VAAC Staff Report March 2022 by Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS | MARCH 2, 2022

SERVING THE COMMUNITY: Army Pfc. Emmanuel Cabanila, assigned to the Oregon Army National Guard, holds a placard to have health care professionals assist a patient at a COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinic at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., Feb. 1, 2021. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown activated members of the Oregon National Guard on Jan. 8, 2021, to assist local partners throughout the state with vaccine distribution.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 2, 2022 ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Howard, USN, Chair .................................................................................. Medford Reynold “Reyn” Leno, USMC, Vice Chair ................................................... Grand Ronde Christine Gittins, USA, Secretary...................................................................... Redmond James Gardner, USA ........................................................................................... Eugene Robert “Bob” Van Voorhis, USA ....................................................................... John Day Nell Stamper, USCG………………………………………………………………………………………...Astoria Christina Wood, USAF…………………………………..………………………………………….…..Portland Micah Ashby, USN………………………….......................................................................Bend Christopher Waine, USA………………………………….………………................................... Hermiston ODVA STAFF Kelly Fitzpatrick, USA ......................................................................................... Director Martha-Estela Garcia, USA ........................................... Special Assistant to the Director Michelle Lovejoy .......................................................................Interim Deputy Director Vacant .............................................................................................. Legislative Director Lisa Durden ............................................................................................Internal Auditor Rebecca Cameron ............................................................... Human Resources Manager Ana Potter ...................................................... Aging Veteran Services Division Director Kelly Breshears.……………………………….…. Aging Veteran Services Division Asst. Director Helen Ireland………………………………………………………………………. Conservatorship Manger Sheronne Blasi, USN................................ Statewide Veteran Services Division Director Joseph Glover, USN ....................... Statewide Veterans Services Division Asst. Director Martin Ornelas, USCG….……………………………………………………...ODVA Portland Manager Donna Haole-Valenuela ............................................................... Chief Financial Officer Vacant…..…………………………………………………………………………………………………… Controller Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager Troy Croff .............................................................. Facilities and Construction Manager Nicole Hoeft ............................................................ Communications Division Director David Kampff ................................................................. Information Services Manager

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 2, 2022 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Join by Zoom via Videoconference: You may pre-register for the meeting by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArcuqrrDsiHdX5UKE5sh6_2BCSNg9BfRMB Once pre-registered you will receive a link to the meeting. To prevent background noise, all attendees will be muted upon joining the meeting. To improve bandwidth during the meeting, only members of the Committee and Department staff will appear on video feed. We ask the public to turn their cameras off. Join by Zoom via Telephone: You may join the meeting by dialing 1 (253) 215-8782. When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 846 5332 0871# and password/participant ID: 624529# To prevent background noise, all callers will be muted upon joining the meeting. Meeting Materials: Staff reports for individual agenda items, when available, can be found on the Committee’s website by clicking on the following link: https://issuu.com/odva/stacks/38107bb40c054695831edf5634865ca4 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION – Business Meeting • Call to Order – Chair James Gardner • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair James Gardner • Moment of Silence – Chair James Gardner • Meeting Rules – Vice Chair Christine Gittins • Committee Member Introductions II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT • ODVA Director, Kelly Fitzpatrick III. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS • Incarcerated Veterans Program – Pat McGuffin & Shane Hagey, Program Coordinators • Veterans Educational Bridge Grant – Joe Mah, Program Coordinator • Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program – Brenna Bandstra, Program Coordinator • Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation Grant – Sheronne Blasi, Director Statewide Veterans Services • Veterans Services Grants – Sheronne Blasi • Campus Veteran Resource Center Grants – Sheronne Blasi

IV. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS • Discuss updating By-Laws o Sub-Committees • Continue to share with veterans that they can apply at any time to be an Advisory Committee member through the ODVA website. Applications remain in the queue for consideration for two years. • Open for Committee Members V. NEW BUSINESS • Topics for the next years meetings • Locations for the next years meetings o Homelessness o VHA in Roseburg o Bosie and Walla Walla VA updates • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2022| Time: 9:30 – Noon Location: TBD VII. BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED TOWN HALL (Speakers Limited to 3 Minutes) The town hall time is for individuals to bring up broader veteran community issues. Members of the community may also submit written public comments to the Committee at the following email address: vaac@odva.state.or.us CONNECT WITH ODVA WEBSITE www.oregon.gov/odva BLOG www.oregondva.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/odvavet TWITTER @oregondva or www.twitter.com/OregonDVA ADVISORY COMMITTEE vaac@odva.state.or.us PUBLIC INFORMATION ODVAinformation@odva.state.or.us SUBMIT AN EVENT www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Events.aspx SUBMIT A STORY VetsNews@odva.state.or.us EMAIL SUBSCRIBE & Vets News www.oregon.gov/odva (Under “Connect with ODVA then Agency Publications”) LEGISLATIVE Page www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Legislation.aspx

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 necessitated many changes and challenges for the State of Oregon. Oregon is at yet another turning point as we head into Spring 2022 and anticipate the state mask mandate to be lifted on March 31st. Although that turn is a positive one and aligns with much of the nation’s collective response, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the lives of every Oregonian with unprecedented levels of economic and health impacts, especially among the state’s public and private employees. As many public and private organizations have experienced, the last quarter has been a time of accelerated staff transition at ODVA. Economists have called this time the “Great Resignation” and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “quits” are rising in almost every industry across the nation – and Oregon state government has not been spared. Our agency is no exception. We are extremely fortunate to have a Human Resources team that has been working quickly and closely with program areas impacted by staffing shortages to not only expedite the recruitment of new skilled staff, but work with program managers to construct hiring plans to maximize diversity and talent in our recruitments. For example, ODVA said goodbye to our initial Interim Deputy Director Jenny Donovan on January 14. On January 31, ODVA welcomed Interim Deputy Director Michelle Lovejoy. We said goodbye to ODVA’s Chief Financial Officer Aaron Hunter on December 1, 2021.On March 1, Donna Haole-Valenzuela will join the finance team as the agency’s new Chief Financial Officer. The combined experience of Michelle and Donna brings decades of state experience in finance, budgeting, legislative, auditing and policy work to ODVA. They will also put us in a strong position to begin working on our 2023-2025 Agency Request Budget. As ODVA continued actively recruiting for the Legislative and Governmental Relations Analyst position, we began the short 2022 regular session on February 1 which will sine die on March 7. In February, I gave agency briefings to both the Senate and House veterans committees during informational hearings updating the legislature about ODVA’s work throughout 2021. A copy of the briefing provided to the Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee is provided in the Advisory Committee quarterly report. At the next Advisory Committee meeting I will be able to share outcomes of the 2022 Regular Session. In the meantime, every Friday, ODVA releases a Veteran Bill Digest to the public through email subscription and on our website, both of which are found on ODVA’s Legislative website. As we continue through uncharted territory of state re-opening and the shifting of new norms, I share with you my commitment that ODVA will continue to work to fulfill our vision that all veterans and their families thrive in Oregon, regardless of race, ethnicity, or skin color, gender,

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick ability, religious belief, or sexual orientation. By doing so, ODVA will make its own modest contribution to the larger state government effort to ensure that all Americans live free from institutional injustice, violence and prejudice, and have the opportunity to pursue a life of dignity, free from fear and full of hope. For the balance of 2022 and beyond, we will find ways of joining our partners in community engagement efforts where we will actively seek opportunities to listen to the voices of veterans of color concerning their needs. Ultimately, this intentional engagement will help us request budgetary resources to improve the benefits and services that ODVA provides. I’m proud of the work the entire ODVA team does as they continue to show great resilience and rise to every challenge in order to continue to serve and advocate for Oregon veterans and their families. As we now head into the spring months, I hope that the members of our Veterans Advisory Committee remain safe and well.

AGENCY UPDATE

Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness (SVEP) Committee | 10 February 2022

PRESENTED BY

Kelly Fitzpatrick, Director

THE MISSION CONTINUES SERVING AND HONORING VETERANS IN OREGON SINCE 1945

OUR VISION

Veterans and their families thrive in Oregon

OUR MISSION

ODVA serves and honors veterans through our leadership, advocacy and strong partnerships

OUR VALUES

Respect, Integrity, Stewardship and Excellence

1 OUT OF 14

295,279

OREGONIANS IS A VETERAN

OREGON VETERAN POPULATION

RICH IN DIVERSITY ACROSS SIX MAJOR SERVICE ERAS

76% OF VETERANS SERVED DURING A WARTIME 1.8%

6.1%

36.5%

23.9%

12.1%

20.3%

WORLD WAR II

KOREAN

VIETNAM

PEACETIME

GULF

POST 9/11 4

12% VETERANS OF COLOR IN OREGON

2% Asian, Pacific Islander | 4.3% Hispanic Or Latino | 1.6% Black | 1.1% Native American | 3% One Or More Races

NEARLY 10% OF OREGON VETERANS ARE WOMEN MORE THAN HALF OF OREGON VETERANS ARE AGED 65 OR OLDER

$3.48 BILLION

TOTAL FY 20 VA EXPENDITURES IN OREGON

$1.64 Billion Health Care Expenditures

More than 34% of veterans in Oregon are enrolled in health care from the federal VA.

$150 Million

$1.60 Billion

Education Payments

Disability Compensation and Pension Payments »

28% of Oregon veterans are service–connected for injuries incurred in service.

In 2020, the average tuition and housing payments made to 8,773 veterans in Oregon was $17,211. 6

VETERAN JOURNEY

PARTNERS DELIVERING VETERAN SERVICES IN OREGON

$133 MILLION PER MONTH IN DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION TO OREGONIANS

LOCAL VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE

Veterans work with ODVA veteran service officers, 36 County Veteran Service Offices, 2 Tribal Veteran Service Offices or 5 National Service Offices in Oregon to file claims and connect to other local, state and federal veteran benefits and resources.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

FEDERAL VETERANS AFFAIRS

Claims filed in Oregon by state, county and tribal veteran service offices are reviewed and quality assured for completeness and then submitted to the federal VA by ODVA. Veterans are represented under ODVA’s Power of Attorney and the state represents veterans in the appeals adjudication process.

Rating decision for veterans claims are made by the Veterans Benefit Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs based on Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38.

SERVICE-CONNECTED VETERAN

More than 84,000 veterans in Oregon are rated for a service-connected disability or receiving a pension, leading to $1.6 billion in Disability Compensation and Pension payments in Oregon per year.

AGENCY PROGRAMS

SUMMARY OF SERVICES »

HOME LOAN PROGRAM »

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES AGING VETERAN SERVICES OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

Provides home loans to qualified veterans STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

Provides claims and appeals assistance, monitoring of post-secondary institutions through the State Approving Agency function, partnerships with counties and national veterans’ service organizations to assist veterans, and grant programs that direct funding to veterans and governmental and non-profit organizations AGING VETERAN SERVICES

Provides expertise and outreach in aging veterans’ benefits and services, veteran volunteer program, and conservatorship and representative payee services OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

Provides oversight of the two Oregon Veterans’ Homes (skilled-nursing and memory care facilities) in The Dalles and Lebanon 8

TARGET VETERAN SERVICES • Claims: Processed 11,398 claims and received 5,865 claims decisions on behalf of county, tribal and ODVA Veteran Service Officers, for Oregon veterans and their eligible dependents. • Retroactive Payments: The work resulted in more than $53 million in retroactive payments and new monthly claims awards to Oregon veterans and their families. • Virtual Appeals Representation: Conducted 591 U.S. Board of Veterans Appeals remote hearings, and was highlighted by the VA as a model for conducting appeals hearings. • Training and Certification held 30 virtual trainings for Oregon’s network of more than 100 county and tribal Veteran Service Officers. 9

TARGET VETERAN SERVICES • Both Oregon Veterans’ Homes received Pinnacle Awards for Customer Excellence and Satisfaction. • Conservatorship - $28 million under management, representing 214 veterans through Conservator and/or Representative Payee services. • Home Loan Program – Home Loan program helped 152 Oregon veterans realize the American dream of home ownership, funding $56.1 million in new loans in calendar year 2021.

TARGET VETERAN SERVICES & MOBILIZE PARTERSHIPS Special Advocacy • Hired new LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator • ODVA’s 2021 Annual Tribal Veteran Representative Conference was conducted in partnership with the Federal VA Office of Tribal Government Relations, and federally recognized tribal nations. • Incarcerated Veterans Program conducted 815 meetings representing approximately 600 new veterans and 215 current veteran clients, and assisted one veteran complete a Board of Veterans Appeals Hearing • ODVA hired the first Oregon Houseless Veteran Coordinator and as an Accredited VSO, will work with partners to address complex needs and reduce houselessness among Oregon veterans Veterans Education • Began hosting virtual training sessions for School Certifying Officials • Hosted ODVA’s first (virtual) Campus Veteran Coordinator Summit for training and networking. • Veteran Educational Bridge Grant awarded 8 grants to student veterans. 11

TARGET VETERAN SERVICES & MOBILIZE PARTNERSHIPS • Campus Veteran Resource Center awarded $600k to 15 public universities and community college campuses • Veteran Services Grant awarded $938k to 21 community partners delivering direct services to veterans. • Highly Rural Transportation Grant – provided 3,630 trips that transported 176 veterans over 220,000 miles to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. • Emergency Financial Assistance Grants - ODVA awarded $49,992 to 34 applicants. • Suicide Awareness & Prevention Funding: awarded over $68,000 counties and tribes to heighten community awareness, and to publicize and de-stigmatize mental health options available to veterans and their families. 12

DRIVE VETERAN ENGAGEMENT

You Are Not Alone. Afghanistan Withdrawal August 2021

DRIVE VETERAN ENGAGEMENT • ‘Reach’ Campaign raised awareness of Behavioral Health resources available to Afghanistan veterans their families who may be experiencing depression, anxiety or other behavioral health challenges due to the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. • ODVA Campus Veteran Coordinator and Afghanistan veteran Joe Mah is a U.S. Army veteran who served a nine-month tour in Afghanistan in 2013. Watch ODVA’s Reach PSA: https://youtu.be/5vFG1ayq7X8

DRIVE VETERAN ENGAGEMENT

Virtual Town Halls ODVA held virtual Town Halls to focused engagement with the LGBTQ+, Women, and Vietnam era veterans.

Honor and Remember 2021 Veterans Day in-person event, with special recognition of Oregon’s Vietnam era veterans, 2021 Virtual Memorial Day, Oregon’s Virtual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Observation

2021 Women Veteran Conference Held virtually on a web conference platform, ODVA held its first virtual conference where more than 449 women veterans from across the state registered to attend workshops, listening sessions and heard from women veteran leaders across the nation. 15

DRIVE VETERAN ENGAGEMENT

INVIGORATE CORE OPERATIONS HUMAN RESOURCES • Lead for informing agency’s COVID19/remote work procedures

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Lead for helping the agency acquire the 21st century technology needed to drive our business processes

• Constant recruitment efforts to address staffing challenges

COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE • DAS Gold Star Award for Excellence in financial reporting for 28th consecutive year

• Key to consistent, timely external and internal information efforts throughout the pandemic

• Instrumental keeping OVH fiscally viable during COVID by engaging on federal CARES Act funding

OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES – COVID-19 UPDATE Resident

Lebanon

The Dalles

Active cases

Recovered

COVID-19 related deaths

Total Cases

Lebanon

The Dalles

Population

Percent vaccinated

Percent Boosted

Residents

93%

92%

Staff

83%

35%

Residents

99%

91%

Staff

92%

49%

*Data as of 1/31/22; **Reflects cases since March 2020

LOST REVENUE • Lost revenue - $4,354,987 INCREASED COSTS • Additional Expenses - $2,454,320 • Staffing • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Infection Control PROVIDER RELIEF FUNDS • Provider Relief Funds (CARES Act) received $2,506,451 • VA Per Diem Program (CARES Act) received $1,059,481 • VA Per Diem Program (American Rescue Plan Act) received (July 2021) - $2,837,047 18

LOOKING AHEAD: 2023-2025 BUDGET PREPARATION

• Continue to build ODVA’s internal capacity to enhance our services to veterans • Expand community engagement to hear more veterans’ voices, especially veterans who identify as Black, Latina/o/x, Asian, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, houseless, incarcerated and tribal veterans to understand as an agency what barriers exist that prevent accessing veteran benefits, resources and programs • Review and reassess our IT modernization resource needs

QUESTIONS

Aging Veterans Services Ana Potter, Director ODVA has two full time positions who are the first point of contact for many veterans. Brenda Thompson is a veteran and has been with the agency since November 2019. Aging Veteran Services just filled the other position which has been vacant since November 2021. We are excited to welcome our newest member to the team starting March 1st. Front desk staff provide general information and services to walk-in clients and through a phone system. This work could include determining the needs of the veterans and dissemination of information verbally or referral to an ODVA loan specialist, County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO), National Service Officer, some other agency that would be of assistance (i.e., employment), or mailing forms or pamphlets to the caller. The information provided may include information regarding local, state, and/or federal benefits. Staff also assist veterans in ordering military discharge documents and provide support for ODVA’s home loan program for veterans by accepting and properly recording home loan payments when the agency is open to the public. These two staff also take client messages, handle and distribute incoming mail, and scan paper files into VetraSpec. AVS is very proud of the staff at the front desk and the quality of service provided. While general knowledge of veteran resources is important, staff receive calls on many different topics. If they do not know the answer, they will find it out if possible rather than sending the veteran on to another agency. At times, they are looking up directions to Department of Environmental Quality for a veteran caller, providing information regarding what the role of the CVSO is, or connecting their call with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. A good example of this is when Brenda received a call from the dependent of a veteran who needed to make an appointment with the DEERS office to renew her dependent ID Card which was about to expire. Brenda provided her with the phone number to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) office. Unfortunately, the caller called back and indicated that she could not get through. Brenda then gave her the link for the DEERS locater, but this individual was unable to navigate the system to make an appointment. Brenda went onto the DEERS website and made an appointment for the caller and then emailed the appointment information to the dependent. She was very grateful for Brenda’s assistance and thanked her. Since July 1, 2021 the front desk has cataloged 3233 calls to the agency in areas we are specifically tracking. This equates to an average of 462 calls per month that specifically pertain to one of the following categories: economic, education, health, housing/food, Driver and Motor Vehicles/Department of Environmental Quality, COVID-19 and other. These top categories include information in areas such as emergency financial aid, employment, disability compensation, tax programs, small business information, scams relating to veterans and the aging population, transportation, crisis intervention, physical, mental and behavioral health resources, GI Bill, vocational rehabilitation, and apprenticeship programs to name a few. These are not the only calls reception staff handle on a daily basis, which regularly entails over 100 calls per day.

Aging Veterans Services Ana Potter, Director Percentage of Calls per Categories Since 7/1/21 Other 24%

Economic 31%

Covid 3% Education 3%

DMV/DEQ 29%

Housing/Food 4% Economic

Education

Health

Housing/Food

Health 6%

DMV/DEQ

Covid

Other

Top 5 Single Categories of Calls Federal VA Resources Covid Questions Healthcare DMV Economic 0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

As seen in the chart above, the top 5 categories callers requested information are Federal VA Resources, Covid-19 Questions, Healthcare, Disability and DMV questions. It is important to note that while calls for emergency aid did not make the top 5 list, there have been 95 calls seeking information regarding this topic since July 1, 2021. The majority of the calls the agency receives are regarding Department of Motor Vehicles questions. Many of these calls pertain to veteran plates and parking questions. However, a fair number of these calls are also due to our phone number being on the letter that is sent when

Aging Veterans Services Ana Potter, Director the DMV is letting Oregonians know that their tags or license needs to be renewed. The letter includes a statement to call ODVA if the recipient needs help with veterans’ benefits. While the calls are not always related to veterans’ benefits, it does provide an opportunity for staff to share information about ODVA and how we can help the caller if help is needed in the future. Transportation can be an issue for veterans during normal times and it may be difficult for a veteran to come to our office to get a copy of documents. Since we are not currently open to the public, it is even more crucial now that our front desk staff have the knowledge and ability to assist veterans who are applying for other benefits as well. Often a veteran will need to get a copy of their discharge documents or a VA disability rating letter to another state agency to apply for benefits (i.e. to DHS to apply for SNAP or housing benefits). This letter is issued by the VA Regional Office and then needs to be sent to the agency issuing benefits. Our front desk staff assist with this by receiving the faxed document from VA and sending it on to the agency needing the information. The veteran has to order the document, we are just acting as the go between since many veterans don’t have the ability to send and receive faxed documents. One situation that comes up often is when a veteran passes away, the veteran’s family members

are overwhelmed as most know very little about VA Benefits. Brenda was recently contacted by a widow whose husband had passed and was requesting assistance in obtaining his DD214 for the mortuary to assist with death benefits and burial. Brenda checked our computer systems and was able to confirm that we had a copy of the DD214 on file. She explained to the widow that she (Brenda) would contact the mortuary and send them the DD214. Brenda also referred the widow to the local County VSO office to assist with widow benefits. The widow cried on the phone and thanked Brenda for taking care of this. ODVA front desk reception staff are almost always the first point of contact for new veterans and their families seeking help from the agency. They set the tone for communication and have to be knowledgeable in the basics of all veteran benefits as well as services offered by other agencies. Aging Veteran Services staff in these positions go above and beyond what is required to ensure they provide the best service and assistance to every veteran they come in contact with. They strive hard to make each interaction a positive and helpful experience for anyone who contacts our agency for assistance.

Statewide Veterans Services Sheronne Blasi, Director Statewide Veteran Service Portland Office ODVA’s Portland office plays an integral role in supporting ODVA’s vision that all Oregon’s veterans thrive in Oregon. During the last quarter, the Portland office processed and submitted 2,591 claims documents to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) These are documents prepared by county and tribal Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) from across the state. The Portland team is also responsible for the quality control review of all claims submitted. The partnership between the ODVA Portland office and the county and tribal VSOs resulted in Oregon veterans and their families receiving $3,791,215 in retroactive monetary awards. These claims also resulted in an additional $2,542,122 per month paid to Oregon veterans and families. The Portland office also regularly conducts hearings for veterans and eligible dependents in front of the U.S. Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). During the quarter, the team conducted 470 BVA hearings. The hearings were conducted safely and remotely via a USDVA program known as the Virtual Tele-Hearing (VTH). The VTH program allows veterans and other claimants to participate from any internet connected device, instead of traveling to the Portland VA Regional office. During December 2021, ODVA also assisted veterans by completing 13 Travel Board Hearings. These are hearings that veterans have been waiting to meet with a judge in-person, but have not been able to do so due to pandemic restrictions. The veterans were provided the option to appear remotely in front of the BVA judge, but chose to participate in-person. These 13 were the last of the backlog of pre-pandemic hearings, and ODVA was able to move into calendar year 2022 with a full elimination of the previously existing BVA backlog. Portland Office Success Story: An Oregon veteran had a case that went to Board of Veterans Appeals, due to previous denials for service connected conditions. The veteran had served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and was identified as a part of the “Blue Water Navy” by the USDVA. Many Blue Water Navy sailors were previously denied benefits relating to Agent Orange exposure because they did not disembark on land, and the USDVA did not concede they were exposed to the Agent Orange herbicide. In 2019 the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act was signed into law, and veterans have been slowly obtaining benefits that were either previously denied to them, or they were just now filing for the first time. The veteran’s original claim was submitted in 2011 for multiple conditions relating to Agent Orange exposure. After over 10 years of pursuing service connected benefits, the BVA hearing

Statewide Veterans Services Sheronne Blasi, Director was a success; granting initial service connection for all conditions back-dated to 2015. The Portland ODVA Veteran Service Officer that conducted the BVA hearing then requested the effective date of the claim be backdated to 2011, and provided supporting evidence for the request. From that BVA hearing and the extra advocacy, the rating decision resulted in an award of the service connected disability back to 2011 at the 90% disability level. This veteran was then awarded a retroactive payment in the amount of $230,442. LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator Program In October 2021, ODVA welcomed Ian Michael as its new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Veterans Coordinator. Ian joins ODVA after working at Lines for Life, assisting with veteran suicide prevention efforts. Since coming on-board with ODVA, Ian has immersed himself in training to become an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO). As part of that training, Ian is shadowing on new LGBTQ+ veteran casework with accredited VSOs from counties, tribes, and ODVA. Ian has cross-trained and shadowed on 15 different veteran cases. In addition to support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ veterans by filing for disability claims relating to their military service, he has assisted with several name-affirming change requests on DD214s for transgender veterans. He has also assisted with several discharge upgrade and character of service waiver requests through the Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). LGBTQ+ Success Story: An LGBTQ+ veteran had previously been denied benefits for disabilities relating to their military service due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Military Sexual Trauma. After a particularly difficult mental health crisis, the veteran reached out to the LGBTQ+ Veteran Coordinator seeking assistance. In order to cross-collaborate with the veteran’s County VSO office, Ian reached out to the Multnomah County Veteran Services office to support the veteran not just with benefits, but also connecting them with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for mental health supports. The advocacy efforts were successful, and the veteran was awarded 100% Permanent and Total benefits, including a retroactive payment of $22,396, and a monthly award of $3,332. It’s important to note, that the veteran is safe and currently receiving in-patient treatment with the VHA for their disabilities.

Incarcerated Veterans Program Update

Presented by Pat McGuffin and Shane Hagey, Statewide Veteran Services March 2022

Program Objectives • Ensure incarcerated veterans receive quality representation from agency and county partners • Connect these veterans to all resources/benefits to which they are entitled • Improve their quality of life and reduce recidivism rates • Work collaboratively with Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and USDVA Healthcare for Re-entry Veterans staffs • Help plan and implement release and re-entry plan • Assist incarcerated veterans with reintegration into their communities 2

Program Objectives • Advise veterans on eligibility of USDVA and other veteran benefits • Special emphasis on initial incarceration and release planning • Advise on reinstating benefits • Liaise with veteran community service providers

Program History • 2007: ODVA Director identified as member of newly established Governor's Re-entry Council • 2016: • Hired first program coordinator • Began meeting with all veterans entering ODOC custody • 2017: Sent survey to all self-identified veterans in custody (over 2,100) • 2018: Hired second program coordinator • 2021: • Distributed responsibility geographically…east and westside of state 4

Veteran In Custody Statistics as of 1/31/2022 Tillamook

Portland Wilsonville

Umatilla Pendleton Baker City

Salem Westside Prison Population = 719 Vets

Madras Confirmed Status for over 2,400 Self-Identified “Veterans”

Ontario

Veteran……………………….23.4% Served, not “veteran”…17.7% Never served……………….58.9%

Estimated 6% of Oregon’s prison population served in the military (National average is about 8%)

Eastside Prison Population = 1046 Vets

Estimated 1.4% of Oregon prison incarcerated veterans are women (National average is about 1.8%) Lakeview

National Statistics from Bureau of Justice Statistics (2016 Survey)

Impacts of Incarceration • Monetary benefits reduced significantly or fully suspended (on 61st Day) • Can be transferred to dependents based on financial need • Full rates resumed upon release • Veteran receives backpay if conviction is overturned on appeal • VA Healthcare suspended • Education benefits can be used (housing allowance not paid)

Services Provided by ODVA to Incarcerated Veterans During Intake & Remainder of Incarceration • Validate Veteran Status for ODOC (benefit eligibility…healthcare & housing assistance on re-entry) • Advise/assist veteran on issues to minimize negative impact of incarceration on veteran benefits • Benefit reduction required by law (minimize overpayment & debt to USDVA) • Education benefits (increased earning potential) • Family member resources (increased income & stable housing during veteran’s incarceration) • Advise and assist on discharge upgrades (benefit eligibility)

Services Provided by ODVA to Incarcerated Veterans During Re-entry Transition • Coordinated visit from ODVA Incarcerated Coordinator and USDVA Re-entry Social Worker • Transition plan to address local housing, substance abuse, healthcare & other services • USDVA healthcare enrollment • Referral to County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices for assistance • Reestablishment of USDVA Payments (increased income) • File USDVA claims…new or increases in disability severity (increased income & benefit eligibility) • Housing program referrals (USDVA and others) • Apply for education benefits (increase earning potential and possible housing assistance) 8

Challenges upon Re-entry • Approximately 50% of those released from ODOC custody lack stable housing • Even IF housing assistance is available, there are other obstacles • Dated rental history • Weak credit rating • Criminal background • Felony conviction • Sex offenders, arsonists, person to person crime • Stressed or non-existent social support networks • Securing employment is challenging, but important for income, good mental health, etc. 9

COVID Impacts on Program • Limited face-to-face interviews and in-person assistance • Limited travel to ODOC facilities • ODOC Staff filled the void where possible • Provided veterans with questionnaires, conducted interviews • Facilitated our “reach-in” via phone calls • Suspended collaborative visits with USDVA re-entry social worker • Now reach out to re-entry veterans by mail • Provide more referrals to re-entry social worker and vise versa • Both veterans and program coordinators rely more on mail • Forged even stronger working relationships with ODOC and USDVA colleagues • Developed unique approaches to serving veterans that can be leveraged long after COVID restrictions are lifted

Other Program Initiatives • Veterans in Custody Resource Guide (pocket-sized resource)

• Document procedures for veterans in custody to receive VA disability evaluation examinations while in custody • Veteran Assistance Program: Veterans in custody trained to assist other veterans with claims – curriculum being developed, otherwise on hold due to COVID-19

Other Program Initiatives • Veterans able to call important VA phone numbers from prison – including the Veteran Crisis Line

• Veteran-only pens approved for in-prison use – recognizes veteran status

QUES TIONS

Proudly serving veterans since 1945

Veterans Educational Bridge Grant

Presented by Joe Mah, Statewide Veteran Services March 2022

PRESENTED BY

VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BRIDGE GRANT

PROGRAM BACKGROUND Purpose: to support student veterans who are unable to complete an academic program on time because a required course is not available and experience financial hardship Grant Award: Up to $5,000 Eligibility: Using Post 9/11 GI Bill and unable to complete an academic program on time because a required course is not available

VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BRIDGE GRANT

PROGRAM FUNDING

2019-21

Allocated: $300,000 LF + 1 FTE funding Total funds awarded: $220,961

2019 Regular Session: HB 2201 established the Veterans Education Bridge Grant (VEBG).

as of June 30, 2021

Allocated: $19,858 LF

2021-23

Total funds awarded: $XXX as of Feb. 11,2022

2020: The initial grant launch experienced immediate impact from COVID-19 on the higher education system. School closures left some veterans with gaps in their educational funding. Significant need for this program in summer of 2020

AWARD HISTORY 2020 June July August September October November December 2020 Totals

APPLICATIONS 14 22 2 3 4 3 1 49

AWARDS 13 22 2 2 3 1 0 43

NOT AWARDED 1 withdrawn N/A N/A 1 withdrawn 1 ineligible 1 withdrawn/1 ineligible 1 ineligible

2021 January February March April May June July (New Grant Cycle) August September October November December 2021 Totals 2022 January February VEBG Totals

APPLICATIONS 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 0 0 11 APPLICATIONS 1 1 62

AWARDS 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 8 AWARDS 0 1 52

NOT AWARDED N/A 1 withdrawn N/A N/A N/A 2 ineligible N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A NOT AWARDED 1 ineligible N/A 4 withdrawn / 6 ineligible

APPLICATION TRENDS Program Launch Coincided with COVID-19 Driven School Closures • Early 2020 school closures and employer shutdowns created urgent need for the program. • As schools reopened and training hours in apprenticeship programs resumed, grant applications decreased. • A majority of grant applicants were affected by COVID closures

OUTREACH EFFORTS Program Communication to Veterans • Launched program though major media push and all education partnerships • Highlighted in Summer 2021 Issue of “Vets News” • Information and link to VEBG application attached to email signatures. • Ongoing agency web, blog, social and email communication about VEBG 6

OUTREACH EFFORTS Partnerships and Professional Networks • ODVA Campus Veteran Coordinator Summit: Campus Veteran Coordinators at community colleges and public universities (May 2021). • County, Tribal, and National Service Organization: Veteran Service Officers at 2021 Statewide VSO Virtual Conference (October 2021). • School Certifying Officials (SCO) via Oregon Association of Veteran School Certifying Officials (ORAVSCO) conference, website, and email messaging for distribution to their student populations. • SCO’s at Non-College Degree facilities and OJT and Apprenticeship programs during SAA “virtual office hours” and in follow up emails encouraging dissemination of information to VA students. • Partners with BOLI to send out to apprentices and apprenticeship coordinators 7 in their registered apprentice networks.

OUTREACH EFFORTS Targeted School Outreach • Campus Veteran Coordinators • VA Certifying Officials • Academic Advisors • Deans of Students Outreach to Diverse Campus Populations • Black Student Unions • Campus Women’s Centers • LGBTQ+ Centers

EXPANDED OUTREACH FOR 2022 Target Veterans in On-the-Job and Apprenticeship Programs • On-The-Job Training availability continues to be affected by COVID related issues • ODVA has planned outreach to target veterans in apprenticeships to encourage affected apprentices to apply for grants

Application and Contact Information How do I find the VEBG website? 1.

Go to the ODVA homepage

Click “Agency Programs” tab

Select “Grants” from drop-menu

View details of VEBG

USDVA Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) Presented by Brenna Bandstra, Statewide Veteran Services March 2022

Program Purpose • USDVA HRTG helps highly-rural Veterans travel to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. • Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, and Wheeler.

• Estimated that 8,531 veterans reside in these highly-rural counties. • Transportation services are subject to grant fund availability each year.

Historical Program Highlights • Original HRTG grant was awarded in 2014 • 64,361 hours • 29,772 trips • 1,882,581 miles • Average veterans served: 229 • 98% veteran satisfaction rating

Photo from: People Mover- Grant County

2022 Grant Cycle Status Update • ODVA Awarded $500,000 • Program Spending: $160,057 (32% of program funding) • 2,154 hours • 1,147 trips • 63,773 miles • 138 (unduplicated) veterans served Photo from: People Mover- Grant County

COVID-19 Program Response • Subgrantees comply with state and federal transit masking requirements. • Single-rider trips have been scheduled more frequently. • ODVA site visits have been conducted virtually rather than in-person. Photo from: People Mover- Grant County

Program Monitoring • USDVA site visit to ODVA is scheduled June 14th & 15th . • ODVA sub-grantee site visits scheduled to occur in July & August.

Success Stories

Photo from: The Loop- Morrow County

QUES TIONS

Proudly serving veterans since 1945

Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation Program Presented by Sheronne Blasi, Statewide Veteran Services March 2022

PRESENTED BY