Veterans Benefit Applications and The Ohio Benefit Bank Jessica Sheldon MSW, LISW, Homeless Programs Supervisor, Columbus VA ACC Heather Smith, Troop & Family Assistance Center Specialist, Ohio National Guard Family Readiness and Warrior Support Nick Sunday, Veteran Specialist, CRR/VCAP

Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Program We established the Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Program (OBB / VCAP) with the Homeless Programs Supervisor and Outreach Coordinator at the Columbus VA ACC located on James Road in Columbus in 2014.  By hosting a table in the lobby at least two 8-hour days a week, VCAP has been able to reach hundreds of veterans Signed up over 350 veterans for emergency services such as SNAP, utility assistance, Medicaid, etc., and referred them to various stakeholders  One number we are most proud of is finding jobs for 48 veterans  

Nick Sunday - VCAP OBB counselor Nick’s advocacy was successfully rewarded in having Progressive Insurance donate two brand new cars Veterans Day 2014 to a female and male veteran who needed transportation. On the selection committee he also advocated to cover 6 months of car insurance and a $500 gas card. A hope is they will continue to do this each Veterans Day.   Another deliverable was the referral of 52 veterans to various support groups for behavioral health issues. As the retired chief of the Office of Community Services with the State, Nick helps influence policy. Through his unrelenting advocacy he ushered through a NEW program for  Veterans. Their Disability Income will no longer be counted as income for utility assistance starting Sept. 1, 2015. A proud veteran, Nick is continuing his passion in helping others, serving less fortunate veterans in need.

VCAP Project Timeframe and Strategies Completed training October 2014 Identify strategies for outreach National Church Residences - VA housing “sign up day” Columbus VA ACC - HUD VASH, Homeless Programs Create identity - JFS form with phone, e-mail Offer service to pick up form and process client within 8 hour period - introduce OBB presentation to staff to explain to clients Prove service benefits to client Offer expanded services - table in the lobby - one day every week to start - being consistent day / period ( Example: Tuesday 8 am to 4 pm ) “Competitive” space - the lobby use is scheduled 30 - 45 days in advance - giving out Girl Scout Cookies will get your table moved to the least traffic area Increase Service - as demand / value is identified by VA Homeless programs - two days a week in lobby

Identify Stakeholders OBB counselors who complement Identify intake criteria of stakeholder Create personal relationship with service provider Match client needs to criteria stakeholder identification Example: Emergency HEAP - OBB partner (Breathing Association / Columbus - www.breathingassociation.org) Unique CAA Veterans projects (IMPACT/Columbus) -www.impactca.org

Problem Resolution County Disability Income Program SNAP process failures Veterans Service Commission

Resources to download http://dvs.ohio.gov/HOME/Veterans_Benefits_Guide

A Quick Overview of Veterans’ Benefits Jessica Sheldon September 2015

Divider Page VHA: Veterans Health Administration (medical) VBA: Veterans Benefits Administration (financial) County Level Veteran Service Commissions Divider Page

VHA – Medical Benefits Medical care Mental Health Treatment Addictions Treatment Dental Vision Social Work Services Homeless Services Specialty Services (services for the blind, spinal cord injury services, etc) Care Giver Support Group homes Employment services

How to access VHA Benefits Apply Online In Person By Phone By Mail Complete the 10-10 EZ Form Find locations: www.va.gov

VBA Benefits Financial Benefits: Service-Connected Pension: Disability payments for veterans with an injury related to their service; based on percentages Non-Service Connected Pension: Disability payments for low income, disabled wartime era veterans Aid and Attendance: Additional compensation for disabled wartime ear veterans who require the assistance of another person (funds homecare services or nursing homes/assisted living)

VBA Benefits Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Home Loans Burials and Memorials

How to Acess VBA Benefits Call 800-827-1000 to locate a local office or obtain assistance by phone www.benefits.va.gov/benefits

Veteran Service Commissions County funded organizations Financial Assistance Assistance filing for benefits Find a local office: Dvs.ohio.gov/home/County_Veterans_Services_Offices

24/7 Suicide Prevention Hotline for Veterans: 800-273-8255 Divider Page

24/7 Helpline for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838 Divider Page

Ohio National Guard Family Readiness and Warrior Support www.ong.ohio.gov/frg/FRG_index.html 1-800-589-9914 Heather Smith

FAMILY READINESS and WARRIOR SUPPORT TEAM Who’s who on the TEAM! FAMILY READINESS and WARRIOR SUPPORT TEAM Troop & Family Assistance Center Specialists Family Readiness Support Assistants State Youth Program Team Military One Source Consultant Transitional Assistance Advisors Survivor Outreach Services Coordinators Ohio Cares Team Yellow Ribbon Team

So what do we really do? Call your TFAC! Concerned about college? Need Emergency Funds? Struggling to pay bills? Homework questions? Need help creating a budget? Call your TFAC! So, what do we face every day? (Tell story about case or cases to show what we do and how we can help.) issues will float into slide in the following order: Soldier with papers Need emergency funds Concerned about college Struggling to pay bills homework questions Need help creating a budget Are your kids struggling Looking for a job Call your Troop and Family Assistance Center Looking for a job? Are your kids struggling?

- our Community Partners Why we can help? - our Community Partners We are successful in helping you find support because of our community partners. (Tell specifically about ways your regions partners have helped in recent years.) Explain the Regional Inter Service Family Assistance Committee Meeting - held quarterly, chance to connect with community partners that want to help support the military members and families in the community. This forum allows the units to build relationship with partners that might help with holiday parties, family days, could even yield employment assistance, etc.

If you only remember one thing… Call your TFACS… 1-800-589-9914 www.ong.ohio.gov/frg/FRG_index.html Engage the audience: What have we missed…. If you have deployed before – - what issues did you observe and how would you change it this time - what would you tell the first time deploying families Ask for questions… Final thoughts – if you only remember one thing – Call your TFAC!

Questions? Please note you can always contact the Ohio Benefit Bank Helpdesk if you e-mail contactobb@ohiofoodbanks.org or call 1-800-648-1176