We Are Virginia Veterans Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Virginia Department of Veterans Benefits: Personalized assistance with filing federal and state veterans claims Education and Training: Certifies educational institutions re: GI Bill funding and eligibility requirements. Manages Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education and the Veterans Honorary Degree Programs Long-Term Care: Two veterans care centers Burial: Three veterans cemeteries Services Virginia Wounded Warrior Program: Legislatively mandated program that monitors and coordinates mental health and rehabilitative services support for Virginia veterans and their families not in active federal service. 2
EARLY NEEDS IDENTIFICATION IN 2007 Recognize the impact of deployment on military service personnel and their families Eliminate stigma associated with combat/operational stress injuries Reach and connect with veterans and their families Build a service delivery infrastructure Make healthcare accessible House veterans; prevent homelessness Hire veterans 3
COMMONWEALTH S RESPONSE Legislation passed in July 2008 establishing funded Program Fit gap analysis conducted; 5 collaborative models Funding into Community by April 2009 Regional Consortia staffed and fully operational by late 2009 Interagency agreement between State Departments, VA, NG and Reserves Statewide needs assessment reinforced program focus Federal and State grants obtained Statewide conferences and Regional trainings ongoing Executive Order 29 4
Statewid e Total 823,348 Lee Veterans Populatio n 9/30/11* Region 1 148,175 Region 2 190,718 Region 3 100,980 Region 4 125,010 Region 5 258,465 *DVA VetPop Projection Scott Wise Dickenson Buchanan Russell www.wearevirginiaveterans.org Washington Tazewell Smyth Grayson Bland Wythe Regional Consortia July 2011 edition Giles Pulaski Carroll Craig Fauquier Rappahannock Montgomery Floyd Patrick Alleghany Roanoke Region 1 Northwestern Botetourt Franklin Henry Highland Bath Rockbridge Bedford Pittsylvania Augusta Amherst Lynchburg Rockingham Campbell Nelson Halifax Albemarle Shenandoah Buckingham Charlotte Page Greene Frederick Clarke Appomattox Madison Charlottesville Prince Edward Warren Fluvanna Cumberland Lunenburg Mecklenburg Culpeper Orange Louisa Goochland Powhatan Amelia Nottoway Brunswick Loudoun Prince William Spotsylvania Hanover Chesterfield Dinwiddie Stafford Fairfax Caroline Henrico Richmond Greensville King George Essex King William Charles City Co. New Kent Prince George Sussex Arlington Southampton Alexandria Region 2 Northern Westmoreland Richmond King & Queen James Surry Gloucester Newport News Isle Of Wight Suffolk Region 5 Tidewater Northumberland Lancaster Middlesex Matthews York Northampton Hampton Portsmouth Norfolk Virginia Beach Chesapeake Accomack Region 3 Southwest Region 4 Central Statewide toll free number: 1-877-285-1299.
INTERAGENCY COLLABORATIONS A SYSTEMS APPROACH Ensure adequate and timely assessment, treatment, and support are available to veterans, members of the Guard and Reserves, and affected family members.for stress-related injuries and traumatic brain injuries resulting from military service. 2.2-2001.1 Code of Va. (as amended 2010) Virginia Department of Veterans Services Virginia Wounded Warrior Program State & Federal Partners VWWP Interagency Executive Strategy Council and Advisory Committee Veteran/Family QOL Community Partners Virginia Veterans AmeriCorps 6
PROGRESS &THE WAY AHEAD Collaborative approach has been working New and emerging partnerships have been embraced and continue to expand Grant acquisition successful in partnerships Continued need to navigate complex federal systems that support our veterans Service and benefits are only good if they are accessible and understood Dedicated effort to reach silent majority that are not connected to services The Commonwealth is privileged to have committed leaders that support our service members, veterans and families 7
ONGOING REALITY Our service members, veterans and families will continue to need support. No Wrong Door 8