Promises Made and Promises Kept Partnering at the State level to Better serve our Heroes Two States – Minnesota and California efforts that work Minnesota's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Veteran Continuum Recruit Active Duty Transition Civilian Good Citizen Enlistment Duty Station Leadership/Ment or Family/Spouse Education/Tuition Ass’t Deployments Life Changing Experiences Troops to College Career Planner (Choices) Re-Enlist MGIB/Education Family/Spouse Transition Assistance VA EDD Troops to College Work Education Campus Support VA Family Valuing Service Troops to College Promises Made Recruit Recruiter Family Community Promises Kept Responsible Citizen Family Community

Partnering at the State Level to help our Heroes, October Promises Made Promises Kept An Education Partnership with the Governor of California, State Agencies, the Military, and California’s Public Colleges and Universities

Steven Ambrose and the World War II GI Bill  “The GI Bill was the best piece of legislation and it made modern America. The educational establishment boomed….the opportunity to go to college transformed the country. Millions of GIs who never ever dreamed they might be able to go to college suddenly had the opportunity….and they went…and they were the best students we ever had!”

Governor Schwarzenegger’s Vision  Goal - California will become the nation’s model and leader in providing educational opportunities and assistance to active duty military and veterans –Increase enrollment of active duty and veterans at California’s public colleges and universities –Provide increased instructional opportunities to men and women on active duty, the National Guard, and the Reserves –Bottom line: Provide more highly qualified men and women to the California workforce

Background: California Demographics  California leads nation in number of veterans –2.2 million (9.2%) of 24 million nationally  11% of active duty in U.S. Armed Forces are from California –170,000 of 1.45 million  12% of active duty are stationed in California –175,000 of 1.45 million  20,000 Air Force Reserve and Army National Guard stationed in California

Background: California Public Colleges and Universities Profile – Ideal for Veterans!  California Community Colleges: –109 campuses –2.5 million students –Provides educational, vocational, and transfer programs –The largest college system in the world. Nearly 55% of CSU grads and 28% of UC grads begin their college education at a community college  California State University (CSU): –23 campuses –450,000 students –Largest and most diverse four year institution in the nation –Low cost, accessible, affordable education  University of California (UC): –10 campuses –209,000 students –California’s research and doctoral granting institution

Background: Veterans and Service Members Profile  High school graduates  25.3 = average age  Only 1 of 4 are qualified to enter the service today  84% male and 16% female  Demonstrated leadership, smart & and morally fit  96% of exiting veterans enrolled in Montgomery GI Bill –US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics indicate that roughly 70% ever utilize benefits; Recruiters say education is the #1 reason for joining.

Mission  Tasks –Communications, Marketing, and Website –Active Duty and Veteran’s Outreach –Admission and Financial Aid –Partnerships –Best Practices –Serving the Severely Injured –Education to Rewarding and Challenging Careers (most important task)  Colleges and universities will partner with military branches and California Departments of Veterans Affairs, Education, and Labor and Workforce Development Agency

 Established veteran support teams for streamlined access and student veteran organizations on campuses (to peer mentor)  Established the Statewide website (hosted by Ca VA); and system/campus websites. Linking sites to military websites. Created marketing handouts.  Established the Severely Injured program at Balboa and Camp Pendleton (partnership with CSU, Balboa, and ACE)  Reviewing credit transferability processes and criteria with an eye towards “advantaging” the veteran – high priority. CSU has entered into an MOU with U of Maryland and is working with ACE for system wide solution.  Established partnerships, policies and protocols with military bases, campuses and state agencies (on base university outreach programs, base and campus access, regionalization, training programs, transition programs etc)  Shifting main and major emphasis to education as pathway to great careers Outcomes to Date:

Veteran Support Team On Campus VA Office Financial Aid Disabled Student Program Psychological Services Student Activities Local Colleges Local Veteran Centers Local Veterans Organizations Admissions And Records

Troops to College - Next Steps -Reinforce a sense of urgency on all campuses -Strengthen and expand veteran support teams and student organizations -Create a training and education program for campuses veteran teams -Resolve the issue of credit acceptance for military experience and schools; University of Maryland MOU with CSU; American Council on Education standard -Engage alumni organizations as resource for veteran students and graduates (CSU Alumni proclamation) -Draft/Articulate a California GI Bill -Education and Careers – Match the opportunities; Review Transition Assistance Program; Encourage private industry to become involved (OSE, CSU and Boeing project at CSU Long Beach; Google; Kaiser; Oracle; SDSU project, etc)

Veterans using their MGIB in California (April 04, 07 & 08) Publics (07-08) -UC % + -CSU % + -CCC 13,68111, % + _________________________________________________________ Totals16,180 14, % + Select Privates % + (Phoenix, DeVry, etc)

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. Minnesota State Colleges & Universities

Slide 17 Photo by Central Lakes College and Bemidji State University Student Jason Sather Supporting Veterans Reintegration Serving People Not Politics

Slide Million Veterans in U.S. 3.5 Million with Disabilities 200,000 National Guard served (U.S.) Minnesota: 475,000 Veterans 47,000 Disabled 20,000 Minnesotans served since 9/11/01 9,400 Active Duty Military 7,600 National Guard Members (Army and Air) 2,500 Army Reserve Members 750 Air Force Reserve 200 Marine Corp Reserve 50 Naval Reserve Each person impacts at least 60 other people DOD Data By the Numbers

Slide 19 Pre-Deployment All “Stages of Grief” Apply Separation Process is Individual Shadow of Injury/Death… Photo: MN National Guard

Slide 20 Deployment: Citizen to warrior Three Months Of Training And Twelve Months Of Combat To Move From: SECURITY TO INSECURITY SAFETY TO DANGER ORDER TO CHAOS LAW TO LAWLESSNESS COMFORT TO DISCOMFORT TRUST TO MISTRUST COOPERATION TO SURVIVAL ‘US’ TO ‘ME’

Slide 21 Deployment: Family Re-occurring grief Constant fear/concern Increased responsibilities Anger/Resentment Increased difficulties: Lack of focus Change in priorities “Short Fuse”

Slide 22 Returning Home 300 Hrs From Combat INSECURITY TO SECURITY DANGER TO SAFETY CHAOS TO ORDER LAWLESSNESS TO LAW DISCOMFORT TO COMFORT MISTRUST TO TRUST SURVIVAL TO COOPERATION ‘ME’ TO ‘US’ “Warrior to Soldier to Citizen” Photo: Sgt. Lynette Hoke, MN National Guard Public Affairs

Slide 23 Returning Home: Family Members Control Issues Household Management Parenting Budgeting Relationship Issues Living with a “Stranger” Inability to Work/Attend College How does everyone “Fit In” “Self Worth” Issues Emotional/Physical Health Issues Anger issues Guilt Financial Issues Photo: Sgt. Lynette Hoke, MN National Guard Public Affairs

Slide 24 Returning Home:

Slide 25 REINTEGRATION? A Comprehensive Program of the Entire State of Minnesota BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Deployment To ensure ALL Military Members and their families “Return all the way Home ”

Slide 26 Vision for “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” “Look “em in the Eye!” MG Larry Shellito The Adjutant General of Minnesota

Slide 27 Critical Challenges: Developmental Tasks Overcome Alienation from Family and SocietyOvercome Alienation from Family and Society Move from Simplicity to ComplexityMove from Simplicity to Complexity Replace War with Another HighReplace War with Another High Move Beyond War and Find Meaning in LifeMove Beyond War and Find Meaning in Life Come to Peace w/ Self, Spirituality and OthersCome to Peace w/ Self, Spirituality and Others How do these tasks affect college attendance performance and retention?

Slide 28 Minnesota’s Initiatives “Yellow Ribbon” Task Force –82 members –56 State Agencies Laws and Policies Reintegration budget Governor’s sub-cabinet Veterans Hotline Job Fairs Motorcycle Safety Training MN Military Family Foundation “Camp Noah” Tax changes

Slide 29 Veterans Friendly Campuses: Laws and Policies Higher Education Fairness Protections Higher Education Veterans Assistance Minnesota GI Bill –Application fee waiver –Residency policy –Tuition deferral policy –Credit for prior learning policy –ACE Guidelines –Deployment policy

Slide 30 Higher Education Group Issues –Admissions –Access to Benefits –Campus Vets Centers –Faculty/Staff Support –Transfer/Credit for Prior Learning –Facilities to Support Reintegration –Guard Education Contact –Transition/Retention

Slide 31 Deployment Cycle Support What –Host –Career Planning –Higher education On campus On Line Benefits When –Family Preparedness –Family Readiness –Demobilization –30-Day

Slide 32 Veterans Friendly Campuses Vets Centers From two - 44 in 20 months HEVP –12 Regional Coordinators –MyMilitaryEducation.org

Slide 33 Veterans Friendly Campuses Family Friendly Equipment/Automotive Repair Days Family Nights Communicating to Iraq Family Photos/Open Houses Service Learning Hosting events

Slide 34 Veterans Friendly Campuses: Our Future Increased Partnerships –Increased DCS Support –Improved cooperation –Increased SOC membership –Reintegration support on campus –BYR Support-Community –Vets Health issues –VREP –Wounded Warrior

Good Ideas from 10,000 Lakes and the Left Coast  California -Veteran Support team concept -Student Veteran Organizations -Campus, System and Troops to College websites ( websiteswww.troopstocollege.ca.gov -Honoring Vet Students through ceremony and events -Legislation – priority enrollment for vets; fee waiver for maters programs in CSU -It’s about jobs, stupid; creating pathways to jobs through education, not education : -- Troops to Engineers (Boeing), Google intern, Kaiser construction, -CSU Veterans conference calls -Boots to Books (Citrus Community College) -The Road Home (American River and Sierra Community Colleges) -Regional campus partnering (Bases and campuses)

Good Ideas from 10,000 Lakes and the Left Coast  Minnesota –Executive Leadership and Support –Deployment Cycle Support Participants –Statewide Partnerships –Campus Veterans Centers –HEVP: Regional Coordinators; MyMilitaryEducation.org –Minnesota GI Bill –Faculty/Staff Training –Family Programming –Laws/Policies: In-state Tuition, Tuition Deferral, ACE Guidelines, No Adverse Affect; Application Fee Waiver, Campus Space

Good Ideas from 10,000 Lakes and the Left Coast “Make Your Campus A Safe Landing Place”