West Michigan Veterans Coalition Quarterly Meeting on November 18, 2013. The presentation is about the change from the Greater Grand Rapids Veterans Services Forum to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition. Creation of four subcommittees; Education, Employment, Healthcare, Quality of Life.

1. West Michigan Veterans Coalition
Monday, November 18, 2013
WWII Homecoming
February - March 1973 - Air Force Reserve C-141 and C-9
associate aircrews, medical, aeromedical, casualty
assistance, legal, chaplain, and intelligence personnel
supported Operation Homecoming of the return of
American POWs from North Vietnam.
Members of the 126th Cavalry Squadron are
welcomed back to West Michigan during a
ceremony at Caledonia High School. (Oct. 19,
2012)

2. Agenda
I.
Welcome
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Spotlight Session:
i.
10:10 AM - Evolution of the Greater Grand Rapids Veterans Services Forum
ii.
10:40AM - Kristina Leonardi, Strategy Division, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
iii.
10:55 AM- Break
iv.
11:05 AM - Darryl Plunkett, PhD, Team Leader, Grand Rapids VetCenter
v.
11:30 AM - James Arringdale, LMSW – Caregiver Support Coordinator, Veteran
Community Partnership Coordinator
IV. NOON – Lunch provided by Davenport University
V. 1:00PM End
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

3. In the beginning…
• The Grand Rapids Veterans Forum
• Year 2010–
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
Goodwill Industries - Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids Housing Urban Development
Health Care for Homeless Veterans
Kent County Department of Veterans Affairs
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
VA- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
VetCenter
319 South Division Street,
Grand Rapids
•
2011 - Veterans Cooperative Committee
•
2012 - Greater Grand Rapids Veterans Services Forum
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

4. The next step…
2013 - 2014 –
West Michigan Veterans Coalition
• Formation of Advisory Board
• Education, Employment, Healthcare,
Quality of Life
• Name change
• Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency &
Altarum Institute
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

5. What to expect…
Objectives:
To identify resources, find solutions for key issues,
and communicate to the collective group.
• Areas of concentration: Education,
Employment, Healthcare, Quality of Life
• Subcommittees meet in between quarterly
meetings via phone conferencing, email, in
person.
MISSION: The West Michigan Veterans Coalition is collaboration between local military friendly
organizations that provide support, information, and resources to veterans and their families,
employers, and other organization throughout West Michigan. We meet quarterly to highlight
military friendly organizations and businesses, network with one another, and to help promote and
enhance services to our heroes.
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

6. Education
• Military Education Benefits
• Financial Aid
• Military Friendly Schools
• Support Resources
• From Military Service to Academia
• Outreach/Marketing
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

7. Employment
• Challenges transitioning to civilian
employment
• Transfer of skills
• Job searching skills
• Disabilities
• Resources
• Military Friendly Employers
• Outreach/Marketing
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

8. Healthcare
• Reintegration Counseling
• Utilizing the VA
• Health Benefits
• Mental Health
• Support Resources
• Outreach/Research
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

9. Quality of Life
• Housing
• Homelessness
• Substance Abuse
• Transportation
• Sources of Support
• Family Support
• Other Insurance
• Veterans Justice
• Outreach/Marketing
West Michigan Veterans Coalition

10. West Michigan Veterans Coalition

11. Greater Grand Rapids Veterans
Services Forum
11/18/2013

12. Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Goals
• Develop and Maintain a Strong Michigan Veterans
Affairs Agency
• Improve Communications
• Improve and Enhance Veterans Services Delivery
• Enhance Interagency Collaboration and Leverage
Partnerships
• Define and Promote Veterans through Legislative
Action

18. www.MichiganVeterans.com

19. Vet Center
Readjustment Counseling Services for Veterans

20. Readjustment Counseling Service
We are the community-based professionals
within the VA who welcome home the war
veteran by providing top-quality, compassionate
readjustment assistance to the veteran and their
family in order to facilitate a successful return to
civilian life within their community.

21. Vet Centers’ History
• First organized by veterans for veterans
• Storefront outreach to Vietnam Vets
• Significant numbers still having readjustment
issues.
• Main idea was peer to peer counseling
• Enacted by Congress in 1979 – PL 96-22
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Separate charter and scope of operation

22. Veterans serving Veterans

23. Mission of
Readjustment Counseling Services
Vet Centers serve veterans and their families by providing a
continuum of quality care that adds value for veterans,
families, and communities. Care includes professional
readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to
special populations, the brokering of services with
community agencies, and provides a key access link
between the veteran and other services in the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.

24. Vet Center Goals
• Provide a broad range of services to Veterans
and their families
– Counseling
– Outreach
– Referrals
• Promote a satisfying postwar readjustment to
civilian life

25. Services Provided
•Individual and group counseling
•Marital/family/couples counseling
•Spouse/significant other counseling/group
•Grief/bereavement counseling for family
members of military personnel who die
on activity duty (including reservist and
national guard personnel)

26. Services Provided
•Counseling for military sexual trauma
•Referral to alcohol/drug counseling
•Employment opportunity referrals
•Benefit and assistance referrals
•Liaison to other VA facilities/services

27. Transition from Warrior to Civilian

28. Mobile Vet Center

29. Cost/Eligibility
• How does the veteran pay for these services,
and who is eligible?
The veteran has already paid for this service with his or
her sacrifice to our country. They only need to provide a
DD 214 form showing service time in a combat theater.

30. Keeping the Promise
“…to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and
for his widow and his orphan” – Abraham Lincoln.

31. Grand Rapids Vet Center Staff
Darryl P. Plunkett, Ph.D.
Team Leader
Dawn Thurkettle
Program Assistant
Tracy Castillo, MA, LLP
Readjustment Counselor
Jennifer Dean, MA, LPC
Readjustment Counselor
Brian Gripentrog, LMSW
Readjustment Counselor
Gloria Newmiller, LMFT
Readjustment Counselor
Joe Martinez, MA, LLPC
Readjustment Counselor

32. How to Contact Us
Grand Rapids Vet Center
2050 Breton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 285-5795
Fax (616) 285-5898

33. Questions?

35. James Arringdale, LMSW
Julie Ferguson, RN, BSN
Caregiver Support Coordinators
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
(122HCHV)
5500 Armstrong Road
Battle Creek, MI 49037-7314
(616)356-1806
James.Arringdale@va.gov

36. Overview
 Veteran Services – Federal, State, County and
Veteran Organizations
What is the VA Caregiver Support
Program?
 Role of the Caregiver Support Coordinator
 Program of Comprehensive Assistance for
Family Caregivers
 General Caregiver Benefits
 Veteran Benefits Administration programs
 The Bottom Line

37. Veteran Services
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs - Federal Veteran Cemeteries, Veterans
Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration
• State of Michigan - Department of Military and Veteran Affairs
Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans,
Marquette, MI
Veterans Trust Fund in each county
Veteran Affairs Offices in each county
Funds for Veteran Service Organizations to employ Veteran Service Officers
Tuition Grant Program
Depository for Veteran’s records
• Veteran Service Organizations – National, MI, Local Posts, Support, Services
Disable American Veterans
American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Marine Corp League
• Multiple other organizations serving Post 9/11/2001 Veterans

38. History
 February 2009
Caregiver Support Point of Contact at VA Medical Centers
 December 2009
Creating Confident Caregivers – VA (Michigan)
 May 2010
Congress passes Veterans Omnibus Bill which includes a
special focus upon Caregivers of Post 911 Veterans and
Veterans of all eras
 February 1, 2011
VA Caregiver Support Line begins operation
 April 1, 2011
VA Central Office funds full-time Caregiver Support
Coordinators ( CGSC)
 May 9, 2011
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
begins
 July 1, 2011
First Stipend and Champ VA benefits are awarded
 October 2013
Around 11,000 Veterans nationwide approved for Family
Caregiver Benefits and growing number of programs for
Veterans of all eras.

40. 1. VA Caregiver Support - U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs
Jul 7, 2011 ... Welcome to the New VA Caregiver Support website.
Get started by learning about the services and support available to you
as the Family ...
www.caregiver.va.gov/ - Cached - Similar

41. VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator
Works with Caregivers of Veterans
 Coordinate the application to the Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers
 Respond to referrals from the National Caregiver Support Line
 Conduct caregiver assessments
 Develop and run caregiver support groups and educational workshops
 Provide supportive counseling
 Assist Veterans who are themselves caregivers
 Provide referral to VA and community programs and resources
 Serve as an advocate for the rights and services of caregivers and
Veterans

42. VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator
Works with VA Medical Center Staff
 Serve as the “caregiver expert” within the Medical Center
 Advise and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams
 Provide education and in-service training to VAMC
employees
 Provide ongoing consultation and support to colleagues
regarding caregiver support
 Coordinate programming in November for National
Family Caregiver Month

43. VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator
Works with the Community
 Provide outreach to the community, including distributing
educational materials provided by VA, to local, state and
national caregiver organizations
 Work with local, area and state Veteran and Caregiver
organizations to create seamless access to and transitions
among care and support services for Veterans and
Caregivers [Veteran Community Partnership (VCP); Aging &
Disability Resource Centers; Caregiver Resource Network]
 Establish and maintain a facility Caregiver Support Program
Council comprised of Veterans, Caregivers, facility staff and
members of the community

44. Public Law 111-163
“Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010”
Section 101
Assistance and Support Services for
Caregivers

45. All General Caregivers Receive:
All Eras
•In person education
•Interactive Web site
•Telehealth training
•Teaching techniques, strategies, and skills for caring
•Counseling and other services under § 1782
•Respite care, age and medically appropriate, including in home under §1720B
• Information on all available VA/community services
Family Caregivers
Additionally Receive:
Post 9-11 Only
•Appropriate instruction and training
•Travel, lodging, and per diem for training
•Lodging and subsistence for appointments
•Respite care during training
•Ongoing technical support
•Counseling
Primary Family Caregivers Additionally
Receive:
Post 9-11 Only
•Monthly caregiver stipend
•Appropriate mental health services
•Health care coverage

46. Qualification for the Program of
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
1. Veteran must have sustained a serious injury including Traumatic Brain
injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder incurred or
aggravated in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.
2. Veteran must be in need of personal care services because of an
inability to perform one or more activities of daily living and/or need
supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of
neurological impairment or injury.
3. Veteran must be enrolled for VA health services.
4. Veteran must have an eligible (unpaid)Primary Family Caregiver.
• Family member who provides care for veteran as described above.
• Non-Family member who lives with veteran and provides care for
veteran as described above.

47. Caregiver Benefits for Veterans of all Eras
In-Home and Community Based Care programs
Caregiver Education and Training programs
Caregiver Support Groups, Counseling and
Activities
VA Medical Foster Homes
Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic and
Sensory Aides, Home Modification and
Transportation

48. VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Health Care
Extended Care and Caregiver Support Services
Contact Person: Social Worker
______________________________________________________________________________
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
All Other Benefits
VA Pensions and Aid & Attendance
Contact Person: Veteran Service Officer

49. Veterans Health Administration
Extended Care Services
Contact Person: Social Worker
Homemaker/Home Health Aide = Personal Care Assistance
In-Home Respite Care = A break for the Caregiver
Veteran-Directed Home Care = Severely disable veterans
Adult Day Health Care = Caregiver break and socialization
Inpatient Respite Care = BC VAMC Community Living Center
Home Based Primary Care = Long-term chronic medical care

50. SOCIAL WORKERS
Battle Creek VA Health System
Alison Tegel, LMSW
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic
1-888-214-1247
x37537
Bonny Wood, LMSW & Kevin Holzinger, LMSW
Battle Creek VA Medical Center
x32514
Camilla Martin, LMSW
Grand Rapids VA Outpatient Clinic
x37569
Coral Breinneise, LMSW
Benton Harbor VA Outpatient Clinic
Ken Wilson, LMSW
Lansing VA Outpatient Clinic
Rosemarie Facilla, LMSW
Muskegon VA Outpatient Clinic
(269)934-9123
(517)267-3925
(231)798-4445

51. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center(122Q)
5500 Armstrong Road
Battle Creek, MI 49037-7314
(888)214-1247
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
3019 Coit Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616)365-9575
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
5000 Hakes Drive
Muskegon, MI 49441
(231)798-4445

52. The Bottom Line
 The Department of Veteran Affairs is expanding efforts
to provide support for caregivers of Veterans of all
eras
 The VA Caregiver Support Program is “Under
Construction”
 This requires a collaborative effort between Veteran
and Community organization and agencies
 Please contact us and refer Veterans to us so they and
their caregivers can take advantage of our services

53. Questions

54. Thank You