Read the April 2023 Newsletter from the Delaware Valley Veterans Consortium to stay informed about events and issues happening in the area.
Do you have news to share or upcoming events for the May 2023 newsletter and beyond? Please share!
This newsletter is published monthly as part of DVVC’s efforts to connect, collaborate, and communicate in service to Veterans throughout our region. Send your updates and questions to dvvcinfo@gmail.com.
Member Organizations: To submit articles to the newsletter, please email Fern.Billet@va.gov by the 25th of the month with your news. To submit news to DVVC social media sites, please email Lynne Williams at Director@greatcareersphl.org with “For DVVC Social Media” in the subject line.
News from the Executive Committee
Dear DVVC Community,
Working in the nonprofit sector for the past 15 years, I have learned the value of community engagement, collaboration, and support. One of my favorite quotes is from American anthropologist, Margaret Mead: “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
While I was not a member of DVVC when it was originally formed, I know we began our work to create change; to better connect the multitude of organizations serving the Veteran community so we can learn from, and rely on, one another, which is why our mission is “to unite military and Veteran service organizations and advocates who share common goals to build programmatic capacity and increase services to clients under the umbrella of regional collaboration.”
Collaboration… what a powerful word. When committed folks work with each other on a shared vision, great things can happen.
Since 2016, DVVC has planned and hosted a multitude of programs geared towards the Veteran space, ranging from discussions on homelessness and housing, employment, alternative medicines, transitioning to civilian life, mental health, and much more (take a look at our April 21st program!). These programs are successful and impactful because of the contributions of dedicated volunteers and passionate experts working together towards the goal of providing valuable information to our membership to support them in the work they do every day.
If you are interested in influencing our work and contributing to future change, please consider running for a leadership position when elections are held this October. There are two Member-at-Large positions available. If you are interested in learning more, email us at dvvcinfo@gmail.com.
Thank you for the work you do to create change and make the Delaware Valley a better place for Veterans and their families.
Ashley Griffiths
DVVC Executive Board
Executive Director
Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity
Upcoming Events
DVVC Spring Quarterly Meeting Friday, April 21, 9-11 am on Zoom
MST: Historical, Legal, and Psychological Perspectives
Presenters:
- Shardae Wescott, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator for Suicide Prevention, Coatesville VAMC, MST and Suicide Risk and Moderator
- Katäri Brown, PhD, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator, Coatesville VAMC, MST: History, Prevalence & Treatment
- Elizabeth Tarloski, Staff Attorney in the Veterans Advocacy Project at Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, MST: Overcoming Obstacles to VA Benefits
- Sarah Fox, Community Outreach Specialist at the Veterans Multi-Service Center, Clinical Psychology PsyD Student, MST: Comorbidities to Consider
- Joanne Bell, Local Veteran Employment Representative, PA Department of Labor and Industry, My Experiences as a Military Sexual Trauma Survivor
The Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network is Hosting its 8th Annual Veteran Speed Networking and Interviewing (VIRTUAL) program on Friday, April 21st from 8:30-11 am.
This is your chance to pitch yourself to local Philadelphia area employers with current OPEN job opportunities
This is a great opportunity for veterans to network and interview with local military-friendly organizations that have current open positions. These companies have had long-standing relationships with GPVN and include Comcast, Vanguard, Enterprise, Wawa, Holt Logistics, Independence Blue Cross, Accenture, SEPTA, Penn Medicine, among others.
**Due to the nature of this event, spots are limited. Register today!**
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/591443362017
Additional details: Dress code is business professional. You should have your resume ready to share with employers. Participants will have a chance to speak with ALL employers.
Please reach out with any further questions to gpvnops@gmail.com
Chat And Chew For Women Veterans on April 22 at the Horsham VFW
The 15th Annual OCS High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony of South Jersey To Honor Local Class of 2023 High School Seniors and Their Parents/Guardians
To be held on 9 May from 5:30-9:00 pm
The 15th Annual OCS High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony of South Jersey To Honor Local Class of 2023 High School Seniors and Their Parents/Guardians
To be held on 9 May from 5:30-9:00 pm
SAVE THE DATE: MAY 13, 10 am, for Delaware County Veterans Memorial’s 10th Anniversary Time Capsule Burial
DVVC Executive Committee Update – Proposed Amendment to Bylaws
Our bylaws currently state that a representative from a supporter organization (defined as a for-profit organization) does not have voting rights on issues that come before the general membership. Further, the bylaws appear ambiguous on the question of whether or not a representative of a supporter organization can serve as Chair of DVVC. Theoretically, a representative from a supporter organization could be chair of DVVC, but also have no vote on issues that come before the group.
To correct this, the executive board is proposing the following amendment to the bylaws Section 3:
Section 3: Supporter organizations (SO) are for-profit organizations that proactively or retroactively demonstrate a positive impact on the veteran or military community and/or their families. SO do have voting rights on any votes that come before the general membership. (change is to highlighted section)
Further, to clarify that a member of the DVVC Executive Committee can represent a Supporter Organization, the following amendment is proposed to the fourth paragraph of Section 6:
Section 6: When a vacancy exists, the EC shall elect a member of the DVVC to fill the vacant office for the balance of the term for which the former officer had been chosen. If an EC’s organization (either MO or SO) withdraws its membership from the DVVC, then the officer must resign from his or her position on the EC. (change is to highlighted section)
These proposed amendments will be voted on at the July quarterly meeting. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the DVVC executive committee or email dvvcinfo@gmail.com
Interesting Report on Veteran Success in Higher Education
The George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Higher Education Task Force recently released a report titled “Enrolling and Supporting Student Veterans Is The Right Thing to Do – The Right Thing for Higher Education.” The contents are the compilation of an 18-month study that turns the concept of “return on investment” in higher education on its head. Typical ROI research measures the value that students derive from the college or university that awards their degree. Our study focuses on the often-underestimated returns that institutions of higher education receive by enrolling student veterans.
We already know that veterans are not your typical student. Most student veterans are between the ages of 24 and 40. Almost half are married, and almost half have children. What you might not know is that these student veterans are great assets to any campus for a wide range of reasons including culturally and financially. Our study indicates that student veterans have high retention rates and high outcome rates. They also bring with them long-term stable funding by virtue of their access to many federal financial programs. The Forever GI Bill, for one, covers about 98% of educational costs at public institutions of higher learning and about 70% of the costs at private colleges and universities. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon program helps student veterans pay for tuition at private institutions that the GI Bill does not cover.
Student veterans bring invaluable political capital to campus, specifically by providing a unique and historical resonance for lawmakers.
Fundraising in support of veterans can also highlight veteran-recognition programs. Veteran alumni often support fundraising efforts to develop veteran student organizations and veteran-focused research. Additionally, efforts to raise awareness of the military experience, programs that integrate veterans into the general student population, and mentorship opportunities are popular ways for alumni to give back to their institution.
Our report offers recommendations to attract, enroll, and support student veterans while retaining or regaining proven programs and services to optimize their success. The report stresses that as colleges and universities navigate funding challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, veterans’ advocates on campus and beyond must amplify the message that supporting student veterans is in the best interest of their institution. The report can be accessed at www.bushcenter.org/veterans
| Stay Up-to-Date Monthly Newsletters from Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs for News, Veteran Events and Opportunities in NJ and PAIn PA see: https://maestro.pa.gov/list/k3hdw2n4/230302C/8z6u9k2ia3mw.vib?test&a0=903In NJ see: https://dmava.org/ |
Career Support is Available from
APRIL 2023
Join in on the career development topics and networking in April 2023 at the Great Careers Groups (GCG). Visit the EVENTS page to register for our Zoom and in-person events. Connect on social media and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Career development topics include:
- Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
- Maximizing LinkedIn
- Virtual Job Seeker Support Group
- Resilience Building Call-In
- How to Create Snazzy Graphics for Social Media Step-by-Step Demo
- LGBTQ+ OUTstanding Careers Group™
- Interview Clinic-Check-in & Interview Techniques
- Don’t Let Your DISC Get You Down
- How to Gain Customers with a LinkedIn Company Page
- The Essentials of Resumes
- LinkedIn Part 2 of 3 (3-hour workshop)
- Nuggets of Wisdom You Need to Know for Online Applications
- Business Executives Networking Group (BENG)
- Recruiter on Call with Jobs
- Dealing with Adversity “A Leap Year of Firsts” Lunch & Learn
- Capitalize on Your Uniqueness
- Job Search Best Practices
Any GCG meeting with a $5 fee is free for unemployed veterans by arranging in advance that you want to attend – director@greatcareersphl.org.
VA News
VA Announces Goal to House 38,000+ Veterans Experiencing Homelessness In 2023
March 15, 2023
WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced its 2023 goals for preventing and ending Veteran homelessness. Specifically, in 2023, VA will:
- Place at least 38,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.
- Ensure that at least 95% of the Veterans housed in 2023 do not return to homelessness during the year. And of those who return to homelessness, VA will ensure that at least 90% are rehoused or on a path to rehousing by the end of 2023.
- Engage with at least 28,000 unsheltered Veterans to help them obtain housing and other wraparound services. This goal represents a more than 10% increase in the number of unsheltered Veterans reached during 2022.
Ending Veteran homelessness is a top priority of VA and the entire Biden administration. The number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has fallen by 11% since early 2020 and by more than 55% since 2010. Additionally, during 2022, VA placed more than 40,000 homeless Veterans into permanent housing — exceeding VA’s 2022 goal by more than 6%.
“We are making real progress in the fight to end Veteran homelessness, but even one Veteran experiencing homelessness is one too many,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We will not rest until every Veteran has a safe, stable place to call home in this country they fought to defend.”
VA also announced specific goals for combating Veteran homelessness in the Greater Los Angeles area. During 2022, VA provided 1,301 permanent housing placements to formerly homeless Veterans in LA, the most of any city in America. In 2023, VA will build on that progress by:
- Providing at least 1,500 permanent housing placements to formerly homeless Veterans.
- Conducting at least 1,888 engagements with unsheltered Veterans to help them obtain housing and other wraparound services.
VA’s efforts to combat Veteran homelessness are grounded in reaching out to homeless Veterans, understanding their unique needs, and addressing them. These efforts are built upon the evidence-based “Housing First” approach, which prioritizes getting a Veteran into housing, then provides the Veteran with the wraparound support they need to stay housed — including health care, job training, legal and education assistance, and more.
Of the 40,401 Veterans housed by VA in 2022, 2,443 returned to homelessness at some point last year. With the help of VA staff and community partners, 86% of those Veterans were rehoused or on a path to rehousing by the end of the year. There are several reasons why Veterans may return to homelessness after being placed into permanent housing, such as financial hardship and illness — and VA works to return them to stable housing as quickly and sustainably as possible.
This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader efforts to reduce homelessness for all Americans by 25% by 2025. President Biden also released his Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Proposal last week, which invests $3.1 billion in providing homeless Veterans — and Veterans at-risk of homelessness — with permanent housing, access to health care and other supportive services.
For more information about VA’s comprehensive efforts to end Veteran homelessness, visit VA.gov/homeless.
_______________
Understanding the COMPACT Act
Preventing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority – As of January 17, Veterans in an acute suicidal crisis are able to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency healthcare at no cost – including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.
_______________
The PACT Act and your VA Benefits
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. The expansion of VA benefits and services eligibility is massive. There are three pats you should consider when applying for toxic exposure benefits:
- Apply for VA compensation benefits. Call 1-800-MyVA411 to get started.
- Are you enrolled in VA health care? If not, enroll.
- Join toxic exposure registries.
To help you navigate your earned benefit and resources, VA created the Accessing PACT Act Benefits and Services map. Download it, share it, follow it.
Visit www.va.gov/PACT to get answers to your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones.
_______________
Veterans: Refill your prescriptions with the VA Health & Benefits app
Now you can quickly and safely manage your VA prescriptions from anywhere.
_______________
View and Download Your VA Decision Letters
If you’ve filed a VA disability claim and are awaiting a decision letter, you can access it online once it’s ready. Veterans with a VA.gov sign-in can use this online option to access your disability decisions whenever you need them. No need to store hard copies or request reprints from VA.