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Family Support Training Paul Pedersen Community Outreach Coordinator. A Veteran Defined…. Character Personal Integrity Honor Sacrifice. MACV Mission.
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Family Support TrainingPaul PedersenCommunity Outreach Coordinator
A Veteran Defined…. Character Personal Integrity Honor Sacrifice
MACV Mission To provide assistance throughout Minnesota to positively motivated veterans and their families who are homeless or experiencing other life crises. MACV accomplishes this by providing direct services or by collaborating with other agencies/providers.
MACV • 501c3 Nonprofit • Established 1992 • Operates 3 Regional offices for statewide outreach: Mankato, Duluth, Twin Cities • Certified by MN Charities Review Council • Audited ANNUALLY by Larsen Allen and throughout the year by specific funders • Total Assets $3,578,507.00
Minnesota Locations St. Paul Headquarters:MACV-Metro: 360 Robert Street North One Veterans Drive Suite 306 VAMC Building 47 St. Paul, MN 55101 Minneapolis, MN 55417 651-291-8756 612-726-1327 MACV-Duluth:MACV-Mankato 101 West 2nd Street12 Civic Center Plaza Duluth, MN 55802 Suite 2090 218-722-8763 Mankato, MN 56011 507-345-8258
VA Programs Veteran Statistics There Are over 24.5 million veterans in the U.S. today, representing 1.5% of the total population
Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings • Approximately 1.7 million have deployed since 2001 • 34% have deployed multiple times • 28% are National Guard or Reservists (average age is 36 years old) • 46% of Regular Forces are under 25 Years Old; for many this is the first time they have left home. • Approximately 895,000 OEF/OIF veterans are separated from the military and ELIGIBLE for VA services.
Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National FindingsWomen in the Military • An estimated 180,000 OEF/OIF veterans are women • Women now make up 15% of active duty military • 17% of National Guard/Reserves • 20% of New Recruits
Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings • Roughly one in every 5 suffer from a major depression or PTSD, estimated at 300,000. Only half have sought treatment. • As many or more report possible brain injuries from explosions or other head wounds. An estimated 50%-60% of spouses of TBI patients suffer depression. • Roughly 50% have spouses and children • Reasons for not seeking help were cited as concern over side effects of medication, they believed family and friends would help, or they feared seeking care might damage their military careers.
Military and VeteransOEF/OIF National Findings • Studies have found that veterans returning from combat are 63% more likely to report new-onset heavy drinking than those not deployed to combat zones; young veterans had the highest risk for developing alcohol-related problems. • Alcohol is commonly used as a coping mechanism after traumatic events.
Minnesota Military and VeteransOIF/OEF Comments 20% of the veterans recently back from tours of duty are UNEMPLOYED. Of those employed since leaving the military, 25% earn less than $21,840/year. Source: Department of Veterans Affairs survey of 1941 veterans
Minnesota Military and VeteransOIF/OEF Comments Leading Cause of death of returned veterans: MOTORCYCLES
Homelessness Among Veterans National Statistics • Estimated more than 154,000 Homeless Veterans on any given night (NCHV) VA estimates it can meet 20% of the need The other 80% is up to community based organizations. • 23% of all homeless are veterans • 33% of all homeless men are veterans
Homelessness Among Veterans Minnesota Statistics* • Approximately 410,000 veterans in MN (23,000 female); approx. 100,000 are getting VA Health Care, but another 70,000 are eligible (for female veterans only 1500 are connected to the VA) • Estimated that over 4000 are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at some point in the year • 624 veterans are homeless on any given night; (250 in the Metro area) • 1 in 4 homeless men are veterans • Veterans represent approx. 13% of the total homeless population (1 in 8) • 32% of homeless veterans have served in a combat zone * Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of Homeless Veterans in Minnesota
Homelessness Among Veterans Minnesota Statistics * • Veterans were older than non-veteran homeless men • 92% of homeless veterans had a high school degree • 1/3 reported alcohol/drug abuse • 60% reported a serious mental illness • 52% had a chronic health condition * Wilder Research 2006 Statewide Survey of Homeless Veterans in Minnesota
Homelessness Among Veterans Minnesota Statistics - Employment • Veterans are more likely to be employed (24%). Barriers to employment are physical health and mental health, lack of transportation, age, criminal background, lack of housing. • Unemployment rates as of May 2009: - Duluth – close to 10% - Minneapolis/St. Paul – 9% - St. Cloud – 9.8% - Rochester - 7.3%
Homeless Veterans Need…. A coordinated effort that provides secure housing, food, essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare, mental health counseling, and employment assistance. employment = housing = empowerment HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY
Homeless Veterans Need…. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the cost effective programs are community-based, nonprofit, ‘veterans helping veterans’ groups. Programs that seem to work feature transitional housing settings that offer living in a structured, substance-free environment with fellow veterans. MACV
Continuum of Care Prevention: Assisting veterans and their families who are about to lose their residences or are at risk of becoming homeless. Outreach: Veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness.
MACV 2009 STATISTICS • Close to 12,000 contacts annually • In 2009, we assisted over 840 veterans and their families with direct services; a 58% increase over 2007. • Female Veterans: 10% and rising • Veterans with a Disability: 65% • OIF/OEF Veterans: 21% and rising
MACV PROGRAMS Services: Intensive case management, and other supportive services such as training, education, etc. Assistance: Direct assistance including short-term rent assistance, security deposits, mortgage assistance, utility assistance, transportation assistance, food vouchers, etc.
MDVA PROGRAMS In our attempt to not duplicate any service already available to a veteran, we make sure a referral is made to the CVSO (County Veterans Service Officer) in order that the veteran can be assessed for eligibility in county/state programs such as: • State Soldiers Assistance Program • Special Needs • Dental and Eye Care • Education Benefits
MACV Funding Sources • Program Fees from the Veteran Participants • Federal VA Grant & Per Diem – Building 47 • State Grants from MN Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Economic Opportunity • Federal Grants: DOL HVRP, HUD, EFSP, ESG • ARRA HPRP Stimulus Funds in Specific Regions • Donations (Unrestricted and Restricted) • Foundations, Corporate Giving, Individuals • Fundraising Events/Campaigns
Eligibility for Services • Veteran status verified – DD214 - 181 days Active Duty Service • Homeless Status (some programs) • Prevention (some programs); must demonstrate financial need and meet program guidelines • Minnesota Resident (30 days most programs) Must be PositivelyMotivated to Make a Change
Housing Status Health Status, mental & chemical Medical Problems Employment & Income Status Appropriate Housing Living Skills Eye & Dental Care Legal Issues What we Assess with the Veteran
Transitional & Permanent Housing with Supportive Services Eviction Prevention Mortgage Foreclosures Utility Payments Transportation Bus passes Gas Cards Food Vouchers Clothing Vouchers Employment Assistance Tax & Legal Referrals Case Management Network of Providers for Referrals What we Provide……
Desired Outcomes • Placement in appropriate housing • Increased level of life/living skills • Increased level of income • Increased level of financial responsibility • Increased level of health (mental & physical) • Increased level of responsibility and connection to the community • Increased ability to interact in relationships
MACV - HQ Kathleen Vitalis – Executive Director 651-222-0613 kvitalis@mac-v.org Cari Jaksha– Operations Administrator 651-291-8756 360 Robert St. N. Suite 306 St. Paul, MN 55101
MACV – METRO REGION Jimmy Collier – Regional Director 612-726-1327 Kimoja Emeka – Outreach Case Manager Nathaniel Saltz – Program Manager – Bldg. 47 Edwin Williams – SIL Housing Case Manager Doran Hocker – Case Manager Brian Madson – Community Outreach & Employment Coordinator
MACV METRO Transitional Housing Minneapolis Building 47 - 13 Veterans SIL Houses - 24 Veterans
VA GRANT & PER DIEM • Must be found eligible by the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans Outreach Team to be funded by this grant • 13 Beds • Can be up to 2 years • VA & MACV co-case manage each veteran • Reimbursed only for total expenditures @ $34.40/day*
Structured Independent LivingSIL Housing • 8 SIL houses with supportive services - 6 Minneapolis, 1 Richfield, 1 St. Cloud • Transitional Housing: Temporary housing combined with supportive services to assist veterans overcome the problems and conditions that resulted in their having become homeless- can be up to 24 months
MACV - DULUTH Durbin M. Keeney – Regional Director 101 West 2nd Street Duluth, MN55802 1-218-722-8763 • Cliff Gawne-Mark – Program Manager • Steve Saari – Program Manager • Paul Pedersen – Community Outreach Coordinator • Michael Dickinson – PT Discharge Planner
DULUTH – Major Programs • HUD NE Minnesota Counties - 6 Disabled Veterans & their Families • HUD – St. Louis County – Supportive Services • Discharge Planning Pilot – St. Louis County • 38 County Outreach Program
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE • Ramsey Neighborhood – West Duluth • In partnership with Northern Communities Land Trust (Developer) – Project is a Priority within ‘Heading Home St. Louis County’ Plan to End Homelessness. • 5 Units of Transitional Housing • 11 Units of Permanent Housing with Supportive Services for veterans • Duluth Office Co-located
DULUTH VETERANS’ PLACE • Estimated Completion - FALL 2010 • Construction Began FEB.15th • WALL BREAKING CEREMONY
MACV - MANKATO Sue Sorenson – Regional Director Gretchen Blais – Case Manager 12 Civic Center Plaza Suite 2090 Mankato, MN 56001 1-507-345-8258
MANKATO HOUSING Paul & Dorothy Radichel Town Homes 11 Units Permanent Housing with Supportive Services for Disabled Veterans Opened Fall 2006
VETLAW • Veterans Employed Through Legal Advocacy Work • Removes legal barriers to employment or housing • Must be a MACV participant enrolled in one of our programs • No criminal/defense cases
StandDowns 2010 • Minneapolis - May 25th and 26th 2009: 411 Veterans served – 50 Service Providers – 150 Volunteers • International Falls – TBD 2009: 80 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 45 Volunteers • Bemidji – TBD 2009: 60 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 25 Volunteers • Duluth - August 29th 2009: 150 Veterans served – 40 Service Providers – 30 Volunteers • Mankato - November 9th 2009: 277 Veterans served – 35 Service Providers • Rochester - New for 2010 - TBD
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US • Provide as much detailed information as possible when you make the referral • Leverage other sources of funding • Make a connection with the CVSO PLEASE CALL WITH QUESTIONS
TO SUMMARIZE… We fill the gaps……………… Some programs have very strict income guidelines that even though you are unemployed, they base your income off the past 3 months which disqualifies the applicant Others have restrictions based on disabilities Other programs, you MUST be employed Assistance such as energy or even benefits that have been applied for, experience a time lag from application to actual benefit received of 1-4 months. AND IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE THEY WAIT………….