Family Support Training Paul Pedersen Community Outreach Coordinator

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Family Support Training Paul
PedersenCommunity Outreach Coordinator
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A WARRIOR

• In times of uncertainty there is a special breed
  of warrior ready to answer our Nations call a
  common man with uncommon desire to succeed.
  Forged by adversity, he stands along side
  Americas finest forces to serve his country and
  the American people, and to protect their way of
  life.

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A Veteran Defined.

• Character
• Personal Integrity
• Honor
• Sacrifice

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The willingness with which our young people are
likely to serve in any war, no matter how
justified, shall be directly proportional to how
they perceive veterans of earlier wars were
treated and appreciated by their nation.
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George Washington, President/Commander-in-Chie
f
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MACV Mission

• To provide assistance throughout Minnesota to
  positively motivated veterans and their families
  who are homeless or experiencing other life
  crises. MACV accomplishes this by providing
  direct services or by collaborating with other
  agencies/providers.

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MACV

• 501c3 Nonprofit
• Established 1992
• Operates 3 Regional offices for statewide
  outreach Mankato, Duluth, Twin Cities
• Certified by MN Charities Review Council
• Audited ANNUALLY by Larsen Allen and throughout
  the year by specific funders
• Total Assets 3,578,507.00

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Minnesota Locations

• St. Paul Headquarters MACV-Metro
• 360 Robert Street North One Veterans Drive
• Suite 306 VAMC Building 47
• St. Paul, MN 55101 Minneapolis, MN 55417
• 651-291-8756 612-726-1327
• MACV-Duluth MACV-Mankato
• 101 West 2nd Street 12 Civic Center Plaza
• Duluth, MN 55802 Suite 2090
• 218-722-8763 Mankato, MN 56011
• 507-345-8258

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VA Programs
Veteran Statistics

• There Are over 24.5 million veterans in the U.S.
  today, representing 1.5 of the total population

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Military and VeteransOEF/OIF

• Operation Enduring Freedom
• Operation Iraqi Freedom
• NO SAFE PLACE NO SAFE ROLE

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Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings

• Approximately 1.7 million have deployed since
  2001
• 34 have deployed multiple times
• 28 are National Guard or Reservists (average age
  is 36 years old)
• 46 of Regular Forces are under 25 Years Old for
  many this is the first time they have left home.
• Approximately 895,000 OEF/OIF veterans are
  separated from the military and ELIGIBLE for VA
  services.

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Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National
FindingsWomen in the Military

• An estimated 180,000 OEF/OIF veterans are women
• Women now make up 15 of active duty military
• 17 of National Guard/Reserves
• 20 of New Recruits

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Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings

• Roughly one in every 5 suffer from a major
  depression or PTSD, estimated at 300,000. Only
  half have sought treatment.
• As many or more report possible brain injuries
  from explosions or other head wounds. An
  estimated 50-60 of spouses of TBI patients
  suffer depression.
• Roughly 50 have spouses and children
• Reasons for not seeking help were cited as
  concern over side effects of medication, they
  believed family and friends would help, or they
  feared seeking care might damage their military
  careers.

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Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings

• Studies have found that veterans returning from
  combat are 63 more likely to report new-onset
  heavy drinking than those not deployed to combat
  zones young veterans had the highest risk for
  developing alcohol-related problems.
• Alcohol is commonly used as a coping mechanism
  after traumatic events.

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Minnesota Military and Veterans

• 974 Water Towers in Minnesota..585 have
  deployed service personnel in OEF/OIF

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Minnesota Military and VeteransOIF/OEF Comments

• 20 of the veterans recently back from tours
  of duty are UNEMPLOYED. Of those employed since
  leaving the military, 25 earn less than
  21,840/year.
• Source Department of Veterans Affairs survey of
  1941 veterans

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Minnesota Military and VeteransOIF/OEF Comments

• Leading Cause of death of returned veterans
• MOTORCYCLES

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HOMELESSNESS

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Homelessness Among Veterans

• National Statistics
• Estimated more than 154,000 Homeless Veterans on
  any given night (NCHV)
• VA estimates it can meet 20 of the need
• The other 80 is up to community based
  organizations.
• 23 of all homeless are veterans
• 33 of all homeless men are veterans

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Homelessness Among Veterans

• National Statistics
• Female Veterans
• An estimated 6500 female veterans are currently
  homeless in this country and the number is
  expected to continue to rise (5 of total
  homeless veteran population)
• A female veteran is four times more likely to be
  homeless than a female civilian
• One out of 10 homeless veterans under the age of
  45 is now a woman

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Homelessness Among Veterans

• Minnesota Statistics
• Approximately 410,000 veterans in MN (23,000
  female) approx. 100,000 are getting VA Health
  Care, but another 70,000 are eligible (for female
  veterans only 1500 are connected to the VA)
• Estimated that over 4000 are homeless or at risk
  of becoming homeless at some point in the year
• 624 veterans are homeless on any given night
  (250 in the Metro area)
• 1 in 4 homeless men are veterans
• Veterans represent approx. 13 of the total
  homeless population (1 in 8)
• 32 of homeless veterans have served in a combat
  zone
• Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of
  Homeless Veterans in Minnesota

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Homelessness Among Veterans

• Minnesota Statistics
• Veterans were older than non-veteran homeless men
• 92 of homeless veterans had a high school degree
• 1/3 reported alcohol/drug abuse
• 60 reported a serious mental illness
• 52 had a chronic health condition
• Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of
  Homeless Veterans in Minnesota

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Homelessness Among Veterans

• Minnesota Statistics - Employment
• Veterans are more likely to be employed (24).
  Barriers to employment are physical health and
  mental health, lack of transportation, age,
  criminal background, lack of housing.
• Unemployment rates as of May 2009
• - Duluth close to 10
• - Minneapolis/St. Paul 9
• - St. Cloud 9.8
• - Rochester - 7.3

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Homeless Veterans Need.

• A coordinated effort that provides secure
  housing, food, essential physical health care,
  substance abuse aftercare, mental health
  counseling, and employment assistance.
• employment housing empowerment
• HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY

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Homeless Veterans Need.

• According to the National Coalition for Homeless
  Veterans, the cost effective programs are
  community-based, nonprofit, veterans helping
  veterans groups. Programs that seem to work
  feature transitional housing settings that offer
  living in a structured, substance-free
  environment with fellow veterans.
• MACV

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Continuum of Care

• Prevention
• Assisting veterans and their families who are
  about to lose their residences or are at risk of
  becoming homeless.
• Outreach
• Veterans and their families who are experiencing
  homelessness.

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MACV PROGRAMS
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MACV 2009 STATISTICS

• Close to 12,000 contacts annually
• In 2009, we assisted over 840 veterans and their
  families with direct services a 58 increase
  over 2007.
• Female Veterans 10 and rising
• Veterans with a Disability 65
• OIF/OEF Veterans 21 and rising

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MACV PROGRAMS

• Services
• Intensive case management, and other supportive
  services such as training, education, etc.
• Assistance
• Direct assistance including short-term rent
  assistance, security deposits, mortgage
  assistance, utility assistance, transportation
  assistance, food vouchers, etc.

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MDVA PROGRAMS

• In our attempt to not duplicate any service
  already available to a veteran, we make sure a
  referral is made to the CVSO (County Veterans
  Service Officer) in order that the veteran can be
  assessed for eligibility in county/state programs
  such as
• State Soldiers Assistance Program
• Special Needs
• Dental and Eye Care
• Education Benefits

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MACV Funding Sources

• Program Fees from the Veteran Participants
• Federal VA Grant Per Diem Building 47
• State Grants from MN Department of Veteran
  Affairs, Office of Economic Opportunity
• Federal Grants DOL HVRP, HUD, EFSP, ESG
• ARRA HPRP Stimulus Funds in Specific Regions
• Donations (Unrestricted and Restricted)
• Foundations, Corporate Giving, Individuals
• Fundraising Events/Campaigns

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Eligibility for Services

• Veteran status verified DD214
• - 181 days Active Duty Service
• Homeless Status (some programs)
• Prevention (some programs) must demonstrate
  financial need and meet program guidelines
• Minnesota Resident (30 days most programs)
• Must be Positively Motivated to Make a Change

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What we Assess with the Veteran

• Housing Status
• Health Status, mental chemical
• Medical Problems
• Employment Income Status

• Appropriate Housing
• Living Skills
• Eye Dental Care
• Legal Issues

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What we Provide

• Transitional Permanent Housing with Supportive
  Services
• Eviction Prevention
• Mortgage Foreclosures
• Utility Payments
• Transportation
• Bus passes
• Gas Cards

• Food Vouchers
• Clothing Vouchers
• Employment Assistance
• Tax Legal Referrals
• Case Management
• Network of Providers for Referrals

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Desired Outcomes

• Placement in appropriate housing
• Increased level of life/living skills
• Increased level of income
• Increased level of financial responsibility
• Increased level of health (mental physical)
• Increased level of responsibility and connection
  to the community
• Increased ability to interact in relationships

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MACV - HQ

• Kathleen Vitalis Executive Director
• 651-222-0613
• kvitalis_at_mac-v.org
• Cari Jaksha Operations Administrator
• 651-291-8756
• 360 Robert St. N.
• Suite 306
• St. Paul, MN 55101

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MACV METRO REGION

• Jimmy Collier Regional Director
• 612-726-1327
• Kimoja Emeka Outreach Case Manager
• Nathaniel Saltz Program Manager Bldg. 47
• Edwin Williams SIL Housing Case Manager
• Doran Hocker Case Manager
• Brian Madson Community Outreach
  Employment Coordinator

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MACV METRO

• Transitional Housing Minneapolis
• Building 47 - 13 Veterans
• SIL Houses - 24 Veterans

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VA GRANT PER DIEM

• Must be found eligible by the VA Health Care for
  Homeless Veterans Outreach Team to be funded by
  this grant
• 13 Beds
• Can be up to 2 years
• VA MACV co-case manage each veteran
• Reimbursed only for total expenditures _at_
  34.40/day

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Structured Independent LivingSIL Housing

• 8 SIL houses with supportive services
• - 6 Minneapolis, 1 Richfield, 1 St. Cloud
• Transitional Housing Temporary housing combined
  with supportive services to assist veterans
  overcome the problems and conditions that
  resulted in their having become homeless- can be
  up to 24 months

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Richfield
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Minneapolis
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Minneapolis
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Minneapolis
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MACV - DULUTH
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MACV - DULUTH

• Durbin M. Keeney Regional Director
• 101 West 2nd Street
• Duluth, MN 55802
• 1-218-722-8763
• Cliff Gawne-Mark Program Manager
• Steve Saari Program Manager
• Paul Pedersen Community Outreach Coordinator
• Michael Dickinson PT Discharge Planner

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DULUTH Major Programs

• HUD NE Minnesota Counties
• - 6 Disabled Veterans their Families
• HUD St. Louis County Supportive Services
• Discharge Planning Pilot St. Louis County
• 38 County Outreach Program

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

• Ramsey Neighborhood West Duluth
• In partnership with Northern Communities Land
• Trust (Developer) Project is a Priority
  within
• Heading Home St. Louis County Plan to End
• Homelessness.
• 5 Units of Transitional Housing
• 11 Units of Permanent Housing with Supportive
  Services for veterans
• Duluth Office Co-located

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

• Estimated Completion - FALL 2010
• Construction Began FEB.15th
• WALL BREAKING CEREMONY

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

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DULUTH VETERANS PLACE

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MACV - MANKATO

• Sue Sorenson Regional Director
• Gretchen Blais Case Manager
• 12 Civic Center Plaza
• Suite 2090
• Mankato, MN 56001
• 1-507-345-8258

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MANKATO HOUSING

• Paul Dorothy Radichel
• Town Homes
• 11 Units Permanent Housing with Supportive
  Services for Disabled Veterans
• Opened Fall 2006

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RADICHEL TOWN HOMES
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VETLAW

• Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work
• Removes legal barriers to employment or housing
• Must be a MACV participant enrolled in one of our
  programs
• No criminal/defense cases

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MACV 2009 STATISTICS

• - Close to 12,000 contacts annually
• - In 2009, over 840 clients were assisted with
  direct services statewide in 62 counties.

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StandDowns 2010

• Minneapolis - May 25th and 26th
• 2009 411 Veterans served 50 Service
  Providers 150 Volunteers
• International Falls TBD
• 2009 80 Veterans served 40 Service
  Providers 45 Volunteers
• Bemidji TBD
• 2009 60 Veterans served 40 Service
  Providers 25 Volunteers
• Duluth - August 29th
• 2009 150 Veterans served 40 Service
  Providers 30 Volunteers
• Mankato - November 9th
• 2009 277 Veterans served 35 Service
  Providers
• Rochester - New for 2010 - TBD

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WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US

• Provide as much detailed information as possible
  when you make the referral
• Leverage other sources of funding
• Make a connection with the CVSO
• PLEASE CALL WITH QUESTIONS

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TO SUMMARIZE

• We fill the gaps
• Some programs have very strict income
  guidelines that even though you are
  unemployed, they base your income off the past 3
  months which disqualifies the applicant
• Others have restrictions based on disabilities
• Other programs, you MUST be employed
• Assistance such as energy or even benefits that
  have been applied for, experience a time lag
  from application to actual benefit received of
  1-4 months.
• AND IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE THEY WAIT.

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TO SUMMARIZE

• .things get worse.

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KEYS TO OUR SUCCESS

• STATEWIDE
• Non-Duplicated Services
• Leveraged Sources of Funding
• Partners Collaborators
• Case Management
• Bridge the Gap Be The Safety Net

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Veterans Offices and Resources

• Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
• Provides assistance throughout Minnesota to
  positively motivated veterans and their families
  who are homeless or experiencing other life
  crises.
• www.mac-v.org
• County Veteran Service Officers
• First point of contact to assist Veterans.
• Directory A listing of all the County Veteran
  Service Officers (CVSO) in each county. The
  listing is available in both on-line and PDF
  versions.
• http//www.macvso.org/cvso.html
• Minnesota Veteran One Stop Website This website
  was developed to provide Minnesota Veterans,
  their families and employers a one stop location
  for information or links available for veterans.
• www.minnesotaveteran.org/

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VETERAN RESOURCES

• Veterans Linkage Line
• 1-888-LINKVET (546-5838) 
• For active duty military members to retirees to
  veterans and all concerned family members
• MDVA manages the LinkVet call center
• During business hours, MDVA staff provide
  information on veterans' benefits, healthcare,
  education, and reintegration.
• The line will roll to Crisis Connection
  counselors for 24-hour, seven days a week
  coverage (including holidays) for immediate
  crisis intervention and psychological
  counseling. 

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VETERAN RESOURCES

• WEBSITES
• www.mac-v.org
• www.nchv.org
• www.va.gov
• www.mdva.state.mn.us
• http//www.macvso.org/cvso.html
• www.minnesotanationalguard.org
• www.militaryonesource.com

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• We are a National Guard Family. Recently my
  husband lost his job due to active duty orders.
  This is being investigated through federal and
  state agencies, but we are about to be evicted
  and our utilities shut off. We are the parents
  of twin girls and we are frantic. He has lost a
  lot of wages due to this ignorant employer. Do
  you help people like us or do you know who can?
  We are desperate.

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• An 89 year old decorated Army AF Fighter Pilot
  WWII (1942-1945). Facing a financial setback due
  to some unexpected bills, he and his wife were
  facing a shut off notice from the gas company.

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• OIF Veteran is going through several surgeries
  that are service related and in and out of work
  he is supposed to have 100 rating but has not
  yet been received (7 weeks)
• Homeless, Married, disabled Army veteran with 2
  minor children connected to HUD VASH, but
  needed first month rent.

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• Collaboration with Family Assistance Center and
  County VSO veteran laid off and unable to pay
  rent FAC helping with food MACV paying one
  month rent to prevent eviction
• Collaboration with County VSO for disabled
  veteran with multiple health issues VSO is in
  process of submitting VA claims to increase
  income MACV providing mortgage assistance to
  prevent foreclosure.

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• 30 year old OIF Veteran with a spouse and 3
  children in need of rental assistance
  collaboration with VSO and FAC.
• 56 year old homeless veteran in need of first
  months rent collaboration with Workforce
  Center.
• Female Marine Veteran with 2 children needs to
  move out of extremely overcrowded trailer 20
  service connected disability we will provide
  ongoing case management and first month rent
  veteran has applied for Voc Rehab with CVSO and
  plans to attend local CC using GI Bill.

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• Keeping Faith with those who serve must always
  be a core American value and a cornerstone of
  American patriotism. Because Americas
  commitment to its servicemen and women begins at
  enlistment, and it must never end.
• --President Barack Obama 

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Thank you for having us

• Questions?

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Minnesota Locations

• St. Paul Headquarters MACV-Metro
• 360 Robert Street North One Veterans Drive
• Suite 306 VAMC Building 47
• St. Paul, MN 55101 Minneapolis, MN 55417
• 651-291-8756 612-726-1327
• MACV-Duluth MACV-Mankato
• 101 West 2nd Street 12 Civic Center Plaza
• Duluth, MN 55802 Suite 2090
• 218-722-8763 Mankato, MN 56011
• 507-345-8258