Library Volunteers Training Module 3 – Tools for Connecting

1. Library Volunteers TrainingModule 3 – Tools for Connecting

2. Toolkit • The California Veterans Resource Book • Addresses 4 Broad Categories of Needs • Has all CVSO Locations/Contact Info • Covers CA and Federal Veterans Benefits • Flyers/Brochures • CalVet Quick Overview • Veterans Homes of CA • CalVet Home Loan Program • Online Resources • Provider listings (Agencies/Groups in the Triad) • Mobile App Cards

3. Toolkit (Continued) • CalVet Reintegration Form • Available in Paper Form or Online • Provides the best way to contact CA veterans • Allows immediate access to benefits bulletins • Places veteran’s email in listserv database • Job announcements, Resource Fairs, Veterans’ Events, etc. • Phone Numbers • USDVA, CalVet, LINCs, CVSOs, Provider Partner Orgs. • In Person • (They’re Here!) Public Libraries, CVSOs, Vet Centers

4. Benefits Overview • So, what are all these benefits?? • Here’s what we show to the troops returning to CA from deployments

5. Relating to Veterans • CalVet Connect at a Glance: • Provide Direction • Where to Start • What to Do • Resources • Where to find information • County Veteran Services • State Veteran Services

6. Relating to Veterans • Goals: • Services Available to Veterans and their Dependents • Filing Claims • Employment • Education Benefits • Health Benefits • Other Services

7. Veteran’s Resource Book Where you’ll start to find resources.

8. Compensation Pension Educational Benefits Life Insurance Medical Benefits County Veterans Services Offices A VETERANS SERVICES OFFICE CAN ASSIST YOU With Questions on the following Topics: • Home Loans • Veterans State Benefits • Burial Benefits • Discharge Upgrade

9. Employment Services for Veterans CIVIL SERVICE PREFERENCES Federal 5 Points 10 Points for disabled veterans State (California) 10 Points 15 Points for Disabled Veterans • County (Check w/ Human Resources) • EDD Services for Veterans • Eligibility Determination for UI benefits • Over 200 One-Stop Career Centers • CalJobs Enrollment • “Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet” Job fairs

10. Post 9/11 (Ch 33) Tuition & Fees Housing Allowance by school zip code Book Stipend Ability to transfer to eligible dependants Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) Up to $1368 per month for full time students Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehab for Disabled Vets) Tuition & Fees Supply reimbursement Employment counseling and assistance Chapter 1606 (SR) Monthly income to all reserve components who qualify Chapter 1607 Extension of CH 1606, allows activated reservists to qualify for increased benefits OJT/Apprenticeship Monthly Income in addition to your regular salary while in training Education Benefits • Information on your VA education benefits visit: http:// www. gibill. va.gov/GI_Bill Info/ rates.htm or call: 1-888-GI BILL 1 (1­888-442-4551)

11. College Tuition Fee Waiver For Veterans’ Dependents • Plan A (Military & Veterans Code) The spouse, registered domestic partner, child (under the age of 27) or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is totally service-connected disabled, or who has died of service-connected causes, missing in action or captured by hostile forces or forcibly detained by a foreign power may qualify. No income limit. • Plan B (Educational Code) The child of a veteran who has a permanent service- connected disability. The child’s income and the value of support provided by a parent cannot exceed the national poverty level. To view this year’s poverty level go to http://www.calvet.ca.gov/vetservices/Education.aspx. No age limit for dependent students. NOTE: All Students must meet California residency requirements as set by the institution of higher learning.

12. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunities(10% service connected or higher, and 51% ownership)Fishing And Hunting Licenses (50% s/c or higher)State Parks And Recreation Pass (50% s/c or higher)Business License, Tax And Fee Waiver (Local Jurisdiction)Property Tax Exemptions(100% s/c or higher)

14. http://www.calvet.ca.gov/Women/Default.aspx Lindsey Sin – Deputy Secretary, Women Veterans Affairs womenveterans@calvet.ca.gov (916) 653-2551

15. Minority Veterans http://calvet.ca.gov/Minority/Default.aspx Mirtha Villarreal-Younger Minority Veterans Mirtha.villarreal@calvet.ca.gov (916) 651-5040

16. ReintegrationForm https://cvcs.calvet.ca.gov/Pages/Intake/ReintegrationForm.aspx

17. CalVet Mobile Applications Android App iPhone App • Mobile Apps can be configured to direct Veterans to services based on his/her location (user option to turn location off) • Free download in the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace

18. DMV Web Page for Veterans CalVet/DMV Partnership has created the following for Vets: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/coi/veterans/veterans.htm

19. Questions?

20. What do I need to Remember? • The Triad of Veteran-Assistance Resource Groups (Government, Non-Government Organizations, Volunteers) • Gov’t: Fed (VA), State (CalVet), and County (CVSOs) • Non-Gov: Non-Profits, Corporations, For-Profits • Volunteers: Organized and At-Large (Projects) • These Groups are located throughout the state • Each has specific benefits/services for veterans • Collaboration among groups works best for the vet!

21. Connecting Vets - Quiz • What is the single most important thing a veteran can fill out to start the benefits connection process? • What sort of technology is available to help the veteran with finding services? • T/F? Many answers to veterans benefits questions can be found in the CA Veteran’s Resource Book.