The honor guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2666 perform a rifle salute during the playing of Taps at the annual Washington County Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11, 2018, in Hillsboro, Oregon. This year’s event included a commemoration for the service, valor, and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans, and was sponsored by Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, in partnership with Memorial Fund for Veterans of Washington County, VFW Post 2666, and American Legion Post 6. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Zach Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)
DECEMBER 5, 2018
REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 5, 2018 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kim Douthit, Chair ............................................................................................Portland John Howard, Vice Chair ................................................................................. Medford Rosy Macias, Secretary ........................................................................................ Salem Tony García .......................................................................................................Portland Dennis Guthrie ................................................................................................ Redmond Reyn Leno ................................................................................................. Grand Ronde Val Valfre, Jr .……………………………………….....................................................Forest Grove Christine Gittins ............................................................................................... Redmond James Gardner ................................................................................................... Eugene
ODVA STAFF Kelly Fitzpatrick ................................................................................................. Director Martha-Estela Garcia ................................................... Special Assistant to the Director Mitchel Sparks....................................................................................... Deputy Director Laurie Skillman ...............................................................................Senior Policy Advisor Bruce Shriver ................................................................................ Chief Financial Officer Sheronne Blasi ..................................................... Director, Statewide Veteran Services Ana Potter ................................................................... Director, Aging Veteran Services Kelly Breshears.…………………………………….…… Assistant Director, Aging Veteran Services Nicole Hoeft .......................................................................... Director, Communications Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager John Haytas .................................................................... Information Services Manager John Osborn .......................................................... Facilities and Construction Manager Julie Owens ......................................................................... Human Resources Manager
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Department of Public Safety Standards and Training | 4190 Aumsville Highway, Salem OR 97317 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION • Call to Order – Chair Kim Douthit • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair Douthit • Committee Member Introductions • Meeting Rules – John Howard • Audience Introductions • Review and Approval of September 5, 2018 Minutes II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Kelly Fitzpatrick III. ODVA Staff & Subcommittee UPDATES • Finance – Bruce Shriver • Statewide Veteran Services – Sheronne Blasi • Home Loans Program – Cody Cox • Aging Veteran Services – Ana Potter • Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman **********************************BREAK************************************* IV. Subcommittee Updates • Housing – Rosy Macias with guest Brent Demoe of Polk County V. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS VI. NEW BUSINESS • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2019 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Southwestern Oregon Community College, 96082 Lone Ranch Pkwy, Brookings, OR 97415
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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, 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 OPEN FORUM
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
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The Following Pages include the September 5, 2018 Meeting Minutes for Advisory Committee Approval
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Quarterly Meeting Agenda Tuesday, September 5, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Umpqua Community College | 1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg OR 97470 Chair Tony García called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Chair García and Acting Director Mitch Sparks swore in the newly elected officers. Kim Douthit as Chair, John Howard as Vice Chair, and Rosa Macias as Secretary. Committee Members Present - Introductions: Christine Gittins – Redmond, US Army Dennis Guthrie – Redmond, US Army James Gardner – Eugene, US Army John Howard – Medford, US Navy, former legislative assistant to Congressman Walden Kelly Fitzpatrick – Governor’s Appointee for ODVA Director Kim Douthit – Portland, USCG, Multnomah County VSO, Navy Spouse Martha García – Special Assistant to the Director, ODVA, US Army & Army National Guard Mitch Sparks – US Navy, Acting Director ODVA Reyn Leno – Grand Ronde, US Marine Corps Rosy Macías – Salem, US Marine Corps Tony García - Portland, US Army & Marine Corps Spouse Members Absent: Val Valfre – Forest Grove, US Air Force Meeting Rules: John Howard, Secretary, reviewed the rules of Advisory Committee public meetings for those in attendance. Audience Introductions: Shannon Compton – US Army & ORARNG, Transition Assistance Advisor Laurie Skillman – ODVA, Policy & Legislative Affairs Bruce Shriver – ODVA, Chief Financial Officer Cody Cox – ODVA Home Loans Ana Potter – ODVA, Director of Aging Veterans Services Kimberly Phillip – Douglas County VSO Daniel Loomis – UCC Student Veterans Mel Cheney – Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee Andy Smith – Association of Oregon Counties
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Sergio Gamino – Coos County Area Transit Ann Abel - UCC School Certifying Official David Whitmer – Roseburg Health Care System Cynthia Houston – Roseburg & White City VA Sarah Teeter – Roseburg VA Health Care System Jim Little – Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee David Heavirland – Department of Veterans Affairs Michael Johnson – Vietnam Veterans of America Umpqua Valley Chapter Steve Bergadine – Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee Jerry Anderson – Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee Larry Hill – Douglas County Veterans Advisory Committee Chad Alcock – Oregon Employment Department Shannon Goodwin – Roseburg VA Carol Hunt – VAC Wings Mary Newman Keyes – Douglas County VSO Darlene Brandt – Douglas County VSO Barbara Vike – Douglas County VSO Review and Approval of June 12, 2018 Meeting Minutes : A motion was made to accept the minutes with edits, motion seconded, and motion passed. Director’s Report – Kelly Fitzpatrick, Governor’s Appointee for ODVA Director Kelly reviewed her submitted Director’s report. She shared her background in the military, working with Congress and in the private sector. Kelly shared her desire to reach and serve more veterans in Oregon. ODVA Staff Updates: Finance – Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Bruce reviewed his submitted report and included the following highlights: • The agency has submitted its 2019-2021 budget request to the Department of Administrative Services Budget Management Division and anticipates hearing back in two to three weeks • Completed a competitive solicitation for the agencies underwriting syndicate (group of firms that ODVA sells its bonds to), one, for the first time, is a veteran owned business
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Statewide Veterans Services – Mitch Sparks, Acting Director ODVA Mitch reviewed the report submitted by Sheronne Blasi, ODVA’s Acting Director of Statewide Veterans Services and included the following highlights: • A warm thank you to Douglas County for the huge support to veterans in the community • Recognized Douglas County Veterans Service Office for the large amount claims submitted and for working with so many veterans • The Incarcerated Vets team is working with the County Parole and Probation offices to ensure they are educated on the needs of the veterans as they transition out of incarceration • Gus Bedwell from ODVA’s Training staff has gone over to Oregon Housing and Community Services to be their Homeless Veterans Integrator • Oregon Health Authority has hired a Veteran Behavioral Healthcare Liaison • Recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Warm Springs Tribe to set up their own tribal veteran office, who will work under ODVA’s Power of Attorney Home Loans – Cody Cox, Home Loans Manager Cody reviewed his submitted report and included the following highlights: • End of second quarter – no foreclosed homes in the ODVA portfolio • ODVA’s reduced delinquency rates are attributed to all the hard work that the collections team does in working with veterans so that they can keep their home and to the underwriting team for not writing bad loans Aging Veteran Services – Ana Potter, Director of Aging Veterans Services Ana reviewed his submitted reports and included the following highlights: • Occupancy rate at the Lebanon Home is at 95%, which is higher than the national average • Staffing in Aging Veterans Services is very close to being fully staffed, with two open positions to be posted soon • Rep Payee and Conservatorship is serving around 220 clients now Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman, Legislative and Policy Advisor Laurie reviewed her submitted report and included the following highlights: • All of the “Reports to the Legislature” are located on the ODVA website • Laurie reviewed the report she drafted from the Advisory Committee to the Legislature with the Advisory Committee
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Discussion was had over the letters that were drafted for the Advisory Committee to give to the Legislature and what was in the letter. The Advisory Committee added an additional requirement in the Campus Grant letter. Requirement added to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Legislative Report to add as a requirement to any future Campus Veterans Grants : Demonstrate that they had established coordination with County Veteran Service Office in their county *******************Break**********************
Subcommittee Report: Claims and Appeals: John Howard, Vice Chair ODVA Advisory Committee John reviewed his submitted report and included the following highlights: • He started by thanking the Douglas County Veterans Service Office for all the work that they do • John walked through the process of filing a claim and it’s journey through the Regional Office • His report is attached to these notes • The conclusion of his report – Working with a VSO is the best way to go Presentation: Veterans Services Grant Recipient: Coos County Area Transit Sergio Gamino, Transit Program Manger Mr. Gamino shared with the committee how the grant money that was awarded to Coos County Area Transit was being spent. They received a little over $130,000 to establish a shuttle service for veterans between Coos County and Roseburg VA Hospital. They purchased a wheelchair accessible vehicle that can carry up 10 veterans with two that can be in wheelchairs. It has been a significant addition to their program. As they continue to get the word out about the service the numbers of veterans using the service has increased. Getting the word out about the service is currently the largest hurdle in letting veterans know about the service; that being coordination with Fed VA clinics to also share the information with veterans. Old Business: • Healthcare subcommittee assigned to Christine Gittins • Home loan subcommittee assigned to James Gardner
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New Business: • A motion was made to move the September meeting to the second week of September. Motion was passed unanimously. • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway, Salem OR 97317 Chair Douthit Meeting adjourned at 1230. Open for Public Comment
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Claims & Appeals Subcommittee Report September 5th 2018 Quarterly Advisory Committee meeting Roseburg, OR Intro One of the primary missions of the ODVA, if not THE primary mission, is to assist veterans in the process of filing claims and appeals with the federal VA. This is accomplished through training and certification of county service officers and support of both county and national service officers. Scope According to the US Census Bureau Oregon has about 323,000 veterans or about 10% of the population – slightly higher than the national percentage of 7%. Of Oregon veterans, about 18% (~ 60,000) have a service connected disability rating, and just over 30% (~ 100,000) are eligible for and enrolled in the VA's health care system. Both of these are slightly higher than the national percentages. Claims & Appeals There are several types of claims. The most common are service connected disability and non-service connected pension. Others include surviving spouse versions of these, education benefits, etc. VSOs are familiar with all of them. As of last week the VA reported just over 360,000 claims in the system with about 84,000 of them flagged as backlogged (over 125 days old). Six years ago there were almost 900,000 claims in the system. The average days to complete a claim is right around 100 days. Process The process starts when a vet meets with VSO to discuss a possible claim - Vet and VSO gather evidence that the vet may have at hand – service records, medical records etc; fill out the appropriate claim forms; and submit to the Regional Office (RO) electronically or by mail. The VA has a duty to assist finding evidence that the vet can't locate. The process of a claim's journey through the RO is relatively straightforward. Generally the most time consuming part of the process is evidence gathering - VA receives the claim and reports receipt to the vet/VSO. The VA's receipt, in most cases establishes the date of claim. - Claim assigned to a Veteran Service Representative (VSR) for review to determine if any additional evidence is needed. If not, jump ahead two steps! - VSR gathers evidence such as service records, service medical records, pre and post service medical records, military unit records, etc. Depending on the complexity of the issue a claim may hit this step several times. - VSR reviews all evidence. If it looks to be complete with all required evidence to make a decision the VSR recommends a decision and sends it to the next step. Otherwise beck to evidence gathering. - VSR prepares required documentation detailing the recommended decision. - The claim goes to a Decision Revieew Officer (DRO) who makes the decision to award, deny, or send back for more information or evidence. - The paperwork notifying the vet of the decision is prepared (things like individual disability ratings, combined rating, when comp will begin and at what $ amount, any retro & other associated benefits), assembled and sent to the vet/Power Of Attorney Conclusion This can be a daunting process where the assistance of a VSO will pay off. Shortly after I started working for Congressman Walden (2006) I saw a VA IG report that compared claims that had been assisted by a VSO vs not. The VSO assisted claims were resolved more quickly and for higher ratings (and $$) than unassisted. 10
Veteran
Oregon
Statistics
Oregon United States
Veteran Population
323,205 21,369,602
Percent female Unemployment rate for veterans Number of homeless veterans Median household income
( ! ( !
( !
( ! ! ( ( !
( !
( ! ( ! ( ! ! (
( !
( !
( !
(In 2014 inflation-adjusted dollars)
6.8 7.1 1,292 $57,061
7.3 5.3 49,865 $61,884
23 31,170
1,356 2,540,706
Number of VA* facilities Number of veteran-owned businesses
( ! ! ( ( ! ! (
* VA = Department of Veterans Affairs
! ( ( !
( ! ! (
! ( ( !
( ! ! (
PERIOD OF SERVICE
( ! ( !
( !
( !! (
U.S. and PR
Gulf War II
( !
( !! (
State
Gulf War I Vietnam Era
( ! ( !
( !
Korean War
( ! ( ! ( !
1 Dot = 100 Veterans = 100 Veterans Health 1 Dot!( = Veterans Administration Facility ( = Veterans Health ! Administration Facility
World War II Peacetime only 0
HEALTH CARE
State 00
40 40
50 50
00
Uses VA health care
10 10
40
State Percent 20 20 30 30
50
U.S. and PR 40 40
50 50
Bachelor's degree or higher
Has a service-connected disability rating
Enrolled in college
Uninsured
AGE DISTRIBUTION
State
HOUSEHOLD INCOME DISTRIBUTION
U.S. and PR
30 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years or older 10
20
30 Percent
40
State
U.S. and PR
Less than $10k $10k to $14.9k $15k to $24.9k $25k to $34.9k $35k to $49.9k $50k to $74.9k $75k to $99.9k $100k to $149.9k $150k to $199.9k $200k or more
18 to 29 years
0
20 30 Percent
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
U.S. and PR
Percent 20 20 30 30
10 10
10
50
0
11
10
20
30 Percent
40
50
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009–2013 American Community Survey and 2012 Survey of Business Owners; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014 Current Population Survey; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress; and Department of Veteran Affairs. www.census.gov/library/infographics/veterans-statistics.html
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The Following Pages Includes Today’s Meeting Reports
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ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Kelly Fitzpatrick
Over the days and weeks since I first addressed you in September I have focused on the two priority areas – relationship building and resources – that I had mentioned in those early days of my tenure with ODVA.
Relationship Building External: Veterans Advisory Committee: I have traveled extensively along the I-5 corridor and into Central Oregon focusing on outreach to many of the key individuals and organizations that make up our strong partnership network outside the state government. By my 90-day mark in early December I will have met one-on-one with each Veterans Advisory Committee member in the regions they represent. Our conversations have been very helpful to me as I prepare to work closely with the committee; exploring ways that ODVA can maximize the knowledge and experience those individuals bring to bear. County Veterans Service Offices: I am proud of the work that ODVA accomplished long before I arrived to ensure that all 36 counties across Oregon have a County Veterans Service Office. I have visited a few of these offices, including those in Deschutes, Douglas, Polk, and Yamhill. I also had the honor of attending part of the annual CVSO conference in October. While each county differs in its approach to how it resources its CVSO, what the CVSOs all have in common is that they are staffed by highly trained and dedicated individuals who work hard every day to help Oregon veterans and their families access life-changing benefits and services. I am focused on ensuring our CVSOs continue to get the support they need from ODVA and the counties in order to assist our veterans. National Service Organizations: I have met individually with some of the leadership of key National Service Organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Korean War Veterans Association. I also attended the October meeting of the United Veterans Groups of Oregon, where I became acquainted with some organizations for the first time but also renewed my relationships with others I had come to know in my previous work in Senator Merkley’s office. Each of these organizations represents a proud history of supporting veterans and their families at both the national and state level. During the January 2019 Commander’s Call I will be interested in discussing how these tremendous forces can continue to be mobilized.
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ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Kelly Fitzpatrick
Internal: I have had the opportunity to meet several of my fellow agency directors, most notably Margaret Salazar who leads Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), and Pat Allen, who leads the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). ODVA’s partnership with those two agencies in particular will remain crucial to the effort to end veteran homelessness and improve veterans’ access to the behavioral health resources they need. Additionally, met with Colette Peters, the director of the Department of Corrections, and later visited Coffee Creek to hear from some of the women veterans who are incarcerated there and to become better acquainted with justiceinvolved veterans. I am committed to ensuring our partnerships with all of our state agencies remains strong so that together we can help our veterans. As I have gotten to know the ODVA team better in recent months, I only become more proud of everyone. For example, during the Governor’s Charitable Fundraiser in October, ODVA raised nearly $4,000. We achieved a serious goal yet did it while having a great deal of fun with activities such as our chili cook-off and Halloween costume contest. Resources Fiscal Year 2019-2021 Budget: A great deal of thoughtful consideration went into ODVA’s Agency Requested Budget for the upcoming biennium. While it remains to be determined what the end result will be after the legislature acts, I am confident that we are in as good a position as possible going into the long session. Staffing: As you know by now, I asked Mitch Sparks to remain with the ODVA team as the deputy director, and Sheronne Blasi to remain as director of Statewide Veterans Services. I am very pleased that they accepted my offer because each of them bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to ODVA, and both are extraordinarily dedicated to serving veterans and their families. Going forward, ODVA is continuing to fill staffing vacancies as some of our long term employees have retired, and as we prepare for the challenges ahead. New initiative – State Approving Agency: Because the USDVA decided not to renew its contract with Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission as the State Approving Agency (SAA) effective October 1, 2018, we in ODVA have been working closely with the Governor’s office, the state legislature, and USDVA to develop a path forward that could potentially enable ODVA to become the SAA. Much work remains to be done at this point to get ODVA where it needs to be with regard to resourcing an SAA. This issue is important to Oregon’s veterans and their families because the SAA must work with traditional and nontraditional GI Bill-funded education programs throughout the state to ensure they comply with USDVA requirements for continued funding. Post-military service education is the key to our veterans being able to gain
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ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Kelly Fitzpatrick
economic stability; ODVA wants to be in a position to successfully take on the SAA role to help our veterans’ transition into the civilian workforce with the training they want and need. Conclusion: While there are many known and unknowable challenges that lie ahead for ODVA, I feel confident at this early point in my tenure that we have the resources and relationships that will enable us to continue to perform our mission of ensuring that veterans and their families thrive in Oregon.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer
Department Requested Budget for the 2019-2021 Biennium The Department submitted its 2019-2021 Agency Request Budget (ARB) to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on August 2nd, 2018 for their review and analysis. In early October 2018, the Department received DAS’s initial budget recommendations for the Agency. The Department was provided the opportunity by DAS to appeal their budget recommendations which occurred in the middle of October 2018. DAS and the Governor’s Office are now finalizing the Department’s budget request that will be provided to the State Legislature for their consideration, by incorporating it, as well as other state agency budgets into the 2019-2021 Governor’s Budget to be released in early December 2018. The 2019 State Legislature will ultimately determine the Department’s budget for the 2019-2021 biennium. For comparative purposes, the Department’s 2019-2021 ARB operating budget (which excludes nonlimited expenditures such as debt service, loan originations, etc.) is shown below along with the Department’s operating 2017-2019 Legislative Approved Budget (LAB). The primary differences between the two budgets include: (1) establishing the Aging Veteran Services Program as a separate budgeted program unit in the 2019-2021 biennium. Previously, Aging Veteran Services was included within Veteran Services for budgeting purposes; (2) additional partnership pass-through funding for Veteran Services; (3) funding for additional assistance providing Representative Payee services, Conservatorship/VSO training, and Loan Program business development; (4) funding for business systems technology improvements; and (5) funding to refurbish the 2nd floor of the ODVA Building in Salem.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Department Request to Appear Before the December 2018 Emergency Board In late October 2018, The Department submitted a request to DAS and the Legislative Fiscal Office to appear before the December Emergency Board to request funding ($201,550) to prepare the Department to become the federal Department of Veterans Affairs State Approving Agency (SAA) for veterans’ education programs. These funds would be used over the remainder of the 2017-2019 biennium to recruit, train and certify staff to be able to assume the duties and responsibilities of the SAA beginning October 1, 2019. The Emergency Board will ultimately decide whether to provide the funding to the Department for this request. If this action is approved, it will likely also impact the Department’s budget in the 2019-2021 biennium. Issuance of $45 million of State of Oregon, General Obligation Veteran Bonds The Department entered the capital markets to issue approximately $45 million of general obligation veteran bonds in October 2018. Approximately $40 million of the bond proceeds were obtained to originate new veteran home loans and the remaining $4.4 million was used to refund existing Department bonds. The Department will most likely return to the capital markets to raise additional lendable funds for veteran home loans in calendar year 2020. FY 2018 Audited Financial Statements The June 30, 2018 audited financial statements show an overall increase in net position in the Veterans’ Loan Program of approximately $9.1 million for the full twelve months of fiscal year 2018. The same period for the prior fiscal year showed an overall increase in net position of approximately $0.4 million. The current fiscal year increase in net position is primarily attributable to large bond refunding’s that significantly reduced excess mortgage interest (which increased current period loan interest income), higher investment income and a reduction in salaries and other payroll expenses. The Veterans’ Home Program audited financial statements show an overall increase in net position of approximately $4.9 million for the full twelve months of fiscal year 2018, compared to an increase in net position of approximately $5.0 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 $2.8 million and $1.0 million respectively in fiscal years 2018 and 2017. The Changes in Net Position for both the Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program are shown in comparative form in the chart below.
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FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer
Other Financial Services Division Activities: Over the past several months, the Financial Services team worked on budget development activities relating to the 2019-2021 Agency Request Budget, contracting & procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, provided information to external auditors for the annual financial statement audits (Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program), conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, and performed other related financial activities as needed.
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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director
PROGRAMS Statewide Veteran Services (SVS), Portland Office—Martin Ornelas, Manager During the quarter, SVS Portland staff attended 64 Travel Board and Video hearings and 24 DRO hearings, and reviewed 4,636 Ratings Board decisions. They are continuing to work hard to catch up with and stay current with scanning and uploading documents issued in response to veteran claims, while providing the assistance for appeals work needed by Oregon Counties. Significant scanning and uploading work is due to the federal VA catching up with its claims documents. Success Story: A veteran filed a claim in 2012 and in 2013, while waiting, became homeless. She was granted an initial award, but filed a follow-up claim for Unemployability, which was denied multiple times. Portland got the case in 2016, and the veteran was represented by them at a hearing in April 2017. This quarter, October 2018, a ruling was finally granted in the veteran’s favor and she received a six-figure retroactive award. At multiple points in the process the veteran wanted to give up, but she was encouraged by her representatives and persevered to a life-changing conclusion. Training, Certification and Outreach—Joe Glover and James Connolly, Program Analysts This very busy quarter was highlighted by preparation for the annual fall conference, a required week-long event for all Veteran Service Officers accredited through ODVA. In addition to the conference preparation, James and Joe assisted with the transition of services to Marion County, led a boot-camp style concentrated training for ODVA’s in-house conservatorship program, and two initial five-day trainings for new VSOs. They coordinated with the VA Pension Management Team to have two federal trainers come to Bend for a regional training attended by most of Oregon’s county VSOs. The team conducted eleven on-site training visits to individual counties. Success Story: A veteran had his appeal remanded in December 2016, where it stalled. During the interim he was incarcerated, resulting in his benefits dropping, and then was subsequently released. He reached out the Governor’s Office for assistance. The TCO office coordinated services with the veteran’s county veteran service officer, got his appeal remand moving along in the system and has had a medical appointment for it, and reinstituted his benefits to preincarceration levels, along with retroactive monies owed to him for the wait time. Still waiting on the appeal, but the process is working and his immediate money concerns have been greatly eased. Women Veterans Coordinator—Liz Estabrooks, Program Analyst This quarter Liz attended four veteran meetings and 15 community partner meetings; she gave 14 presentations and accompanied the I Am Not Invisible exhibit to 11 separate display events, consulting with three VA hospitals and representatives from two other states on developing their own exhibits. She presented at five professional development seminars and hosted a table at eight community forums. She also continued the development of the pilot project with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to provide group education to 1 23
STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director
women veterans with military sexual trauma. She provided direct advocacy to 24 women veterans (some requiring multiple contacts). Liz was invited by the Portland VA Medical Center to consult on efforts to improve services on 5C (the inpatient psychiatric unit) for women veterans as a result of complaints from two women veterans. She has become a member of their task force focused on improvements on 5C, as well as examining potential opportunities for a military sexual trauma residential treatment program for women veterans in VISN 22. She has also been invited to serve on the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force and the Multnomah County Veterans Task Force Executive Committee, both with a vision to enhance and improve services to women veterans. Success Story: A woman veteran, employed by the VA, came to Liz for help. Working with a Veteran Service Officer, with Liz encouraging her, 100% permanent and total compensation was awarded after eight months, making a dramatic change in the veteran’s life. LGBTQ Veteran Coordinator—Nathaniel Boehme, Program Analyst ODVA’s LGBTQ Veterans Coordinator spent more than half of this quarter activated on State Active Duty in support of firefighting efforts in southern Oregon. In July Nathaniel represented ODVA and the State of Oregon at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in Washington D.C. , where he co-presented with NVLSP and HRC with special guest Major General Tammy Smith. Success Story: Nathaniel represented a trans veteran seeking service connection and a military records correction. After close work with the veteran and their medical providers, they were awarded a long-awaited service connection and the injustice on their military discharge paperwork was corrected. Incarcerated Veterans—Pat McGuffin and Vicky Kauffman, Program Analysts Pat and Vicky made 15 visits to the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility verifying the veteran status for 152 inmates. Of these inmates, 44 met the legal definition of a “veteran” for a slight increase in the verification rate to 28.9%. Pat and Vicky made an additional ten visits to state correctional facilities assisting another 40 veterans with VA overpayment and debt issues, benefit eligibility, and re-entry transition planning. Success Story: Pat and Vicky coordinated their efforts with the USDVA re-entry social workers, CVSOs, and Oregon Department of Corrections release counselors to plan visits to six state correctional facilities with a targeted focus of helping veterans plan for re-entry and ensuring they are prepared to utilize all available veteran resources during the transition back to their communities. The collaborative effort was thorough enough they were able to fill in for the USDVA re-entry social worker when she had a serious injury that normally required rescheduling of the visits. The end result was over 10 veterans were still enrolled in VA healthcare and 21 transition plans provided in time to assist veterans prior to their release date. An added benefit of this effort was the Multnomah County VSO was able to establish a working relationship with 2 24
STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director
Columbia River Correctional Institution staff which will result in facility access so she can routinely meet with veterans, many of whom will transition to Multnomah County. Campus Veteran Coordinator— During this reporting period Bob collaborated with the Oregon VA Education Liaison Representative, the Oregon National Guard Army Education Representative, the Oregon State Approving Agency, and a representative from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, in a week long statewide workshop tour, visiting sites in Pendleton, Bend, Klamath Falls, and Ashland. The workshop topics covered VA education benefits, processing of VA education benefits, Oregon’s Campus Resource Center Grant, current legislation affecting veterans, and the new Oregon National Guard Tuition Assistance Grant. This workshop tour allowed a large number of schools from different regions of the state to gather valuable information to better assist their veteran students. Two weeks later an additional workshop was held in Salem to allow Willamette Valley colleges and universities the opportunity to learn the same information. On September 17, 2018 Bob resigned from ODVA and moved to the Oregon HECC as the Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) for veteran and military programs. Grants Management—Sue Farkash County Pass-Through Funding For the period July – September 2018, each county was contacted regarding their annual request for ODVA funding, and budgeting information. ODVA examined the county portion of the Veteran Services Office budget, the additional funding made available through Measure 96, and the spending of the county Veteran Services Offices during the first year those new funds were available. Most counties utilized the new funds in the way the legislature intended by hiring new staff, purchasing equipment and vehicles to facilitate remote outreach, etc. Some counties, often due to the delay of the funds in relation to their own budget cycle, were unable to spend all the money last year. ODVA is following those counties closely, ensuring the unspent funds are carried forward into the current year, and assisting them with developing a better spending plan for this year to serve more veterans. Emergency Financial Assistance We received 23 applications for emergency assistance grants, with five of those approved for a total of $8,107. The average grant was $1,621. Most approved grants are for mortgage/rent and utility payments. Fewer grants than normal were approved this period because the applicants did not have a viable sustainability plan, or were well beyond the scope of this small program. Success Story example: An elderly Vietnam veteran and his wife, living in a one hundred year old home, discovered that their home did not meet code standard for a sewer line. The 3 25
STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director
oversight was discovered when their neighbor had a sewer crisis, and the city’s work on that crisis caused sewage to back up into the home of this elderly couple. They did nothing wrong, but their seriously limited, fixed income, did not have room for the repair they faced. The grant was able to help repair the line. Highly Rural Transportation Grant Ten highly rural counties are receiving assistance transporting veterans to VA medical appointments. The grant has been a successful cooperative arrangement between USDVA, ODVA, and rural counties and their transportation entities. Success Story: ODVA has been granted funds for a fifth year. We request the full grant allowed by the USDVA each cycle, and each time we are able to utilize every dollar. 25 states have qualifying counties, but only 11 choose to participate in this very worthwhile program. During this grant cycle, over 288,000 miles were driven to take Oregon veterans to vital medical appointments. Campus Veteran Grants The second monitoring period closed September 30, and reports have been received and reviewed. Success Story: All participating campus Veteran Resource Centers have seen physical upgrades and an increase in participation, but an exciting innovation at Rogue Community College involves “Industry Tours”, where the Veteran Resource Coordinator polled the student veterans to see what careers they would like to pursue. She then sought out local businesses to host site visitations to discuss topics such as translating military service into civilian resumes, resume writing, mock interview skills, etc. When she had almost no overlap in interest areas she realized that students might find something they never considered if they just go see it in action, so the tours now involve taking a vanload of veterans to several businesses to see options and learn things that apply across the board, and not just to one career. It is hoped that the real world exposure will ease the final phase of transition (school to the workplace) and all the veteran students will be successful in their post-military careers. Statewide Veteran Services Grants The 10 selected grants have been awarded and instructions on quarterly monitoring reports have been provided to grantees. ODVA has visited nine of the recipient sites. The second monitoring period closed September 30, and reports have been received. Programs are ramping up, personnel hired, equipment purchased, and even zoning change requests have been approved for homeless housing. Success Story: One recipient is Community Connections of Northeast Oregon, providing transportation to medical appointments for veterans in Baker and Union Counties. Union County received a call from a hospital in Boise, where one of their veterans had been 4 26
STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Director
airlifted. He was ready to come home from the hospital, but had no other resources, and the hospital was proposing putting him on a Greyhound bus and requesting Union County pick him up at the bus station and take him home. After a condition serious enough to have required Life Flight, Union County said no to putting him on a bus for an uncomfortable ride. Instead, they drove to the hospital and picked the veteran up personally; saving him the uncomfortable drive home with strangers. Lines for Life Lines for Life, provides 24 hour phone and text services to at-risk veterans and their families. This quarter, 768 calls from 19 identified counties were logged. The calls had an average wait time of 14 seconds, and the average duration of a call was 12 minutes. Referrals were given to 23% of the callers for mental health appointments, drug and alcohol treatment, and assistance with the VA. Emergency services were notified for eight calls this quarter.
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Veterans’ Home Loan Program Third Quarter 2018 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager
Production Review •
For the 3rd Quarter, 2018, the Home Loan Program closed 122 loans for a gross dollar volume of $32,695,212. For the same period in 2017, the Home Loan Program funded 66 loans for $18,533,321. For the Calendar YE 2018, the Home Loan Program has closed 267 loans for $75,337,717. This YTD total, just through the 3rd quarter, exceeds previous total annual production. ODVA is on a full year run rate to approach $90 million in new loan annual production.
•
The chart below shows a 2014 - 2018 YTD monthly production comparison of dollar volume funded for the OrVet Home Loan program. $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000
2014
2015
2017
2018
2016
$10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $-
•
At the end of the 3rd Quarter 2018, ODVA has a total of 1,935 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $355,905,402. Of these, 1,670 units and $344,410,624 are new loans. Old loans were at 265 units totaling $9,494,777. At the end of the 3rd Quarter 2017, the ODVA had a total of 1,860 for $303,435,423 under servicing, with 1,506 units at $291,317,583 as new loans and 354 units at $12,117,840 were Old Loans. The servicing portfolio has grown quarter over quarter by $50,496,797, or 16.63%. Since the start of 2018, the servicing portfolio has grown by 446,238,074, or 15.03% in dollar volume.
Loan Delinquency Review • • • • •
For the reporting period of 09/30/2018, there was one State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned (SOP/REO) in inventory. (We have since liquidated that asset for a profit.) There were no loans in a Foreclosure status, down 2 from the last report date. At the end of 2nd Qtr 2018, ODVA has 2 loans in a bankruptcy status; no change. The total of all loans reporting in the 90-day or greater delinquency position was at 15, expressed as 0.8% unit delinquency on a portfolio of 1,935 loans and at 0.3% per dollar amount under portfolio. 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 Third Quarter 2018 report. The delinquency rate expressed as a percentage of total loans (units) past due for the Federal 29
Veterans’ Home Loan Program Third Quarter 2018 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager
Veterans Affairs home loan program in Oregon was 2.66%, FHA home loans in Oregon were at 5.42 % and Conventional Prime home loans Oregon were at 1.85%. For this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.4% at 27 units, down 1 unit from the previous report.
Quarterly Staffing News •
No changes to staff during 3rd QTR 2018.
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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES
Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director
The protest regarding the award to VCCO for the Veteran Homes contract has been withdrawn. ODVA is currently in the process of negotiating the new contract with VCCO. In addition to the contract, Ana has been working with the management company on several other issues to improve processes and ensure continuity at the veteran’s homes. Both Ana and Kelly presented at the CVSO conference on Oregon’s Long-Term Care and how the AVS Division can help VSO’s with their veterans. Ana attended the American Healthcare Association conference, the DOJ Elder Abuse conference in Bend and the medal presentation in Lebanon. Kelly has been working with the IT and communications units to secure project management services in order to move forward with the replacement of the existing IT Conservatorship System. Aging Veteran Outreach Lacey Carter returned to ODVA and has been on the job since the middle of October. She previously worked as a VSO for ODVA, and was a lead worker in that position. We are excited to have her knowledge and experience back at ODVA. She is currently brushing up on the rules and regulations so she will be able to effectively advocate for our veterans. Veteran Volunteer Mark Newell has been very busy. The training materials, policies and procedures are complete. The official badge design is complete as well. Several meetings have occurred with Clackamas and Polk County to pilot the program and plan on running the pilot for 3-4 months. He has reviewed several software programs and a final decision has been made. We hope to have some data to report back on next quarter. Conservatorship Helen Ireland, Conservatorship Manager In August, all Conservatorship and Representative Payee staff attended a quarterly meeting, which included insight on Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors and Hoarding. This training was provided through the Guardianship Conservatorship Association of Oregon. In September, the USDVA conducted their periodic audit of fiduciaries that serve more than 20 beneficiaries. The USDVA Salt Lake City Fiduciary HUB audit was scheduled for 4 days, however they only needed two days to complete the audit and found no deficiencies or irregularities.
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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES
Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Conservatorship and Representative Payee Demographics 2 10 5
18
27
10
10
26 40
77
6
11 11
41
55
Nursing Home
Residential Care Facility
Adult Foster Home
Assisted Living Facility
Room & Board Facility
Hospital
Independent Living
Relative Care
Incarcerated
Homeless
114
WWII
Korea
Vietnam
Peace Time
Gulf War
Other (non-veteran)
(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war.)
Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon Jeremy Woodall, Program Director Veterans Day Veterans Day 2018 was a wonderful experience for our veteran residents. With events and visits spanning the entire weekend we honored those who have served, both residents at the OVHL and those in our community. The employee parking lot, to the rear (west) of the OVHL campus is nearing completion. The crew has mentioned it will be completed by early December.
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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES
Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director OVHL Demographics 2 12
4
15
19
28
36 58
65
33 12 2
WWII
Korea
Vietnam
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Peace Time
Gulf War
OIF/OEF
Marine
Navy
Spouse
Oregon Veterans’ Home, The Dalles Michael Springston, Program Director Both state and federal surveys occurred in the last couple months. All citations have been corrected and the home is in compliance. OVHTD is still waiting for art work for the home which is scheduled to be completed before the year ends. The Fall Bazaar was a huge success. Several local artists participated in the craft fair which was a big hit with residents. The Dalles Middle School hosted a group of our veterans in a school assembly which was meant to honor heroes of our community. Pictures of this event can be seen on the Facebook page. Holiday decorations are in full swing and OVHTD is set to have an amazing time this year for all of our veterans, family, and staff.
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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES
Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director OVHTD census reflects 103 men and 28 women with 4 women Veterans. The average age of our residents is 80.24 years old. OVHTD Demographics
11
2
9
18
28 20 31
46 54
46
WWII
Korea
Peace Time
Gulf War
Vietnam
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Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine
Navy
Spouse
Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor
1. Legislative Calendar Note: From December 2018 to January 22, 2019, the Legislature is operating in the “interim,” or between legislative sessions. DECEMBER 2018 December Legislative Days: December 11-13, 2018 The Legislature convenes during the interim for special meeting days, called "Legislative Days," WHEN committees hold informational hearings, hear updates on implementations of past legislation and reports from state agencies and make executive appointments. Emergency Board: December 11-13, 2018 The “Emergency Board” (“E Board”) is a constitutionally created legislative committee responsible for adjusting the state budget to cover emergency requirements when the full legislature is out of session by allocating funds to state agencies. In addition, the board can approve funding for new requirements that arise unexpectedly. The governor submits a funding request to the E Board and the committee holds a hearing on the matter. Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Emergency Board Request December 2018 ODVA requested $201,550 to establish three permanent positions for the remainder of the biennium (through June 30, 2019) to enable the department to become the federallyapproved (by the federal VA) State Approving Agency (SAA) for veterans’ education programs. The SAA is responsible for approving and monitoring postsecondary institutions and training establishments receiving money from the “GI Bill” and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The SAA is reimbursed for its services from the federal VA. The SAA in Oregon was the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) until October 1, 2018. ODVA will appear before the E Board during December Legislative Days. JANUARY 2019 January Legislative Organization Days: January 14-16, 2019 (Monday – Wednesday) Members will be sworn in; all presession-filed measures introduced (first read); and the Senate and House will meet in joint session for the purpose of swearing-in the Governor. Training and orientation for members is provided. LEGISLATIVE SESSION JANUARY 22, 2019 THROUGH JUNE 2019 Legislative Session Begins: January 22, 2019 (Tuesday) The first day of the Legislative Session is provided in statute. For many years, all Legislative sessions would begin on or about the first day of February. The 2018 Legislature passed SB 1542 that changed these dates.
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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor
• • •
Beginning 2019, legislative sessions in odd-numbered years will start on the Tuesday after the holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday. (2019: January 22) Sessions in even-numbered years will start on the first day of February (except if February 1 is a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the session will start the following Monday). Legislative Session for 2019: Begins Tuesday, January 22, 2019 and must end 160 days later, or June 30, 2019.
Overview of 2019 Legislature • Senate. 30 total members. Two new. 12 Republican, 18 Democrats. 9 women, 21 men. • House: 60 total members. Ten new. 22 Republicans. 38 Democrats. 28 women, 32 men. • Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers; gives them the power to raise taxes and pass other "bills for raising revenue" that require a three-fifths majority without Republican support. Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Legislative Concepts Legislative Concept Process All state agency bills are submitted to the legislature by the Governor. State agencies were required to submit legislative concepts in April 2018 for the 2019 legislative session. Concepts must be approved by the Department of Administrative Services and the Governor’s Office. Legislative Counsel completes all drafts of concepts by November 1, 2018. ODVA submitted three legislative concepts, primarily technical and housekeeping concepts, and all were approved by the Governor. Concepts have “LC” numbers until they are introduced as bills. Attached are one-page briefings on each of the bills. • LC 447 dated 9/14/18. Streamline conservatorship process and make permanent the campus veterans’ grant program • LC 448 dated 9/28/18. Updates outdated provision in the home loan program statutes • LC 449 dated 8/21/18. Updates and makes consistent language on veterans’ homes ODVA is not able to submit any additional concept or bills for the 2019 session. Other Legislative Concepts and Bills (non-ODVA) During legislative days in December, the members of the House and Senate Veterans committees may discuss legislative concepts they may introduce. Note that the committees may also introduce bills. However, until bills are “dropped” (introduced during the legislative session), they are not public. Note: The last full session was January to June, 2017: • 2,811 bills were filed during the 2017 Session.
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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor
•
ODVA tracked 87 bills that were directly related to veterans; 44 of those bills became law.
VAAC Members • Legislative Updates. To sign up for email updates during session: o Go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDVA/subscriber/new o Under “Resources/Information” check box for “Veteran Legislation” •
Issues and questions or ideas for legislation: laurie.skillman@state.or.us Ideas for legislation: o What is the problem that needs to be solved? How many veterans are impacted? o What are the possible solutions? How can the outcome be measured? o Will the solution cost money?
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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor Legislative Concept Briefing: LC 447 Exempts Department of Veterans’ Affairs from requirement to Include vouchers for disbursements with conservator’s accounting to court. Makes permanent campus veteran resources grant programs. Problem #1 ODVA has a conservatorship program for veterans. Current statutes (ORS Ch 125) require that conservators send a copy of all vouchers and depository statements to the court for each annual accounting. ODVA is required by statute to use Oregon State Treasury (Oregon Short Term Fund) as a financial institution, the required individual client depository statements are not available for ODVA to provide to the courts, because Oregon State Treasury places all conservatorship client funds in a pooled account. Additionally, collection of the vouchers (negotiated checks) needs to be located on CD’s sent each month by the bank and for any ACH items, there is no voucher. ODVA staff have a labor intensive process to look for each check by number, locate the correct disk, and then print each check. Solution #1 Note that trust companies are exempt from filing vouchers. To streamline the process, we propose amending ORS Ch 125 to exempt ODVA from filing vouchers. This would allow ODVA to keep vouchers on file and provide them to any interested party upon request. In addition, Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) 9.180 (2) states: Unless the fiduciary is excused from filing vouchers, the accounting shall include depository statements for each account. If ORS Ch125 is amended to exempt ODVA from filing vouchers, this will also release ODVA from the obligation to file depository statements. Problem #2 Senate Bill 143 (2017) became Chapter 731, Oregon Laws 2017. The statute created the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Campus Veterans Resources Grant Program. The purpose of the bill was to provide innovate grants to community colleges and public universities. However, the bill has a sunset provision and program provisions are set to be repeals on January 2, 2020. The program is a great success; the Department wants to continue the program and has budget funds in the ARB for 2019-21. Solution #2 The concept makes permanent the Campus Veteran Resources Grant Program.
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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor Legislative Concept Briefing: LC 448 Modifies laws relating to home and farm loans for veterans. Problem The reviewed ORS Chapter 407, relating to the home loan program, and found language that was archaic, outdated, confusing and unclear, which creates challenges for the Department and the public. Solutions Amend ORS Chapter 407 to provide clarity and readability; update archaic provisions; conform statutes to the practices, policies and federal bond and lending requirements; and eliminate provisions that have not been used for years or are prohibited uses of bond proceeds. Legislative Concept Briefing: LC 449 Clarifies laws relating to Oregon Veterans’ Homes. Repeals obsolete sections. Problem The statutes relating to the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs veterans homes (ORS 408.360 to 408.395) are outdated and some provisions are inconsistent between the homes, including contracting requirements, application of statutes for long term care facilities to the veterans’ homes and admission requirements. As background, there are two existing “Oregon Veterans’ Homes”: The Oregon Veterans’ Home in The Dalles and the Edward C. Allworth Veterans’ Home in Lebanon. ORS 408.385 provides for a third home to be located in Roseburg and, if necessary, a fourth veterans’ home at an undetermined location. The references in statute to the different homes are confusing; the Edward C. Allworth Veterans’ Home in Lebanon is referred to as “chapter 591, Oregon Laws 1995” or “the second veterans’ home.” Another problem is that ORS 408.380 states that the second veterans’ home (Lebanon) is subject to state and federal laws and regulations for long term care facilities, but is silent on the other homes. Finally, admission requirements for the homes are inconsistent. Solutions Amend the statutes in ORS 408.360 to 408.395 to accomplish the following: • Create a definition for each veterans’ home, and define all as the “Oregon Veterans’ Homes”
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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor
• • • •
Update language in ORS 408.360 to 408.395 to conform to the new definitions Amend ORS 408.380 to state that the all Oregon Veterans’ Homes are subject to state and federal laws and regulations for long term care facilities. Clarify that contracting requirements for operations and management of Oregon Veterans’ Homes apply to each Oregon Veterans’ Home under ORS 408.375. Under ORS 408.375, clarify and make consistent admission requirements apply to all Oregon Veterans’ Homes, and that a Home may only admit “residents” who are veterans (defined by rule), the spouses or surviving spouses of veterans, and a parent whose child died while serving the Armed Forces of the United States (Gold Star parents). Admittance for spouses, parents and others is conditioned on federal requirements for number of veterans in relations to non-veterans.
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ODVA Advisory Committee Housing Subcommittee Rosa MacĂas
The 2018 Marion /Polk County Point in Time count showed that on January 31st, 2018 there were 1,218 homeless people on the street that day. Volunteers conducted interviews with people who were homeless, with no permanent place. The interviews were conducted on the street, in parks, under bridges, in camps, and at area homeless service organizations. The Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates that each community do a point in Time Count to be eligible for money for programs that address homelessness. Many organizations such as Mid- Willamette Valley & Salem Housing Authority uses PIT count data to help develop and evaluate homeless programs and services and make decisions about future affordable housing projects. Out of the 1,218, 95 were identified as being Veterans (no verification was asked), 86 Male, 7 Female, 2 Transgender, 7 Hispanic/Latino, 88 non-Hispanic/Latino, and out of the 95 homeless Veterans 64 were chronically homeless. Housing support for Veterans in the Marion/Polk county area – ARCHES: The ARCHES Project serves as a center designed to provide referral and services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and those at-risk of becoming homeless. They currently have 3 Veterans program that thy work with. SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families; VA funded): Serves veteran households who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Discharge status must be anything other than Dishonorable; income threshold is 50% of Area Median Income or below. Short term program, 6-9 months maximum, assist with security/utility deposit, rent/utility payments, housing placement and employment services, case management. Lottery Vet/Vet DRF (State funds): Serves veteran households who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. One time - short term, assistance is provided for security/utility deposit, rent and utility assistance. Discharge status of the eligible veteran must be Honorable. Income threshold is 80 % of Area Median Income or below. OHA VRAP (Oregon Health Authority Veteran Rental Assistance Program): Serves veterans who have been diagnosed with a SPMI (severe and persistent mental illness). It is a Permanent Supported Housing program. Eligible veterans must reside in the Salem urban growth boundary to access rent assistance. Case management and peer support services are
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ODVA Advisory Committee Housing Subcommittee Rosa MacĂas
provided to the veterans. ARCHES also works closely with HUD VASH to fill the available vouchers in Marion/Polk Counties and City of Salem. VA HUD VASH Program: Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to Veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. HUD-VASH targets the chronically homeless Veteran often mainly those with severe mental or physical health problems and/or substance use disorders. A key component of the program is VA’s case management services. Salem currently has a total of 65 HUD vouchers for vets . VA Per Diem (GPD) program: GPD is a service funded through the VA that offers transitional housing and support services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Only programs with supportive housing service for up to 24 months and that offer services such as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling and support to achieving permanent housing qualify for this program. West Care Foundation has a Veterans home here in Salem Called Home for Heroes: They have been open since 2017 but as a few months ago they were approved for VA Per Diem Program, which is the 1st in Salem. The home has 15 rooms, 30 beds and they offered client centered case management services and life skills training to return to independent living. Polk County Polk County has 3 Housing projects for veterans in the works; one of them is Gales Lodge, a Temporary Housing for Homeless Veterans in Dallas OR. This is a partnership between Polk County and the Dallas United Methodist Church. Gales Lodge is set to open by December 30th of this year and it will serve up to 6 males Veterans at a time and they will be able to stay for 1year max. The purpose of this project is to get the Veteran in safe drug & alcohol free environment while they work on getting permanent housing. Gales Lodge was awarded $40,000 from the Oregon Department Veterans Affairs to help with the cost of furniture and hire an onsite veteran host and they hope to have Gale's Lodge up and running by Dec 30th of this year. Polk Community Development Corporation is working on 2 permanent housing projects for veterans one in Dallas and the other one in Independence.
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ODVA Advisory Committee Housing Subcommittee Rosa MacĂas
Warming Shelters Possible warming shelters locations in Salem for when the weather falls below freezing (call ahead for information): Union Gospel Mission--Men's Shelter 345 Commercial Street NE, Salem OR 97301 Phone: 503-362-3983 Union Gospel Mission Simonka Place--Women's Shelter 5119 River Road N, Keizer OR 97303 Phone 503-362-7487 Shelter has limited availability (recommended to call beforehand) Salvation Army Shelter 1901 Front Street NE, Salem OR Phone: 503-585-6688. Shelter has limited availability (recommended to call beforehand) Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project (HOAP) 694 Church Street NE Salem OR 97301 Phone: 503-588-5827 Daytime Warming Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday Salem First Presbyterian Church 770 Chemeketa St. NE Salem OR, 97301 You can also call the Warming Activation Hotline at (503) 559-7147) to find out warming center hosted by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency.
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FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION John Osborn, Program Manager
THE DALLES VETERANS’ HOME The last remaining element to the interior renovation will be the replacement of the art work throughout the building. Most of the military themed items will remain, and supplementary new items added. In addition, at each wing three commissioned piece of art that connect to the large mural at the entrance to each wing will be place in each wing at a prominent location.
LEBANON VETERANS’ HOME The parking lot addition is nearly complete; we anticipate opening the lot for use the first week of December. The landscaping work is currently under way and should be done in 10 days to 2 weeks. The light poles (which were a long lead item) will arrive in 10 to 14 days and final installation of all lighting will take about a week.
Future Grants All documentation and information has been submitted to USDVA for both Grants. Traditional the grant award priority list is released in mid-January of the pending grant year. The Dalles grant will involve replacing the roof, redesigning the soffit to siding connections; redevelop the garden area between C & D wings, and various interior and exterior items. The total project cost is; $6,033,928. Federal share is $3,922,053. State is $2,111,874. The Lebanon grant will further develop the area west of the new parking lot adding a storage building and additional staff offices. In addition, an activity room will be built off the existing D-wing spine similar to the one constructed at The Dalles Veterans Home. The total project cost is $3,649,000. Federal share is $2,371,850. State share is $1,277,150. ODVA Building Currently we are working with the architects to finalize the design for the first floor to meet the needs of Aging Veterans Services who will move to this area after the remodel is complete. Early Learning Division has decided to lease the remaining 2000 square feet on the third floor of the building. The architects are working on the drawings for their requested alteration. All remodels in the building will include additional offices, new carpet, flooring, paint, and casework. The new design of lobby will incorporate the updated finishes and will create a more welcoming atmosphere. We anticipate beginning work in January of 2019.
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