Veterans & Military Support 2016 Committee Meeting

Veterans & Military Support Programs: Military Assistance Program Operation Uplink Unmet Needs VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship Program

Veterans & Military Support New Initiative : Student Veterans Outreach, Employment & Transition Services Strive to position the VFW as the conduit directly connecting veterans with vet-friendly employers. Guide and tool kit available VFW will host at least two virtual career fairs this fiscal year. The first in September 2016 and the other Spring 2017. Working with National Restaurant Association Job Fair Continue to work with Student Veterans of America (SVA)

Veterans & Military Support Military Assistance Program The Military Assistance Program is designed to encourage the link between the VFW and the Military community. This program promotes VFW member interaction with the local military and opens avenues for National Sponsorships and local level involvement with all branches of service. Two unique services to help foster the relationship between the Post and the local military community, Military Assistance Program Grant process Adopt-A-Unit program. Military Assistance Program: -We believe there will be an increased usage of the MAP program as more troops return -MAP will continue emphasizing relationship building with the National Guard, Reserve Component, and Active Duty Military and family members through VFW-sponsored MAP events -Encourage Departments to conduct one MAP event on an active duty military installation per year. -Increase participation in Adopt-A-Unit for support of family members and troops.

Veterans & Military Support Operation Uplink In 2006, Operation Uplink working with MWR SPAWAR internet cafes, created Free Call Days using voice over IP calls for service men and women for 24-hour periods three times a month, including all major holidays. Call volume is down considerably. With the reduced internet connections, Operation Uplink still has the ability to provide virtual pin numbers (calling time) for deployment ceremonies, VA hospitals and service members in countries without MWR cafes. Operation Uplink: -Three Free Call Days a month -Currently over 450 internet cafes in Afghanistan and Kuwait -Provide PINs for use on DSN lines for service members in Africa, Germany, Korea, Japan, and other bases worldwide. -Provide PINs for Veterans in VA hospitals.

Veterans & Military Support Unmet Needs Created in 2004 Unmet Needs assists military service members, veterans, and their families who are experiencing a financial hardship directly related to their military service. To date paid 3,913 cases totaling $5,745,458.50 The financial assistance is in the form of a grant in an amount up to $5,000. All grants are paid directly to the “creditor” companies (such as the electric company, mortgage company, landlord, etc.) and not to the individual. Each case is reviewed individually and acceptance determined by a committee.   Working with a Family Support Center Coordinator, Family Readiness Director or your Department Veterans & Military Support Chairman, you can help get our service members and fellow veterans the assistance they deserve. Transitioning to an online application. Unmet Needs: -Continue to establish relationships with the military and Family Assistance Centers. -Provide disaster relief to service members burdened by natural disasters (tornados, fires, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes). -$500 grant for total loss, and $300 grant for loss of power or damage to the home. -Continue to encourage Departments, Districts and Posts to use their Post Relief funds to provide immediate assistance.

Veterans & Military Support VFW Sport Clip Help A Hero Scholarship Program Sport Clips expanded its Help A Hero initiative to support veterans as they return home through the gift of scholarships. Since 2014 awarded 580 scholarships totaling $2,282,059.21 Each scholarship will provide recipients with up to $5,000 to apply toward their education at an accredited post-secondary institution, including universities, colleges, trade schools and apprenticeship and certification programs. The scholarship application is only available on-line at www.vfw.org

Veterans & Military Support Chairman responsibilities: The VFW Veterans & Military Support Chairperson serves as the VFW’s representative for all four of the major programs. Send in the Chairman’s Report monthly stating your activities and informing VFW National of local events and activities reported from your Posts. Do not send in a negative/blank report. Only report when you have a function or event with attendance numbers. Communicate information from national to Posts and Districts Monthly newsletter Email communication

Veterans & Military Support Chairman responsibilities, Cont’d : Act as the Point of Contact and coordinate for any military requests from the Department Work with the Auxiliary Veterans and Family Support Ambassador. Familiarize yourself with all program procedures, forms, reports and other program information. Establish and /or build relationships with the active military installations, national Guard and reserves in your individual states. .

Veterans & Military Support Staff Contact Information: Brooklynne Mosley, Associate Director, VFW Programs, Student veteran Outreach, Employment & transition Services Email: bmosley@vfw.org (816) 968-2778 Linda Ferguson, Manager Veterans & Military Support Programs Email: lferguson@vfw.org (816) 968-1102 John Linstra, Military Assistance Program Coordinator Email: M.A.P.@vfw.org (816) 756-3390, ext. 211 Mark Herron, Unmet Needs Program Coordinator Email: UnmetNeeds@vfw.org (816) 756-3390, ext. 262 Quentin Carroll, Special Programs and Projects (Help a Hero, Operation Uplink & Buddy Poppy) Coordinator Email: HelpaHero@vfw.org Email: OperationUplink@vfw.org Email: buddypoppy@vfw.org (816) 968-1155

Veterans & Military Support 2016 Committee Meeting