Altarum Institute integrates independent research and client-centered consulting to deliver comprehensive, systems-based solutions that improve health and health care. A nonprofit, Altarum serves clients in both the public and private sectors. For more information, visit Region 9 Veterans Community Action Teams Informational Presentation

Altarum Institute integrates independent research and client-centered consulting to deliver comprehensive, systems-based solutions that improve health and health care. A nonprofit, Altarum serves clients in both the public and private sectors. For more information, visit MVAA Regional Coordinator Introduction Opening Remarks

3 Background: Michigan VCAT Project How did it start? Gov. Rick Snyder, with Executive Order , created the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) to better connect eligible veterans with their benefits and significantly improve customer service Altarum Institute was selected by MVAA to create the first Michigan Veterans Community Action Teams (MiVCAT) Original VCATs where in San Antonio and San Diego in 2008 Integrate four pillars; Healthcare, Education, Quality of Life, Employment To foster a supportive/team building approach between Communities/State First Michigan VCAT pilots initiated in August 2013

4 Veteran Seeking Assistance “No Wrong Door” Old Concept Better Concept Integrated Service Delivery Network: A new kind of delivery system where the stovepipes are replaced with the integrated service delivery network (NETWORKING amongst existing and new programs) Integration of COMMUNITY services at program level Program A Program B Program C Program D Program E Program F Background: Michigan VCAT Project What is it?

5 What is the VCAT Process? Form and Advance a VCAT Network Assemble/grow a regional collaborative structure of community organizations Support further implementation of the “No Wrong Door” concept supporting Veterans Conduct Community Assessment Assess community services and needs Provide leaders with feedback about their Veterans service system Facilitate Providers Working Together Create an environment where service providers/community organizations (new/existing)collaborate Simplify/Support and automate the process for collaboration – e.g. Regional Board, PODIO, Analytical Record and Regional 501c3 Conduct Veterans Leadership Forum Conduct community-wide strategic planning Discuss Assessment Results Publicly initiate/engage key working groups

6 VCAT Planning - Maturity Steps From Stand Alone: “My organization is doing this…” To Collaboration: “My organization is doing this and you are invited…” To Coordination: “What should we do and how should we do it?” To Integration: “What are we doing collectively and using the same processes and tools?”

7 The Need Michigan is home to the 11 th largest veterans population in the country. 53 to 47 in services provided to Veterans and their families Additional resources will be required to help veterans find employment as thousands of them return home to Michigan annually for the next few years. Veterans nationwide are doing better than those in Michigan. The U.S. unemployment rate for veterans (7.3%) was over two full percentage points lower than in Michigan (9.4%) as reported in the most recent American Community Survey, (2013). More than half of Michigan’s 660,773 veterans are not officially counted in the labor force. Only about 44 percent of our veterans are in the workforce. Over 50,000 Female Veterans in Michigan Veterans falling through the cracks within communities and state 7 Background: Why Michigan Needs VCAT?

8 Michigan’s Veteran Population The U.S. veteran population is older than the general U.S. population. In Michigan, nearly three quarters of veterans are aged 55 or older. Background: Why Michigan Needs VCAT?

9 Michigan’s Veteran Era Population Michigan’s veteran population is older than that of the U.S. veteran population as a whole, with a significantly higher proportion of Vietnam veterans residing in the state. Background: Why Michigan Needs VCAT?

10 Develop a veterans services system of care: Unite and build a comprehensive network of Regional service providers Empowered with experience, knowledge, information and tools Effectively ensuring that all veterans and family members who these providers encounter are quickly and accurately connected to the appropriate service provider(s) and completely served Implement a mindset of “If I don’t have the answer, I know who does” Goals Goal 1: Implement a strategy consisting of community-based teams that improve the service delivery system Goal 2: Create a sustainable model One that operates in perpetuity after the Altarum-supported project has concluded and is owned and maintained by the local communities THE STATE IS ONLY SUCCESSFUL AS ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES “The Troops in the Fight” Background: Michigan VCAT Project What will VCAT accomplish?

11 Background: Michigan VCAT Project What has VCAT accomplished in Michigan so far?

12 Background: Michigan VCAT Project What has VCAT accomplished in Michigan so far?

13 Background: Michigan VCAT Project What has VCAT accomplished in Michigan so far?

14 Background: Michigan VCAT Project What has VCAT accomplished in Michigan so far?

15 Background: Michigan VCAT Project What has VCAT accomplished in Michigan so far? **Last 2 years Michigan has been ranked first in the Nation related to increase in services to Veterans from the beginning and end of each year ALL BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK AND COLLABORATION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES Collaborate, Communicate, Motivate

16 Background: Michigan VCAT Project Where are we going? Regions 4 & Regions 5,6,7, Regions 1,2,3,8 VCAT Regions Michigan Prosperity Regions

Altarum Institute integrates independent research and client-centered consulting to deliver comprehensive, systems-based solutions that improve health and health care. A nonprofit, Altarum serves clients in both the public and private sectors. For more information, visit What are MVAA’s Plans? 17 MVAA plans are to: Implement the no wrong door concept among State agencies Region 9 Potential Assist the regions with support to increase and sustain collaboration efforts among service providers at the federal, state and local levels Increase veteran engagement through the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center, providing local referrals to VCAT members to veterans and family members who connect Establish a Regional Coordinator who acts as the liaison from the MVAA to federal, state and local veteran support organizations and serves as a member of the VCAT leadership team as the MVAA representative.

Altarum Institute integrates independent research and client-centered consulting to deliver comprehensive, systems-based solutions that improve health and health care. A nonprofit, Altarum serves clients in both the public and private sectors. For more information, visit What questions can we answer for you?Will you help us make this initiative successful? Partner with the VCAT in your community? Be an advocate – voice of support for the project? Do you have any advice or recommendations? Who else should we include and/or who should we be sure not to exclude?