June 30, 2008 | Vol. 16, No. 2 | Printer Friendly Version
19,000 Veterans to Benefit from $30 Million in Grants
It's great news for about 19,000 veterans who will receive access to resources as Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao recently announced 103 grant awards, totaling nearly $30 million. The grants, awarded under DOL's Veterans' Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) and Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), will assist veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers.
From DOL's press release http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/vets20080862.htm:
"These $30 million in grants will provide more than 19,000 veterans with access to job training and other employment resources to connect them with good jobs and a path to a better future," said Secretary Chao. Funds are being awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These agencies are familiar with the areas and populations to be served and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs.
To assist homeless veterans with reintegration into America's workforce, the Labor Department is awarding almost $23 million in 91 HVRP grants. These funds are being distributed nationwide through 16 newly competed grants and 75 current grants receiving second- and third-year funding. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services. VETS expects the funds to help more than 15,000 veterans. HVRP is recognized as an extraordinarily efficient and effective program, and is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are homeless.
The HVRP grants include two cooperative agreements that will continue to assist HVRP grantees through the HVRP National Technical Assistance Center. The center provides technical assistance to current grantees, potential applicants and the public; gathers grantee best practices; conducts employment-related research on homeless veterans; conducts regional grantee training sessions and self-employment boot camps; and performs outreach to the employer community to increase job opportunities for veterans.
More than $6.8 million will support 12 VWIP grants to help veterans from targeted groups overcome employment barriers and ease their transition into unsubsidized jobs. Through this program, veterans receive skills assessments, individual job counseling, labor market information, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading and retraining, placement assistance and crucial follow-up services. VETS expects these grants to provide training for more than 4,000 veterans, who may also be eligible for services through other Workforce Investment Act programs for economically disadvantaged or dislocated workers.
View the list of VWIP and a list of HVRP grants http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/vets/vets20080862fs.htm.
Veterans Facing Tough Times, Part II
In the last VETS NET issue, we presented information about suicide and GI Bill concerns among veterans. Since then, several more veterans-related news items have appeared in the media.
VA and Smoking Cessation Drug - There have been questions about the safety of the stop smoking medication - Varenicline (Chantix). VA has been conducting a study in which veterans treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also given the drug. It has been reported that Chantix is potentially dangerous to veterans with PTSD who are trying to quit smoking.
VA issued a statement, which can be found here http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1518. The statement says in part, "In our PTSD and smoking cessation study, our research is to learn if it is easier to stop smoking when smoking cessation treatment is combined with PTSD therapy, or whether the two therapies are more effective if they are provided separately. In either case, patients are receiving treatment recommended by their own doctors using counseling with or without FDA approved medication that includes Varenicline (Chantix). Participation in this program is voluntary, and all participants are closely monitored clinically by mental health professionals who provide smoking cessation methods patients agree to use."
As of press time, many members of Congress have called for investigations and even the immediate suspension of the study.
Latest development: VA is sending letters to more than 30,000 veterans who are taking Chantix, warning them of the drug's possible side effects, including a risk of suicide.
Suicide Studied Among Guard & Reserve - An analysis of ongoing research by VA found that Guard or Reserve members accounted for 53 percent of veteran suicides from 2001 - 2005. VA representatives have said there doesn't appear to be an epidemic of suicide among returning veterans, but that improved mental health training for staff and screening and treating veterans is needed. Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said the military's efforts to screen Guard and Reserve members three months after they return home is a positive step, but more is needed. In an effort to further provide assistance, VA began staffing a suicide hot line last year, as well as hiring more counselors and increasing mental health screenings. VA's suicide hot line is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
PTSD Cases Up in 2007 - Records show roughly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with PTSD since 2003. The number of troops with new cases of the disorder rose by about 50 percent in 2007 amid the military buildup in Iraq and increased violence there and in Afghanistan. Officials believe that many more service members and veterans are likely keeping their illness a secret, possibly due to the stigma of mental illness. The accounting of diagnosed cases released May 27 shows those hardest hit last year were Marines and Army personnel, the two ground forces bearing the brunt of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A breakdown of the number of veterans and diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the Department of Veterans Affairs:
• 1.6 million troops have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since October of 2001
• 799,791 have been discharged
• 299,585 of the veterans have sought VA care
• 120,049 are considered to have mental disorders
• 59,838 have PTSD
VA Helps Struggling Vets Keep Homes - "VA is reaching out to veterans -- both those who use our home-loan guaranty program and those who don't take advantage of our guaranties -- to keep people in their homes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "I'm proud of our solid record of success in helping veterans and active-duty personnel deal with financial crises."
Accounting for much of this success are VA counselors at nine regional loan centers who assist people with VA-guaranteed loans avoid foreclosure through counseling and special financing arrangements. The counselors also can assist other veterans with financial problems. VA counselors have helped about 74,000 veterans, active-duty members and survivors keep their homes since 2000, a savings of nearly $1.5 billion to the government. Depending on a veteran's circumstances, VA can intercede with the borrower on the veteran's behalf to pursue options -- such as repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications -- that would allow a veteran to keep a home. To obtain help from a VA financial counselor, veterans can call VA toll-free at 1-877-827-3702. Information about VA's home loan guaranty program can be obtained at www.homeloans.va.gov .
How are Things for Women Veterans?
Women are serving on the front lines as never before in our nation's history and unfortunately, that is creating challenges. Of the 1.7 million troops who have been deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 190,000 — or about 11 percent — are women.
Are Women Veterans Treated Differently at VA? - An internal report recently released from VA, shows that female veterans do not receive the same level of medical care as their male counterparts. Female veterans do not receive the same quality of outpatient care as male veterans at about one-third of the 139 Department of Veterans Affairs facilities that offer it. The VA's review found the health care disparity even as women are serving on the front lines in record amounts. William Duncan, associate deputy undersecretary at VA, said the disparity between men and women's health is not acceptable and the department is working aggressively to address the issue. He said, "We're striving to understand the reason for these health disparities in veterans health care based on personal characteristics." Women make up about 14% of the US Armed Forces and about 5% of VA's population, but that number is expected to nearly double in the next two years.
Women Veterans and Homelessness - According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are roughly 7,000 homeless women veterans living in the United States. And as more women return from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, officials expect that number to rise. Pete Dougherty, director of VA's homeless veterans programs, says that combat-related stress is a risk factor for homelessness. "We're finding among younger women, that they play a much more mission-critical role," he said. Additionally, Dougherty said that sexual trauma is another risk factor for homelesness and about 75 percent of female veterans report being victims of sexual abuse, experienced either in the military or in civilian life. He said that his department has set aside special grants for shelters outside the VA system to develop special housing and programs for homeless women veterans. Currently, out of 500 Veterans Affairs-run homeless shelters, 300 can house women, but none of those accept children and only 15 have programs aimed specifically at women veterans.
Sexual Trauma and Women Veterans - In 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs found that women are reporting signs of mental health issues when they return home at a higher rate than their male counterparts.
The VA diagnosed 60,000 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Of those, 22 percent of women suffered from "military sexual trauma," which includes sexual harassment or assault, compared with 1 percent of men. Dr. Darrah Westrup, who counsels female veterans at the VA-run Women's Health Clinic in Menlo Park, California, says another factor contributing to poor mental health is the high amount of sexual trauma reported by women screened by VA. She says many women have trouble reporting the trauma to their superiors out of fear of retribution. "When you are in a war zone, your survival depends on people watching your back and on unit cohesion," Westrup said. "The same individuals who attacked you are those who will be protecting you, or you'll be fighting alongside the next day."
VA has been authorized to provide specialized counseling and treatment for the aftereffects of sexual trauma that occurred during military service. Call 1-800-827-1000 for veterans to receive information, assistance and referrals on issues related to sexual trauma in the military
VA Center for Women Veterans - VA maintains a website for women veterans. The URL is http://www1.va.gov/WOMENVET .
New GI Bill = Enhanced Benefits for Veterans
The House and Senate both recently voted to offer what amounts to a free college education to the new generation of military veterans--a revitalized GI Bill.
The new benefits would offer full tuition up to the cost of the most expensive in-state public university -- plus stipends for books and housing -- for post-September 11 veterans who have served three years of active duty. Service members who serve less than three years would receive between 40 and 90 percent of the benefit. Additionally, service members would be allowed to transfer educational benefits to their spouses or dependents. As of press time, the bill had not yet been signed by President Bush.
"This is the first wartime GI Bill benefit since Vietnam, "Virginia Senator Jim Webb said after the Senate passed the bill.
Patrick Campbell, legislative director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which claims 100,000 members added, "Today is a moment of celebration. Everything has changed. The Iraq and Afghanistan veterans we have here are now given hope. Their dreams are going to be bigger. Their opportunities are going to be bigger."
Implementation of the plan would not be available until next year, because VA must overhaul its computer programs to calculate and distribute the aid due each veteran. Senator Webb, who conceived the instigative, noted that the legislation was not intended to apply to future military personnel who serve in peacetime. "When this war is over, one would assume this benefit is going to end," he said. But nothing in the legislation links these benefits to wartime service. The bill creates a permanent new benefit for all military veterans, whether they serve in peacetime or times of war.
Homeless Veterans' Numbers Down
VA said in March that the homeless veteran population reduced 21 percent over the last year.
No one would argue that 154,000 homeless veterans is still 154,000 too many homeless veterans, but it does reflect 21 percent fewer than the 195,000 reported last year, according to VA.
The reasons for the reduction in the number of homeless veterans, says the VA, include partnerships between the VA and a growing network of community- and faith-based organizations, plus changing demographics and improvements in survey techniques.
"We are seeing significant progress in the fight against homelessness," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "This success should encourage all those concerned about homeless veterans, for it shows we can make a difference in the lives of these veterans through our services and with our community partners."
Other factors in the decline of homeless veterans include the substantial reduction in the number of poor veterans -- from 3 million in 1990 to 1.8 million in 2000 -- and improvements in counting homeless people.
See this issues lead article for more good news for veterans.
VA press release http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1464
Changes for TAP
Changes are brewing for the TAP Facilitator Network and for materials on that site! Here's a heads-up on the upcoming modifications:
TAP Employment Workshop Slides & Instructor Notes - In an effort to bring consistency and add interest to the TAP Workshop PowerPoint slides, NVTI worked with VETS and Inverness (a DOL contractor). The result was separating some of the information into new slides, adding graphic elements and slightly modifying the look of the slide background. The instructor notes have also been revised to include references to the new slides.
VETS plans to release the new information in the near future. We'll keep you posted on the release.
TAP for Reserve Component/National Guard (RC/NG) - The TAP Facilitator Network site was recently remodeled a bit, to allow for a more user-friendly way to access the modules for RC/NG TAP. These materials have a few mandatory elements that must be presented and then, depending on time, space and other factors, TAP instructors may pick and choose other modules of the regular TAP workshop to include. The new section is available now at the TAP Facilitator site http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/tapfacilitator.
Workforce Innovations 2008
Plan now to attend this important conference in New Orleans, Louisiana - July 15 - 17.
Time is running out to register for the Workforce Innovations 2008: Success Decoded Conference. Take advantage of opportunities to meet and network with thousands of workforce development, economic development, business, education, community-based organizations and philanthropic leaders at DOL/ETA's premier annual conference.
VETS has been an active partner in planning Workforce Innovations and will be presenting a learning laboratory session focused on helping returning and transitioning service members integrate into civilian employment.
For registration information go to www.WorkforceInnovations.org .
Guard & Reserve Numbers
Have you ever wondered just how many reservists are activated? The number changes all the time, but as a snapshot in time, as of June 4, 2008, there were a total of 99,159 personnel who had been mobilized. That week, the net collective result was 571 fewer reservists mobilized than the previous week.
At any given time, services may mobilize some units and individuals while demobilizing others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. The total number currently on active duty in support of the partial mobilization of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 76,438; Navy Reserve, 4,463; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 8,455; Marine Corps Reserve, 9,344; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 459. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been mobilized to 99,159, including both units and individual augmentees.
It's amazing to realize that 99,159 men and women have left their civilian lives to serve our nation. Our hats go off to these individuals and their families for the sacrifices they make every day.
Source: Department of Defense Press Release http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11969
IRS Reaching out to Disabled Veterans
The Internal Revenue Service announced a new summer campaign to reach retirees and disabled veterans who qualify for the economic stimulus payment but have not filed to claim it. New statistics released today indicate about 74 percent in this group are accounted for in the stimulus payments currently being sent, leaving about 5.2 million potential recipients remaining.
From the IRS:
A special stimulus category includes recipients of certain benefits from Social Security and Veterans Affairs who do not normally have a requirement to file a tax return. However, these individuals must file a tax return before Oct. 15 this year to receive their economic stimulus payments. The IRS has accounted for 74 percent of Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries out of about 20 million initially identified as being potential stimulus recipients. All but 5.2 million of those have been accounted for as either having filed a return, having filed a joint return, or as not being eligible for a stimulus payment (for example, they were claimed as a dependent on another's return).
Most people only need to file a tax return as they normally do. The IRS will calculate eligibility and the payment amount. However, many retirees and veterans do not normally file a tax return because their benefits are not taxable. This year, they must file in order to receive an economic stimulus payment.
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman stressed to retirees that receiving the stimulus payment should have no impact on other federal benefits currently being received. The stimulus payment is not taxable. Absent any other filing requirements, filing a tax return to receive a stimulus payment does not mean that retirees will have to start filing tax returns again.
http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=184063,00.html
VETS' Testimony
Review the following statements or presentations from the VETS National Office :
The Honorable Charles "Chick" Ciccolella , ASVET - 4/16/08 - Before the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Committee on Veterans Affairs
http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol16no2/DOL _Ciccolella_ HVAC Oversight 4 16 08 Final.pdf
John M. McWilliam , DASVET - 5/16/08 - Before the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Committee on Veterans Affairs
http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol16no2/HVAC Indiana Field Hearing 5-16-08.pdf
The Honorable Charles "Chick" Ciccolella, ASVET -6/19/08 - Before the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Committee on Veterans Affairshttp://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol16no2/Ciccolella Statement for the Record re 6.19 HVAC Hearing.pdf
Resource Center Highlights
For additional helpful resources, check out NVTI's Resource Library on-line. You may also contact the Resource Center or call (800) 451-5759.
Substance Abuse Treatment Database http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ - Do you need to find a drug or alcohol treatment facility for your customers? Enter the zip of the area you're searching in and this helpful database will return results. Try a search here Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator .
5 Job Tips to Survive the Recession - From CareerBuilder.com comes some good ideas to pass along to your job seeking clients. Click the pdf to see the document. http://www.nvti.cudenver.edu/resources/VETSNET/vol16no2/SurviveRecession.pdf
Password Smarts - This is not so much a resource item, rather than a good-to-know tip.... Certainly you choose your account passwords with care, right? You make sure you don't carry them around with you. They're easy to remember. But are you aware that nearly half of Internet users surveyed said they have just one password for all their online accounts? That is like hitting the password jackpot for criminals! How do you choose safer, more secure passwords?
1. Use a combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
2. Use at least 6 characters in your password, preferably more.
3. Don't use account numbers or personal information.
4. Change your passwords often.
5. Don't use a repeating number or letter, ie., 111111, aaaaaa, etc.
6. Make a note of your password(s) and store in a safe place.
7. Don't share passwords!
