Support Call Notes | Michigan Rehabilitation Services

BUDDY-TO-BUDDY VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL August 8-9, 2016 Buddy-to-Buddy is a peer-to-peer outreach program that trains veterans to provide peer support and linkage to needed resources for Michigan Post-9/11 service members and veterans. Visit us at www.buddytobuddy.org or reach us at buddytobuddyvvp@umich.edu or 1-888-82-BUDDY. Every week, Buddy-to-Buddy holds Support Calls for its 120+ volunteers, sharing resources and bringing guest speakers to provide information on topics of interest and available services.

Guest Speaker Presentation

Michigan Rehabilitation Services And Overview of Region 6 VCAT Services Guest Speaker Paul Hitch Employment Counselor, Michigan Rehabilitation Services Chair, Region 6 (thumb area) Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT) hitchp@michigan.gov Guest Speaker Summary  Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) is a state agency, and is one arm of the Department of Health and Human Services.  MRS offers employment rehabilitation for individuals (not just veterans) whose ability to work has been impacted by a disability. o Their goal is to help folks reintegrate into the workplace.  Eligibility: o The individual must be suffering from a disability that is directly impacting their ability to work. If the disability is not impacting their ability to work, they are not eligible for services. o Disability must be documented and backed up by doctor’s notes, etc. o Disability can be physical, mental, and/or emotional. o Example 1: If an attorney was in a car accident where she tragically lost both her legs…as soon as she recovers and gets a wheelchair, she will be fully capable of going back to work – NOT eligible for services.

Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program

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o Example 2: If a roofer was in a car accident where he lost his legs, even after he’s recovered he will not be able to return to his previous employment – he IS eligible for services through MRS. Types of services offered o MRS offers a wide range of support for individuals who need help re-entering the workforce. o They can pay for education and training to help the individual learn new skills in line with a job they can reasonably perform. o They can pay for transportation to get that individual back and forth to their training/education – bus passes, potentially car repairs or car costs (insurance, registration, etc.). o They help ensure that the individual is connected into care as well so that they are able to recover as much as possible from their injuries/disabilities. o There is no monetary limit on the help somebody can receive, as long as the expenses are in line with helping them re-enter the workforce. o They also can help out if a person’s job is in danger due to their disability.  Example: If an individual works at Wal-Mart (i.e. low-income) and they are hard of hearing and rely on their hearing aids to perform their job, and the hearing aids stop working – if the worker can’t afford to replace their own hearing aids, MRS can step in and pay for them. If the individual cannot hear, they won’t be able to perform the job functions and so their job is considered to be in jeopardy due to their disability.

How to get started o Find your local MRS office here: http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-33973971_25392_41191---,00.html o Make an appointment with and meet a counselor, who will help determine your eligibility for services.

There are 10 Veteran Community Action Teams (VCATs) located throughout the state of Michigan – one in each of the 10 “Prosperity Regions” as defined by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency (MVAA).

VCATs are a network of service providers dedicated to serving veterans who come together to more effectively help the veterans in their area.

Each VCAT operates independent of the others, and therefore each one’s structure is a little different.

Most VCATs are headed by an MVAA Regional Coordinator (http://www.michiganveterans.com/Home/Regional-Coordinators) and by a VCAT Chair.

In Region 6, some special services are offered: o Support groups for veterans, run by veterans o They are running a pilot program for Therapeutic Bee-Keeping and employment training.  At an area transitional home for veterans, the residents there will engage in training for a year to train them to build a beekeeping business from the

Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program

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ground up: they’ll build the necessary structures and learn the science and skills needed to find gainful employment in the field.

For more information on your local VCAT or to find out the next meeting time/location, contact the Regional Coordinator for your area: http://www.michiganveterans.com/Home/Regional-Coordinators

AUGUST 8-9 DISCUSSION VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NOTES Summary of Volunteer Discussion: Issue/Concern: A volunteer is working with a soldier from their National Guard unit who was recently injured on the job (civilian job, not during drill). They are seeking free or reduced cost legal advice from somebody skilled in Worker’s Compensation claims. Any suggestions?

Suggestions/Resolution: Another volunteer shared a book of legal resources/services for veterans operating throughout the state.

Issue/Concern: A volunteer has a friend who served three years in the Army Air Corps many years ago. When he was discharged from the military he enrolled in the VA in IL. Does he need to re-enroll now, or can he just go for his medical care, or how does that work?

Suggestions/Resolution: For an individual to maintain their VA eligibility, they must see their Primary Care Physician once per year for an annual physical. If he’s not been doing that, then he’ll have to re-enroll. To do that, he can go to his local VA hospital and go to the Eligibility desk. He can ask to speak with an Eligibility Enrollment Counselor and they’ll help him fill out at 1010 EZ form. If they tell him he’s not eligible, he should immediately speak with a Veteran Service Officer, who can also be found at the VA hospital. Patient Advocates are also available at every VA and they can help veterans navigate the system.

Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program

www.buddytobuddy.org