New England AHEAD University of Massachusetts – Boston November 10, 2009 Jorja Waybrant Assistant Director of Advising Coordinator of Disability Services – Dickinson College PA CARES - Educational Subcommittee

Pennsylvania Americans showing Compassion, Assistance, and Reaching out with Empathy for Service members  Collaborative network  Voluntary Task Force - Federal, state, local agencies Educational subcommittee TBI Subcommittee Outreach committee

 Variances you need to consider in serving SVWD: Student veterans Postsecondary education Campus services  Collaborative networks that help in serving SVWD: On-campus Off-campus

 Variances in their demographic classifications by: Gender Marital status Dependent status Employment status Status as a student Military status Service affiliation Stateside/war zone  Other demographics to consider for areas of support YRP Loved ones Type of program Type of postsecondary institution

Male/ Female Single (never married) Married/partnered Separated/Divorced With dependents Without dependents (#) Active Inactive Retired Disabled Reserves Army Navy Coast Guard Marines Air Force National Guard Employed full-time Employed part-time Not employed Full-time student Part-time student Living on-campus Living off-campus Living with parents A parent, living with family Served OEF/IEF Served stateside Other demographics Military dependents YRP Loved ones Type of program Type of postsecondary inst.

 Will vary according to: Type of program Size of student population Delivery of programs and services Financial aid packages offered

Two year program Four year program Public/ Private Accredited college/university of higher education Trade/Vocational/Technical program Military program, college, university Graduate program Online only program Distance learning program Evening program Small student population  Less than 2,500 Medium student population  2,500-5,000 Large student population  5,000 – 10,000 Very large student population  More than 10,000

Who is the VA Certifying Official on campus? How are services on campus provided? Where are services located on campus? Yellow Ribbon Program – amount offered Other financial aid Self-pay Do you have a VA rep on campus? Do you have a DS provider on campus? Do you offer support services?  Learning Center  Writing Center  Learning Specialist  Peer tutoring  Counseling Services  Health Services**

 Variances in services Based on needs Based on institution/program

Veterans representative One-stop veterans assistant Veterans benefits counselor Veterans organization Veterans student listserv Veterans lounge Veteran-to-veteran mentors Veterans services during non- traditional times Veterans events (picnics, etc.) Graduation awards - stole, sash, patch, pin for graduation Veterans job assistance (campus employment, internships, employment) Veteran-to-veteran peer tutors Veteran-to-veteran peer counselors Veteran only courses  Transitional courses  Programs/courses designed to benefit veterans Veteran-related information  Campus website  Brochures about campus services  Brochures about DS

One-on-one hands on service Veteran-to-veteran mentors Veteran-related information  Campus website  Brochures about campus services  Brochures about DS Veteran services during non- traditional hours Graduation awards – stole, sash, patch, pin for veterans and another one for Yellow Ribbon Program recipients Military Services campus group  Admissions rep***  VA certifying official on campus  DS rep  Student Veteran  Yellow Ribbon Program recipient  Veteran rep (admin, staff, or faculty)  Veteran rep (alumni, parent)  Veteran rep (community) ***reports back to DS Advisory Council Disseminates information campus wide through the Advisory Council

 Also consider Role of DS provider on campus What a successful model looks like  Two helpful forms Goal Setting Veteran to Veteran Mentoring

Set three long-term goals (Think about how you want to see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years. Consider your educational and employment goals): Goal #1) Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 List three short-term goals/objectives to help you achieve this long-term goal: a)Attend 100% of all classes b)Submit 100% of all assignments in time c)Begin studying 5 days in advance for all exams

List any barriers (internal or external) that may prevent or make it difficult for you to achieve the above- defined goals: Barrier 1)I need to work List three methods for removing or overcoming this barrier: a)Meet with VA rep to learn about all financial resources available to veterans b)Meet with Financial Aid rep on campus to learn about financial resources available c)Obtain employment that allows flexibility to work around class/studying schedule Barrier 2)I have a disability List three methods for removing or overcoming this barrier: a)Contact the DS Provider on campus to learn about available resources b)Contact a VA rep to see if they can provide guidance to me as a veteran c)Make use of eligible accommodations

Veteran to Veteran Mentoring Abilities, Skills, and Knowledge (Part 1 of Form) Mentor Name:_____________________________________________________________________ Contact Information:_______________________________________________________________ Student Name:____________________________________________________________________ Contact Information:_______________________________________________________________ Veterans who have abilities, skills, and knowledge in special areas have offered to mentor other veterans who would like assistance and/or guidance. Please take a moment to look over this sheet and see if there is a particular area that you can assist in, or, if there is a particular area that you would like to receive assistance from another veteran. The information you provide will be placed in a file to be made available to mentors and/or student veterans on campus. ** This form is adapted from Returning Wars’ Wounded, Injured, and Ill: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary Military Strategic and Security Issues) by Nathan D. Ainspan, D.D. and Walter E. Penk.

I am knowledgeable in the following areas and would be willing to mentor another student: I would like to learn more about the following: Veteran resources on campus Veteran resources off campus Financial aid resources on campus GI Bill and/or Yellow Ribbon Program Work study Employment Internships Tutoring (list course): Student organizations on campus Academic resources on campus Accessing Disability Services on campus Organizing paperwork Time management & organizational skills Studying skills Test-taking strategies Transitioning to college Extracurricular activities Goal setting

 On-campus  Disability Services  Student Life/Affairs  Veteran representatives  Faculty  Admissions  Financial Aid  Advising Office  Counseling Center  Health Center  Career Center  Off-campus Other campuses Federal, state, and local community agencies  PA CARES 

“Having Education as an outlet when you come home from a combat zone is one of the most grounding and focusing avenues a veteran has to his [/her] advantage.” Rick Scavetta, veteran of the Army Reserves Chronicles of Higher Education – June 6, 2007

Contact Information Jorja Waybrant, M.Ed. Assistant Director of Advising, Coordinator of Disability Services Dickinson College P. O. Box 1773 Carlisle, PA Phone: