VAAC Report March 2018

Airmen hold up a 100-yard flag during a practice for the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nev., Dec. 16, 2017. More than 150 Nevada-based airmen volunteered to hold the flag during the playing of the national anthem before the game. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kevin Tanenbaum

MARCH 7, 2018

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 7, 2018 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tony García, Chair .............................................................................................Portland Kim Douthit, Vice Chair ....................................................................................Portland Mike Jones, Secretary ....................................................................................... Ontario Dennis Guthrie ................................................................................................ Redmond John F. Howard ................................................................................................ Medford Reyn Leno ................................................................................................. Grand Ronde Rosy Macias .......................................................................................................... Salem Val Valfre, Jr .……………………………………….....................................................Forest Grove Vacant Position ...............................................................................................................

ODVA STAFF Mitchel Sparks......................................................................................... Acting Director Martha-Estela Garcia ................................................... Special Assistant to the Director Laurie Skillman ...............................................................................Senior Policy Advisor Bruce Shriver ................................................................................ Chief Financial Officer Sheronne Blasi ........................................... Statewide Veteran Services Acting Director Ana Potter .................................................................... Aging Veteran Services Director Kelly Breshears………………………………………….……Aging Veteran Services Deputy Director Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager Nicole Hoeft ...........................................................................Communications Manager John Haytas .................................................................... Information Services Manager John Osborn .......................................................... Facilities and Construction Manager Julie Owens ......................................................................... Human Resources Manager

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM 4Spirits Distillery / 3405 SW Deschutes Street, Corvallis OR 97333 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION • Call to Order – Chair Tony García • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair García • Committee Member Introductions • Meeting Rules – Kim Douthit • Audience Introductions • Review and Approval of December 6, 2017 Minutes II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Mitch Sparks III. SUBCOMMITTEES UPDATES – ODVA Staff • Statewide Veteran Services – Sheronne Blasi • Home Loans Program – Cody Cox • Aging Veteran Services – Kelly Breshears • Finance – Bruce Shriver • Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman **********************************BREAK************************************* IV. Presentation – Campus Vets Grants

By Laurie Skillman, ODVA V. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS VI. NEW BUSINESS • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: La Grande, OR

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VII. PUBLIC COMMENT (Speakers Limited to 3 Minutes) Public comment time is set aside for persons wishing to address the Advisory Committee on agenda matters. Action will not be taken at this meeting on citizen comments. However, the Advisory Committee, after hearing from interested citizens, may place items on a future agenda so proper notice may be given to all interested parties. At the conclusion of the meeting, there will be a Town Hall forum for individuals to bring up broader veteran community issues.

Members of the community may also submit written public comments to the Committee at the following email address: vaac@odva.state.or.us VIII. BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED OPEN FORUM

CONNECT WITH ODVA

WEBSITE www.oregon.gov/odva BLOG www.oregondva.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/odvavet TWITTER @oregondva or www.twitter.com/OregonDVA ADVISORY COMMITTEE vaac@odva.state.or.us PUBLIC INFORMATION ODVAinformation@odva.state.or.us SUBMIT AN EVENT www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Events.aspx SUBMIT A STORY VetsNews@odva.state.or.us EMAIL SUBSCRIBE & Vets News www.oregon.gov/odva (Under “Connect with ODVA then Agency Publications”) LEGISLATIVE Page www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Legislation.aspx

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The Following Pages include the December 6, 2017 Meeting Minutes for Advisory Committee Approval

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ADVISORY COMMITTEE Quarterly Meeting Minutes Wednesday, December 6, 2017 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM VFW Post #661 / 630 Hood St NE, Salem OR 97301 Tony García, Advisory Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tony García Committee Members Present - Introductions: Dennis Guthrie – Redmond, US Army (medic) Kim Douthit – Portland, USCG, Multnomah County VSO, Navy spouse Tony García - Portland, US Army & ORARNG John Howard – Medford, US Navy, former legislative assistant to Congressman Walden Rosy Macías – Salem, US Marine Corps Reyn Leno – Grand Ronde, US Marine Corps Martha García – Special Assist to the Director, ODVA, US Army & ORARNG Members Absent: Mike Jones – Ontario, US Army Val Valfre – Forest Grove, US Air Force Cameron Smith – ODVA Director Portland, US Marine Corps Meeting Rules: Kim Douthit, Secretary, reviewed the rules of Advisory Committee public meetings for those in attendance.

Audience Introductions: Sheronne Blasi – Navy, ODVA Assistant Director Statewide Veterans Services Shannon Compton – US Army & ORARNG, Transition Assistance Advisor Meloni Beauchamp – US Army & ORARNG, Military One Source Andy Smith – US Navy, Association of Oregon Counties Laurie Skillman – ODVA, Policy & Legislative Affairs Mary Jaeger – ODVA, Director Aging Veterans Services Ron Sticka – US Air Force, MOAA & Kim Sticka PTSD Music and Arts Foundation Kevin Dial – US Marine Corps & ORARNG Amanda Beitel - Legislative Fiscal Office Van Moore – VCCO/Westcare Kelly Odegaard – Oregon Veterans Home – Lebanon Bernard Hoene – Army, Take A Vet Fishing 7

Marie Ramage – Multnomah County Veterans Services Jesus Montes – Army, VFW Post #661 Marcia Read – VFW Post #661 Auxillary Kerry Wymetalek – Navy, VFW Post #661 Cutis Loop – Army, AUSA Charlie Richards – Navy Dick Hughes – Freelance Journalist for KDOV, The Dove Pat McGuffin – Air Force, ODVA Salem VSO Manager & Incarcerated Vets Program Manager Jeremy Woodall – Army Reserves, ODVA, Oregon Veterans Home Program Manager Van Moore – Westcare Management Bruce Shriver – ODVA, Chief Financial Officer Jay Lillie –Marine Corps, Marine Corps League Coordinating Council, Portland Ken Hestel – Air Force Sara Webb – Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Philip Edwards – VSH Junction City Mark O’Brien – Oregon State Hospital Dan Herrigstad – Army, VA Portland Health Care System Joshua Groesz – Army, The Salvation Army Review and Approval of June 7, 2017 Meeting Minutes : A motion was made to accept the minutes with submitted edits, motion seconded, and motion passed unanimously.

Director’s Report – Mitch Sparks, Director Statewide Veterans Services, ODVA Mitch gave a recap on the Director’s Report that was submitted by Director Cameron Smith. It can be found in the December Advisory Committee Report. Mitch did share in addition to the report that the County Veteran Service Officer Conference held in October had the largest attendance to date with over 100 attendees and was very successful.

ODVA Staff Updates: Statewide Veterans Services – Sheronne Blasi, Assistant Director Statewide Veterans Services, ODVA Sheronne informed the committee on how ODVA continues to work on strengthening partnerships. The current focus on the partnerships is with Oregon Housing & Community Service Department, Department of Corrections, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services, and Marion County. In strengthening our partnerships it ensures that our veterans are receiving the access to all the services available to them.

She shared with the committee that Marion County had awarded the contract for the Marion County Veteran Service Office was awarded to Arches. They will be working very closely with ODVA’s Veteran Services Office as they train and prepare to stand up their office. With Marion County now having their own Veteran Services Office, the ODVA’s claims staff will be

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transitioning over to other areas, such as Pat McGuffin to Incarcerated Veterans and Bob Small to Campus Coordinator, and then also to housing stabilization and homelessness.

USDVA has a new system to address the backlog of appeals. It is called the Rapid Appeals Modernization System. Sheronne reported that she and Mitch Sparks would be attending a meeting with the Portland VA leadership to learn more about the new system. She finished by reviewing the rest of the Statewide Veterans Services Report in the December Advisory Committee Report.

Tony García asked if “Breaking the Silence” was available on YouTube. It is not.

Kim Douthit asked how and what the transitioning employees in claims would be shifted to do since Marion County was coming on board. The response was given that currently the agency is reviewing what partner agencies are doing in terms of veteran’s services/issues and then reviewing where the greatest need is so that ODVA can transition someone into that area of work. This is currently an ongoing project as Marion County is just getting started to get trained.

Reyn Leno asked how does ODVA communicate with the tribal governments in Oregon. The response was 1 – Mitch Sparks is the tribal representative in ODVA, 2- working with the VA Intergovernmental Agency, 3 – being a part of the tribal cluster meetings, 4 – getting more than 3 tribal governments to sign up with the VA IHS MOU to provide health care, 5 – working with the VA to do telehealth in IHS facilities, 6 – working with VA Office of General Counsel to expand the ability for tribal governments to have their own veteran tribal representative offices.

Home Loans – Cody Cox, Home Loans Manager, ODVA Cody reviewed the report that he submitted to the committee. He also shared that he had been out in the communities presenting at conferences about the Oregon Home Loan Program, where he gets lots of questions and comments about the home loan program.

He shared that in 2018 the Homes Loans department will be seeing some changes in their computer programs used to process home loans. This is a significant change that will help the department become more efficient in the way they do their day to day jobs.

Aging Veteran Services – Mary Jaeger, Director Aging Veteran Services Mary spoke about the new positions in Aging Veterans Services. The Aging Veterans Outreach Specialist and the Veteran Volunteer Coordinator. She elaborated on the positions by sharing that these positions have been filled with veterans and that they will be working closely with other agencies to bring more referrals of aging veterans to ODVA so that they can get their benefits.

Mary also shared that about 18 months ago the Conservatorship Program had a large influx of veterans when a private company was shut down for fraud. This caused the veterans that had 9

been serviced by that company to come to ODVA. Conservatorship has now finally caught up after the large influx of new veterans to their program.

Finance – Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer, ODVA Bruce gave an update on H.R. 1. There are two versions of the bill, the House bill would eliminate the agency’s ability to issue tax-exempt, Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds; the Senate version would not. Due to H.R.1, ODVA decided to have a large bond sale to raise additional funds. He also shared that ODVA received two clean audits.

John Howard asked if the H.R.1 would affect more than just the 5 states with home loan programs. The response was – Yes. It affects the other home programs in other agencies throughout the states such as general housing programs, single family home programs, and mortgage programs. John then offered to assist in any way he could with the H.R.1.

Tony García asked if H.R.1 passed how would that effect ODVA. Answer: ODVA would still service existing loans, but would not be able to offer a competitive product without those taxexempt bonds. With the attraction of the mortgages being diminished, sales would go down and it would impair the ability to support other programs within ODVA. Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman, Legislative and Policy Advisor, ODVA Laurie spoke to the 3 separate bills that the Advisory Committee had been assigned to review.

These were SB 129, SB 832, and SB 436. Legislature asked that the Advisory Committee take a look at the legislative concepts within the bills.

She shared that SB 143 established $1 million for the Campus Veterans Resource Center Grant Program, allowing for each grant to be no more than $100,000. There were 12 community colleges and public universities that applied for the grant. The purpose of the grant program was to help veterans transition from military service to the university and then out to the community and workforce.

Laurie then went on to speak about the grant established under HB 2891, Veterans Services Grant Fund of $550,000. She emphasized that this grant money must be spent on services to veterans. Laurie shared that on the ODVA website there is a tab for grants, where the public can go out and check on grants.

Laurie also reviewed her notes from the report on the Rural Medical Training Workgroup, Lines for Life, and a short review of the upcoming Legislative Short Session. She also shared that the Advisory Committees report to the legislature is due on February 1, 2018.

Tony García asked if there was an anticipated date for the grant proposal associated with HB 2891 going live. Laurie replied by saying that she anticipated it would go live towards the end of the month.

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Reyn Leno asked how ODVA was going to have their consultation with the 9 tribes of Oregon.

Are they going to be treated as a non-profit organization or as a sovereign government? The response was that they were going to be treated as a proposer, which can be any kind of entity.

Presentation: Incarcerated Veterans – Pat McGuffin, Incarcerated Veterans Coordinator Pat has been able to travel to 12 of the 14 corrections facilities in the state and hopes to get out to the remainder of them. Has had 54 visits with 915 interviews conducted, confirming 715 incarcerated veterans at intake. The intake process is conducted at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for both men and women. During Pat’s verification of the self-identified incarcerated veterans, he found that 58% of them are not actually veterans.

Pat shared that some of the county veteran service offices were visiting the county jails and that he got involved with veterans after they had been sentenced and were at Coffee Creek for intake. Some of the reasons that Pat and the counties work with the incarcerated veterans is to determine the best course of action for the veteran and their family in reference to benefits.

They may be entitled to an apportionment, need to stop benefits, have some educational benefits while incarcerated or have specialized medical needs related to service connected disabilities. He is working with the counties to create a template that can be added to the jails/prison checklists that will help in identifying veterans as they are processed.

The Multnomah County VSO that works with the incarcerated veterans in her county shared that they are also working in concert with ODVA. The overall goal of working with incarcerated veterans is to assist them in getting connected with as many resources as possible to help them upon discharge from incarceration and to not get incarcerated again.

Tony García made the comment that those veterans who are still currently serving have the opportunity to request a trial defense lawyer from their branch and/or component of service in the first 90 days which would in turn help them get an upgrade to their discharge which would happen after 90 days of incarceration.

Old Business: • Legislative Sub-Committee to Provide Final Recommendations on SB 129, SB 832, & SB 436 and come up with recommendations on these bills The workgroup (Val Valfre, John Howard, Tony García, and Dennis Guthrie) got together and came up with the following recommendations: SB 129 – contract for a study, consider whether to convene task force after study, and consider other potential sources for funding of the study SB 832 – Postpone the decision until an analysis is completed and consider legislation SB – 476 is not prudent because it duplicates existing services and is very costly • Vote on a motion to adopt the workgroup recommendations or not Recommendations were voted on and unanimously passed – recommendations adopted.

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New Business: • June 2018 – La Grande September 2018 – Roseburg December 2018 - Salem • Open for Committee Members John Howard thanked Director Cameron Smith for coming down to Medford for their Veterans Day activities and the local Marine Corps Ball. It meant a lot to the community.

• Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Corvallis, OR Public Comment: Ron Sticka – expressed his concern about a delay for a study on PTSD. He encouraged all to move forward with a study on PTSD. Joshua Groesz – spoke about Post-Traumatic Growth. He puts on a workshop about it called Hooked on Chaos and was featured in Vets News.

Meeting adjourned at 1230.

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The Following Pages Includes Today’s Meeting Reports for March 7, 2018

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ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mitchel Sparks

With the 79th Legislature now in session and the conclusion of a successful 2017 session generating many new program and partnership initiatives, much of ODVA’s focus over the last quarter has been on implementing budget and policy efforts that greatly benefit the broad veteran community.

At the same time, ODVA has experienced a few unexpected changes in leadership with Cameron Smith taking on a new role at DCBS and many new hires in key program areas. In October we welcomed Sheronne Blasi who is now Acting Director of Statewide Veteran Services while I fill the agency director role. Sheronne came to the agency from her 15 year role at Secretary of State’s Audit Division where her work focused on critical operational review to improve effectiveness and efficiencies across the State of Oregon programs.

Mary Jaeger has recently moved on from her role as the Director of Aging Veteran Services and in March Ana Potter will be joining ODVA in her place. Ana has extensive experience working with aging and adult protective services. She has also served as the Deputy State Long-Term Care Ombudsman where she helped manage and guide the volunteers in her district in serving aging Oregonians in long-term care facilities. Her expertise in aging will drive the development of our new volunteer and outreach programs and continue to build on needed resources and programs to serve our aging veteran demographic in Oregon.

The veteran community has been very fortunate to have the great support of an incredible team of managers and employees who are the core of our operations and keep the programs running smoothly even in the midst of broad change. And, at the same time, there is great effort being put forth to build and promote partnership program delivery in key issue areas including veteran housing, claim and benefit services in Marion County, community grant funding for veteran services, highly rural transportation, and investment in student veteran outcomes. This report details the good work and outcomes that have been achieved this quarter.

As the start of the 2019-21 biennial budget process kicks off this coming quarter, it is essential both to our state-level efforts for veterans as well as for our county partners that we have success in making our case and finding key support from legislators for future initiatives that will continue to build on our collective momentum. I am excited to continue to work closely with the Advisory Committee members. I will continue to be in communication to share opportunities for collaborative input and guidance as appropriate.

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

During the second quarter, Statewide Veteran Services has been pursuing interagency connectivity with HCS, DOC, OHA, DHS, and Marion County, to ensure all Oregon veterans have access to earned benefits and foster partnerships with state, county and non-profit agencies to broaden the outreach efforts to connect with more veterans across the state.

As a result of Measure 96 funding and new legislative initiatives we have hired a Campus Veteran Coordinator, awarded SB143 Campus Resource Center Grants, and posted HB2891 (Veterans Services Grant) on ORPIN. PROGRAMS Statewide Veterans’ Services, Salem Office—Pat McGuffin, Manager Support County Veterans Service Officers with challenging claims work, and provide directed support in specialized areas of education, aging veterans, and housing.

In preparation of supporting their own veteran services office, Marion County awarded a contract for office operations this quarter. Additionally, they interviewed and hired a supervising VSO and an additional VSO. Projected plans are for the office to transition to the new county office in the summer of 2018. The SVS Salem office is readying for the gradual transition.

Statewide Veterans’ Services, Portland Office—Martin Ornelas, Manager Support County Veterans Service Officers through quality assurance and appellate representation, as well as direct liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Portland Regional Office.

During the quarter, SVS Portland staff attended 66 Travel Board and Video hearings and 47 DRO hearings, and reviewed 2,901 Ratings Board decisions. Mr. Ornelas is in the process of recruiting for three administrative positions and a VSO position due to staff turnover.

Training Certification and Outreach—Gus Bedwell and Joe Glover, Program Analysts It was an incredibly busy period for the training and certification team. During the quarter, Joe Glover and Gus Bedwell combined for ten different outreach training events, in seven different counties, covering over 3,000 miles to various sites. Topics included appeals, claims eligibility, overpayments, hearing loss, fiduciary/representative payee programs, assisted and skilled nursing, inadequate exams, objective evidence, and PTSD/MST. In addition to the work of training and certifying County Veteran Service Officers, this quarter we hosted ODVA’s largest-ever Annual VSO Training Conference in Florence. There were over 100 attendees. For the first time ever we had several Tribal Veteran Service Officers from Washington and Oregon Tribes in attendance. Presenters included the Mayor of Florence, Director for USDVA Portland Regional Office, attorneys with National Veterans Legal Services Program, and a licensed psychologist from Oregon State University Counseling and Psychological Services. Topics focused on VA Law as well as Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

Lastly, five new County VSOs were tested and accredited this quarter from Deschutes, Umatilla, Multnomah, Josephine, and Klamath Counties.

Women Veterans Coordinator—Liz Estabrooks, Program Analyst This quarter, Liz attended four dedication or honoring events, including the dedication of the Oregon Women Veterans Memorial and a women veterans’ celebration in Eastern Oregon. She met with various community partners, and began working with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to develop a pilot project for providing mental health services to women veterans. She hosted a three-part educational series at PSU School of Social Work.

She gave six presentations to various groups, including participating on a national Culture Change panel hosted by the VA Central Office Center for Women Veterans. She increased her work with the Portland VA, including planning focus groups, improving women’s health services, and addressing secure psych unit issues. She met with Senator Merkely, Senator Bonamici, and representatives from Senator Wyden’s office, participating in his Veteran Suicide Prevention Roundtable in November. She conducted four listening sessions that included two focus groups with Portland VAMC with a total of 30 women, worked with nine women veterans on benefits issues, and attended 5 stand downs and the PSU Resource Fair, connecting with over 120 women veterans. The I Am Not Invisible exhibit had eight shows, including the Russell Rotunda in the Russell Senate Building and at the VA Central Office in Washington, DC, as well as Oregon conferences, meetings, and museums.

LGBTQ Veteran Coordinator—Nathaniel Boehme, Program Analyst This quarter brought new opportunities and the premiere of a long-awaiting storytelling project. As work continued on VSO claims work, discharge upgrades, and military records corrections with a partnership with OutServe-SLDN, Nathaniel was selected to be the Oregon National Guard’s Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) for LGBTQ National Guard members. He attended the SEPM training at Patrick AFB in Florida, and brought those skills to bear in his work in Oregon. Additionally, in November, ODVA held the premiere of Breaking the Silence: an Oral History of Oregon’s LGBTQ Veterans and Servicemembers. This documentary represents over a year’s worth of efforts in conjunction with Truepath Consulting NW and it was met with decisive approval and support from the community at large (maximum occupancy was reached at the venue within thirty minutes).

Grants Management Emergency Financial Assistance Second Quarter 2017-18 (October – December): 29 applications for grants were received, with nine of those approved for a total of $12,716. The average grant was $1,413. Most approved grants are for mortgage/rent and utility payments, as well as medical/dental procedures.

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

Highly Rural Transportation Grant The grant is active. Ten rural counties are receiving assistance transporting veterans to VA medical appointments. The grant has been a successful cooperative arrangement between USDVA, ODVA, and rural counties and their transportation entities. The fourth year of the grant has begun, and the participating counties are closing in on one million total miles driven.

Lines For Life Lines For Life provides 24 hour phone and text services to at-risk veterans and their families.

958 calls from fourteen identified counties were logged for the period October 1 – December 31, 2017. The calls had an average wait time of 27 seconds, and the average duration of a call was 19.6 minutes. Referrals were given to 36% of the callers for mental health appointments, drug and alcohol treatment, and assistance with the VA. Emergency services were notified for twelve calls this quarter.

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Veterans’ Home Loan Program Fourth Quarter 2017 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager

Production Review •

For the 3rd Quarter, 2017, the Home Loan Program closed 63 loans for a gross dollar volume of $15,684,330. For the same period in 2016, the Home Loan Program funded 66 loans for $15,948,208. For all intents and purposes, 4th 2017 quarter over 4th quarter 2016 were flat. Our average loan amount is $264,598.

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Calendar year-end production finished at 280 units for $74,087,339. Calendar YE for 2016 was 225 units for $53,924.113. 2017 calendar year product shows an increase of 55 units, 24.44% over the prior year.

From a dollar perspective, 2017 production increase $20,163.226, or 37.39%. The 2017 calendar year represents the highest dollar year of new loans closed going back to 1997.

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The chart below shows a 2014 - 2017 YTD monthly production comparison of dollar volume funded for the OrVet Home Loan program. $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $-

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2014 2015 2016 2017

At the end of the 4th Quarter 2017, ODVA has a total of 1,853 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $307,667,328. Of these, 1,520 units and $295,819,078 are new loans. Old loans were at 333 units totaling $11,848,250. At the end of the 4th Quarter 2016, the ODVA had a total of 1,860 for $2374806617 under servicing, with 1,425 units at $260.369,104 as new loans and 435 units at $14,437.513 were Old Loans. Our loan servicing portfolio had grown in 2017 by $32,860,711 (or 11.96%) while shedding 7 net loans over the course of the year. ODVA has seen 102 loans from the old loan portfolio have pay off during 2017. Our New Loan portfolio has increased by 95 loans at $35,449,974, or 13.62%.

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Veterans’ Home Loan Program Fourth Quarter 2017 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager

Loan Delinquency Review • • • • •

For the reporting period of 12/31/2017, there was 1 State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned (SOP/REO) in inventory, down one from the previous quarter.

There were 5 loans in a Foreclosure status, up 2 from the last report date.

At year-end 2017, ODVA has 1 loan in a bankruptcy status.

The total of all loans reporting in the 90-day or greater delinquency position was at 16, expressed as 0.9% unit delinquency on a portfolio of 1,853 loans and at 0.3% per dollar amount under portfolio.

ODVA continues to experience reduced delinquency rates as compared to other Government Residential Loan Programs. The Mortgage Bankers Association publishes a quarterly National Delinquency Survey and the following represents Oregon specific comparative data from the most recently available Fourth Quarter 2017 report. The delinquency rate expressed as a percentage of total loans (units) past due for the Federal Veterans Affairs home loan program in Oregon was 2.68%, FHA home loans in Oregon were at 5.74% and Conventional Prime home loans Oregon were at 2.06%. For this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.2% at 30 units, up 5 from the previous report.

Quarterly Staffing News •

The OrVet Home Loan Program added one FTE during the 4th Quarter 2017. We welcome Taisheka Broom to our group as a PSR4. Tai will be serving our Oregon Veterans with payoffs, conveyances and transfers.

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director Conservatorship Helen Ireland, Conservatorship Manager On December 28, 2017 a temporary assistant from an employment agency was hired to help Mariya Williams, Representative Payee. The search is underway for a permanent, representative payee assistant.

All staff attended a training event hosted by the Guardian Conservator Association of Oregon which included a panel discussion with court visitors from around the state. This was a great training event and offered staff the opportunity to ask questions of the court visitors present.

Conservatorship and Representative Payee Demographics

5 10 5

22

15 31

37

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15

86 39 6 11

53

17

126

Nursing Home

Residential Care Facility

Adult Foster Home

Assisted Living Facility

Room & Board Facility

Hospital

Independent Living

Relative Care

Incarcerated

Homeless

WWII Korea Vietnam Peace Time Gulf War

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war.)

Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon Jeremy Woodall, Program Director Updates We had the opportunity to share our work at the Veterans’ Homes in January at a Dementia Caregiving Workshop that focused on Native Caregivers. In January Amanda Beitel (LFO) and Tom MacDonald (DHS) came to visit the OVHL. The more people in all sectors of our influence who know about the work we do yield better benefits and care for our veterans.

We recently hosted the National Association of Atomic Veterans for an event at the OVHL. It is inspiring to see the work they have done and encouraging to our veteran residents who get to participate with the different groups who visit the home.

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director On February 6, 2018 the Request for Proposal (RFP) Tour at the OVHL was hosted with three different organizations potentially applying for the RFP. We are preparing for our third annual Spring Fling event with activities such as the classic car cruise in, face painting and balloon artist, dunk tank, mobile DJ, and photo booth, as well as various carnival games.

Lunch will be available for purchase. It all happens on Saturday, April 14, 2018. All are welcome!

OVHL Demographics 2 14

6

19

32

17

34 34

59

72 14 2

WWII

Korea

Vietnam

Air Force

Army

Coast Guard

Peace Time

Gulf War

OIF/OEF

Marine

Navy

Spouse

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war/ branches, veteran of spouse (resident) not included.)

Oregon Veterans’ Home, The Dalles Michael Springston, Program Director Updates: OVH TD is in the last steps of completing Charlie wing remodel and will be moving into the last phase of resident rooms in Alpha. Delta wing activities room is very close to being complete. It is also important to note that our classroom and large storage unit are almost finished. We have had zero safety issues with residents during this process. We have started working with a new community partner called Columbia River Veterans Museum who will be rotating veteran related memorabilia in the facility. We are currently planning for a Town Hall meeting from Senator Wyden on the 24th of February; this will be his second time here in the past 6 months. We continue to serve veterans and their spouses with claims work.

OVHTD census reflects 91 men and 31 women with 2 women Veterans. The average age of our residents is 80.91 years old.

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AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director OVHTD Demographics

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26 2

16

19 23

15 24

47 5 3

48

WWII

Korea

Vietnam

Air Force

Army

Coast Guard

Peace Time

Gulf War

OIF/OEF

Marine

Navy

Spouse

(Note: some veterans have served in multiple campaigns of war/ branches, veteran of spouse (resident) not included.)

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FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds (QVMBs) Preserved in 2017 Federal Tax Reform Legislation On December 22nd, 2017, a major federal tax reform bill entitled the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (TCJA) of 2017, was enacted into federal law. This newly enacted federal legislation preserves the Department’s ability to continue issuing tax-exempt QVMBs to fund home loans for veterans who applied for a loan within 25 years of their military discharge date. Previously (November 2017) , the United States House of Representatives had passed a bill (H.R. 1) which would have eliminated the Department’s ability to issue tax-exempt QVMBs after December 31, 2017. Thankfully, H.R. 1 was not enacted into federal law. QVMBs are the primary funding mechanism by which the Department raises lendable funds for below-market home loan interest rates to qualified veterans in recognition of their service to our State and Nation.

Issuance of $103 million of State of Oregon, General Obligation Veteran Bonds Due to the uncertainty surrounding proposed federal tax reform (H.R. 1) as discussed above, the Department elected to quickly re-enter the capital markets to issue approximately $103 million of general obligation veteran bonds in December 2017. Approximately $29 million of the bond proceeds were obtained to originate new veteran home loans and the remaining $74 million was used to refund existing Department bonds to lock in low cost, long-term fixed interest rates on a significant portion of its debt portfolio.

Requested Legislative Approval to Apply for USDVA Construction Grants for the Oregon Veteran Homes During February 2018, the Department requested approval from the Oregon Legislature, Joint Committee on Ways and Means, to apply for United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) construction grants to facilitate physical plant upgrades for the State Veteran Homes in The Dalles, Oregon and in Lebanon, Oregon. If ultimately approved by the Oregon Legislature and the USDVA, the two federal grants will provide approximately $6.3 million of funding for facility upgrades. The Department anticipates completing the grant applications in August 2018 and receiving federal grant funding in either calendar year 2019 or 2020.

FY 2018 Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements The September 30, 2017 unaudited quarterly financial statements show an overall decrease in net position in the Veterans’ Loan Program of approximately ($0.2) million for the first three months of fiscal year 2018. The same period for the prior fiscal year showed an overall decrease in net position of approximately ($0.7) million. The current fiscal year reductions in net position are primarily attributable to increased bond related expenses and a reduction in other fees and charges revenue.

The Veterans’ Home Program unaudited quarterly financial statements show an overall increase in net position of approximately $0.5 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2018, compared to an increase in net position of approximately $1.3 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Included in these figures were transfers and capital contributions into the Veterans’ Home Program 27

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer from the Veterans’ Home Trust Fund and federal grant monies which totaled approximately $0.0 million and $0.2 million respectively in fiscal years 2018 and 2017.

The Changes in Net Position for both the Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program are shown in comparative form in the graph below.

Other Financial Services Division Activities: Over the past several months, the Financial Services team worked on contracting & procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, set up the appropriate funds/tracking needed for veteran service related lottery monies and performed other related financial activities as needed.

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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor

1.

VAAC Legislative Concept Workgroup Recommendations

The VAAC legislative concept workgroup recommendations on SB 129, SB 832, and SB 436 were sent to the House and Senate Veterans Interim policy committees on January 9, 2018.

2. Implementation of Campus Veteran Grant Program under SB 143: Measure 96 Funds Senate Bill 143 established a $1 million grant program to expand campus veteran resource centers on the campuses of Oregon community colleges and public universities. The purpose of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program is to augment existing campus programs that help veterans successfully transition from military service to college life, succeed in college and complete educational goals, and transition from college to the workforce in the community. Attachment A lists the schools and the dollar amounts of the grants.

3. Implementation of Veteran Services Grant Fund under HB 2891: Measure 96 Funds The 2017 Oregon State Legislature passed House Bill 2891, establishing a $550,000 veteran services grant program. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $25,000 - $250,000 per grant recipient.

The purpose of grants is to provide outreach and services to Oregon veterans in eight basic categories: mental health, physical health, housing, employment opportunities, education and training, transportation accessibility and availability, veteran service organization providing critical services, any programs identified by VAAC. Grant proposals were due February 1, 2018. There has been an overwhelming response to the program.

Due to the number of requests for grants, the evaluation process and grant awards may be delayed from earlier estimates.

4. Implementation of RFP for Suicide Prevention Crisis Line under ODVA Budget bill The 2017 Legislature provided $350,000 to Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to contract for a veterans’ suicide crisis line that offers free, anonymous assistance 24-hours a day to active duty service members, veterans, and their families. The RFP was issued in December. Lines for Life in Portland was awarded the contract.

5. Legislative Session Calendar 2018: “Short Session” February 5, 2018 Legislative Session Begins February 16: Revenue Forecast (Wednesday) February 19: President’s Day (Monday, but usually session continues) March 11, 2018: Legislative Session Ends, Constitutional Sine Die 6. Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Tracked Bills See attachment B

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Legislation, Administrative Rules and Agency Policy Laurie Skillman, Senior Policy Advisor ATTACHMENT A Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Campus Veteran Resource Grant Program Grants Awarded December 19, 2017 School

Grant Award

1. Blue Mountain CC – Pendleton

$50,500

2. Chemeketa CC – Salem

$32,429

3. Clackamas CC – Oregon City

$85,683

4. Eastern Oregon University – La Grande

$33,732

5. Klamath CC – Klamath Falls

$85,896

6. Lane CC – Eugene

$100,000

7. Linn-Benton CC – Albany

$92,900

8. Mt. Hood CC – Gresham

$60,720

9. Oregon State University – Corvallis

$78,251

10. Portland CC – Portland

$85,000

11. Rogue CC – Grants Pass

$100,000

12. Southwestern Oregon CC – Coos Bay

$54,092

13. Western Oregon University – Monmouth

$86,700

14. University of Oregon – Eugene

$54,097 TOTAL

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$1,000,000

FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION John Osborn, Program Manager

THE DALLES VETERANS’ HOME The interior renovation of the home is nearly complete. We anticipate substantial completion of the renovations by the end of June. Currently the contractor is working on the last resident wing, Alpha wing. The activities rooms at Delta wing has both interior and exterior painting proceeding on schedule, with flooring and trim work to begin soon, the public corridor work is also near completion.

The storage building roof and siding is completed and electrical work is proceeding, the building should be completed and ready of occupancy by the end of March. The education classroom is now completed, furniture and classroom equipment are installed and classes have started in the new facility.

LEBANON VETERANS’ HOME Because of some delays with Pacific Power and Light, and the firm that was dong the electrical engineering, the Invitation to Bid (ITB) solicitation was postponed. We now anticipate an ITB release date for the end of March. This project will likely take 3 to 4 months to complete and will be dependent on the weather for timely completion.

Future Grants The 2018 construction grants for the 2018 will be ready for submission by the end of March. We also plan to have all remaining grant documents completed and submitted by August of this year. This will place us on the priority one funding list for 2019.

The Dalles grant will encompass replacing the roof, siding; redesign the garden area between Charlie & Delta wings, and various interior and exterior items. The Lebanon grant will follow on after the parking lot with a storage building and additional staff offices. In addition, an activity room will be built off the existing Delta wing spine similar to the one constructed at The Dalles Veterans Home. The grant will also provide HVAC upgrades to all wings and improvements to the open area at the southeast corner of the property next to Delta wing.

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COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICES Communications

Nicole Hoeft, Manager

ODVA Communications continues to support agency initiatives and general messaging regarding state and federal benefits and legislation. Higher profile event planning, staffing and support is ongoing including the 2018 Veteran Benefit Expo, Women Veteran Conference planning, Breaking the Silence documentary viewings across the state. Ongoing activities include continued web development, blog content, Veterans News Magazine and general veteran community happenings communication.

Information Services Information Services continues to support core operations and maintain resources for application development and support for current systems while continuing work to form a project team to implement new Conservatorship and Home Loans solutions. Security planning is ongoing and involves the development of an information security implementation plan and a business continuity and disaster recovery plan. Ongoing projects include continued coordination with OSCIO, consolidation of agency-wide multi-function printing and scanning and the evaluation of Mobile Device Management solutions and video surveillance solutions.

Records and Information Management Records is working with State Archives to finalize the agency’s updated retention schedule and implement a new records management policy. As the result of an Executive Order, the state has developed new guidelines and policy to ensure transparency across government. The team is also working to get the new records management system, which meets the federal requirements for official electronic records, documented as the “official record� of the agency.

This change will enable ODVA to no longer keep paper copy documents, lessening the need for physical space management.

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