TAA BEST PRACTICES
MAY 2008
ALASKA. Title of best practice: “Yellow Ribbon – Anchorage’s First at the Ft. Richardson Armory!”
Point of contact(s): Gretchen Nealy/TAA, Jan Myers/SFPD, Jason Johnson/Admin, Russell Overman / Crisis Coordinator - All members can be reached at 907-428-6212
Concise description of event:
Day 1: Veteran Benefits Brief: Jim Melton held a 3 hour brief for the SECFOR service members and family members. (We had 50 attendees – 26 service members/24 family, out of 180 service members). Veteran Health did a ½ hour group enrollment for
10-10EZ, catered lunch and a Job and Benefits Fair from noon till 1600.
Day 2: Sexual Assault Awareness, Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse, catered lunch, Anger Management and Finance Brief. All briefings were 30 to 50 minutes and made to be educational and the speakers were told to be energetic and down to earth. It was not meant to be death by power point. We wanted it personal and to be audience involved.
Listing of specific coalition groups who asssisted in the event or participated: State Family Program Coordinator, State Family Program Administration, VHA, VBA, DOL, ESGR, TRICARE, and 15 businesses and colleges.
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: There were 26 service members that attended from all over Alaska. Many traveled in from our remote villages and brought their families too: 24 were spouses, older children and parents.
After action items: What went well? We stayed on schedule. We were able to take in all the 10-10 EZ for all who showed, filed 6 C&P claims. We were able to meet the needs for resources. Transportation and lodging went over great!
What improvements are needed? Greater command support!!! It needs to be a mandatory weekend.
Lessons learned: N/A
ARIZONA. Title of best practice: “Operation Warrior Outreach.”
Point of contact(s): Frank J. Sandell. TAA; Paula Pedene PAO for Phoenix VA Healthcare Systems (VAMC) e-mail MAJ Paul Agurrie, PAO, JFHQ Arizona Army National Guard
Concise description of event : Arizona’s conducted the first of it’s kind outreach to OEF/OIF Veterans (Specifically 03-06 deployed soldiers) who may not be aware of the extended medical benefits (2 yrs to 5 yrs) which took effect 29 Jan 08. The event took place at the 52nd Street Armory on Sunday of the IDT weekend (3-4 May) during a two hour lunch break. It was conducted on the IDT in order to reach as many soldiers as we could. Upon registering with their DD 214, each soldier was provided with a new tri-fold brochure. Listed in the brochure were the locations and point of contacts for the VHA, VBA, Vet Centers and a majority of state organizations. Also listed were the TAA and the State Benefits Advisor (SBA). The Phoenix VAMC provided 150 drawing prizes ranging from airline tickets, $50 Fry’s food cards, $100 Home Depot Visa cards, Starbuck’s gift cards, card wash cards to T-Shirts. Whiles prizes were being raffled, Carl’s Jr. personnel were busy preparing hamburgers for lunch. The Phoenix VAMC enrolled eighty one soldiers into the VA system in addition to scheduling appointments for 75 other soldiers. Service members had a chance to talk to VA representatives about home loans, education, vocational rehabilitation, disability claims and Vet Centers. TRIWEST presented a $25,000 check to the TAG of Arizona for the ARNG Emergency Relief Fund.
Listing of specific coalition groups who asssisted in the event or participated: State DOL, DES, Family Program Coordinator, VBA staff, TRICARE advisor, VHA Staff, AZDVS, the Vet Center staff, the TAA and the State Benefits Advisor, Carl’s Jr. Inc. and United Concordia Rep.
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: 250.
After action items: All participating agencies felt the event was a great success. Organization and set up fit well with the facilities. Two hours were adequate for what was the planned goal. On the next event we will need more registration personnel and computers in order to meet time requirements.
Lessons learned: It helps to have events within events; i.e., Drawings within registration and face to face contact with VA and VSO personnel.
DELAWARE. Title of best practice: “DE-MOB 5 May 2008”
Point of contact(s): MSgt Patrick Rossi, Delaware Army National Guard, 302-668-4166
Concise description of event. The Delaware Army National Guard, 153rd MP Company, returned from Iraq to Fort Dix, NJ to demob from Theater, breakout sessions occurred at two different buildings on base. I notified the VA Hospital and VBA Regional Office to request their presence for the stated event. VA Hospital and VBA were not available due to scheduling conflicts due to information being disseminated too late for the planning phases. However, I was able to secure application packages from VHA to returning SM’s. I provided briefings and Q&A sessions both in the morning and afternoon for all in attendance. Service members were engaged and asked plenty of VA questions.
Listing of specific coalition groups who assisted in the event or participated: N/A
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: 150
After action items:
What went well? All were well informed at the end of briefing and the 1010 EZs were completed by all.
What improvements are needed? Dates are needed to allow the VHA, VBA to attend these demob sessions.
Lessons learned?:N/A
MONTANA. Title of best practice: “VA Sponsored Veterans Welcome Home.”
Point of contact(s): Phay Lloyd-OIF/OEF VHA Program Manager, Jody Pierce- MTNG FAC, Dave Lake-MTNG TAA and many other VA personnel.
Concise description of event: The program was sponsored by VISN 19, thru Phay Lloyd above. It was held at the VA MT Regional Center, on 5 May 08, booths available to all coalition groups, successful for the first time out, veterans and family members attended, picnic barbeque was provided later on.
Listing of specific coalition groups who assisted in the event or participated: State MVAD, Family Assistance Center, VBA staff, VHA Staff, VFW Adjutant, American Legion Adjutant, Vet Center staff, and Nurse Practitioners OIF/OEF
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: 211.
After action items:
What went well? All participants had tables or booths arranged and on time.
What improvements are needed? More and better advertisement.
Lessons learned? N/A
NORTH DAKOTA: Title of best practice: “NDNG TAG tours Fargo VA.”
Point of contact(s): Marilyn Rohrer, ND TAA, 701-333-3303, Peggy Wheelden, Fargo VAMC Public Affairs Officer, 701-239-3724
Concise description of event (Rob McDivitt, Director of the Fargo VA Medical Center, hosted a luncheon and tour of the Fargo VA Medical Center for a contingent of North Dakota National Guard senior leaders, headed by the Adjutant General, MG David Sprynczynatyk on May 23, 2008. The meeting was to acknowledge and reinforce current efforts by both the Fargo VA and the NDNG to ease the transition of our soldiers and airmen back into their communities and awareness of the benefits for which they are now eligible.
The Fargo Medical Center provides medical care and services through the Veterans Health Administrationto veterans residing in North Dakota, western Minnesota and northern South Dakota. The Medical Center is a general medical/surgical/psychiatric facility with 59 acute beds and an attached 50-bed Transitional Care Unit (TCU) providing extended care. During the luncheon, MG Sprynczynatyk also awarded his coin to Deb Kunkel, OIF/OEF Outreach Coordinator for the Fargo VAMC, for her unflagging efforts in providing quality services before, during, and after NDNG reintegration weekends. Additional Fargo VA personnel present were: Peggy Wheelden, Public Affairs Officer; Karen Robinson, Associate Director of Patient Care; Virginia Kraushaar, Nurse Manager; Paula Conard, Veteran Service Center Manager.
MG Sprynczynatyk’s entourage included: Brig. Gen. Al Palmer, Chief of Staff-Air; Col. Jean McMerty, Vice Wing Commander; Col. Ron Solberg, Mission Support Group Commander; LTC David Thiele, Director of Personnel; Maj. Nate Brenneman, Mission Support Flight Commander; 1LT Rachael Walters, Reintegration Officer; CCMSGT Brad Child and MSgt Chris Andvik, 119th Wing, and Marilyn Rohrer, Transition Assistance Advisor.
Listing of specific coalition groups who assisted in the event or participated : Listed above.
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: The entire State of North Dakota National Guard.
After action items:
What went well? Coordination with Ms. Wheelden and Increased Air Guard participation.
What improvements are needed? N/A
Lessons learned? Planning is essential, but cooperation is irreplaceable. The geographic disparity between the NDNG Joint Force Headquarters in Bismarck and the VAMC in Fargo, combined with the demanding schedules of MG Sprynczynatyk and Mr. McDivitt and high OPTEMPO of both organizations, provided challenges during planning and execution. Outcome was extremely favorable.
PUERTO RICO. Title of best practice: “Coalition Meeting.”
Concise description of event: During this month I had the opportunity to meet with my coalition group of “Industries Program of Veterans Organization” to coordinate efforts with other government agencies and non profit organizations to access more services to our homeless, elderly and minority veterans’ population. We all agreed to provide support to each others’ sectors which will enhance and improve these population’s needs. The program consisted of a survey to identify these groups to relocate them by municipalities within the Island. We then will commence with hands on training for five months with selected employers willing to assimilate them in to their work force. This program promises to be effective as long as we continue to locate and identify the needs of these former comrades.
Point of contact(s): :
Mr. Hector M. De Jesús - TAA Office
Mr. Luis Ramos – State Advocate of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Miguel A Gonzalez – Veterans Program Specialist, US Dept of Labor
Mr. Angel Mojica – Director US Dept of Labor
Mr. Leonardo Morales – Employment Counselor – San Juan VET Center
Mr. Daniel Aponte Ramos – Social Worker, Homeless Veteran Program Manager Veterans Affairs
SFC Tania Cañizares – RPAM and Retire Veterans Specialist
Mrs. Maria Mastache – Vocational Rehabilitation Officer Us Dept of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Angel Canals – State Coord. Of Unemployment Training Programs for veterans
Mr. Michael Barreto- Supervisor Dept of Work for the municipality of Bayamon
Mrs. Ileana Munoz – Special Assistant for House Development
Mrs. Dilcia Gonzalez – Coord. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment US Dept of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Carlos E. Perez – Human Resource Specialist for US Postal Service
Mr. Samuel Garcia – Veterans Representative for State Dept of Work and Human Resources
Listing of specific coalition groups who assisted in the event or participated :As per contact lists above.
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: Targeted Homeless and elderly unemployed veterans.
After action items:
What went well? Well coordinated meeting.
What improvements are needed? None
Lessons learned? By joining all sector efforts, our homeless veterans would have better opportunities to fulfill their needs.
VERMONT. Title of best practice: “1010EZ’s.”
Point of contact(s): Cathy Cook (Outreach Specialist) (802)338-3078 and Ronnie LaBounty (802)338-3354.
Concise description of event: One of the new members, Cathy Cook of the Out reach team was a former First Shirt in the Air Guard. Cathy and I went to the Air Base in Colchester VT. We set up a meeting with some of the returning Airmen and captured some more 1010 EZ’s and she made sure they got a 214 to go with them.
Listing of specific coalition groups who assisted in the event or participated: The Family Readiness Program Coordinator’s Staff and the Outreach Program Specialist personal.
Total number of service / family members who benefited from this best practice: More than I can count in the two events that I have participated in the last month.
After action items:
What went well? We had a great turn out at the bridging the gap briefing and a successful result at the Airbase with all of the security team showing up and getting their 1010 EZ’s filled out and the 214’s captured and turned in to the VA.
What improvements are needed? We need to have more of these events set up with the Air Guard personal.
Lessons learned? It takes a little knowing the way the Air Guard works and knowing how things work in the Air Guard
WASHINGTON. Title of best practice: “Providing TAA support to a Service Member.”
Point of contact(s): Jan McCullen, Pierce County Metropolitan Council;
Julie Thumser-Kerlee, Social Security Disability Adjudicator, Angela Taylor of the WA Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Concise description of event: When helping our Service Members sometimes we need to reach beyond the normal means of help. I have been working with a Naval Reservist. He had some knee and back damage but was functional for the most part. He went back to his regular job, fell and re-injured his knees. A few days later was in a fender bender and hurt his back. So labor and Industries said his injury was the military’s responsibility and this Soldier told the VBA he was pursuing L&I, so he did not qualify for a rate increase. He has been out of work for over a year. The only income is the wife’s 700.00 a month Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payment. This forced the family to move to her parent’s house almost 100 miles away from him treatment at the VA. Their daughter was put in a new school and the family was in upheaval.
Since the SM did not qualify for a VA rate increase, I began looking for a rental that would be income based. I was able to find them an apartment working with our Pierce County Metropolitan Council Veteran’s Program; this family now lives a 2 bedroom apartment for 125.00 a month in Tacoma, less than 10 miles away from the VA treatment facility. We used the WA DVA grant to help pay their move in expenses and it all resulted in stabilizing this family.
I also started working with our local Social Security Administration (SSA) department. By being the go between for medical documentation from the VA to SSA, we were able to get this SM a complete disability. He will receive over 2700.00 a month. And since his apartment only does income consideration once a year, they will continue to pay 125.00 a month a while receiving SSA until May 2009. This will allow the SM to get all caught up will all their outstanding debt before going back to paying full rent. Even when the VA cannot help, there are other avenues for our OIF/OEF Vets. We need to continue to create partnerships with community resources that reach out to our Service Members and their Families.