VAAC Report September 2018

Marine Corps Cpl. Kyle Cary practices with his military working dog, Brandy, during training to familiarize the dogs with water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 3, 2018. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austyn Saylor

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 5, 2018 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kim Douthit, Chair ............................................................................................Portland John Howard, Vice Chair ................................................................................... Ontario Rosy Macias, Secretary ........................................................................................ Salem Tony García .......................................................................................................Portland Dennis Guthrie ................................................................................................ Redmond Reyn Leno ................................................................................................. Grand Ronde Val Valfre, Jr .……………………………………….....................................................Forest Grove Christine Gittins ............................................................................................... Redmond James Gardner ................................................................................................... Eugene

ODVA STAFF Kelly Fitzpatrick ...........................................................................Governor’s Appointee 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 Assistant Director Nicole Hoeft ........................................................................... Communications Director Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager John Haytas .................................................................... Information Services Manager John Osborn .......................................................... Facilities and Construction Manager Julie Owens ......................................................................... Human Resources Manager

1

2

ADVISORY COMMITTEE Quarterly Meeting Agenda Tuesday, September 5, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Umpqua Community College | 1140 Umpqua College Rd, Roseburg OR 97470 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION • Call to Order – Chair Tony García • Pledge of Allegiance – Chair García • Swearing in of newly elected officers – Chair García, Mitch Sparks • Committee Member Introductions • Meeting Rules – Kim Douthit • Audience Introductions • Review and Approval of June 12, 2018 Minutes II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Kelly Fitzpatrick III. ODVA Staff & Subcommittee UPDATES • Finance – Bruce Shriver • Statewide Veteran Services – Sheronne Blasi • Home Loans Program – Cody Cox • Aging Veteran Services – Kelly Breshears • Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman • Claims and Appeals – John Howard **********************************BREAK************************************* IV. Presentation – Veterans Services Grant Recipient: Coos County Area Transit Sergio Gamino, Transit Program Manger V. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS • Subcommittees  How to they will work and when to report (March – December)  Subcommittees assigned as follows: Claims and Appeals – John Howard Legislative Affairs – Val Valfre Health Care – new member Transportation – Dennis Guthrie Housing – Rosy Macias Justice Involved – Reyn Leno Equitable Outreach to Underserved Population – Kim Douthit Home Loans – new member Veterans’ Homes – Tony Garcia

3

VI. NEW BUSINESS • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway, Salem OR 97317 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

4

The Following Pages include the June 12, 2018 Meeting Minutes for Advisory Committee Approval

5

6

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Quarterly Meeting Agenda Tuesday, June 12, 2018 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Sunridge Inn & Resort / 1 Sunridge Ln, Baker City, OR 97814 Chair Tony García called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. Committee Members Present - Introductions: Tony García - Portland, US Army & Army National Guard John Howard – Medford, US Navy, former legislative assistant to Congressman Walden Dennis Guthrie – Redmond, US Army Kim Douthit – Portland, USCG, Multnomah County VSO, Navy spouse Rosy Macías – Salem, US Marine Corps Mitch Sparks – US Navy, Acting Director ODVA Martha García – Special Assistant to the Director, ODVA, US Army & Army National Guard Val Valfre – Forest Grove, US Air Force (called in) Members Absent: Mike Jones – Ontario, US Army Meeting Rules: Kim Douthit, Secretary, reviewed the rules of Advisory Committee public meetings for those in attendance.

Audience Introductions: Rick Gloria – US Army, CVSO Baker County Connie Tanaka – US Army, CVSO Malheur County Linda Skendzel – CVSO, Morrow County Glen Scott – US Marine Corps & ORARNG, CVSO Umatilla County Mary Jo Carpenter – Community Connections of NE Oregon Margret Davidson – Community Connections of NE Oregon Henry M. - Community Connections of NE Oregon Tony Cooke – US Army Wendy Chase – National Guard Family Readiness Support Asst Tara Howie – National Guard Family Assistance James Reith – US Army & ORARNG, Employer Support Guard & Reserve Shannon Compton – US Army & ORARNG, Transition Assistance Advisor Meloni Beauchamp – US Army, Military One Source Laurie Skillman – ODVA, Policy & Legislative Affairs Kelly Odegaard – Oregon Veterans Home, Lebanon

7

Bruce Shriver – ODVA, Chief Financial Officer Kurt Lewis – US Army, Kathleen Cathy – Senator Wyden’s Office Cody Cox – ODVA Home Loans Review and Approval of December 6, 2017 Meeting Minutes : A motion was made to accept the minutes with edits, motion seconded, and motion passed.

Director’s Report – Mitch Sparks, Acting Director ODVA Mitch shared that it has been one year after receiving the largest funding boost to Oregon veteran’s services from the passing of Measure 96. ODVA has been busy with grants and growing partnerships. He highlighted the work done with Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Housing and Community Services.

He spoke in reference to the transition of Salem office Veteran Service Officers into new roles and Marion County came on line with their own County Veteran Service Office. Mitch also acknowledged the County Veterans Service Officers in attendance of the meeting.

ODVA Staff Updates: Finance – Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer Bruce reviewed his submitted report and included the following highlights: • During the 2018 Oregon Legislative Session, funding was given to ODVA for a new Incarcerated veterans position • Received an additional $500,000 in Federal Funds expenditure authority for the transportation of veterans in highly rural areas • Requested and received approval from the Oregon State Legislature, to apply for USDVA construction grants to facilitate physical plant upgrades for the State Veteran Homes in The Dalles, Oregon and in Lebanon, Oregon Statewide Veterans Services – Mitch Sparks, Acting Director ODVA Sheronne shared the following from her submitted report: • Marion County VSO Salem office opened their new location on June • Oregon Women Veterans Conference 2018 was highly successful • ODVA-led workgroup for LGBTQ veterans at the National LGBTQ Taskforce’s Creating Change Conference

8

• • • • • •

Incarcerated Vets conducted eight facility visits and verified veteran status of 184 inmates Campus Veteran Coordinator: $160,512 was spent on various projects, including construction/ renovation for new Veteran Resource Centers (VRCs), supplies and furnishings for the VRCs, and special student veteran events ODVA is offering funds of approximately $4,200 to interested counties for activities relating to Veteran suicide prevention and awareness Emergency Assistance Grant average grant was $1,607.00 Lines for Life - for the period January 1 – March 31, 2018, 885 calls from 21 identified counties were logged additional investment of Lottery funds ($760,000) were awarded to the 2017-18 NOFA for the development of permanent housing for homeless or at-risk of homelessness veterans

Home Loans – Cody Cox, Home Loans Manager Cody reviewed his submitted report. His highlights included: • 1st Quarter, 2018, the Home Loan Program closed 43 loans for a gross dollar volume of $11,571,382 • Average home loans amount at $276,016 • 1st Quarter 2018, ODVA has a total of 1,851 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $310,409,196 • 2 State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned, 5 loans in a Foreclosure, 2 loans in a bankruptcy status Aging Veteran Services – did not present Legislative Affairs and Policy – Laurie Skillman, Legislative and Policy Advisor Laurie reviewed her submitted report and included the following highlights: • Veterans Services Grant program - $550,000 in grants were awarded o $25,000 - $250,000 per grant recipient o 59 grant proposals were submitted, totaling $5,354,422 o 10 proposals were funded • The awarded grants list was reviewed (list is part of the report) • Report due to legislature on the third veterans home • Review of the bills that became law and their effective dates • Work on legislative concepts and budget continues *******************Break**********************

9

Advisory Committee Work: Prep work was done on the By-Laws before the meeting continuing during the meeting. The committee voted to accept the changes.

Subcommittees were restructured in the By-Laws. Members assigned are below in blue: Section 4. Current Subcommittees a. Claims and Appeals – John Howard b. Legislative Affairs - Val Valfre c. Health Care – new member d. Transportation – Dennis Guthrie e. Housing – Rosy Macias f. Justice Involved – Reyn Leno g. Equitable Outreach to Underserved Population – Kim Douthit h. Home Loans – new member i. Veterans’s Homes – Tony Garcia Section 5. Subcomittee Reporting Periods a. Claims and Appeals, Legislative Affairs, and Healthcare will report in September. b. Transportation, Housing and Justice Involved will report in December. c. Equitable Outreach to Underserved Population, Home Loans, and Veteran’s Homes will report in March.

Elections for Chair, Vice Chair, & Secretary were held. Elected were Chair: Kimberly Douthit, Vice Chair: John Howard, & Secretary: Rosa Macias. All will be sworn in at the September meeting.

Old Business: New Business: • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2018 | Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Roseburg, OR Chair García Meeting adjourned at 1230.

Open for Public Comment

10

The Following Pages Includes Today’s Meeting Reports

11

12

ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT Kelly Fitzpatrick

I’ve spent my career in a wide variety of positions, in service to Congress, in the military, in the intelligence and security fields, and in the private sector. One of the few constants has been my desire to challenge myself, to work with fun and interesting people, and to use the skills and experience I’ve acquired along the way to make a positive impact on the world around me.

I come to ODVA from Sen. Jeff Merkley’s Office, where I served as Constituent Services Representative for veterans and military affairs. In that role, I was able to speak with veterans across the state of Oregon, all of whom were dealing with various problems, from health and transportation issues to housing insecurity.

Sometimes, we could help them, or refer them to another agency who provided those services, and sometimes we could not. But it opened my eyes to the wide world of veterans’ issues, and the many challenges that face veterans and the organizations that seek to serve them.

I believe that Oregon has an incredible, interconnected network of dedicated service providers and partnering agencies, who work hard every day to serve veterans in crisis and help them and their families reach their full potential. And I believe that we can do better: reach and serve more veterans, improve outcomes, end veteran suicide and homelessness, improve and diversify our messaging.

This is why I am here with you all today. This is why I sought the position of ODVA director, and why I am so thrilled and honored to have been chosen.

I am passionate about making Oregon the No. 1 state in the country for veterans, and I believe we have the resources, the partnerships and, most importantly, the people, to make that happen. In the weeks and months to come, as I transition to this new role, I will rely heavily on your support and guidance.

I look forward to getting to know each one of you, and working hand in hand to accomplish our essential mission of ensuring every veteran in our state receives the honor, care and opportunities that he or she deserves.

13

14

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer

Department Requested Budget for the 2019-2021 Biennium The Department submitted its 2019-2021 Agency Request Budget (ARB) to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) on August 2nd, 2018 for their review and analysis. Upon completion of the review of the Department’s budget request, DAS will make their recommendations on the Department’s proposed budget to the Governor’s office for their consideration. The Governor’s Office and DAS will ultimately determine the Department’s budgetary request for the State Legislature’s consideration and incorporate it, as well as other state agency budgets, into the 2019-2021 Governor’s Budget which will be released in early December 2018.

For comparative purposes, the Department’s 2019-2021 ARB operating budget (which excludes nonlimited expenditures such as debt service, loan originations, etc.) is shown below along with the Department’s operating 2017-2019 Legislative Approved Budget (LAB). The primary differences between the two budgets include: (1) establishing the Aging Veteran Services Program as a separate budgeted program unit in the 2019-2021 biennium. Previously, Aging Veteran Services was included within Veteran Services for budgeting purposes; (2) additional partnership pass-through funding for Veteran Services; (3) funding for additional assistance providing Representative Payee services, Conservatorship/VSO training, and Loan Program business development; (4) funding for business systems technology improvements; and (5) funding to refurbish the 2nd floor of the ODVA Building in Salem.

15

FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION

Bruce Shriver, Chief Financial Officer FY 2018 Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements The March 31, 2018 unaudited quarterly financial statements show an overall decrease in net position in the Veterans’ Loan Program of approximately ($2.4) million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2018. The same period for the prior fiscal year showed an overall decrease in net position of approximately ($1.0) 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 $1.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, compared to an increase in net position of approximately $3.3 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.

Included in these figures were transfers and capital contributions into the Veterans’ Home Program 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 chart below.

Other Financial Services Division Activities: Over the past several months, the Financial Services team worked on budget development activities relating to the 2019-2021 Agency Request Budget, contracting & procurement efforts, processed federal grant reimbursements, provided information to external auditors for the annual financial statement audits (Veterans’ Loan Program and Veterans’ Home Program), conducted post-issuance bond compliance activities, exercised early bond redemptions, and performed other related financial activities as needed.

16

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

PROGRAMS Statewide Veteran Services (SVS), Salem Office—Pat McGuffin, Manager Marion County officially opened its own County Veteran Services Office during this quarter, moving the operation to the ARCHES office in downtown Salem on June 4. SVS Salem personnel shadowed the operation for a month, providing a full time service officer as back up.

With the addition of Marion Co, all 36 counties provide VSO services locally. Service Officers in the SVS Salem office are now transitioning to other positions in ODVA. Sheronne and Sue continue to monitor county quarterly reporting.

Statewide Veteran Services (SVS), Portland Office—Martin Ornelas, Manager During the quarter, SVS Portland staff attended 62 Travel Board and Video hearings and 36 DRO hearings, and reviewed 4,523 Ratings Board decisions. They are continuing to work hard to catch up with and stay current with scanning and uploading documents issued in response to veteran claims, while providing the assistance for appeals work needed by Oregon Counties.

Significant scanning and uploading work is due to the federal VA catching up with its claims documents.

Training, Certification and Outreach—Joe Glover and James Connolly, Program Analysts This busy quarter brought personnel changes as Gus Bedwell left the agency and James Connolly joined the TCO team. TCO led one introductory and one regional training, visited 13 counties and performed 17 varied outreach events at events from the Oregon Women Veterans’ Conference to Oregon National Guard events to town halls to providing information to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Currently, 22 of Oregon’s Veteran Service Officers are not yet accredited, requiring monitoring, oversight, and on-site visitation by TCO staff. Additionally, TCO staff directly served three veterans with claims-related work and provided timely responses to constituent inquiries from the Governor’s office.

Success story: TCO staff worked directly with the surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran, assisting with death certificates and a successful claim for full widow’s benefits. Additionally, they worked with the funeral home to ensure a burial with full military honors.

Women Veterans Coordinator—Liz Estabrooks, Program Analyst This quarter Liz attended 13 veteran meetings and 18 community partner meetings; she gave eight presentations and accompanied the I Am Not Invisible posters to 11 separate display events. She presented at two professional development seminars and hosted a table at three community forums. She also assisted with efforts to develop a pilot project with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to provide group education to women veterans with military sexual trauma, and those efforts have led to funding from Boeing and, potentially, The Collins Foundation. Two women whose claims Liz has been working on for over a year received positive ratings from the VA during the quarter.

Success story: Feedback from the Oregon Women Veterans Conference. 387 women registered and 68 vendors. 89% of attendees said they would attend a future conference and 93% said the 1 17

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

conference met their expectations. Overall, the women who responded to the survey rated it at a 4.3 out of 5 stars.

LGBTQ Veteran Coordinator—Nathaniel Boehme, Program Analyst April through June, Nathaniel continued to provide direct services in the form of military records corrections and VSO work to more than 15 unique veterans while pushing an aggressive outreach schedule. During this time he represented ODVA at four different Pride events across the State and held numerous screenings of our film, Breaking the Silence: Stories from Oregon’s LGBTQ Veterans and Service Members (one of which is the nation’s only LGBTQ documentary film festival). Additionally, Nathaniel was able to represent ODVA and the State at the remembrance of life and graveside services for Lt Col Linda Campbell, the very first in the nation to be given permission to be buried next to their same-sex spouse in a National Cemetery, and featured in our Vets News magazine.

Incarcerated Veterans—Pat McGuffin, Program Analyst Pat made 10 visits to the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility verifying the veteran status for 153 inmates. Of these inmates, 39 met the legal definition of a “veteran” for a verification rate of 25.4%. Pat made an additional six visits to state and federal correctional facilities assisting another 20 veterans with VA overpayment and debt issues, benefit eligibility, and re-entry transition planning.

We recently promoted Vicky Kauffman (ODVA VSO), to the second Incarcerated Veteran Coordinator, which was included in 2018 legislation (HB 4038), with the intention of expanding services to veterans at all 14 correctional institutions and begin working with local parole and probation on post-release veterans.

Success story: Pat was able help a veteran and his family provide the documentation required to streamline a successful apportionment claim which was processed in just 63 days; the average processing time for these claims is typically over 250 days. This resulted in $2,000 per month of financial assistance to the family which could have been lost due to the veteran’s incarceration.

Campus Veteran Coordinator—Bob Small, Program Analyst During this quarter, Bob visited four campuses, Chemeketa CC, OSU, Klamath CC, and OIT. The visit to Chemeketa CC was for the grand opening of their Veteran Resource Center (VRC) which has allowed community resource agencies the opportunity to meet with veteran students in an environment which is more veteran friendly. The Campus Veteran Grant program monitoring reports for the 1st quarter were received, reflecting a total of $160,512 of grant funds spent.

Report highlights include: establishment of two new VRSs and eight upgraded VRCs, hiring of four new Campus Veteran Outreach Coordinators, purchase of training software, and the implementation of a new college entry course specifically designed for student veterans.

2 18

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

Success Story: Bob attended the Oregon Association of Veteran School Certifying Officials Conference, where he had the chance to discuss the opportunities of the grant program and veteran’s education benefits with a large audience of veteran resource personnel from different campuses across the state.

Grants Management Emergency Financial Assistance Fourth Quarter FY 2018 (April – June): 24 applications for grants were received, with nine of those approved for a total of $12,100. The average grant was $1,344. Most approved grants are for mortgage/rent and utility payments.

Success story example: An OEF/OIF veteran suffering from a variety of medical conditions lost his job for absenteeism due to health. His bills piled up, which caused anxiety affecting his recovery. The grant was able to catch him up, which changed his mental and emotional outlook, recovery was completed, and he is back to work.

Highly Rural Transportation Grant Ten highly 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.

Success story: ODVA has applied for the grant for a fifth time. We request the full grant allowed by the USDVA each cycle, and each time we are able to utilize every dollar. 25 states have qualifying counties, but only 11 choose to participate in this very worthwhile program. Oregon leverages every dollar to best effect.

Campus Veteran Grants Please see above regarding projects and monitoring.

Statewide Veteran Services Grants The 10 selected grants have been awarded and instructions on quarterly monitoring reports have been provided to grantees. ODVA has visited six of the recipient sites. It is our intention to visit each grantee over the course of the grant period to learn more about their innovative programs for serving veterans. The first monitoring period closed June 30, and reports have been received. Programs are beginning to be implemented, personnel hired, equipment purchased, and even zoning change requests filed for homeless housing.

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

For the period April – June 2018, 954 calls from 20 identified counties were logged. The calls had an average wait time of 29 seconds, and the average duration of a call was 15 minutes.

Referrals were given to 34% of the callers for mental health appointments, drug and alcohol 3 19

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

treatment, and assistance with the VA. Emergency services were notified for nine calls this quarter.

Charitable Check-Off - Veteran Suicide Prevention Fund Tragically, veterans account for about 25% of all suicides committed in Oregon. And although our veteran population is decreasing slightly, our suicide rates are increasing.

This year, 30 counties participated in the distribution of Charitable Check Off funds for Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Each county received $4,700, and the funds have been distributed.

Several counties have planned, or already held, events to promote awareness of mental health services in their area. Several events are scheduled in September. Some have allocated funds to train various county personnel in recognizing signs of suicidal ideology, and how to work with the veteran in crisis. Many are creatively pairing their events with other activities to draw people in, such as classic car shows and barbecues for veterans, their families and community members. Other uses of funds include: the purchase and distribution of gun safety locks w/messaging, public information campaigns involving TV, radio, billboards, and social media.

We also donated $5,000 Charitable Check-off funds to Lines for Life for their upcoming conference on Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Additional Information – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) - $1.5M Lottery funds for veteran homelessness Using Lottery funds, OHCS hired its first Homeless Veteran Integrator to assist local communities, engage key stakeholders (veterans, veteran service providers, landlords, housing providers, etc.), and develop partnerships designed to leverage and align resources creating streamlined homeless veteran service delivery systems with shared performance metrics.

An additional investment of Lottery funds ($760,000) were awarded to the 2017-18 NOFA for the development of permanent housing for homeless or veterans at-risk of homelessness.

OHCS is finalizing an RFP to hire a contractor to provide technical assistance and consultation for up to 10 communities to develop and implement customized plans for each community to end veteran homelessness. Additionally, OHCS and ODVA partnered to host the second Homeless Veteran Convening, with the purpose of highlighting existing best practices, sharing resources, and training practitioners on serving homeless veterans in Oregon with the goal of effectively ending veteran homelessness.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) - $2.5M budget note for veterans’ behavioral health services OHA and ODVA selected the Rede Group to perform a study on Veteran Behavioral Health Services Improvement, Needs Assessment, and Recommendations. Comprehensive study is to be completed by the end of 2018, and reported to the 2019 legislative assembly. The study is 4 20

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES Sheronne Blasi, Acting Director

well underway, including the identification of best practices literature review, interviews with behavioral health providers/experts, veteran’s focus groups (men, women and LGBTQ), and a statewide veteran survey.

OHA is close to hiring a Veteran Behavioral Health Care Liaison. The OHA and ODVA workgroup is also finalizing plans for a pilot project for veteran peer-to-peer support, and a project for the development and deployment of training for behavioral health clinicians on risk assessment, treatment and management of veterans at risk of suicide.

5 21

22

Veterans’ Home Loan Program Second Quarter 2018 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager

Production Review •

For the 2nd Quarter, 2018, the Home Loan Program closed 113 loans for a gross dollar volume of $30,039,923. For the same period in 2017, the Home Loan Program funded 84 loans for $23,365,632. For the Fiscal YE 2018, the Home Loan Program closed 274 loans for $75,829,156. Historically, this is the 4th highest unit total going back to 1998, and the single highest production FY back to the same time period.

Our calendar year totals show 145 units at $41,611,305.

•

The chart below shows a 2014 - 2018 YTD monthly production comparison of dollar volume funded for the OrVet Home Loan program. $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000

2014

2015

2017

2018

2016

$10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $-

•

At the end of the 2nd Quarter 2018, ODVA has a total of 1,877 loans in portfolio, with a total dollar amount under servicing of $331,654,221. Of these, 1,595 units and $321,619,233 are new loans. Old loans were at 285 units totaling $10,034,988. At the end of the 2nd Quarter 2017, the ODVA had a total of 1,870 for $296,115,289 under servicing, with 1,491 units at $283,325,141 as new loans and 379 units at $12,790,148 were Old Loans. Our loan servicing portfolio has grown since year end 2017 from 1853 units @ $307,667,328, to 1877 units @ $331,654,221. Essentially, 24 loans have added $23,986,893 to our servicing portfolio in 6 months.

Loan Delinquency Review • • • • •

For the reporting period of 06/30/2018, there was no State Owned Properties/Real Estate Owned (SOP/REO) in inventor..

There were 2 loans in a Foreclosure status, down 3 from the last report date.

At the end of 2nd Qtr 2018, ODVA has 2 loans in a bankruptcy status.

The total of all loans reporting in the 90-day or greater delinquency position was at 15, expressed as 0.8% unit delinquency on a portfolio of 1,877 loans and at 0.2% 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 Second 23

Veterans’ Home Loan Program Second Quarter 2018 Cody Cox – Home Loan Program Manager

Quarter 2018 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 2.28%, FHA home loans in Oregon were at 4.89% and Conventional Prime home loans Oregon were at 1.75%. For this reporting period, the total delinquency for the ODVA home loan program was 1.5% at 28 units, down 2 units from the previous report.

Quarterly Staffing News •

No changes to staff during 2nd QTR 2018.

24

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director

There is an apparent winner for the RFP regarding the two veterans’ homes, which is VCCO. A protest has been filed and the Department is working with our DOJ attorney regarding this.

Ana attended the Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention Summit with members from ODVA. She also conducted a training regarding Oregon’s Long-Term Care system in July. This training was attended by all of AVS, as well as a few other staff within ODVA. The topics for this training included different licensed care settings, resident rights and abuse. Ana also attended the NASVH Summer Conference in San Antonio where she was able to network with other states and federal VA representatives.

Kelly Breshears assisted with the Vet Expo in Medford. In addition, Kelly helped file several claims for veterans who reside in the homes, or are represented by ODVA either as rep-payee or in the conservatorship program. Lastly, Kelly has been working with IT regarding the new conservatorship software solution, which will streamline and decrease workload for the staff in the conservatorship section.

Aging Veteran Outreach This position has been posted and we are looking forward to having someone in the position within the next couple of months.

Veteran Volunteer Mark Newell has been actively working on creating a volunteer training manual which is almost complete. He is actively involved in the Stand Down occurring in Salem and has been networking throughout the state with other state agencies and agency partners such as Oregon Lottery and Battle Buddies. In addition, he sat in on the weeklong training provided to VSO’s to acclimate himself regarding veteran claims. He is anticipating recruiting and training volunteers within the next quarter.

Conservatorship Helen Ireland, Conservatorship Manager Candidates were interviewed for a Trust Officer Assistant position that was left vacant in midMarch of this year. Kathie Fitzenberger was offered the position and started with the agency on June 25th.

Kathie has a background in working with state programs, such as Medicaid. Her broad knowledge will benefit the department greatly.

A temporary employee has been filing the role as assistant to the representative payee to manage the program which consists of approximately 135 clients. The position of assistant to the representative payee was opened for recruitment and candidates were interviewed. Angela Brown was offered the position and formally started with the agency at the end of June.

25

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director All staff attended a training event hosted by the Guardian Conservator Association of Oregon in August.

Conservatorship and Representative Payee Demographics 2 10 5

18

27

10

10

26 40

77

41 6

55

11 11

Nursing Home

Residential Care Facility

Adult Foster Home

Assisted Living Facility

Room & Board Facility

Hospital

Independent Living

Relative Care

Incarcerated

Homeless

114

WWII

Korea

Vietnam

Peace Time

Gulf War

Other (non-veteran)

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

Oregon Veterans’ Home, Lebanon Jeremy Woodall, Program Director Renovation on the parking lot is moving forward and the completion of it will be great for everyone. In the meantime, reminders have been shared with staff about where to park and appropriate speeds in the parking lot areas. Given the continued high temperatures, staff have shifted activities around keeping activities outside to early morning times.

Staff continue to work with community partners. Some examples include: • Lebanon hosted the Oregon Jamboree opening musical acts over a six-week period. The concerts on Wednesday afternoons were, for many of our veteran residents, the highlight of their week.

• The facility garden is going well. The following groups helped to make the garden successful: o Sheryl Casteen, OSU Extension Master Gardener/Comp NW Community Service o Ron Pockrus, from the Northwest Steelheaders o Home Depot o Jeff Smith from Tuefel Landscaping

26

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director OVHL Demographics 3 14

3

17

20

29

41 57

61

33 11 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 OVH TD has completed their remodel. There is a meeting scheduled for August 16th to discuss the new art work that is going into the building. All of OVHTDs’ old furniture has been replaced and now the residents have brand new chairs, tables and other accessories.

The county of Wasco has been hit very hard by wild fires in the recent days. The building was on Alert for the Substation fire but fair winds helped OVH stay safe and push the fire the fields about a mile behind us. The Veterans raised funds to send refreshments to the fire fighters in the field. The fire fighters felt honored that our nation’s heroes supported them.

A veteran with a service animal is being cared for in the building. Community members are coming in to help care for the dog. The outreach and support for this veteran has been wonderful.

Staff continue to work with our community partners such as Wasco and Hood River County and USDVA. Some examples include: • Senator Wyden came for a visit with the veterans. He helped serve them lunch and answered questions. The event was well received by vets and reinforced that they are valued and important.

• Portland USDVA Director came to visit the home. This visit included recognizing the sacrifice our veterans have made with special recognition for Vietnam Veterans. This event was attended by almost every Vietnam vet in the building. This event was attended by veterans from the community as well.

27

AGING VETERANS’ SERVICES

Ana Potter, Director Kelly Breshears, Assistant Director • •

Veterans outreach to Red Cross shelters to locate veterans in need during evacuation of wild fires.

Assisted 1 aging veteran with temporary housing in a hotel until he was able to return home.

Co-sponsored a booth with Wasco County at the Fort Dalles Firework Show. Was able to share information about veterans’ assistance and made contact with 22 veterans regarding services in Oregon.

OVHTD census reflects 95 men and 28 women with 3 women Veterans. The average age of our residents is 79.26 years old.

OVHTD Demographics

13

3

10

19

28 20 25

48

43 6 4

WWII

Korea

Peace Time

Gulf War

Vietnam

Air Force

Army

Coast Guard

Marine

Navy

Spouse

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

28

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

1. September Legislative Days: September 24-26 The Legislature convenes during the interim for special meeting days, called "Legislative Days." During Legislative Days, committees may hold informational hearings on topics that could lead to legislation in upcoming sessions, hear updates on implementations of past legislation, hear reports from state agencies and Task Forces, and keep current on the subject areas which affect Oregonians. During Legislative Days, the Senate may also convene for the purpose of making executive appointments.

Legislative Days are Monday through Wednesday, September 24-26. House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness will meet on September 26 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness will meet on September 26 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Senate Rules Committee will probably address Senate confirmations of the Governor’s appointment of a new Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) Director, that then goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

2. Reports to the Legislature Under a number of statutes, ODVA must write and submit five reports to the Legislature that are due in August and September 2018.

Report

Bill

Women Veteran Coordinator LGBTQ Coordinator -- Implementation report Campus Grant -- Implementation report

HB 3479 (2015) SB 946 (2015)

Roseburg Veterans Home --Status of establishing Rural Medical Workgroup -Findings/recommendations

HB 4038 (2018) HB 5006 (2017) Budget Note

SB 143 (2017)

Date due to Legislature September 15, 2018 September 15, 2018 August 31, 2018, ODVA send to VAAC and VAAC September 1, 2018 September 15, 2018

29

Addressee House/Senate Veterans Committees House/Senate Veterans Committees House/Senate Veterans Committees To VAAC for them to review Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly

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

In addition, ODVA is submitting the following informational letters to the House and Senate Veterans Committee in September.

Informational letter

Bill

Veteran Services Grant Fund --Implementation Report

HB 2891 (2017)

Potential sites for veterans’ cemeteries (state or tribal land) and feasibility of USDVA grant

HB 4038 (2018)

Date due to Legislature Not required, submit September 2018 Legislative D Not required, submit September 2018 Legislative Days

Addressee None specified Will submit to House/Senate Veterans C itt None specified Will submit to House/Senate Veterans Committees

3. Legislative Concepts ODVA submitted three legislative concepts, primarily technical and housekeeping concepts, that are in the process of being drafted as bills.

4. November 2018 and January 2019 Legislative Days Committees will meet again in mid- November 2018 and early January 2019 for Legislative Days, and there are usually discussions of committee or member legislative concepts.

5. 2019 Legislative Session The 2019 Legislative Session will begin in early February and continue through June.

30

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

1. Reports to the Legislature Under a number of statutes, ODVA must write and submit five reports to the Legislature that are due in August and September 2018.

Report Women Veteran Coordinator --Implementation report LGBTQ Coordinator -- Implementation report Campus Grant -- Implementation report

Bill HB 3479 (2015)

Date due to Legislature September 15, 2018

Addressee House/Senate Veterans Committees

SB 946 (2015)

September 15, 2018

House/Senate Veterans Committees

SB 143 (2017)

August 31, 2018, ODVA send to VAAC and VAAC due September 15, 2018

House/Senate Veterans Committees To VAAC for them to review and recommend by September 15, 2018

Roseburg Veterans Home --Status of establishing home Rural Medical Workgroup --Findings/recommendations

HB 4038 (2018)

September 1, 2018

Legislative Assembly

HB 5006 (2017) Budget Note Pg. 25

September 15, 2018

Legislative Assembly

In addition, ODVA is submitting the following informational letters to the House and Senate Veterans Committee in September.

Informational letter Veteran Services Grant Fund --Implementation Report

Bill HB 2891 (2017)

Date due to Legislature Not required, submit September 2018 Legislative Days

Addressee None specified Will submit to House/Senate Veterans Committees

Potential sites for veterans’ cemeteries (state or tribal land) and feasibility of USDVA grant

HB 4038 (2018)

Not required, submit September 2018 Legislative Days

None specified Will submit to House/Senate Veterans Committees

2. ODVA SB 143 Campus Grant Implementation Executive Summary and Report and the VAAC SB 143 Campus Grant Implementation Report to Legislature The Campus Veterans Resource Grant program was created under Senate Bill 143 (2017). The bill provided $1 million in grant funds to ODVA to be awarded to public universities and community colleges for campus veteran resource centers and programs, including campus veteran resource coordinators.

SB 143 directs ODVA to prepare a legislative report on the implementation of the grant program and additional steps required to expand the program during the 2019-21 Biennium. In addition, SB 143 directs the Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee to provide an additional Legislative Report.

ODVA SB 143 Campus Grant Implementation Executive Summary and Report to Legislature Senate Bill 143, Section 3 reads: Sec. 3. No later than August 31, 2018, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall report to the interim legislative committees relating to veterans on the implementation of the grant programs established under section 1 of this 2017 Act and on further steps required to expand the programs during the 2019-2021 biennium. The department shall report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 and may include recommendations for legislation.

31

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

ODVA prepared and sent the both a two-page Executive Summary and the full Legislative Report to the House and Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committees on August 27, 2018.

• Executive Summary is Attachment A • Full Report is Attachment B VAAC SB 143 Campus Grant Implementation Report to Legislature Senate Bill 143, Section 4 reads: Sec. 4. No later than September 15, 2018, the Advisory Committee appointed under ORS 406.210 shall review and consider the grant programs established under section 1 of this 2017 Act, including the quarterly reports submitted by the grant recipients under section 1 (8) of this 2017 Act and the report prepared by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under section 3 of this 2017 Act, and report to the interim legislative committees relating to veterans.

The Advisory Committee shall evaluate the merits of the grant programs, how grants were awarded to community colleges and public universities and how grant funds were used by grant recipients.

The report must address funding priorities for implementation of legislation that will accomplish one or more of the purposes and objectives of this 2017 Act and make recommendations for legislation.

IMPORTANT: VOTE REQUIRED The VAAC Legislative Report must be submitted to the House and Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committees no later than September 15, 2018 The members of the committee need to read the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Executive summary and Legislative Reports (Attachment A and B).

A DRAFT VAAC Legislative Report has been prepared for the committee (Attachment C).

Please review the DRAFT report and determine whether any changes or additions should be made.

The VAAC must vote on a final version of the VAAC report at the September 5, 2018 meeting.

3. Legislative Concepts ODVA submitted three legislative concepts, primarily technical and housekeeping concepts, that are in the process of being drafted as bills.

4. November 2018 and January 2019 Legislative Days Committees will meet again in mid- November 2018 and early January 2019 for Legislative Days, and there are usually discussions of committee or member legislative concepts.

5. 2019 Legislative Session The 2019 Legislative Session will begin in early February and continue through June.

32

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

ATTACHMENT A

700 Summer St NE Salem, OR 97301 800-828-8801 | 503-373-2085 www.oregon.gov/odva

DATE: August 27, 2018 TO:

House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Legislative Administrator

FROM:

Mitch Sparks, Acting Director sparksm@odva.state.or.us Executive Summary of Legislative Report: SB 143 Campus Veterans Resource Grant Program Implementation

Overview The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is pleased to submit this executive summary of the Legislative Report on the implementation of the Campus Veterans Resource Grant program created under Senate Bill 143 (2017) that provided $1 million in grant funds to ODVA to be awarded to public universities and community colleges for campus veteran resource centers and programs, including campus veteran resource coordinators. SB 143 directs ODVA to prepare a legislative report on the implementation of the grant program and additional steps required to expand the program during the 2019-21 Biennium. In addition, SB 143 directs the Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee to provide an additional Legislative Report.

Purpose of the Grant Program The purpose of the Campus Veterans Grant Program is to expand veteran resource centers and programs to help veterans: 1) successfully transition from military service to college life; 2) succeed in college and complete educational goals; and 3) transition from college to the workforce and the community.

Uses of Grant Funds SB 143 limited the use of funds to expanding and enhancing existing campus veteran resource centers to: • Recruit and employ campus veteran resource coordinators who can serve as liaisons to provide advocacy, understanding and resource connections for veterans.

• Attract veterans to enroll in/attend programs at community colleges/public universities.

• Provide assistance, guidance and support to veterans in completing educational goals.

• Provide resources to college administrators, faculty, and staff to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the strengths, unique challenges and needs of veterans.

• Refer campus veterans to local county veterans’ service officers for benefits.

• Assist veterans in successfully transitioning to work and community life.

Implementation, Grant Awards and Outcomes ODVA wrote rules and then issued a Request for Grant Proposals on October 10, 2017, with a submission deadline of November 21, 2017. An eight-member grant evaluation committee was formed that included three members of the ODVA Advisory Committee, two ODVA staff member, a member of the Oregon National Guard, one outside veteran, and a private university registrar. Fourteen of the 25 public universities and community colleges submitted grant proposals. Note that some community colleges do not have a large enough veteran enrollment to support a campus veteran program. ODVA hired a Campus Student Veteran Coordinator in November 2017.

Serving Oregon Veterans Since 1945 33

The public universities and community colleges requested a total of $1,109,851. The evaluation committee awarded $1 million to 14 schools and Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs disbursed the funds on December 20, 2017.

Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program Funds Awarded School Total Request Blue Mountain CC - Pendleton $81,000 Chemeketa CC - Salem $32,429 Clackamas CC - Oregon City $85,683 Eastern Oregon University – La Grande $33,732 Klamath CC - Klamath Falls $89,997 Lane CC - Eugene $100,000 Linn-Benton CC - Albany $98,900 Mt. Hood CC - Gresham $83,720 Oregon State University - Corvallis $98,251 Portland CC - Portland $100,000 Rogue CC - Grants Pass $100,000 Southwestern Oregon CC - Coos Bay $54,092 University of Oregon - Eugene $65,347 Western Oregon University - Monmouth $86,700 Total Amount Requested/Awarded $1,109,851

Total Award $50,500 $32,429 $85,683 $33,732 $85,896 $100,000 $92,900 $60,720 $78,251 $85,000 $100,000 $54,092 $54,097 $86,700 $1,000,000

Although the program is only into it seventh month of operation, the schools have reported a number of positive outcomes, including: • Two schools established new veteran resource centers (VRC); a third school is in construction.

• Eight schools completed upgrades to existing VRC’s; two others schools are in progress.

• Four schools recruited and hired new Campus Veteran Outreach Coordinators.

• Two schools purchased and implemented training software to increase awareness of student veteran needs for staff and faculty members.

• Two schools started a new college entry course specifically designed for student veterans.

• Four schools hosted several outreach events which include job fair and career orientations.

• One school reported a 5% increase in student veteran enrollment since receiving grant funds.

• Four schools are jointly hosting a statewide student veteran conference in September 2018, with guest speakers and workshops to assist veterans through school and transition to the workforce.

ODVA Campus Student Veteran Coordinator The ODVA Campus Student Veteran Coordinator has visited eight grant recipient campuses and two nongrant recipient campuses to work with the veteran service coordinators on best practices for student veteran engagement and reviewed grant implementation and outcomes. He is working with the VA Education Liaison Representative and Higher Education Coordinating Commission student veteran representatives to coordinate advising and training for public university and community college veteran service personnel. A statewide campus veteran coordinator workshop is scheduled for Spring 2019.

Expanding the Program: 2019-21 Biennium Currently, provisions in Senate Bill 143 sunset the program on January 2, 2020. ODVA is proposing legislation to eliminate the sunset provision in order to continue the program. The Campus Veteran Grant Program already shows signs of great success. ODVA recommends funding for the 2019-21 biennium with the following priorities: veteran resource coordinators; projects and activities oriented toward transitioning to the workforce; innovative projects to enhance student veteran engagement; improvements or expansion of existing veteran resource centers (remodeling, equipment and furniture upgrades, etc.); and to allow eligible schools to apply for grant funds which did not apply during 2017-19 Biennium.

Full report: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Reports.aspx Contact: Laurie Skillman, ODVA Senior Policy Advisory on this report and related reporting at laurie.skillman@state.or.us

2

34

Department of Veterans’ Affairs 700 Summer St NE Salem, OR 97301 800-828-8801 | 503-373-2085 www.oregon.gov/odva ATTACHMENT B DATE: August 27, 2018 TO:

House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Legislative Administrator

FROM:

Mitch Sparks, Acting Director sparksm@odva.state.or.us

Legislative Report: SB 143 Campus Veterans Resource Grant Program Implementation Link to Report: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Reports.aspx Contact: Laurie Skillman, ODVA Senior Policy Advisory on this report and related reporting at laurie.skillman@state.or.us

Overview The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) is pleased to submit this Legislative Report on the implementation of the Campus Veterans Resource Grant program created under Senate Bill 143 (2017) that provided $1 million in grant funds to ODVA to be awarded to public universities and community colleges for campus veteran resource centers and programs, including campus veteran resource coordinators. SB 143 directs ODVA to prepare a legislative report on the implementation of the grant program and additional steps required to expand the program during the 2019-21 Biennium. In addition, SB 143 directs the Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee to provide an additional Legislative Report.

Purpose of the Grant Program The purpose of the Campus Veterans Grant Program is to expand veteran resource centers and programs to help veterans: 1) Successfully transition from military service to college life; 2) Succeed in college and complete educational goals; and 3) Transition from college to the workforce and the community.

Uses of Grant Funds SB 143 limited the use of funds to expanding and enhancing existing campus veteran resource centers to: • Recruit and employ campus veteran resource coordinators who can serve as liaisons to provide advocacy, understanding and resource connections for veterans.

• Attract veterans to enroll in/attend programs at community colleges/public universities.

• Provide assistance, guidance and support to veterans in completing educational goals.

• Provide resources to college administrators, faculty, and staff to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the strengths, unique challenges and needs of veterans.

• Refer campus veterans to local county veterans’ service officers for benefits.

• Assist veterans in successfully transitioning to work and community life.

35

Implementation, Grant Awards and Outcomes ODVA had never developed and implemented a grant program and all processes and procedures need to be developed. The first step was to develop an implementation plan and set up systems and processes (Attachment A: Detailed Implementation Timeline). Before ODVA could issue a Request for Grant Proposals, the following processes needed to be completed: • Develop timeline • Write and publish administrative rules • Develop mailing list of key individuals at all Oregon community college and public universities • Contact all community colleges and public universities; send notices about the grant program (Attachment B: Notice to Oregon Community Colleges and Public Universities) • Develop the requirements for the grant proposals (form and content of proposals, statutory requirements, scoring requirements, documents needed, etc.)

• Develop 26-page Request for Grant Proposal • Establish Grant Proposal Evaluation Committee • Create Grant contracts The deadline for community college and public universities to submit grant proposals was November 1, 2017.

An eight-member grant evaluation committee was established that included three members of the ODVA Advisory Committee, two ODVA staff members, a member of the Oregon National Guard, one outside veteran, and a private university registrar. The Evaluation Committee review all application and then met on December 12, 2017 to consider the grant proposals from the 14 public universities and community colleges that submitted proposals. Note: There are 25 community colleges and public universities in Oregon; some community colleges do not have a enough veterans to support a campus veteran program.

On December 19, 2018, ODVA sent award letters sent to successful Proposers with grant contracts and funds were deployed in early January, 2018.

The public universities and community colleges requested a total of $1,109,851. The evaluation committee awarded $1 million to 14 schools and Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs disbursed the funds on December 20, 2017.

Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program Funds Awarded School Total Request Blue Mountain CC - Pendleton $81,000 Chemeketa CC - Salem $32,429 Clackamas CC - Oregon City $85,683 Eastern Oregon University – La Grande $33,732 Klamath CC - Klamath Falls $89,997 Lane CC - Eugene $100,000 Linn-Benton CC - Albany $98,900 Mt. Hood CC - Gresham $83,720 Oregon State University - Corvallis $98,251 Portland CC - Portland $100,000 Rogue CC - Grants Pass $100,000 Southwestern Oregon CC - Coos Bay $54,092 University of Oregon - Eugene $65,347 Western Oregon University - Monmouth $86,700 Total Amount Requested/Awarded $1,109,851

2 36

Total Award $50,500 $32,429 $85,683 $33,732 $85,896 $100,000 $92,900 $60,720 $78,251 $85,000 $100,000 $54,092 $54,097 $86,700 $1,000,000

Although the program is only into it seventh month of operation, the schools have reported a number of positive outcomes in their first quarterly reports and reviewed by the coordinator in April 2018 (Attachment C: Initial Outcomes and Photographs). These outcomes included: • Two schools established new veteran resource centers (VRC); a third school is in construction.

• Eight schools completed upgrades to existing VRC’s; two others schools are in progress.

• Four schools recruited and hired new Campus Veteran Outreach Coordinators.

• Two schools purchased and implemented training software to increase awareness of student veteran needs for staff and faculty members.

• Two schools started a new college entry course specifically designed for student veterans.

• Four schools hosted several outreach events which include job fair and career orientations.

• One school reported a 5% increase in student veteran enrollment since receiving grant funds.

• Four schools are jointly hosting a statewide student veteran conference in September 2018, with guest speakers and workshops to assist veterans through school and transition to the workforce.

ODVA Campus Student Veteran Coordinator On November 1, 2017, Bob Small became the ODVA Campus Student Veteran Coordinator to manage the implementation of the grant program and to facilitate and coordinate supportive services for veterans at all community colleges and universities in Oregon. Mr. Small works within the ODVA Statewide Veterans’ Services Division (SVS).

The responsibilities of the Campus Student Veteran Coordinator include: 1) Review and maintain all grant quarterly reports to ensure grant funds are utilized within the scope of the legislation; 2) Establish a network of campus veteran resource offices in the state of Oregon; 3) Provide Training and guidance on best practices to advocate and mentor student veterans who are enrolled, or veterans who are completing their degree requirements; 4) Provide direct liaison with the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs Education Liaison Representative, County Veteran Service Offices, and other stakeholders to maximize the ability for campus veteran resource coordinators throughout the state to effectively advocate for student veterans; 5) Provide ongoing and annual training to campus veteran coordinator staff on state education benefits, VA education benefits, and best practices for veteran student engagement.

Over the last nine months, Mr. Small has visited the campuses of eight grant recipient and two non-grant recipients to advise the veteran service coordinators on best practices for student veteran engagement and review applicable grant implementation. Grant recipients visted included: Chemeketa CC; Klamath CC; Lane CC; Linn-Benton CC; Oregon State University; Portland CC; Rogue CC and Western Oregon University. Non-grant schools visited included Southern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology. Non Grant Recipient Mr. Small coordinated with the US Department of Veterans Affairs Education Liaison Representative to provide statewide workshops in six locations, to train veteran resource personnel on latest updates on federal VA and Oregon education benefits in cooperation with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the Oregon National Guard Education Service Office. These meetings and session were in Pendleton, Bend, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Salem and Portland.

Additionally, Mr. Small has been working closely with campus veteran coordinators from Chemeketa Community College, Western Oregon University, Oregon State University, and Linn-Benton Community College to plan and organize a statewide Oregon Student Veteran Conference to be held at Western Oregon University September 28th through 30th. This conference will provide veteran students with valuable information related to academic success, community resources, and career information to help ensure a successful transition after their academic completion.

3 37

Mr. Small also attended three outreach events offering resources and contact information related to community colleges and university campuses and veteran education benefits, including the Run To Remember 5K Event in Salem, the ODVA Oregon Veteran Exposition in Medford, and the MidWillamette Valley Veterans Stand-Down in Salem.

Expanding the Program: 2019-21 Biennium Currently, the provisions of Senate Bill 143 creating the program sunset on January 2, 2020. ODVA is proposing legislation to eliminate the sunset provision in order to continue the program. (Attachment C: Chapter 731, Oregon Laws 2017—See Section 5).

The Campus Veteran Grant Program already shows signs of great success. ODVA recommends funding for the 2019-21 biennium with the following priorities, in order of priority: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Veteran resource coordinators.

Projects and activities oriented toward transitioning to the workforce.

Innovative projects to enhance student veteran engagement.

Improvements or expansion of existing veteran resource centers (remodeling, equipment and furniture upgrades, etc.)

Allow eligible schools to apply for grant funds that did not apply during the 2017-19 Biennium.

Attachments Attachment A: Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program Implementation Timeline Attachment B: Notice to Oregon Community Colleges and Public Universities Attachment C: Initial Outcomes of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grants Photographs of Campus Veteran Resource Centers Attachment D: Chapter 731, Oregon Laws 2017 (Senate Bill 143)

4 38

Attachment A: Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program Implementation Timeline Senate Bill 143 (2017) became effective on August 15, 2017.

July – September 2017 • Developed timeline • Developed 26-page Request for Grant Proposal • Developed and wrote administrative rules • Developed mailing list of key individuals at all Oregon community college and public universities, including the President, campus veteran coordinators, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs Certifying Official at that school • Grant Proposal Evaluation Committee established September 2017 • Prepared and sent a notice to Oregon all individuals on the community colleges and public universities the mailing list about the campus veteran resource center grant program and detailed information on the request for grant proposals (See Exhibit B: Notice to Oregon Community Colleges and Public Universities) October 2017 • October 1-9: Administrative rules filed • October 10: Request for Grant Proposal sent to call community colleges and public universities • October through November: Responded to questions from proposers via email November 2017 • November 1: ODVA Campus Student Veteran Coordinator position filled • November 8: All proposer question of the grant proposal due • November 21: Closing date for submitting proposals no later than 3:00 pm PST • November 28: All grant proposals sent to eight-member Evaluation Committee December 2017 • December 12: Grant Proposal Evaluation Committee meets and determines awards • December 19: Award letters sent to successful Proposers with contracts January 2018 • Grant contracts signed and funds sent to recipients January 2018 – July 2019 • Grant recipient Quarterly Report due dates 2018: First quarter: April 30, 2018. Second quarter: July 31, 2018. Third quarter: October 31, 2018. Fourth quarter: January 31, 2019.

• Grant recipient Quarterly Report due dates 2018: First quarter: April 30, 2019. Second quarter: July 31, 2019; no later than August 31, 2019 • ODVA reports to interim legislative committees on implementation and further steps to expand the program during the 2019-2021 biennium. Due: No later than August 31, 2018 • Advisory Committee shall review and consider the grant program, quarterly reports, and the ODVA report and report to the interim legislative committees on evaluation of merits of the grant programs, how grants were awarded and how grant funds were used. The report must address funding priorities and recommend legislation. Due: No later than September 15, 2018 5 39

Attachment B: Notice to Oregon Community Colleges and Public Universities The following notice was sent on letterhead from Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs : Notice to Oregon Community Colleges and Public Universities Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program Information on the Request for Grant Proposals September 28, 2017 On October 10, 2017, the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) will issue a Request for Grant Proposals for the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program. The deadline for submitting grant proposals is November 21, 2017. Only Oregon community colleges and public universities are eligible to apply for a grant.

Background The 2017 Oregon State Legislature passed Senate Bill 143, establishing a $1 million grant program to expand campus veteran resource centers on the campuses of Oregon community colleges and public universities. SB 143: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB143 The purpose of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grant Program (“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.

The bill requires ODVA to develop and implement the grant program and award multiple one-time grants on a competitive basis. The Legislature also allocated funds to ODVA to hire a Statewide Campus Veteran Coordinator to oversee the program and provide training and technical assistance to campus veteran resource coordinators.

Only Oregon community colleges and public universities (grant “Proposers”) may apply for a grant. Each community college or university may submit only one grant proposal. A grant proposal may include more than one project; however, the proposal must describe the goals, objectives, outcome measures and requested award amount for each project.

The maximum grant award is $100,000. Grants will be awarded for an 18-month term and funds must be used during the period January 2018 through June 2019. If a Grant Proposal includes more than one project, grants may be awarded to some, all or none of the individual projects. Successful applicants must submit quarterly reports that demonstrate measureable outcomes.

Purposes of Campus Veterans Resource Center Programs The purposes of Campus Veterans Resource Center Programs are to help Oregon veterans successfully transition during three important stages: 1) from military service to college life; 2) during college and completion of a certificate or degree program; and 3) from college to the workforce and community.

6 40

The veteran resource centers provide a place for veterans to get assistance and support from campus resource coordinators, connect with other veterans, study, and network. A veteran resource center provides a veteran with a “home base” on campus. Campus veteran resource coordinators help veterans transition to campus life, support them while completing their education, and assist in the transition from the campus to the workforce. Campus veteran resource coordinators provide support and connect veterans with local state county and federal resources. Resource coordinators serve as a critical link to the county veteran service officers who provide advocacy for veterans obtaining federal benefits.

Current Status of Oregon Campus Veterans Programs: See Exhibit A existing programs.

Eligible Proposers Only Oregon community colleges and public universities may apply for grant funds. In addition, SB 143 established strict eligibility requirements for applicants, including: 1. At the time of application, the CC/PU must have: • A campus veterans resource center; or • A campus veterans resource coordinator (or intends to hire a coordinator prior to the distribution of grant funds); or • Both a veteran resource center and a coordinator.

2. The CC/PU must provide resources and matching funds and describe these in the budget proposal. Examples. The following list is provided solely to illustrate the possible examples of resources and matching funds and is not meant to limit possibilities: • The CC/PU provides or increases space on the campus premises for the veteran resource center.

• The CC/PU may use up to $25,000 of grant funds to pay a campus veteran resource coordinator’s salary, if the CC/PU matches at least 50% ($12,500) for that purpose.

• The CC/PU may provide computers or furniture.

• The CC/PU may provide and pay the expenses of a work-study student.

• The CC/PU may pay the entire salary for the coordinator or an assistant.

• The CC/PU may provide space and staffing for meals or events.

IMPORTANT: Grant funds cannot be used to supplant existing resources provided by the CC/PU. Grant funds cannot be used to pay salaries of VA Certifying Officials.

3. The CC/PU must demonstrate its capacity to administer any grant funds awarded and the ability to comply with all applicable federal and state laws.

Grant Proposal Goals, Objectives and Measurable Outcomes Goals. The grant funds must be used to meet one or more of the three fundamental goals: 1. Successfully transition from the military into an Oregon community college or public university.

2. Succeed in an Oregon CC/PU and complete their educational goals.

3. Successfully transition from college to the workforce and community.

Objectives. In addition to meeting fundamental goals for the program, the grant funds must be used for one or more of the following broad objectives: 7 41

a) Expand and enhance an existing campus resource center on campus premises. b) Recruit and employ campus veterans resource coordinators who can serve as liaisons to provide advocacy, understanding and resource connections for veterans. c) Attract veterans to enroll in and attend educational programs at the CC/PU. d) Provide assistance, guidance and support to veterans in completing educational goals and objectives. e) Provide resources to college administrations, faculty and staff to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the strengths, unique challenges and needs of veterans and their families. f) Refer campus veterans to the local county veteran service officers appointed under ORS 408.410 who assist veterans in obtaining federal and state veteran benefits. g) Assist veterans in successfully transitioning to work and community life by connecting veterans with workforce and employment resources.

Measurable Outcomes. Grant proposals must include specific measurable outcomes. A measurable outcome is a statement of the intended specific objective (rather than the process for achieving the objective); it is a result that can be measured. The outcome is a statement of the specific result the Proposer intends to achieve.

Exhibit B has some ideas for proposals that are not suggestions or limitations on grant proposals, but are provided to inspire.

Timeline and Dates Date Issued: Proposals due: Award Notices Sent: Grant Period:

October 10, 2017 November 21, 2017 by 3:00 pm PST December 19, 2017 January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019

The Request for Grant Proposals will be emailed to all Oregon community colleges and public universities. In addition, the request will be posted on the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs website, www.oregon.gov/odva. If you know an individual who should be added to the email list about this RFGP, please send their information to me. I will be coordinating the grant process.

Yours,

Laurie Skillman Senior Policy Advisor | laurie.skillman@state.or.us | (503)-373-2016

8 42

Exhibit A: Current Campus Veterans Programs

Universities 1

Oregon State University

Veteran Center YES

Veteran Coordinator YES

2

Portland State University

YES

YES

3

University of Oregon

YES

YES Part-time

4

Oregon Institute of Technology

NO

NO

5

Southern Oregon University

YES

YES Part-time

6

Western Oregon University

YES

YES

7

Eastern Oregon University

YES

YES Part-time

8

OHSU

TOTALS

NO

NO

6

3 FT 3 PT

9 43

Notes Enrolls over 1,000 veteran students/family members. To 334 Western Oregon State Portland State? And Veterans lounge in the Memorial Union. Veterans resource Center in Snell Hall. Full time coordinator.

Full-time director and office manager and three VA federal work-study students who support the transition from “rucksack to backpack.”

Center: 4 computers, free printing. Coordinator is a graduate employee at .49 FTE fall-spring plus Student workers. Peer Advisors For Veteran Education program pairs new veterans with returning veterans. Half-day New Student Veteran orientation throughout the year.

Veteran support services embedded into student services programs. Veterans lounge. OIT ranked #2 for Best West Colleges for Veterans by US News & World Report.

Center has 5 computers, 1 printer. Part-time coordinator is also certifying official. Employ six student veterans. Regular lunches for new veterans. Peer support and a free tutor. Resources for veterans and dependents.

Veterans Success Center. Free: veterans only parking, MacBook rental, printing, storage lockers, study rooms, lounge area, Internet access.

Memorial Day Banquet, new student orientation, monthly newsletter, campus outreach. Onsite county and state resources.

Center is a student lounge; computer access. .5 FTE coordinator assists veterans face academic struggles. Free, intro Humanities class taught by a veteran for veterans: “When Two Worlds Collide.”

Community Colleges 1

Portland CC (4 campuses) PCC: Sylvania

PCC: Rock Creek

PCC: Cascade

Veteran Center

Veteran Coordinator

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES Part-time

2

PCC: Southeast

NO

NO

Central Oregon Community College

YES

NO

3

Lane Community College

YES

NO

4

Rogue Community College

NO

NO

5

Chemeketa Community College

NO

YES

6

Mt Hood Community College

NO

NO

7

Clackamas Community College

YES

YES

Linn-Benton Community College

YES

Part-time NO

8.

10 44

Notes

Center has computer stations, printing, work/study opportunities, meetings, activities, social events and safe space to study/relax. Full-time veteran coordinator.

Center has computer stations, printing, work/study opportunities, meetings, activities, social events and safe space to study/relax. Full-time veteran coordinator.

Center has computer stations, printing, work/study opportunities, meetings, activities, social events and safe space to study/relax. Part-time veteran coordinator.

A place for veterans to relax, connect with other vets, discuss resources and to have a dedicated place. No coordinator.

Center offers PC and Mac computer stations, Internet access Wi-Fi and printer. Lounge study area, notebook computer loan program, and coffee. No coordinator.

Coordinator develops a number of events for veterans and assists with resources.

Veteran’s coordinator also a certifying official, but primary duties are as coordinator. Second person is primarily certifying official.

Veterans Club began 2010, 30-50 members. Offers mentoring/camaraderie. Physical location spring

2016. No coordinator—volunteer veteran/ faculty advisor.

9.

Umpqua Community College

NO

NO

10

Treasure Valley CC

NO

NO

11

Klamath CC

NO

NO

12

Southwestern Oregon CC

NO

NO

13

Clatsop CC

NO

NO

14

Blue Mountain CC

NO

NO

15

Tillamook Bay CC

NO

NO

16

Columbia Gorge CC

NO

NO

17

Oregon Coast CC

NO

NO

6 CC

3 FT 2 PT

TOTALS

(8 total)

11 45

Note: Six community colleges have resource centers. PCC has centers on three of its four campuses, for a total of 8 veteran resource centers in Oregon.

Exhibit B: Potential Grant Projects The purpose of this exhibit is to list potential projects that may be eligible for grant funds. Projects are grouped by fundamental goal of the program.

SB 143 states: Grant recipients may use grant funds for the expansion and enhancement of existing campus veteran resource center programs, including training campus veteran coordinators, purchasing computer and other equipment and supplies, hiring additional staff, hosting veteran events, facilitating access to workforce and community resources that were not previously available and meeting other identified needs for the successful and continued operation of the existing centers and coordinators.

The examples in this section are not limitations on potential projects. Instead, they are provided to inspire.

Goal: Successfully transition from the military into a public university or community college.

•

•

• • •

Develop and implement a veteran-specific orientation and welcome program. o The orientation may include family members. o Include how to use the G.I. Bill for tuition, for housing, and for books. o Explain and introduce campus advisors. o Describe available services on campus and off-campus. o Host an event for new and returning veterans to introduce veterans and their families to each other.

Develop and implement a program to regularly train campus administration and staff on student veterans. Include how student veterans are different from traditional students, in terms of work experience, families and goals. Include specific needs for veterans.

Develop and implement a program to train campus veteran coordinator and staff on federal VA related programs.

Develop and implement a peer-to-peer buddy system or mentoring program for new veterans on campus.

Develop and implement a job fair to help student veterans find employment during CC/PU, including work-study.

Goal: Student veterans succeed in CC/PU and complete their educational goals.

• • •

Design, develop and create exclusive study areas for veterans. This may include purchasing desks, computers, printers, paper, and supplies.

Design and implement a veterans’ peer-to-peer program. This may include training and recruiting volunteers for the program, employing individuals to run the program, and establishing events.

Develop, plan, coordinate and implement events for student veterans and their families including: o Peer-to-peer events o Events to develop and establish social support structures o Events to giving student veterans a voice on campus o Events designed to provide information on resources 12 46

Events to providing a place for networking Events to bring together non-veterans and veterans through informational speakers Events that coordinate with County Vet current Service Offices and local partners for advocacy and services Develop and implement a food bank within the campus veteran resource center or on campus.

Develop a program to work with and train professors, administration, and staff individually on veterans issues and to help with individual veterans.

Develop a program to work with and train professors, administration, and staff to educate them about student veterans culture and specific needs.

Develop and implement a program for coordinating care for children of veterans.

Recruit, hire and train staff for the campus veterans resource center, including: o Student veteran coordinator o Assistant for veteran coordinator o Student workers Design and establish an ongoing workgroup for student veterans that meets regularly including individuals from the academic staff, administrative staff, student affairs, and veterans.

Develop a network with other public universities and community colleges on best practices for campus veteran resource centers. This networking could include training. o o o

• • • • •

• •

Goal: Veterans successfully transition from college to the workforce and community.

• • •

•

Develop and implement job fairs for student veterans.

Develop and implement training for staff on translating military experience into terms civilians understand.

Develop and establish a job locator network. The network could include the federal VA, WorkSource Oregon, nonprofits, private include lawyers, campus placement services, resource banks. The project could also include job lists and referrals in the campus veterans resource center.

Host networking events for student veterans with potential employers. This project could include coordinating with other public universities and community colleges.

13 47

Attachment C: Initial Outcomes of the Campus Veteran Resource Center Grants Fourteen Oregon community colleges and public universities received grant funds. As part of the grant proposal process, recipients were required to write specific, measureable outcomes.

The first Quarterly Reports due on April 30, 2018, and it was evident that there were a number of excellent outcomes. Below is a sample of these outcomes: Chemeketa Community College • Opened new Veteran Resource Center (VRC) on April 2, 2018. The old VRC was 196 square feet and the new space is 479 square feet. The center in now located in a high-traffic central location on campus and was equipped with all new furnishings and computer equipment. The increased space enables veteran students to use computer workstations in an open environment and allow outside veteran resource personnel to provide services in an easily accessible area that is familiar with veteran students. Chemeketa CC will provide data on the usage of the space in their third quarter report which follows the fall term enrollment period.

• Held several veteran student events which included job and career fairs and several student engagement events.

Klamath Community College • Hired Veterans’ Outreach Coordinator in May 2018. The position includes coordinating outreach activities to veterans who have not enrolled in a college or university, explaining the benefits of education—including the opportunity for a new job or career field.

• Opened new Veteran Resource Center on June 22, 2018. Klamath CC has never had a VRC. The new center is equipped with new computer work stations and furniture which allows student veterans an area to study and complete homework as well as an area to interact with fellow veteran students. The VRC also encompasses offices of the Veteran Resource Coordinator/Veteran Enrollment Advisor, the VA School Certifying Official, and the Veteran Outreach Coordinator. With these resources in one area, this allows “one stop” access for all the needs of the student veterans. The VRC also provides a space for community resources such as job and career advisors, housing and family service specialists, and Veteran Service Officers to meet with student veterans.

• Purchased “MyMathLab,” a math tutoring software (an online interactive and educational system) and distributed 43 copies to newly enrolled student veterans.

• Purchases text books purchased for a Veteran Lending Library located in the VRC. This text book lending library assists veterans who do not have funds for text books at the beginning of the school term to check out these books until they are able to buy them. This library will be selfsustaining due to the ability of the campus book store to buy back outdated text books and offer updated copies at a reduced cost to the VRC and through donations from other veteran students, faculty, and staff.

• Klamath CC Institutional Research Department reported an increase in student veteran enrollment by five percent for the spring quarter 2018 from spring 2017. Additionally they were able to report a two percent increase for the summer quarter 2018 from summer 2017.

Linn-Benton Community College • Hired new Veteran Resource Coordinator. This position provides veteran students a single point of contact to help them navigate their academic endeavors and challenges as well as offer

14 48

• •

resources for non-academic needs. The coordinator also organizes events and activities to provide information and career resources to veteran students.

Hired an academic tutor specifically for veteran students who meets with students in the Veteran Resource Center.

Hosted a “Career Café” career resource event with several state and federal agencies representing a broad range of civil service career opportunities for veterans.

Mount Hood Community College • Hired new Outreach Specialist for Veteran Services. The Veteran Outreach Coordinator is working with outside community resources which have identified veterans that may be potential students for enrollment. This position also provides a point of contact for community resources to assist student veterans with non-academic needs.

• Completed upgrades to the Veteran Resource Center, including new paint and finishes, seven new computers and a printer, new furniture, and a new coffee making system.

• Mt Hood CC will be providing data showing increase of veteran student activity when information is compiled.

• Developed and completed a curriculum for a veteran specific course “HD 208-Career and Life Planning for Veterans” which addresses the many challenges veterans face when transitioning from college to the work force. This veteran specific designed course is scheduled to be offered for the summer 2018 quarter.

• Scheduled veteran specific in-service training for faculty and staff to help understand the challenges that veterans may experience with the transition from military service to college life.

Oregon State University • Supported the attendance of veteran resource personnel to the NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) for professional development training.

• Purchased new ADA compliant furniture for the Veteran Resource Center • Completed computer station upgrades.

• Purchased “Kognito” software program. This software program is an interactive role-play simulation for veteran peer, faculty, and staff members that builds military cultural competency and appreciation for the challenges faced by student veterans, and prepares users to lead real-life conversations with students struggling to adjust to college life.

• Developed a student veteran-specific orientation that helps student veterans navigate through their first quarter of college experience. The student veterans are introduced to the veteran services staff, academic counselors, Disability Access Service personnel, and VA education benefits staff. This helps veteran students through the process of registration and the transition into college life.

Rogue Community College • Opened a new Veteran Resource Center. The VRC project involved the renovation of an unused space on campus and was completed on March 31, 2018. The previous area was very small and could accommodate only a small number of people. The new VRC has two separate areas. One of the areas is a large meeting room with a conference table to facilitate student veteran meetings and functions and is staffed by the part-time VRC Coordinator, work study students, and student employees. The other areas in the VRC are a computer lab and study room which provides a quiet area for studying and completing homework.

• Hired new part-time Veterans Resource Center Coordinator. This position assists with the day to day operations of the VRC and oversees student employees working in the VRC. • Developed and implemented a veteran specific “College Success and Survival” course (CG100V) which introduces veteran students to aspects of academic success centering on strategies for 15 49

•

discipline-specific and delivery-specific study habits. The course includes how to utilize webbased resources and tools. This class also focuses on achieving positive outcomes in the academic environment by using the frameworks of teaching and learning style interactions, college systems understanding, and positive behavior and communication skills. Additionally, it helps students make personal and social adjustments for college success. It focuses on college terms and information; class choice, degree requirements, use of library, and student services; balancing work, school and home demands; financial planning; forming study partnerships; and stress and time management. By developing a veteran specific curriculum, CG100V, rather the general student required course, CG100, this provides vital information which assists veteran students to transition into college life from military service.

Hosted a career oriented fieldtrip for veteran students to local businesses, which provided a hands on experience to the different aspects of career choices within a certain industry.

South Western Community College • Completed construction of new Veteran Resource Center. The VRC project was completed and ready for students to use on April 16, 2018. However, the building which the VRC is located is closed due to seismic upgrades and will not open until the fall quarter begins.

• Hired new Veteran Services Coordinator to oversee VRC and coordinate with outside community resources to assist veteran students. The position was initialized with grant funds, but the funding to continue the position beyond the grant period will be incorporated into the school’s next FY budget.

Western Oregon University • Completed upgrades and refurnished Veteran Resource Center. This included new paint and veteran oriented décor. New computers were purchased with ADA compliant furniture.

• Several student veteran activities were completed: Event to recognize student veterans academic achievements (Portland Winterhawks Game, March 16, 2018); two veteran LGBTQ events to raise awareness of the LGBTQ veteran community; women’s veteran social, to raise awareness and recognize the women student veteran members; Veterans Memorial Day Banquet, May 29, 2018 which brought student veterans together to remember their fallen brothers and sisters in arms and to gather support amongst their peers for their academic accomplishments.

Some of the colleges and universities faced challenges that presented obstacles getting their programs started immediately such as key administrative personnel changes and Human Resources procedures.

ODVA’s Campus Student Veteran Coordinator worked closely with the campuses facing these issues and progress has been made since the first quarter report. Additionally, there have been other minor obstacles with campuses implementing their programs such as costs of equipment adjustments since the Grant Proposals were submitted and technical problems with construction and renovation complications, computer hardware and software installation, and delivery of products. Overall, ODVA is pleased to report that the grant program has gotten off to a very good start and anticipates continued positive outcomes expected in future quarterly reports

Photographs of Campus Veteran Resource Centers (see next page) 16 50

17 51

Attachment D: Chapter 731, Oregon Laws 2017 (Senate Bill 143)

Note: Sections 1 and 3 to 5, chapter 731, Oregon Laws 2017, provide: Sec. 1. (1) As used in this section: (a) “Community college” has the meaning given that term in ORS 341.005. (b) “Public university” means a public university listed in ORS 352.002. (c) “Veteran” has the meaning given that term in ORS 408.225.

(2) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall develop and implement one or more conditional grant programs statewide to expand campus veteran resource centers on the campuses of Oregon community colleges and public universities. The purpose of the grant programs is to augment existing campus programs that help veterans successfully transition from military service to college life, succeed in college, complete educational goals and transition from college to the workforce and the community.

(3)(a) The department shall award multiple one-time grants under this section during the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, on a competitive basis to community colleges and public universities based on proposals submitted by the colleges and universities under subsection (5) of this section that: (A) Expand and enhance existing campus veteran resource centers on campus premises; (B) Recruit and employ campus veteran resource coordinators who can serve as liaisons to provide advocacy, understanding and resource connections for veterans; (C) Attract veterans to enroll in and attend educational programs at community colleges and public universities; (D) Provide assistance, guidance and support to veterans in completing educational goals and objectives; (E) Provide resources to college administrations, faculty and staff to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the strengths, unique challenges and needs of veterans and their families; (F) Refer campus veterans to local county veterans’ service officers appointed under ORS 408.410 who assist veterans in obtaining federal and state veteran benefits; (G) Assist veterans in successfully transitioning to work and community life by connecting veterans with workforce and employment resources; and (H) Provide resources and matching funds in an amount to be determined by the department. (b) Grant recipients may use grant funds awarded under this section for the expansion and enhancement of existing campus veteran resource center programs, including training campus veteran coordinators, purchasing computer and other equipment and supplies, hiring additional staff, hosting veteran events, facilitating access to workforce and community resources that were not previously available and meeting other identified needs for the successful and continued operation of the existing centers and coordinators. (c) A grant recipient may use up to $25,000 of grant funds awarded under this section to pay a campus veteran resource coordinator’s salary if the grant recipient commits to matching at least 50 percent of grant funds used for that purpose. (d) Grant recipients may not use grant funds awarded under this section to duplicate services provided by county veterans’ service officers appointed under ORS 408.410, as described in ORS 406.450. However, grant recipients may use grant funds awarded under this section to

18 52

provide additional information and aid that is not available through county veterans’ service officers.

(4) A community college or public university may submit a grant proposal under subsection (5) of this section if the community college or public university: (a) Is located in Oregon; (b) Has an existing campus veteran resource center or has, or intends to hire prior to the distribution of grant funds, a campus veteran resource coordinator; (c) Meets, or intends to meet prior to the distribution of grant funds, a majority of the criteria under subsection (3)(a) of this section; and (d) Demonstrates its capacity to administer any funds awarded under this section in compliance with the requirements of this section and all applicable federal and state laws.

(5) A community college or public university that meets the requirements of subsection (4) of this section may apply for grant funds under this section by submitting a grant proposal to the department in the form determined by the department.

(6) When determining which grant proposals to fund, the department shall make funds available statewide and may: (a) Give priority to those proposals that the department determines are best designed to help veterans successfully transition from military service to college life, succeed in college, complete educational goals and transition from college to the workforce and the community; or (b) Concentrate funds and resources in those areas of the state with the greatest need for veteran assistance programs, as determined by the department.

(7)(a) The department shall award grant funds to a successful applicant in an amount equal to the least of: (A) The amount supported by the applicant’s application; (B) $100,000; or (C) Any other amount determined by the department to further the purpose of the grant program. (b) The department shall issue a grant award letter to the applicant setting forth a grant recipient’s reporting requirements under subsection (8) of this section and describing the restrictions on the use of grant funds under subsection (3) of this section and as may be determined by the department. (c) The grant recipient may not use grant funds for purposes other than those designated by the department in the recipient’s award letter.

(8) Within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, each grant recipient shall provide a program report to the department. The quarterly report must include a narrative of the following: (a) Summary of program activities; (b) Description of program successes; (c) Discussion of challenges the grant recipient has encountered implementing the program; (d) Accounting of how grant funds have been used; and (e) Any other information the department requires.

(9) The department may collaborate with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission in developing and implementing the programs established under this section.

(10) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations from public and private sources to further the purposes of this section.

(11) The department shall adopt rules that prescribe: (a) The procedures for the grant application process, including grant review and approval; (b) Grant recipient reporting requirements; 19 53

(c) Measurable goals and outcome requirements; (d) Allowable uses of grant funds; (e) Procedures for disbursement of grant funds; (f) Recordkeeping requirements; and (g) Any additional procedures the department determines necessary to implement the provisions of this section. [2017 c.731 §1] Sec. 3. No later than August 31, 2018, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall report to the interim legislative committees relating to veterans on the implementation of the grant programs established under section 1 of this 2017 Act and on further steps required to expand the programs during the 2019-2021 biennium. The department shall report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 and may include recommendations for legislation. [2017 c.731 §3] Sec. 4. No later than September 15, 2018, the Advisory Committee appointed under ORS 406.210 shall review and consider the grant programs established under section 1 of this 2017 Act, including the quarterly reports submitted by the grant recipients under section 1 (8) of this 2017 Act and the report prepared by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under section 3 of this 2017 Act, and report to the interim legislative committees relating to veterans. The Advisory Committee shall evaluate the merits of the grant programs, how grants were awarded to community colleges and public universities and how grant funds were used by grant recipients.

The report must address funding priorities for implementation of legislation that will accomplish one or more of the purposes and objectives of this 2017 Act and make recommendations for legislation. [2017 c.731 §4] Sec. 5. Sections 1 to 4 of this 2017 Act are repealed on January 2, 2020. [2017 c.731 §5

20 54

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

ATTACHMENT C

700 Summer St NE Salem, OR 97301 800-828-8801 | 503-373-2085 www.oregon.gov/odva

DATE: September 15, 2018 TO:

House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Legislative Administrator

FROM:

Kim Douthit, Chair Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Legislative Report: SB 143 Campus Veterans Resource Grant Program Implementation

Overview On behalf of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, I am pleased to submit this Legislative Report on the implementation of the Campus Veterans Resource Grant program created under Senate Bill 143 (2017) that provided $1 million in grant funds to Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) to be awarded to public universities and community colleges for campus veteran resource centers and programs, including campus veteran resource coordinators.

SB 143 directs ODVA to prepare a legislative report on the implementation of the grant program and additional steps required to expand the program during the 2019-21 Biennium. In addition, SB 143 directs the Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee (VAAC) to provide an additional Legislative Report.

This document is the VAAC report required under SB 143.

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Legislative Report ODVA submitted both an Executive Summary and a comprehensive Legislative Report on the implementation of Senate Bill 143 to the House and Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committees and to the Legislative Administrator on August 27, 2018, in the manner provided by ORS 192.245.

SB 143: Required Report from the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Senate Bill 143, Section 4 reads: Sec. 4. No later than September 15, 2018, the Advisory Committee appointed under ORS 406.210 shall review and consider the grant programs established under section 1 of this 2017 Act, including the quarterly reports submitted by the grant recipients under section 1 (8) of this 2017 Act and the report prepared by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under section 3 of this 2017 Act, and report to the interim legislative committees relating to veterans.

The Advisory Committee shall evaluate the merits of the grant programs, how grants were awarded to community colleges and public universities and how grant funds were used by grant recipients. The report must address funding priorities for implementation of legislation that will accomplish one or more of the purposes and objectives of this 2017 Act and make recommendations for legislation.

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Action on September 5, 2018 The Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) reviewed the ODVA Executive Summary and comprehensive Legislative Report, the merits of the program, the award process, and use of grants. In

Serving Oregon Veterans Since 1945 55

addition, the VAAC considered the funding priorities and recommendations for legislation made by Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs in their reports.

During the regular quarterly meeting of the VAAC on September 5, 2018, the members considered all information relating to the Campus Veterans Resource Grant Program Implementation and voted on the language set out in the next section.

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee September 5, 2018: Report to the Legislature The Advisory Committee evaluated the merits of the grant programs, how grants were awarded to community colleges and public universities and how grant funds were used by grant recipients and voted to adopt the evaluations contained in both the Executive Summary and in the Legislative Report prepared

by ODVA that was submitted to the House and Senate Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committees on August 27, 2018 and posted on the ODVA website.

In addition, the Committee agreed with the funding priorities and recommendations for legislation set out in the ODVA Executive Summary and in the Legislative Report, specifically: Currently, provisions in Senate Bill 143 sunset the program on January 2, 2020. ODVA is proposing legislation to eliminate the sunset provision in order to continue the program. The VAAC concurs with this plan of action.

The Campus Veteran Grant Program already shows signs of great success. The VAAC agrees with Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs’ recommendation for funding the Campus Grant Program in the 2019-21 biennium with the following priorities: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Veteran resource coordinators.

Projects and activities oriented toward transitioning to the workforce.

Innovative projects to enhance student veteran engagement.

Improvements or expansion of existing veteran resource centers (remodeling, equipment and furniture upgrades, etc.)

Allow eligible schools to apply for grant funds that did not apply during the 2017-19 Biennium.

This report may be found online: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Reports.aspx Contact: Laurie Skillman, ODVA Senior Policy Advisory on this report and related reporting at laurie.skillman@state.or.us

2

56

FACILITIES AND CONSTRUCTION John Osborn, Program Manager

THE DALLES VETERANS’ HOME The interior renovation project for the home is now complete. The installation of the new furniture is now 90% complete with only a few small furniture items and some window blinds left to install. The other remaining element to the project is the review and selection of new art for each wing. We will be meeting with residents and staff to discuss their ideas about the theme for the new art. I would anticipate this process will take about 30 to 60 days to complete.

LEBANON VETERANS’ HOME Contractors submitted their final bids on July 26th for construction of the new parking lot. The winning bidder has completing the required paperwork and has been given notice to proceed on the project.

We anticipate completion around mid-November and full use by the end of November. The additional parking is for staff and volunteers and will free up spaces at and around the home for visitors and family member of our residents.

Future Grants The Applications for the Lebanon and Dalles 2019 construction grants have been submitted. The 35% design development drawings for both projects were submitted at the end of July and fulfill the final requirements need to receive funding for a grant award in 2019. Traditional the grant award priority list is released in mid-January of the pending grant year.

The Dalles grant will involve replacing the roof, redesigning the soffit to siding connections; redevelop the garden area between C & D wings, and various interior and exterior items.

The Lebanon grant will further develop the area west of the new parking lot adding a storage building and additional staff offices. In addition, an activity room will be built off the existing D-wing spine similar to the one constructed at The Dalles Veterans Home.

ODVA Building It has been more than a decade since the ODVA building interior has been remodeled. We have completed the final design for renovating the first floor of the building. This will include additional offices, new carpet, flooring, paint, and casework. We are redesigning the lobby to create a more welcoming atmosphere. In addition, we will consolidate all sections of Veteran Services into the first floor for improved customer service. We anticipate beginning work by the fall of 2018.

57

58

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICES Nicole Hoeft, Director Communications ODVA hosted the 4th Annual Veteran Benefit Expo in Medford on July 28 at the Oregon National Guard Armory. There were more than 700 attendees and providers at the event, which set a record attendance for any ODVA hosted event in recent history. This year the Oregon Lottery partnered with ODVA to help support and increase awareness for the event. With this additional funding, ODVA ran radio and print ads in the Medford and surrounding areas in the month of July.

Information Services Information Services continues to support core operations and maintain resources for application development and support for current systems. To implement a new Conservatorship and Home Loans application, the team is working to evaluate bids for professional project management and business analysis services. Security planning is ongoing and involves the development of an information security implementation plan and a business continuity and disaster recovery plan.

Records and Information Management Records continues to work with State Archives to finalize the agency’s updated retention schedule and implement a new records management policy. Recently State Archives officially acknowledged the system that our agency uses for document management as the official records copy of the agency. The team is working to destroy all paper copies of records scanned into the official records management system, freeing up a majority of the agency’s physical storage space.

59