Supporting our Military Members, Veterans, and their Families

Joining Community Forces Supporting our Military Members, Veterans, and their Families

Welcome Letter Crafting Your “About Us” The first step to establishing an effective communication tool is to construct your organization’s identity. Who are you? What do you provide, how, and to whom? What distinguishes your Joining Community Force program from the many other agencies, organizations, and institutions who provide support to your local military community? Most importantly, what difference will your Joining Community Force program make to those whom it serves? Answers to these questions will help you project a reliable, trustworthy public identity – one that will attract partners, raise awareness, and bring you in meaningful contact with your local Service members, Families, and Veterans. Your audiences want to get to know you. A “Welcome Letter” is similar to an “About Us” page on a website. It does more than list your partners and the organizational structure of your Joining Community Force program – it is an entry point for your stakeholders to get acquainted and decide whether you are a stable, reliable, effective force for support for military communities. It also serves the dual purpose of ensuring your members and participants speak in one voice and act with your Joining Community Force’s program objectives as a guide. Ahead are areas of content you can build for inclusion in your strategic plan, on your website, in print materials, and in your Community Force documentation.

Executive Summary Vision & Mission Statements Your vision and mission statements provide an excellent means to focus your intentions as a Joining Community Forces program. They not only provides a basis for your local audiences to get to know you, it also provides direction and a destination for your Community Force to reach. Once you have crafted these statements, make them a part of your public presence by adding them to your public website, featuring them in your Joining Community Forces charter, and maintaining them in other collateral, documents, and records that serve to define your Community Force. Your vision statement: A vision statement is a brief yet powerful summation of your goal as a Joining Community Force. It is the formal declaration of your network/organization’s desired target outcome and as such should motivate the choices your organization makes. Use your vision statement as an opportunity to look ahead and inspire action within your Community Force and among your stakeholders. Whether you choose to go short or go long, make it impactful! Your mission statement: A mission statement provides an opportunity for you to get more specific. What does your Joining Community Forces program do and how? Your mission statement should concisely explain the strategic path your Joining Community Forces program will tread to achieve the goal outlined in your vision statement. Successful mission statements vary in length and detail, but all serve to distinguish the means by which each organization pursues excellence. Other statements of intent: Many organizations incorporate additional statements of intent into their Executive Summary, by listing core values, featuring codes of conduct, or going into further detail regarding organizational objectives. Such statements, when they serve to further refine your Joining Community Force’s operations, they are a great idea should you choose to pursue creating them. Examples of other statements of intent include: Core Values Codes of Conduct Goals and Intent Purpose and Background

Each county designs it’s own Community Covenant Document; there are many samples available to assist your steering committee to make a final selection. Sample

Table of Contents Welcome Letter ………………………………………………………………... Executive Summary ………………………………………………………….. Covenant………………………………………………………………………… Table of Contents …………………………………………………………….. Action Item #1: Employment ………………………………………………. Action Item #2: Homelessness.……………………………………………. Action Item #3: Suicide..……………………………………………………. Action Item #4: Access to Benefits.………………………………………. Calendar……..…………………………………………………………………. 2 3 4 5 6 9 12 15 18

Action Plan for Item #1: Employment Vision In Multnomah County we are committed to ensuring that Veterans and their families receive all state and federal benefits available to them. In the 2012 fiscal year, Oregon was the beneficiary of $1.9 billion of federal Veterans Affairs payment to or on behalf of veterans; $326.8 million of these payments were in Multnomah County. These earned benefits assist Veterans in being more productive and self-sufficient citizens, and we are committed to assisting Veterans to navigate the claims process as quickly and smoothly as possible. Indicators of Success All Veterans have access to information about benefits that they are eligible for through their service. The outreach efforts of Veteran Service Officers effectively reach Multnomah County’s diverse Veteran population, which spans four generations and five major wars. With the representation of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), Veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive appropriate representation from the beginning of the process. VSOs are trained professionals and can make certain that fully developed claims on the correct forms with proper documentation are completed and submitted, ensuring the process is streamlined. Additionally, VSOs effectively represent Veterans through the appeals process. In 2012, Oregon was ranked seventh in the nation for the amount of disability compensation it obtains on average for its Veterans. Key Obstacles and Issues for Further Analysis The role of women in the military continues to change, and services and outreach efforts should be adjusted to meet the changing experiences and needs of women Veterans. There were 7,500 women in country in Vietnam, and there have been more than 250,000 in country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are very different than prior classic wars, and everyone in country is exposed to insurgent threats. Domestic violence and MST are epidemic among women Veterans, are under reported, under treated, and require a concerted systemic response. Women Veterans have complex health care needs and will require increased resources to ensure equitable care.

Information about Benefits: Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Veterans Benefits Resource Guide for Veterans, Their Dependents and Survivors. 2013 Federal and State Benefits Magazine. Available: www.oregon.gov/odva/docs/PDFs/VetsBenefitMag/Vet%20Benefit%20Mag%20Web%20April%202013.pdf U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans Benefits Administration Fact Sheets. Available at: http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets.asp Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) Veteran Benefits page: http://www.oregon.gov/odva/BENEFITS/Pages/index.aspx Claims and counseling Conservatorship Educational programs and assistance Emergency grants Employment information State and Federal benefits Home Loan program for Oregon Veterans Index of Resources The following sections include resources specific to each action plan. Resources for Action Item #1 Veteran Service Officers: Multnomah County Veterans Services Office http://web.multco.us/ads/veterans-servicesoffice 421 SW Oak St., Portland, OR 97204 Services are available by calling for an appointment at 503-988-VETS (8387) Email: Veteran.Services@multco.us Assistance includes: Helping veterans understand benefit programs, filing claims with the VA, appealing unfavorable VA decisions, recovering lost military records, and other inquiries regarding veterans’ benefits. Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Portland Claims and Counseling http://www.oregon.gov/odva/vsodirect/pages/LOCATOR.aspx 100 SW Main St., 2nd Floor Portland, OR 97204 503-412-4777 orvetsbenefits@odva.state.or.us

Action Plan for Item #2: Homelessness Vision In Multnomah County we are committed to ensuring that Veterans and their families receive all state and federal benefits available to them. In the 2012 fiscal year, Oregon was the beneficiary of $1.9 billion of federal Veterans Affairs payment to or on behalf of veterans; $326.8 million of these payments were in Multnomah County. These earned benefits assist Veterans in being more productive and self-sufficient citizens, and we are committed to assisting Veterans to navigate the claims process as quickly and smoothly as possible. Indicators of Success All Veterans have access to information about benefits that they are eligible for through their service. The outreach efforts of Veteran Service Officers effectively reach Multnomah County’s diverse Veteran population, which spans four generations and five major wars. With the representation of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), Veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive appropriate representation from the beginning of the process. VSOs are trained professionals and can make certain that fully developed claims on the correct forms with proper documentation are completed and submitted, ensuring the process is streamlined. Additionally, VSOs effectively represent Veterans through the appeals process. In 2012, Oregon was ranked seventh in the nation for the amount of disability compensation it obtains on average for its Veterans. Key Obstacles and Issues for Further Analysis The role of women in the military continues to change, and services and outreach efforts should be adjusted to meet the changing experiences and needs of women Veterans. There were 7,500 women in country in Vietnam, and there have been more than 250,000 in country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are very different than prior classic wars, and everyone in country is exposed to insurgent threats. Domestic violence and MST are epidemic among women Veterans, are under reported, under treated, and require a concerted systemic response. Women Veterans have complex health care needs and will require increased resources to ensure equitable care.

Action Plan for Item #3: Suicide Vision In Multnomah County we are committed to ensuring that Veterans and their families receive all state and federal benefits available to them. In the 2012 fiscal year, Oregon was the beneficiary of $1.9 billion of federal Veterans Affairs payment to or on behalf of veterans; $326.8 million of these payments were in Multnomah County. These earned benefits assist Veterans in being more productive and self-sufficient citizens, and we are committed to assisting Veterans to navigate the claims process as quickly and smoothly as possible. Indicators of Success All Veterans have access to information about benefits that they are eligible for through their service. The outreach efforts of Veteran Service Officers effectively reach Multnomah County’s diverse Veteran population, which spans four generations and five major wars. With the representation of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), Veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive appropriate representation from the beginning of the process. VSOs are trained professionals and can make certain that fully developed claims on the correct forms with proper documentation are completed and submitted, ensuring the process is streamlined. Additionally, VSOs effectively represent Veterans through the appeals process. In 2012, Oregon was ranked seventh in the nation for the amount of disability compensation it obtains on average for its Veterans. Key Obstacles and Issues for Further Analysis The role of women in the military continues to change, and services and outreach efforts should be adjusted to meet the changing experiences and needs of women Veterans. There were 7,500 women in country in Vietnam, and there have been more than 250,000 in country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are very different than prior classic wars, and everyone in country is exposed to insurgent threats. Domestic violence and MST are epidemic among women Veterans, are under reported, under treated, and require a concerted systemic response. Women Veterans have complex health care needs and will require increased resources to ensure equitable care.

Action Plan for Item #4: Access to Benefits Vision In Multnomah County we are committed to ensuring that Veterans and their families receive all state and federal benefits available to them. In the 2012 fiscal year, Oregon was the beneficiary of $1.9 billion of federal Veterans Affairs payment to or on behalf of veterans; $326.8 million of these payments were in Multnomah County. These earned benefits assist Veterans in being more productive and self-sufficient citizens, and we are committed to assisting Veterans to navigate the claims process as quickly and smoothly as possible. Indicators of Success All Veterans have access to information about benefits that they are eligible for through their service. The outreach efforts of Veteran Service Officers effectively reach Multnomah County’s diverse Veteran population, which spans four generations and five major wars. With the representation of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), Veterans, their dependents, and survivors receive appropriate representation from the beginning of the process. VSOs are trained professionals and can make certain that fully developed claims on the correct forms with proper documentation are completed and submitted, ensuring the process is streamlined. Additionally, VSOs effectively represent Veterans through the appeals process. In 2012, Oregon was ranked seventh in the nation for the amount of disability compensation it obtains on average for its Veterans. Key Obstacles and Issues for Further Analysis The role of women in the military continues to change, and services and outreach efforts should be adjusted to meet the changing experiences and needs of women Veterans. There were 7,500 women in country in Vietnam, and there have been more than 250,000 in country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are very different than prior classic wars, and everyone in country is exposed to insurgent threats. Domestic violence and MST are epidemic among women Veterans, are under reported, under treated, and require a concerted systemic response. Women Veterans have complex health care needs and will require increased resources to ensure equitable care.

Information about Benefits: Veterans Benefits Resource Guide for Veterans, Their Dependents and Survivors. www.oregon.gov/odva/docs/PDFs/VetsBenefitMag/Vet%20Benefit%20Mag%20Web%20April%202013.pdf Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) Veteran Benefits page: http://www.oregon.gov/odva/BENEFITS/Pages/index.aspx Claims and counseling Conservatorship Educational programs and assistance Emergency grants Employment information State and Federal benefits Home Loan program for Oregon Veterans Family Assistance Specialists (FAS) http://2013/family program/family program.html A cadre of professionally trained staff are located strategically across the state that provide coordination, counseling, and assistance for Family Readiness, Family Assistance, Youth Program, Chaplain Support, Strong Bonds, Yellow Ribbon-Reintegration, and Financial Counseling. Index of Resources The following sections include resources specific to each action plan. Resources for Action Item #4 Veteran’s Service Officers http://www.oregon.gov/odva/vsodirect/pages/LOCATOR.aspx • If you have any questions or would like ODVA to assist you in finding the nearest VSO, please call 800-692-9666 (toll-free in Oregon) or 503-373-2085. • Assistance includes: Helping veterans understand benefit programs, filing claims with the VA, appealing unfavorable VA decisions, recovering lost military records, and other inquiries regarding veterans’ benefits. Joint Transition Assistance Program (JTAP) http://2013/employment/employment assistance.html • Careers - the JTAP team maintains an extensive network of employers and assists job seekers in contacting them through the Heroes2Hired (H2H) web site. • Health care - JTAPs are experts at navigating the complexities of the VA health care system. We conduct crisis intervention, suicide intervention and behavioral health referrals. • Outreach - JTAPs serve as liaisons between units and service providers.

State Level JCF Calendar • 22 January 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 19 February 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 19 March 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 16 April 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 21 May 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 18 June 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 16 July 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 20 August 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM • 17 September 2014 – Anderson Readiness Center, 10:00 AM Conference Call: Dial in #: 99 (877) 683-4674 Conference #: 891717 Pin#: 1717 POC: Tim Merritt 503-584-2276 wk 804-490-1288 cell

Supporting our Military Members, Veterans, and their Families