Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

MVAA Mission Statement

To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits throughout the State of Michigan.

MVAA Vision

For Michigan to be the most veteran-friendly state, by: •Providing the advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters of their lives;•Creating a “no wrong door” customer service culture; and•Advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families.

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

Veteran Population by County

Michigan’s Veteran PopulationSome Basics

Michigan’s veteran population is one of the largest in the United States, ranking 11th in 2013

Michigan’s Veteran PopulationSome Basics

The U.S. veteran population, in general, is older than the general U.S. population.

In Michigan, over half of veterans are

aged 65 or older.

Michigan’s Veteran PopulationEra of Service

Michigan’s veteran population is older than that of the U.S. veteran population as a whole, with a significantly higher proportion of Vietnam veterans residing in the state.

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Too often the desire to provide Too often the desire to provide services to deserving veterans services to deserving veterans

stops at a “stops at a “Wrong DoorWrong Door” ”

Service CollaborationCollaboration, , CoordinationCoordination, , and

Integration Integration is achieved.

And services are DELIVEREDDELIVERED.

When When there there is “is “No No Wrong Wrong DoorDoor” ”

“No Wrong Door” for Michigan’s VeteransRationale Behind Model

MVAA ActionInitiatives & Programs: the Numbers

Veteran Community Pilots

The pilots establish a community-based veterans services system of care•characterized by a comprehensive network of service providers,•empowered with knowledge, information, and tools.

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Strategy Division

• Focus Areas–Healthcare–Quality of Life– Employment– Education

Healthcare Initiatives

• Improve access to mental health services across the state.

• Provide outreach to senior veterans regarding presumptive diseases and pension benefits.

• Have you ever served campaign.

Key Initiatives continued

• Healthcare–Partnerships with Community Mental

Health– Tele-health– Transportation– Long-term care–Culture Education

Healthcare Resources

• VA health care services– Inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, dental care, mental

health care and other services.

• 29 facilities in Michigan– 5 major medical facilities (Detroit, Ann Arbor, Battle

Creek, Iron Mountain, Saginaw)– 18 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics– 6 Outpatient Clinics

Quality of Life

• Expand veteran-friendly and veteran-specific housing resources

• Expand and support veteran treatment courts

• Identify recreation opportunities for veterans and their families

Quality of Life

Veteran Recreation Resources•Free access to state parks for those with the following license plates:

• 100% disabled veteran• POW• Medal of Honor recipient

•Free hunting and fishing licenses for 100% disabled veterans•Veteran-specific recreation and volunteer programs such as Team RWB and Team Rubicon•Veteran sports through county and city parks and recreation departments and Paralyzed Veterans of America

Homeless Veterans

• www.michiganveterans.com • VA Homeless Help Line: 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-

424-3838)Shelter care, domiciliary care, substance abuse treatment, transitional housing, HUD-VASH

• Supportive Services for Veteran Families grantsGrantees: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/2014_SSVF_Award_List.pdf

Veteran Legal Services

• University of Detroit Mercy Law Veterans Clinic – veteranslawclinic@udmercy.edu / 313-596-0235

or 1-888-UDM-LAW4 (1-888-836-5294) – 651 E. Jefferson, Detroit MI 48226

• Neighborhood Legal Services– http://www.nlsmichigan.org/– 7310 Woodward Avenue, Suite 701, Detroit, MI 48202– 313.964.1975

Employment Initiative

• Employment– Licensing and Credentialing Reform– Entrepreneurship– Veterans Expos– Reboot– Employment Council

Education Initiatives

• Created the Veteran Education Initiative (VEI) to place specialists (VRRs) on campuses to help veteran students connect with resources.– Assigned to VEI Campus up to 40 hours per week– Trained to help connect student veterans institutional,

local, state , and federal resources/opportunities

• GOAL: Working with higher education institutions to help them create veteran-friendly campuses.

Key Initiatives continued

• Education–Credit for experience/ fast-track programs–Veteran Friendly Campuses–Connections to the community– In-state tuition for veterans• VA Choice Act Compliance

Higher Education Trends

• Influx of student veterans to higher education– Enrollment in Community Colleges or Vocational

Institutions on the rise

• Post-9/11 G.I. Bill expanded benefits

• Complex transitions to civilian life and life with disability

Higher Education Trends

• Students with military experience make up about 4% of undergraduate students.

• Compared to traditional undergraduate students, veterans tend to be older and are more likely to be non-white.

• Although only seven percent of the armed forced were women in 2006, 27% of all student veterans in 2007-08 were women.

• Around half of undergraduates with military experience received veterans educational benefits at public four-year universities. In 2007-2008, 12 percent of military undergraduates attended for-profit institutions, which is a rate three times higher than traditional undergraduates.

MI Higher Education Trends

Source: US VA Certifier Benefit Utilization reports, includes dependents (Chap 35)

MI Higher Education Trends

Source: US VA Certifier Benefit Utilization reports, includes dependents (Chap 35)

MI Higher Education Trends

MI Higher Education Trends

MI Higher Education Trends

MI Higher Education Trends

Veteran Friendly Campus- What Do Veterans Need on Campus??

• A veteran friendly campus offers veterans– A experienced school certifying official to assist with administering

VA Education Benefits– Has an active and engaged SVA Chapter– Offers veterans a designated meeting place– Has a Veteran Resource Center and/or Coordinator– Military Credit for College Credit and Prior Learning

• Joint Services Transcript and CLEP– Faculty Staff and Administrators who are aware of the needs and

challenges of student veterans (non-traditional students)– Disability and Counselling Services- Consideration of TBI and PTSI

Questions?