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

Michigan’s Veteran Population Some 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 Population Era 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.

9 Too often the desire to provide services to deserving veterans stops at a “Wrong Door” Vet ABCDEF Collaboration, Coordination, Integration Service Collaboration, Coordination, and Integration is achieved. DELIVERED And services are DELIVERED. When there is “No Wrong Door”

“No Wrong Door” for Michigan’s Veterans Rationale Behind Model

MVAA Action Initiatives & 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. Federal Veteran Service Partners State Veteran Service Partners City/County Veteran Service Partners Community Veteran Service Partners Informal Support Network Veterans and their Families 12

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 VA Homeless Help Line: AID VET ( ) Shelter care, domiciliary care, substance abuse treatment, transitional housing, HUD-VASH Supportive Services for Veteran Families grants Grantees: d_List.pdf

Veteran Legal Services University of Detroit Mercy Law Veterans Clinic – / or UDM-LAW4 ( ) – 651 E. Jefferson, Detroit MI Neighborhood Legal Services – – 7310 Woodward Avenue, Suite 701, Detroit, MI –

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 were women. Around half of undergraduates with military experience received veterans educational benefits at public four-year universities. In , 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

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?