees for service-connected disabled vets medical marijuana card o SB 200 – Extends PERS buy back to uniformed services (ONG, USPHS, NOAA – 4 years active duty) o SB 320 – Appropriates General Funds for the Oregon Military Museum o SB 380 – Disabled veterans may make reservations for state parks one month earlier than the public o SB 456 – Interstate compact licensing emergency medical services (EMS) separating active duty 18

Veterans Bills Tracked |2017 Legislation | As of 8 Feb 2017 | 45 Bills o SB 476 – Add service-connected disabled veterans to Oregon Preferred Worker Program o SB 572 – Employment bridge program: paramedic, CDL and public safety employee training o SB 705 – Reduces uniformed services hunting license from $17 to free; fishing from $41 to free •

Education bills o HB 2220 – Eliminates certain requirements for veterans to obtain H.S. diploma o HB 2488 – Comm. college tuition waivers; prioritize ONG if completed initial active duty training o HB 2565 – Priority enrollment for veterans first goes to continuing students o HB 2690 – “Bridge loans” to veterans receiving federal educational monies o SB 143 – Campus veterans resource centers and coordinators o SB 676 - Requires apprenticeship for plumbers/steamfitters to give credit for military work

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Miscellaneous bills o HB 2520 – OHCS disburse recording fee based on $ collected from county; return unspent o HB 2689 – Task force on innovative housing o HB 5039 – ODVA budget bill o SB 48 – Requires licensed health professionals to take courses in suicide risk assessment/treatment o SB 129 – Task force on persons, including veterans, with PTSD o SB 480 – “Support Our Troops” license plate o SB 670 – Reduces age from 21 to 18 for concealed carry permit for service members/veterans o SB 681 – Allows federal/state military to possess firearm on military property on official business o SB 683 - Requires state to pay for ballot return envelopes for elections, including for military overseas

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director During the second quarter, Statewide Veteran Services has been pursuing interagency connectivity, to ensure all Oregon veterans have access to earned benefits and efforts among agencies are not duplicated.

PROGRAMS Statewide Veterans’ Services, Salem Office—Joe Glover, Manager Providing direct service to veterans, dependents, and survivors for Marion County.

Statewide Veterans’ Services, Portland Office—Martin Ornelas, Manager Supporting County Veterans Service Officers through quality assurance and appellate representation, as well as interoperability with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Portland Regional Office.

3000

$45,000,000 $40,000,000 $35,000,000 $30,000,000 $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $0

2,699

2500 1,757

2000 1500 1000 500 0

First Quarter 2016-17

Second Quarter 2016-17

Third Quarter 2016-17

Fourth Quarter 201-17

New Claims Filed (ODVA & Counties)

$41,411,036

$15,497,934

Monetary Awards FY 2015-16

FY 2016-17 to date

Training Certification and Outreach—Gus Bedwell and Dave Cooley, Program Analysts Mr. Bedwell played a major role in preparing and facilitating the Annual VSO Conference in October; coordinated training for two new VSOs attending the ODVA VSO Introductory Five Day course; conducted three training sessions for the Marion/Polk and Lane County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC); presented at the Oregon Funeral Directors Association (OFDA) Regional Meeting; and worked with the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) to market their internship program to Student Veterans. Additionally, during the quarter, Gus tested and accredited seven Veterans Service Officers. Mr. Cooley provided a Training and Assistance onsite visit to Umatilla County and supported a veteran outreach event in Warm Springs.

Women Veterans Coordinator—Liz Estabrooks, Program Analyst Travel slowed from October through December, during which Liz met with fewer groups of veterans, but had an increase in one-on-one meetings with veterans, advocating for 10 new veterans file claims (either previously rejected or new) and continuing work on claims in

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director process. There were three listening sessions in three different counties; meetings about the Oregon Women Veterans Health Study with the Portland VA Director; Congressional staff; Oregon Commission for Women; National Director of States, VACO; Women Veterans Coordinator, Arizona Department of Veteran Services; Association of Oregon Counties; Multnomah County Veterans Task Force; and the American Association of University Women, Portland Branch. Liz attending 5 tabling events (stand downs and fairs), and a variety of meetings with community partners and the VA. Liz collaborated with Multnomah and Josephine Counties on developing and holding the first She Also Served summits that target community health providers (mental, physical, and behavioral) , providing continuing education credits on improving services to women veterans. These events were attended by over 200 community partners, hosting a variety of workshops focusing on basic information about women veterans, mental health, military sexual trauma, suicide prevention, homelessness, domestic violence, and the CHOICE program. Liz also attended the Women Veterans Summit in Washington, as well as the Women Veterans Summit in Washington DC. LGBTQ Veteran Coordinator—Nathaniel Boehme, Program Analyst Closing out Calendar Year 2016 and starting Federal Fiscal Year 2017 was a busy time for Oregon’s LGBTQ Veterans Coordinator. While there was a slowing in statewide travel due to budgetary concerns and weather delays combined with the holidays, it was nonetheless a productive time. It was also however a time where global and national events struck to the very core of the LGBTQ community and reinforced the power and need for a position such as this.

During this Quarter we held the first ever LGBTQ Veterans Day event at Portland’s Q-Center where the Portland VBA Regional Office Director William Streitberger gave the keynote speech. This Quarter also saw the beginning of what is promising to be an incredibly powerful LGBTQ Veteran video project in partnership with Paul Iarrobino at NW Consulting that will have its fruition in Spring of 2017. We are looking forward to an incredible year with the support and encouragement of the community.

Grants Management—Dave Cooley, Program Analyst Emergency Financial Assistance Second Quarter 2016-17 (October – December): 47 applications for grants were received, with 11 of those approved for a total of $11,164. The average grant was $1,015. Most approved grants continue to be for mortgage/rent and utility payments.

Highly Rural Transportation Grant The grant is active. Ten rural counties are receiving assistance transporting veterans to VA and non-VA medical appointments. The grant has been renewed for a third year, and is a successful cooperative arrangement between USDVA, ODVA, and rural counties and their transportation entities. Each county is able to tailor the grant funding to work within their current framework, adding routes and drivers to existing programs.

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director Reported for October through December: 2,899 1,778 77,620 264

Hours of time expended on medical trips Trips completed (one way: home to appointment) Total miles driven Veterans served

Lines For Life The grant is active. Lines For Life provides 24 hour phone and text services to at-risk veterans and their families. 275 calls from twelve identified counties were logged for the period October 1 – December 31, 2016. The calls had an average wait time of 36 seconds, and the average duration of a call was 11.4 minutes. Emergency services were not notified for any calls during this period. Referrals were given to 12% of the callers for mental health appointments, drug and alcohol treatment, and assistance with the VA.

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Conservatorship - Helen Ireland, Conservatorship Manager We are excited to announce that Charity Haskins has been promoted to fill the Trust Officer position left vacant by the promotion of Helen Ireland. Charity has a background working in legal work and real estate and has worked as a Trust Officer Assistant for a little over a year with ODVA. We are excited about the experience and compassion Charity brings to this work.

The Conservatorship unit currently has two Trust Officer Assistant vacancies. The manager has been interviewing candidates and we hope to have these positions filled soon.

Conservatorship and Representative Payee Demographics

Women Served 4

Vetera n Spouse 17 Adult Child

13

Period of Service

17 13 27

WWII

12

Korea 57

Vietnam 118

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon - Jeremy Woodall, Program Director

State Survey

The OVHL underwent its annual (CMS) state survey the week of January 23. At the time of writing this narrative it is understood that there are three Plans of Corrections (POC) for the facility to write: 1.

Resident Rights · Facility failed to protect the privacy of one veteran 2.

Resident Assessments · Facility failed to revise a care plan for one veteran 3.

Administration · Facility failed to ensure records were accurate regarding a medication for one veteran There were no Quality of Care or Nursing issues.

OVHL Demographics

Service Period 2 15

3

26

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War OIF/OEF

36

53

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war)

Branch of Service 26

16

Air Force Army 33

59

Coast Guard

14 2

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Oregon Veterans’ Home, The Dalles OVHTD Demographics

Service Period 28

34

4

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War Spouse

22 13 42

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war.)

Branch of Service 18

34

Air Force Army 45

29 9

Coast Guard

3

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Veterans’ Home Loan Program Cody Cox, Program Manager Production Review •

For the 4th Quarter, 2016, the Home Loan Program closed 66 loans for a gross dollar volume of $15,948,208. For the same period in 2015, the Home Loan Program funded 73 loans for $16,668,162 mil. This represents a decrease of 1.37% in the number of units, with a 4.3% decrease in dollar production over that same period. Reduction in loan production through 2016 vs prior years is reflective of market conditions. While interest rates remain near historic lows, a limited amount of housing inventory still remains an ongoing concern for production volumes into 2017.

•

The calendar year-end funding finished with 225 total units at $53,925,113, a decrease of $17,734,908 of the record setting year of 2016. My 2016 goal was to fund at the $50 million mark, and our group exceeded that goal. I look for 2017 to be the same or slightly lower.

•

The chart below shows a 2014 - 2016 monthly production comparison of dollar volume funded for the OrVet Home Loan program.

$10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $-

•

2014

2015

2016

At the end of the Fourth Quarter 2016, the ODVA has a total of 1,860 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $274,806,617. Of these, 1,425 units and $260,369,104 are new loans. Old loans were at 435 units totaling $14,437,513. At the end of the Fourth Quarter 2015, the ODVA had a total of 1,905 for $259,884,110 under servicing, with 1363 units at $242,655,423 as new loans and 542 units at $17,228,686 were Old Loans. Our loan servicing portfolio grew by $14,922,507 (or 5.75%) while decreasing by 45 units, almost entirely in the old loan portfolio.

Loan Delinquency Review •

For the reporting period of 12/31/2016, there was 1 State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned (SOP/REO) in inventory, a decrease of one property from the prior quarter.

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Veterans’ Home Loan Program Cody Cox, Program Manager • • • •

There were 5 loans in a Foreclosure status, an increase of 1 from the last report date.

The number of loans in Bankruptcy is at 6, unchanged from the prior quarter.

The total of all loans reporting in the 90-day or greater delinquency position was at 16, expressed as 0.9% unit delinquency on a portfolio of 1,860 loans and at 0.4% dollar delinquency on the outstanding dollar portfolio balance of $274.8MM. ODVA continues to experience reduced delinquency rates as compared to other Government Residential Loan Programs. The Mortgage Bankers Association publishes a quarterly National Delinquency Survey and the following represents Oregon specific comparative data from the most recently available Fourth Quarter 2016 report. The delinquency rate expressed as a percentage of total loans (units) past due for the Federal Veterans Affairs home loan program in Oregon was 2.66%, FHA home loans in Oregon were at 45.42% and Conventional Prime home loans Oregon were at 1.63%. Comparatively, for this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.8% at 34 units, down from the previous report. In dollars, the total amount past due is $2,228,401, which is 0.80% of total servicing dollars, a substantial decrease from the previous report.

Quarterly Staffing News •

No new hires during the reporting period.

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FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Governor’s Budget Released for the 2017-2019 Biennium In December 2016, the 2017-2019 Governor’s Budget (GB) was published and contains the Governor’s proposed budget for the Department for the upcoming biennium. The 2017-2019 GB includes new monies for the Department arising from the recent passage of Measure 96 (1.5% of net lottery proceeds) projected to be approximately $18.5 million. The 2017-2019 GB also includes a reduction in General Fund resources of approximately $8 million; however this reduction is backfilled with the new lottery monies. The 2017 State Legislature will ultimately determine the Department’s budget for the 2017-2019 biennium and to what extent Measure 96 monies will become net additional resources available to fund veteran programs.

For comparative purposes, the Department portion of the 2017-2019 Governor’s Budget (GB), the Department’s 2017-2019 Agency Request Budget (ARB) and the Department’s 2015-2017 Legislative Adopted Budget (LAB) are shown graphically below. The most significant differences between the various budgets generally reflect additional resources in the 2017-2019 biennium in the Veterans’ Services Program area (providing additional funding for aging veteran services, county veteran service offices, national service organizations, partnerships and program funding alignments) and the Veterans’ Home Program area (reflecting increased numbers of veterans receiving care in the Lebanon and The Dalles Veteran Homes).

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements The September 30, 2016 unaudited quarterly annual financial statements show an overall decrease in net position in the Veterans’ Loan Program of approximately ($0.7) million for the first three months of fiscal year 2017. The same period for the prior fiscal year showed an overall decrease in net position of approximately ($0.8) million. These current fiscal year reductions are primarily attributable to 28

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer increased debt related expenses, claims expense from loan cancellation life insurance, as well as the on-going subsidization of veteran services activities.

The Veterans’ Home Program unaudited quarterly financial statements show an overall increase in net position of approximately $1.3 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2017, compared to a decrease in net position of approximately $0.2 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Included in these figures were transfers and capital contributions into the Veterans’ Home Program from the Veterans’ Home Trust Fund and federal grant monies which totaled approximately $0.2 million and $0.0 million respectively in fiscal years 2017 and 2016.

The Changes in Net Position for both the Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program are shown in comparative form on the graph below.

Other Financial Services Division Activities: Over the past several months, the Financial Services team also worked on contracting & procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, worked on fiscal year 2017 financial reports, worked on the annual long term cash flow forecast on the Loan Program, conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, worked on the Department’s portion of the 2017-2019 Governor’s Budget documents, worked with ODVA’s outside auditors on compliance audits and risk assessments, and performed other related financial activities as needed.

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FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION John Osborn, Program Manager The Dalles Veterans’ Home The final design for The Dalles interior renovation has been completed and we are preparing to release the Invitation to Bid (ITB) on February 10th, with a planned closing date of March 2nd and an award date of March 3rd. Preparations are also underway for completing the remaining grant documents which will be sent to USDVA by March 16th for final grant award. As discussing previous reports, this project will require multiple phases across the entire facility and will likely take10 to 12 months to complete. We will start by constructing the new storage building, memory care addition and the remodel of the production kitchen. Renovations to the nursing care wings will follow.

As part of the Nursing education grant, we will be constructing a modular classroom near Alpha wing.

The project will be on a fast track with the intention of providing an operational classroom by end of June 2017. We are currently soliciting bids from qualified modular building companies.

Lebanon Veterans’ Home The design on the parking lot at the property next to the home is now complete. We are working to obtain legislative approval and funding for the construction of this parking lot. This new carpark will provide parking for staff and overflow parking during major events at the home. The primary benefit of this additional parking is to provide visitors and family a member parking that is proximate to the neighborhood in which their loved one may be residing. We anticipate construction to begin after the legislative session in July.

The Art project at the outdoor plaza has been delayed by inclement weather, while some work has continued; weather has caused frequent work stoppages. Completion of the plaza work is now set for the end of March. The portrait portion of the art project for the home is completed; a wonderful portrait of Edward C. Allworth is now hanging just off the main lobby and two large landscape paintings have also been hung near the canteen area. The art project is the last component of the Lebanon home grant. Close out documents are in the process of being completed and we anticipate closing the grant

by May of 2017.

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Information Department Nicole Hoeft, Manager Communications •

•

•

State website: Progressing o ODVA is currently migrating benefit and agency information into a new staging environment. The communications team is working to refresh and create content to better inform Oregon veterans and their families of the resources available across the state. The new site will be launched in three phases with essential benefit and agency information included in phase one. Go live date is scheduled for April 1.

2017 Benefit Magazine o Along with website content refresh, the benefit magazine is going through a redesign and content update as well. 2017 issues will be available at the end of February.

Events and projects o The team is working to help bring together the “I Am Not Invisible” campaign and event that will take place at the Portland Art Museum on Feb. 24. The campaign builds on ODVA’s recent efforts to capture the images of Oregon veterans and build awareness of women veteran issues. o Legislative and veteran bill information is now live on ODVA’s website. Weekly updates are deployed through ODVA’s subscribe system.

Information Services •

ODVA is beginning work to modernize the IBM i based applications and has engaged an outside consulting firm that specializes in all forms of IBM i application modernization to analyze and develop a modernization strategy specifically for our organization.

Records and Information Management Services •

Statewide Records Management o The department is ensuring implementation and compliance with a recent Governor Executive Order and statewide policy addressing records management, and accessibility and government transparency. o Following the agency’s upgrade to the records management software, hardware and servers in September, the RIMS team is working update the agency’s record retention schedule and move all official agency records to electronic formats.

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