VAAC Report December 2016 by Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

Looking up through the water to the USS Arizona Memorial from the deck of the USS Arizona, with sunlight streaming through the water. Photo: National Park Service.

DECEMBER 7, 2016

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS December 7, 2016 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dennis Guthrie, Chair ....................................................................................... Redmond Tony García, Vice Chair ......................................................................................Portland Kim Douthit, Secretary .....................................................................................Portland John F. Howard ................................................................................................. Medford Mike Jones .......................................................................................................... Ontario Reyn Leno................................................................................................... Grand Ronde Rosy Macias............................................................................................................ Salem Jon Mangis ............................................................................................................. Salem Val Valfre, Jr. ……………………………………….....................................................Forest Grove

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

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS Quarterly Meeting Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training | 4190 Aumsville Hwy, Salem OR 97317 AGENDA I.

WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION • Call to Order – Chair Dennis Guthrie • Pledge of Allegiance - Val Valfre • Veteran Story – Jon Mangis • Committee Member Introductions • Meeting Rules – Tony García • Audience Introductions • Review and Approval of September 7, 2016 Minutes

II.

ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Cameron Smith, Director

III.

SUBCOMMITTEES UPDATES – ODVA Staff • Aging Veteran Services – Mary Jaeger • Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman • Statewide Veteran Services – Joe Glover • Finance – Aaron Hunter BREAK

IV.

PRESENTATION – Kim Douthit & Andrew Holbert • Student Veterans

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS

VI.

NEW BUSINESS •December Legislative Days : 12-14 December 2106 •Expo in July •Open for committee members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: TBD St. Helens, OR

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 VETERANS TOWN HALL

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Oregon Veterans Home, The Dalles, OR Dennis Guthrie, Advisory Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Pledge of Allegiance was led by John Howard Welcome from Mayor Steven Lawrence, The Dalles Mayor Lawrence took the time to welcome everyone for coming to the Advisory Committee meeting. He gave some of the history of the veteran’s service officers there in The Dalles and shared that they now have two full time veteran’s service officers. The Veterans Story: by Cameron Smith, Director ODVA Cameron shared former Advisory Committee Chair, Al Herrera’s story: Al Herrera a Husband, Father, Brother, Best Friend of the Bandido Charlie Brotherhood. Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Al Herrera passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. At his side were his wife Betty, daughter Virginia, and son Nokowhat Herrera. Al was born in Beatty, Oregon, to a family of 15 strong. He attended school in Beatty, Bly, and Klamath Falls, OR, where he graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1951. An outstanding athlete, Al played varsity baseball and football for the KU Pelicans. Upon graduation he worked, as had his father and grandfather, on the Southern Pacific Railroad. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955, he was soon ordered to the Republic of South Korea for duty, followed by other overseas tours of duty in Izmir, Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand. While serving his second combat tour in Vietnam, Al was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Valor, and the Purple Heart. He also served with his beloved brothers from the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Army Division, the Bandido Charlies of Charlie Company. Following his retirement, he further served his country, fellow service members, and the U.S. Army, by participating as a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), an Advisory Board member for the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and board member of the Bandido Charlie Company Association. A moment of silence to remember Al Herrera was taken. Swearing in of New Members by Chair Guthrie and Director Smith: Reyn Leno

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

Introductions: Committee Members: Dennis Guthrie – Redmond, US Army, Vietnam Veteran Tony García – Portland, US Army & Oregon National Guard, Iraq Veteran (Absent) Kim Douthit – Portland, Coast Guard and Navy wife John Howard – Medford, US Navy (Absent) Mike Jones – Ontario, US Army, Vietnam Veteran Reyn Leno – Grand Ronde, US Army, Vietnam Veteran Rosy Macias – Salem, US Marine Corps (Absent) Jon Mangis – Salem, US Air Force & Oregon National Guard, Vietnam Veteran Val Valfre, Jr – Forest Grove, US Air Force Cameron Smith – Portland, US Marine Corps, Director ODVA, Iraq Veteran Martha Garcia – Salem, US Army & Oregon National Guard, Bosnia & Iraq Veteran Rules of the meeting: Tony García, Vice Chair, went over the rules of the meeting with the audience. Audience Introductions: Andy Smith – US Navy, Association of Oregon Counties David Herrigstad – VA Portland Health Care Cheryl Maitland – OVH The Dalles, West Care Cody Cox – ODVA Home Loan Program Manager Laurie Skillman – ODVA Policy Advisory Bruce Shriver – ODVA Financial Services Director John Osborn – ODVA Facilities Manager RaeLynn Ricarte – The Dalles Chronicle Glenn Scott – Umatilla County VSO Toni Cordell – Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation VSO, US Army Veteran Mary Jaeger – ODVA Aging Veterans Services Director Joe Glover – ODVA Salem Claims Manager, US Navy Veteran Santos Garcia – Vietnam Veteran US Air Force, Farmer, Graciela Garcia – Farmer Van Moore – Veterans Care Centers of Oregon, West Care Review and Approval of June 7, 2016 Meeting Minutes – Chair Guthrie asked committee members if they reviewed the June Advisory Committee meeting minutes and if there were any corrections. Motion was made to accept the minutes as published, motion seconded, motion passed unanimously.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

Director’s Report – Cameron Smith Cameron opened by reminding everyone that it was the 15th Anniversary of 9/11 and December would be the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. It’s a reminder of the broad generation of veterans that we are serving. He also stated how thankful he is of a place like the Oregon Veterans Home, there in The Dalles being able to take care of veterans and the level of care that is given by the staff there. Jon Mangis who is a committee member was the ODVA Director when groundbreaking and the building of the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles happened. He also mentioned that ODVA had submitted for a construction grant from Fed VA in order to be able to do construction to refresh and update The Dalles home. Cameron also took time to acknowledge Ed Van Dyke’s career with ODVA and the Oregon National Guard with 20 plus years. He has been a tremendous advocate for our veterans, starting with at ODVA as a Veterans Service Officer in the Portland office and then moving through the ranks and becoming part of the leadership team in Salem. Ed will retire the end of September from ODVA. He shared the 2016 ODVA Annual Report to the Governor with the Committee and audience. Cameron spoke a little about Mary Tanada a US Marine Corps Veteran who is on the cover with her USMC Devil Dog tattoo that she got for her 70th birthday and on the inside cover, that our Committee Chair, Dennis Guthrie is on the inside, saying how it is the stories of our veterans that motivates us. There are a lot of impressive results throughout ODVA from Home Loans to Veterans Service all from a relatively small general fund budget. Cameron went on to cover House Joint Resolution 202 which has become Ballot Measure 96, dedicating 1.5% percent of lottery funds to better serve veterans through not only ODVA, but through our partnerships through other organizations. He shared how important it is to get the awareness out in the veteran’s community. He stated that the main focus would be the budget for the 2017 long legislative session. Cameron continued by going over how ODVA proposes to use the additional funds from the lottery funds for not only ODVA services, but for our partners and dedicating more to our county VSO’s to continue to build this advocacy for our veterans. All to continue to better access to health care, education, and services. Subcommittee Updates: Financial Services - Bruce Shriver, Finance Director ODVA Bruce reviewed the report that was handed out. He explained how ODVA has planned a budget with and without money from Measure 96. It was also explained by Cameron that ODVA is planning for anywhere from a 10% cut to a 150% increase of general funds. A 10% cut would be around 1 million dollars shared across ODVA and the counties. If Measure 96 passes, that becomes a dedicated resource that has to go to better serve veterans.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy - Laurie Skillman Policy Advisor Laurie spoke about how between now and January there several things that are going on. The general election in November with measure 96 on the ballot, and late September and midDecember there are Legislative Days. Laurie shared that at this time all the legislatures are in office. She also went over the Annual Report to the Governor, which was recently published and how it comes from the Advisory Committee. The Annual Report provides the updates on what is going on with Veterans around the state and gives some veterans stories to share. Laurie went over the Tribal Veterans and the Health Care Navigation legislative concept. She went over the fact that we want to elevate the conversation and awareness that Native American veterans have participated at a higher rate per capita. In turn ODVA wants to assist Oregon Indian Tribes in their programs of service and to veterans and accredit Tribal Veteran Services Representatives. The other legislative concept she spoke about was the Health Care Navigation legislative concept. This concept talks about the challenges and barriers to accessing and utilizing health and mental health care from the Federal VA, state, and local community resources. It authorizes ODVA to provide statewide expertise, advocacy, and assistance in navigating the health care systems. Statewide Veterans Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joe Glover, Salem Claims Manager Joe went over how the Portland office was getting ready for the Travel Board hearings with federal judges who come in once a year from Washington D.C. We represent the veterans and claimants in front of the judges. The training staff is also very busy getting ready for out fall conference with the county veterans service officers. That will be a weeklong training in Salem. As far as Salem is concerned, they are pleased that House Bill 2838 was set. ODVA was looking at how to better serve our incarcerated veterans and currently there are 2300 self-reported veterans on that list out of 14,600. ODVA has stood up an Incarcerated Veteran Specialist position, Pat McGuffin. He is not only working with the prisons, but primarily with Coffee Creek intake center, in order to identify the veterans so that he can identify what resources or benefits they may have that need to get stopped. In getting those things taken care of, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be walking out of the prison system with a monstrous debt and will be able to get those benefits started back up. At this time ODVA has gone through about 17% of the list and by January 1st all 2300 on that list will be scrubbed. Other big news is that Polk County is getting a County VSO. ODVA is very supportive of Polk County and has been working hand in hand with them to stand up the position. The last county without a County VSO is Marion County. The question was asked if we knew where this office was going to be located. At this time we do not know, but would guess that it will be located where the other human services are located, perhaps in the Academy building so that they could have that cross referral between services.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

Home Loans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cody Cox, Manger So far in 2nd Quarter 2016 we have funded 44 loans for a gross dollar volume of $10.3 million, which down from previous years. However fiscal year end the home loan program closed 270 units for $62,280,288 marking the highest fiscal year funding dollar amounts since 1998, which is a record year. He went on to describe the loan delinquency review and shared this: The total of all loans reporting in the 90-day or greater delinquency position was at 10, expressed as 0.5% unit delinquency on a portfolio of 1,864 loans and at 0.3% dollar delinquency on the outstanding dollar portfolio balance of $262.3MM. ODVA continues to experience reduced delinquency rates as compared to other Government Residential Loan Programs. For this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.6% at 29 units, significantly down the previous report. Studying Aging Oregon Veterans: A Potential National Institute on Aging / National Institute on Health Study - Carolyn Aldwin, PhD, Oregon State University Carolyn Aldwin is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. She received her doctorate in adult development and aging from the University of California at San Francisco, and was a post-doctoral scholar at UC Irvine. Previously she was a professor at the UC Davis. She studies how psychosocial factors affect health, especially in later life, authoring over 90 articles and chapters, and has authored or edited three books on stress, coping, health, and optimal aging. Presentation by Dr. Carolyn Aldwin on Studying Aging Oregon Veterans: A Potential NIH/NIA Study Dr. Aldwin spoke about, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How most research on military service focuses on its short-term negative consequences, especially the mental and physical injuries of those deployed in warzones. However, studies of long-term outcomes reveal surprisingly positive effects of military service-both those early in adulthood that grow over time and others that can emerge later in life. These multidomain effects have been found in veterans of World War II and the Korean War and are now being seen in veterans of the Vietnam War. Although some are directly attributable to public policies such as the GI Bill, which facilitate educational and economic gains, there are personal developmental gains as well, including autonomy, emotional maturity and resilience, mastery, and leadership skills, that lead to better health and well-being in later life. These long-term effects vary across persons, change over time within persons, and often reflect processes of cumulative advantage and disadvantage. We propose a life-span model of the effects of military service that provides a perspective for probing both long-term positive and negative outcomes for aging veterans. We further explicate the model by focusing on both sociocultural dynamics and individual processes. We identify public-use data that can be examined to evaluate this model, and offer a set of questions that can be used

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS (ODVA) Quarterly Meeting

to assess military service. Finally, we outline an agenda for dedicated inquiry into such effects and consider policy implications for the health and well-being of aging veterans in later life.” Abstract taken from: Long-term Outcomes of Military Service in Aging and the Life Course: A Positive Re-envisioning Old Business: No Old Business to review New Business: • Proposed Locations for the 2017 Meeting March 1, 2017 – St. Helens, America’s Best / Elks Lodge /Moose Lodge June 7, 2017 – Redmond, Dennis Guthrie to assist in determining site September 6, 2017 – Medford, John Howard to assist in determining site December 6, 2017 – Salem, Martha Garcia to schedule location Motion was made to accept these locations, motion seconded, motion passed. • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training, 4190 Aumsville Hwy, Salem, OR 97317 • Chair Guthrie let the audience know that the 2016 Annual Report was available for all to take. Chair Guthrie opened the floor for the audience. • Toni Cordell the Tribal Veteran Service Officer from the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation made that comment that it has been a great learning curve in this new job and that she appreciates the partnership with ODVA. Chair Guthrie adjourned the meeting at 12:30.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT Cameron Smith

This past September, we were proud to present the Advisory Committee’s Annual Report to the Governor. The accomplishments highlighted throughout the report are not just the work of our team at ODVA, but are a result of the broad efforts of the Oregon veterans’ community. While we celebrate all that we have accomplished together, we also know how much further we have to go to better serve Oregon’s veterans and their families. We still have almost 1,500 homeless veterans across Oregon and tragically, veterans are over a quarter of all suicides in this state. At the same time, we have the opportunity to better leverage significant resources of the Federal VA, fellow state agencies, service organizations and community partners. As we have continued to share the story of challenges and opportunities to better serve Oregon veterans, our efforts have resonated not just for the veterans’ community but all Oregonians. There is perhaps no greater example of that continuing support then in the passage of Measure 96 in the November election. This Constitutional amendment will dedicate 1.5% of net lottery revenues to better serve Oregon veterans (approximately $18 million a biennium). M96 did not just pass, but passed with the resounding approval of 84% of Oregon voters. With our previously submitted Agency Request Budget for the 2017-19 biennium, we offered our priority recommendations for how to focus investments to best serve Oregon’s veterans. The first priority area is to target veteran services to ensure a robust statewide network of advocates in partnership with counties and National Service Organizations to help veterans access their earned benefits. The second priority area is to strengthen and sustain existing state veteran benefits administered by ODVA such as the Home Loans, Conservatorship and Veterans Homes. The third priority area is to mobilize partnerships to better serve veterans for their health, education and economic opportunity. We particularly want to focus on better supporting student veterans on campus, ensuring access to mental health resources, and preventing veteran homelessness. While we have a great opportunity to leverage lottery funds to better serve veterans, the broader state budget will be challenging for the next biennium. There is a projected $1.4 billion budget gap that will result in cuts to many essential state programs. One of the main decisions for the legislature will be how much of the M96 lottery dedication is for new efforts to serve veterans and how much is simply helping fund existing efforts. Measure 96 is an important advocacy milestone for the Oregon veterans’ community. But what is perhaps even more valuable in the long term is how the veterans’ community continues to work together to mobilize its voice. The strength of our efforts going forward depends on the

DIRECTORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S REPORT Cameron Smith

input and advocacy of Oregon veterans and their families. All of you on the Advisory Committee continue to be an essential link connecting us to communities and partners across the state. Thank you! Again, we are incredibly proud of where we have been and where we are going. Please dig into the sectionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarterly reports and do not hesitate to reach out to our team with questions or comments.

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Department Requested Budget for the 2017-2019 Biennium The Department (ODVA) submitted its 2017-2019 Agency Request Budget (ARB) to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on August 1st, 2016 for their review and analysis. During October 2016, 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 latter half of October 2016. In early November, Oregon’s citizens overwhelming passed Measure 96, which will dedicate 1.5% of net lottery proceeds (estimated to be approximately $9.3 million annually) to a fund to be used for veteran services beginning in the 2017-2019 biennium. 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 2017-2019 Governor’s Budget that will be released in early December 2016. The 2017 State Legislature will ultimately determine the Department’s budget for the 2017-2019 biennium and to what extent Measure 96 monies will become net additional resources available to fund veteran programs. For comparative purposes, the Department’s 2017-2019 ARB is shown below along with the Department’s 2015-2017 Legislative Adopted Budget (LAB). The most significant difference between the two budgets is in the Veterans’ Services Program area, reflecting additional funding requested for aging veteran services, county veteran service offices, national service organizations, partnerships and program funding alignments.

Audited Fiscal Year Financial Statements The fiscal year 2016 audited financial statements show an overall decrease in net position in the Veterans’ Loan Program of approximately ($3.6) million. The fiscal year 2015 audited financial statements show an overall decrease in net position of approximately ($1.2) million. The fiscal year 2016 reductions in net position are primarily attributable to increased debt related expenses, 11

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer operational costs, claims expense from loan cancellation life insurance, as well as the on-going subsidization of veteran services activities. The Veterans’ Home Program fiscal year 2016 financial statements show an overall increase in net position of approximately $2.1 million, compared to an increase in net position of approximately $3.6 million for the prior fiscal year. Included in these figures were transfers and capital contributions into the Veterans’ Home Program from the Veterans’ Home Trust Fund and federal grant monies which totaled approximately $0.6 million and $5.7 million respectively in fiscal years 2016 and 2015. The Changes in Net Position for both the Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program are shown in comparative form in the graph below.

Change in Net Position By Program $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 FY 2016

FY 2015

-$1,000,000 -$2,000,000 -$3,000,000 -$4,000,000

Veterans' Loan Program Veterans' Home Program

Combined Programs

Other Financial Services Division Activities: Over the past several months, the Financial Services team also worked on contracting & procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, worked on fiscal year 2016 financial reports, extended a liquidity facility backing variable rate debt, worked on the annual long term cash flow forecast on the Loan Program, conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, worked on the Department’s 2017-2019 Agency Request Budget appeal, worked with ODVA’s outside auditors on financial audits and risk assessments, and performed other related financial activities as needed. 12

AGING VETERANSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director On November 1, 2016 ODVA promoted Trust Officer Helen Ireland to the position of Conservatorship Manager. Helen has been with the agency as a Trust Officer since 2007. She came to ODVA with twenty years of experience working in probate for a local attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. Helen has great experience and we welcome her to the ODVA management team. We are excited to announce that Charity Haskins, one of our Trust Officer Assistants, has successfully obtained her certification as a National Certified Guardian. Congratulations to Charity. Conservatorship - Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Conservatorship and Representative Payee Demographics 1 16

Residence type

Nursing Home (72)

Residential Care Facility (177) Adult Foster Home (5) 108

Assisted Living Facility (1) Room & Board Facility (1) 177

5 1

Hospital (5)

Period of Service 17 13 27

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War

57 118

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon - Jeremy Woodall, Program Director Two Year Anniversary On Sept 20, 2014, the OVHL was dedicated with pomp and circumstance. Veterans from five generations were on hand to share in the dedication with family members, brand new staff, dignitaries from across the state, and the Lebanon community. It was an exciting day! On Sept 23, 2016, we had an equally exciting day celebrating our two year anniversary. Cameron Smith, Director of ODVA, wielding his Marine sword, participated by cutting the cake and speaking to staff, family members, and, most importantly, our veteran residents about the honorable work we’re doing here. Cameron was joined in the cake cutting by Edith, resident spouse of Army Korean veteran (Murray, passed away in 1999), and her son, Dave, US Navy Vietnam veteran and Vice Commander of American Legion Post 10, Albany. Filled to Capacity On that same day we admitted Robert, a US Army WWII veteran, as our 154th veteran resident, filling the OVHL to full capacity. ODVA and VCCO staff lined the entryway to applaud in greeting Robert and welcome him Home. OVHL Demographics

Service Period 10

32 30

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War OIF/OEF

48 31

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war, veteran of spouse (resident) not included.)

Branch of Service 15

Air Force Army Coast Guard Marine Navy Spouse

11 3

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES Mary Jaeger, Director Oregon Veterans’ Home, The Dalles - Dallas Swafford, Program Director After four years of serving as the Program Director, Dallas Swafford has moved on to pursue other opportunities. Dallas started with ODVA in November 2012 and served in his role as an advocate for veterans and their spouses at the home with honor and compassion. ODVA thanks Dallas for his service to both OVH in The Dallas and to our country as an Army veteran. Dallas’s last day in the office was November 18th. OVHTD Demographics

Service Period 29

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War Spouse

3 22

Branch of Service 18

Air Force Army Coast Guard Marine Navy Spouse

43 32 8

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director During the first quarter, Statewide Veteran Services has been pursuing interagency connectivity, to ensure all Oregon veterans have access to earned benefits and efforts among agencies are not duplicated. PROGRAMS Statewide Veterans’ Services, Salem Office—Joe Glover, Manager Providing direct service to veterans, dependents, and survivors for Marion and Polk Counties. Statewide Veterans’ Services, Portland Office—Martin Ornelas, Manager Supporting County Veterans Service Officers through quality assurance and appellate representation, as well as interoperability with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Portland Regional Office. 3000

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

2,699

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

First Quarter 2016-17

Second Quarter 2016-17

Third Quarter 2016-17

Fourth Quarter 201-17

New Claims Filed (ODVA & Counties)

$41,411,036

$8,206,406

Monetary Awards FY 2015-16

FY 2016-17 to date

Training Certification and Outreach—Gus Bedwell and Dave Cooley, Program Analysts Mr. Bedwell co - led regional trainings with the Women Veterans and LGBTQ Veterans Coordinators for Southern, Eastern, and Central Oregon Regions; facilitated and led training for the newly created Veterans Benefits Consultants positions for the Aging and Disability Resources Centers (ADRC) with Northwest Senior and Disability Services; conducted one fiveday introductory VSO Training session; briefed the Oregon Funeral Directors Association members during their Eastern and Southern regional meetings; and conducted Training and Assistance visits in the following VSO offices; Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home, and Coos, Josephine, Clatsop, and Lincoln Counties. Mr. Cooley provided Training and Assistance onsite visits to Wasco, Deschutes, and Morrow counties, as well as assisting with the Central Oregon Regional training day.

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director Women Veterans Coordinator—Liz Estabrooks, Program Analyst Ms. Estabrooks continues to focus on the dual tasks of outreach and advocacy through 1) meeting with women veterans and 2) meeting with and training community partners to increase awareness of the presence of women veterans in Oregon, their issues, needs, challenges, and barriers; and how community partners can improve their services to veterans through identification of and appropriate outreach and services. Liz traveled to seven counties this quarter where she conducted 17 listening sessions, meeting nearly 100 women veterans; gave presentations at 11 training events that reached over 300 people, which included VSOs, tribal representatives, housing specialists, and health & social service representatives ; staffed information tables at 10 events (stand downs and resource fairs) where she connected with approximately 70 women veterans; did four radio interviews, a newspaper interview, and a television interview; made direct contact with over 200 community partners by attending community partner meetings; and connected with four VA representatives, including the Director of the Walla Walla VA. She provided direct advocacy service to nine new women veterans regarding claims or VA service problems and continued working with an additional four from previous contact. Liz continued working with The Rede Group and ODVA staff on the Women’s Health Study; and has planned two She Also Served provider summits with a target audience of non-VA mental and behavioral health specialists interested in providing services to women veterans. The combined registration for these two events is just under 200, and planning for a third event has begun. LGBTQ Veteran Coordinator—Nathaniel Boehme, Program Analyst The last quarter has seen considerable growth and activity for the department’s LGBTQ Veterans Coordinator. To date he has tabled at every Pride event in Oregon this year, and met with or presented to an additional forty-plus agencies in an effort to get information out about his role. He continues to see new referrals flow in each day and has broadened his work to include basic quality of life items for veterans who have attested to the effectiveness and import of this position: “…if your position didn't exist, I wouldn't have known who to turn to. I would have just foundered. I would have stuffed the pain…” and “I owe all this happiness to you…you are there for us and you will go to bat for us. It has been such a positive thing you have done for us. I am crying right now thinking about it. If it wasn’t for you I would have never had the courage…” Grants Management—Dave Cooley, Program Analyst Emergency Financial Assistance First Quarter 2016-17 (July – September): 56 applications for grants were received, with 14 of those approved for a total of $13,836. The average grant was $988. Most approved grants continue to be for mortgage/rent and utility payments. Highly Rural Transportation Grant The grant is active. Ten rural counties are receiving assistance transporting veterans to VA and non-VA medical appointments. Mr. Cooley presented data on Oregon’s grant progress

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Mitch Sparks, Director to all grant recipients nationwide during a webinar in September, during which it was discovered that half the trips provided to veterans nationwide under this grant take place in Oregon. Mr. Cooley conducted on-site audit visits to all counties during this period, as the current grant closed September 15. It has been renewed for another year. Reported for July through September: 2,297.2 1,137 59,564.75 190

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

Lines For Life The grant is active. Lines For Life provides 24 hour phone and text services to at-risk veterans and their families. 366 calls from eighteen identified counties were logged for the period July 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 30, 2016. The calls had an average wait time of 25 seconds, and the average duration of a call was 11.5 minutes. Emergency services were not notified for any calls during this period. Referrals were given to 34% of the callers for mental health appointments, drug and alcohol treatment, and assistance with the VA.

VETERANS’ HOME LOAN PROGRAM Cody Cox, Program Manager

Production Review •

For the 23rd Quarter, 2016, the Home Loan Program closed 67 loans for a gross dollar volume of $17,254,432 mil. For the same period in 2015, the Home Loan Program funded 103 loans for $24,680,040 mil. (I will note that 3rd Qtr 2015 is the largest quarterly funding month in 20 years.) This represents a decrease of 35% in the number of units, with a 30% decrease in dollar production. Reduction in loan production through 2016 vs prior years is reflective of market conditions. While interest rates remain at historic lows, available housing inventory is extremely low, creating a rapid increase in property values.

•

The chart below shows a 2014, 2015 and 13rd Quarter 2016 monthly production comparison of dollar volume funded for the OrVet Home Loan program.

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

•

2014

2015

2016

At the end of the Third Quarter 2016, the ODVA has a total of 1,865 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $268,541,214. Of these, 1,405 units and $254,263,576 are new loans. Old loans were at 460 units totaling $14,277,638. At the end of the Third Quarter 2015, the ODVA had a total of 1,909 for $251,369,861 under servicing, with 1329 units at $234,048,862 as new loans and 580 units at $17,320,999 as old loans. Third Quarter 2016 reflects an increase of $17,171,353 in loans under servicing, or a 6.8% increase. One interesting note of trivia is the servicing portfolio of just the ODVA new loans exceeds the amount of the entire portfolio of last year’s servicing portfolio for 3rd Quarter.

Loan Delinquency Review • • • •

For the reporting period of 09/30/2016, there were 2 State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned (SOP/REO) in inventory, a decrease of one property from the prior quarter. There were 4 loans in a Foreclosure status, a decrease of 1 from the last report date. The number of loans in Bankruptcy is at 6, down 2 from the prior quarter. 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 1,865 loans and at 0.4% dollar delinquency on the outstanding dollar portfolio balance of $268.5MM. 19

VETERANS’ HOME LOAN PROGRAM Cody Cox, Program Manager

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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 2016 report. The delinquency rate expressed as a percentage of total loans (units) past due for the Federal Veterans Affairs home loan program in Oregon was 2.64%, FHA home loans in Oregon were at 4.98% and Conventional Prime home loans Oregon were at 1.58%. Comparatively, for this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.9% at 35 units, slightly higher than the previous report. In dollars, the total amount past due is $2,690,537, which is 1.00% of total servicing dollars, a minor increase from the previous report.

Quarterly Staffing News •

No new hires during the reporting period.

FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION John Osborn, Program Manager

The Dalles Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Home The final design work for The Dalles home interiors renovation will be completed by the end of December. At that time, we will be entertaining bids from qualified contractor with the intention of starting work by early spring of 2017. This project will require multiple phases across the facility and will likely take 8 to 10 months to complete. Phase one of this plan will entail the construction of the new storage building, the kitchen remodel, the activity addition for Delta wing and interiors remodel at Charlie wing units. As part of the Nursing education grant, we will be constructing a modular classroom near Alpha wing. The project will be on a fast track with the intention of providing an operational classroom by midJanuary of 2017. We are currently soliciting bids from qualified modular building companies. LEBANON VETERANSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HOME The addition of the covered walkway from the community center to Delta wing and the construction of two additional storage buildings are now complete. We will now begin the process of fulfilling the remaining requirements to close out the home construction grant with USDVA. Excavation work on the exterior art project is now underway at the open plaza area between C and D neighborhoods. The anticipated completion date is the end of December. The portrait element of the art project will also be completed in later December. The design on the parking lot at the property next to the home is nearly complete. Once construction documents are ready, we will begin the process of procuring bids from local contractors. The addition of this parking lot will provide parking for staff and overflow parking during major events at the home. This will also open up parking around the facility for visitors and family members. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2017. As part of the site preparation, we need to remove a house on the property that has been neglected for years and is a liability hazard. The Lebanon Fire Department has agreed to do training at the house by preforming a burn and learn event. This will entail doing controlled burns on the house for training local fire fighters in a safe and structured environment. This will also minimize the cost of removing the house on the property.

INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Nicole Hoeft, Manager

Communications •

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New Communication staff: o In October, Damien Weaver joined the Communications team as the new Communications Coordinator. Damien’s position focuses on program and internal communications as well as supporting agency event planning. Communications projects and events: o State website and blog overhaul project: Progressing o ODVA’s News blog (www.oregondva.com): Complete o Veterans Benefit Expo: Complete  Approximately 500 veterans visited the Veteran Memorial Coliseum in Portland in Sept. and nearly 90 service providers represented 15 different resource areas. The 2017 Expo will be held in Redmond at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 15. o Veterans Day Events: Complete  This year’s events and platform changed from previous events that the agency has held. The first event was held a week prior to Veterans Day and aimed to connect local media with veterans of all eras and allow their stories to reach Oregonians. On Veterans Day, we moved the state celebration to the WWII Memorial and included a WWII Army nurse and Iraq/Afghanistan veteran as the key note speakers.

Information Services Operations and support account over 75% of the ODVA Information Services work. The IS team has been working on the following: • • •

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Voice-over-IP phone system o Interim phone system after legacy phone switch failure in September o New phone system implementation in December Desktop lifecycle replacements o Deploying a new, modern workstation platform o Target new workstation deployments for ¼ of ODVA staff in 2016 Records Information Management System o New hardware and software o Elimination of legacy unsupported systems o Implementation completed October Application development o Completed implementation of new IRS reporting changes o New property tax functionality complete 22

INFORMATION DEPARTMENT Nicole Hoeft, Manager

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o Testing a new version of the existing loan servicing system o Year-end processing work Develop information systems modernization initiatives and planning Continue ODVA Information Technology strategy development to complement the ODVA Strategic Plan

Records and Information Management Services •

Statewide Records Management o New system to manage agency records o Update of agency record retention schedule and policy

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