Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee

Interim Study Topics

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Version 8 May 2015

JOINT TRANSPORTATION, HIGHWAYS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS INTERIM COMMITTEE Priority #: 3 Veterans' Commission 1) Review statewide veterans' services that assist veterans with VA disability and pension claims; 2) Review military and veteran specialty license plates, including the authorizing statutes, eligibility criteria and the approval process; and 3) Study private sector protections for hiring and giving veterans' preference. and 4) Utilization / benefit of veterans' service officers. [Modified by Management Council]

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With Your Permission…. Priority #: 3 Veterans' Commission Combine 1) and 4) 1) Review statewide veterans' services that assist veterans with VA disability and pension claims; and 4) Utilization / benefit of veterans' service officers. [Modified by Management Council] As modified… 1) Review statewide veterans' services that assist veterans with VA disability and pension claims; utilization / benefit of veterans' service officers.

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

VA Transformation Impact on Wyoming Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

 Electronic claims processed in real time to VA data systems from service

• fficers in the field

 Data driven decisions and metrics – continuous improvement  National work cue – electronic files moved to least busy work centers  Work load managed at the national level

Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

 Veteran centric “MyVA” processes being developed  Choice Act – live more than 40 road miles from a VA facility  Many other health care related initiatives

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Veterans Service Officers

Assist Veterans and their family members with:  State and Federal Veterans benefits  Applications for VA healthcare  Disability compensation and pension claims Required to navigate the most complex process in the federal government through local advocacy

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Why a qualified Veterans Service Officer ?

 National training at least once a year  VA accredited – written test  Ongoing quarterly professional development  Ongoing evaluation and appraisals  Trusted partner based on proficiency  A calling to serve Veterans  Most Veterans who go this alone…abandon the process

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Personal Representation

 VA considers them the…attorney in fact  Three organizations in Wyoming offer this service  The American Legion  The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)  Disabled American Veterans (DAV)  They provide complete claims service to the Veteran and the Wyoming Veterans Commission  Wyoming Veterans Commission cannot currently provide complete claims service on its’ own

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

What Wyoming Agencies Have Service Officers?

Counties – Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Sublette  Started this work prior to the state  Funded by counties Private / State – Johnson and Sheridan counties  Funded by private foundation State – 17 remaining counties  7 service officers and program manager  State general funds Non-Profit – The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, The Veterans of Foreign Wars

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Proven Success at the State Level

Based on federal fiscal year Lag time of at least 6 months from submission to tracking award 2012 Total claims 383 2013 Total claims 608 2014 Total claims 966

2015 Total Claims to date - 797 claims (as of April 2015)

2015 total claims projected: 1,370 Federal dollars returned in Calendar Year 2014 - $4.8 Million Federal Dollars (Year to Date) Calendar Year 2015 - $6.1 Million

Dollars directly to the Veteran’s back pocket!

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

County Level Operations Uinta County

1) Desires to participate in joint operations at all levels 2) Standardize training, information sharing, quality control 3) Have adopted cloud based claim submission 4) Consultations needed to determine specific actions 5) WVC will require an MOU/MOA to proceed 6) Task Force recommendation to continue discussions with Tri-County Veterans Services – possible joint operations?

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

County Level Operations Tri-County Veterans Services (Lincoln, Sublette, and Sweetwater Counties) 1) Interest in joint operations 2) Standardize training, cloud based claim submission, information sharing, quality control 3) WVC will require an MOU/MOA to proceed

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Supplementary Funding to Service Organizations

WVC provides supplemental funding to The American Legion, The Veterans

• f Foreign Wars (VFW), and The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to ensure

their service offices in Cheyenne remain viable. Supplemental funding provided to ensure complete claims service and limits the growth of state government. 3 full time state employees would be needed if this funding did not exist. $25,000 per organization per year contract supplemental funding began in July 2012. $75,000 Total. $35,000 per organization per year contract supplemental funding continued in July 2013. $105,000 Total. Amended The American Legion supplemental funding to $50,000 for enhanced services.

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Supplementary Funding to Service Organizations

Per the Joint Appropriations Committee guidance, performance based contracting implemented in July 2014 based on 2013 performance. $150,000 in Governor’s budget approved by legislature for this biennium, supplemented by $75,000 from WVC budget

Current Funding for 2014

$50,000 per year for The American Legion ($15,000 of this for enhanced services) $35,000 per year for the DAV $13,500 per year for the VFW ($21,500 held in reserve pending improved performance)

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Snapshot of Wyoming January 2015

Typical month is 180 – 220 total claims 233 Total claims for the month 124 Claims submitted by WVC WVC responsible for 53% of all claims submitted Typically 50 – 60% of total claims These Veterans are now entitled to VA healthcare Medicare costs avoided

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Service Organizations WVC In House VA Total American Legion 55 20 75 DAV 55 22 77 VFW 14 7 21 VA 60 60 Total 124 49 60 233

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July 1, 2015

Post Service Officer

BVA VBA Service Organizations At VARO Veteran

VBA – Veterans Benefit Administration BVA – Board of Veteran’s Appeals County Service Officer State Presence at VARO State Service Officer

Wyoming Veterans Commission

Supplementary Funding to Service Organizations Funding for 2015

VFW – No supplemental funding DAV – No supplemental funding (National DAV model dictates they stand alone) The American Legion – reduced funding back to $35,000 level State contract employee at VA’s Regional Office

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Biennium Budget Request $200,000 (Increase of $50,000)

State contract employee at VA’s Regional Office Supplementary funding for The American Legion

Potential Issues

Counties reduce funding their own programs Service Organizations funding their Service Offices

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Review of Military and Veteran Specialty License Plates

Interim Study Topic - Review military and veteran specialty license plates, including the authorizing statutes, eligibility criteria and the approval process Chart produced in 2013, updated as a result of 2015 Legislative Session Joint application approved in 2013 by County Treasurers, WYDOT, WVC Potential Courses of Action  No changes to current procedures  Consolidate application process in a single office  Allow approval in all offices Factors Affecting Courses of Action  Assume no increase in personnel or funding  Assume Force Protection Condition will limit access to WVC offices Recommendation  No changes to current procedures

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Back-up Slides

National Level Issues VA Transformation Wyoming Statutory Requirements VA Disability Compensation Veterans Services Task Force Veterans Service Officers in Wyoming Process Review

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

National Level Issues

 Backlog of disability and pension claims  Some Veterans waiting more than 2 years  Incomplete ratings and decisions  Veterans dying while awaiting decisions  Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) making progress… …much work to be done  Previously had minimal impact on Wyoming  Considerable impact on Wyoming moving forward

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Veterans Benefit Administration’s (VBA) workload has risen dramatically since 2009

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10.5 14.1 16.2

7.1 10.5 11.6 3.4 3.6 4.6

Total Issues

Growth in compensation recipients and medical issues claimed continues to rise

3.9 4.6 6.4 9.5

2.5 2.9 3.8 5.9 1.4 1.7 2.6 3.6

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2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Total Issues Service Connected Non-Service Connected

Gulf War 26.4% Vietnam 20.2% Korean 10.2% WWII 11.7% GWOT IDES 100% GWOT 44.3%

Percent of Living Veterans Receiving Compensation by War Era Average Issues Claimed

GWOT BDD 99%

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Wyoming Statutory Requirement

19-14-107. Creation of veterans' commission; composition; terms. (a) Creation, composition, terms... (a) Frequency of meetings… (c) The commission shall: (i) Study all federal and state legislation affecting veterans, their spouses, dependents and beneficiaries; (ii) Establish liaison with agencies dealing with veteran's affairs; (iii) Make recommendations to the legislature and to the governor concerning veterans;

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Wyoming Statutory Requirement

19-14-107. Creation of veterans' commission; composition; terms. (v) Prepare, maintain and distribute information, by printed material or

• therwise, to educate Wyoming veterans and their families regarding

veterans' benefits, healthcare and disability claims, pension claims and other matters relevant to veteran status; (vi) Veteran’s Cemetery oversight… (vii) Provide assistance to Wyoming veterans and their families for the filing and processing of veterans' benefits, veterans' healthcare benefits and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability and pension claims; (viii) Vehicle licensing… (ix) Trust Fund… (x) Executive Director… (xi) Duties as assigned by the Legislature…

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

VA Disability Compensation

 Awarded to the Veteran, or their dependents, on the basis of military service  Service connected injury or disease  Compensates the Veteran, and their dependents, for loss of earning power

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Statewide Veterans Services Task Force  Formed by Chairman Ellefson October 2014  Task force chaired by Commissioner Travis Deti  Kickoff meeting with MG Reiner, Vice Chairman Alley November 19, 2014  Private, county, state, and federal representation on task force  Meeting monthly, working groups meeting more frequently  Final report pending

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Veterans Services Task Force Mission

1) Review, analyze, and make recommendations regarding all aspects of veterans services for service related disability and pension claims from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 2) Bottom-up review will result in recommendations in processing, standardization, finances, organizational structure, and related matters. 3) Key focus of this effort will be improving veterans services for Wyoming Veterans and their families through a transparent,

• pen, and consensus based process.

Continued on next page…

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Veterans Services Task Force Mission

4) This work must complement the transformation of Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) efforts of the VA to ensure we are synchronized with their efforts. 5) Efforts must ensure Wyoming is well positioned for the coming years to ensure we are providing the best support possible for Wyoming Veterans and their families. 6) Recommendations and a transformation plan should be developed by June 2105.

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Task Force Potential Courses of Action 1 – Continue with current funding model 2 – Contract for state presence at VA Regional Office 3 – Consolidate operations for a state and service

• rganization office

4 – Launch a state only office 5 – Develop a hybrid solution given the current situation

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Task Force Recommendations

Potential for consolidated operations was thoroughly considered with input from all stakeholders, but was not achieved. Strive for enhanced relations with Lincoln, Sweetwater, Sublette, and Uinta Counties, and the Wyoming Department of Health (Johnson and Sheridan Counties) for standardization of training, reporting, electronic claims processing, information sharing. Recommendation to have a WVC presence at the VA’s Regional Office to ensure continuity, stability, and management of claims produced by state

• employees. This effort includes a contract employee at the Cheyenne VARO

reporting to the WVC. Furthermore, recommend the $200,000 be included in the Governor’s 2017-18 Biennium request and that it be moved to the standard budget. This would support service organization supplemental funding and 2 contract employees.

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Wyoming Veterans Commission

Task Force Recommendations

This will protect the state’s interests in how we initiate and process Wyoming Veteran’s disability and pension claims. This recommendation will best position Wyoming to meet the transformation goals of the VA and serve Wyoming Veterans in the best possible manner.

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Wyoming Veteran Population by County (+/- X) Change from 2012 2010 – 55,851 2011 – 55,507 (-344) 2012 – 56,434 (+927) 2013 – 56,517 (+83)

(Published July 2014)

Source: VA GDX 30 SEP 2013 (County boundaries are approximate)

15,056(+392) 2,533(-28) 1,661(-43) 3,952(-8) 1,494(+4) 1,215 (-17) 1,060 (-6) 1,296(+5) 6,691(-34) 3,567(-32) 641(-15) 1,385(-14) 742(-3) 251(-5) 3,774(+37) 848(-18) 3,138(-46) 811(-11) 611(-16) 2,823(-24) 1,097(-21) 1,202(-11) 669(-3)

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Number of Disabled Veterans in Wyoming (As of September 30, 2014) 2013 – 9,496 Disabled Veterans 2014 – 10,108 Disabled Veterans 9.3% Increase

State: 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Total Total Compensation ALL 10,844 828,770 455,183 400,270 365,317 261,224 348,226 340,122 295,482 204,167 439,461 3,949,066 Total Compensation WY 32 2,446 1,405 1,100 975 670 901 713 591 358 917 10,108

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Service Officer County Veteran Population Total Area Vet Pop Brian Yeager (State) CAMPBELL 3,774 Brian Yeager (State) CROOK 669 Brian Yeager (State) WESTON 742 5,185 *Vicki Richards (State) ALBANY 2,533 *Vicki Richards (State) CARBON 1,661 4,194 *Bob Stall (State) GOSHEN 1,215 *Bob Stall (State) PLATTE 1,060 2,275 Alisa Cochrane/Dave Gopperton (State) CONVERSE 1,296 Alisa Cochrane/Dave Gopperton (State) NATRONA 6,691 Alisa Cochrane/Dave Gopperton (State) NIOBRARA 251 8,238 Brad Cline (State) BIG HORN 1,097 Brad Cline (State) HOT SPRINGS 611 Brad Cline (State) PARK 2,823 Brad Cline (State) WASHAKIE 811 5,342 Lori McGee (State) FREMONT 3,567 Lori McGee (State) TETON 1,202 4,769 Lisa Griffith (Veterans Home) JOHNSON 848 Lisa Griffith (Veterans Home) SHERIDAN 3,138 3,986 Vacant (County) UINTA 1,494 1,494 Nancy Stafford(County) LINCOLN 1,385 Cheryl Allen (County) SUBLETTE 641 Sylvia "Sam" Esquibel (County) SWEETWATER 3,952 Hazel Koenig (County) 5,978 Veterans Service Organizations LARAMIE 15,056 (3 Service Officers - Private) 15,056 *Mr. Stall and Ms. Richards also support Laramie County WYOMING (Totals) 56,517 56,517

The average work load for Veterans Service Officers around the western states is between 3,500 – 4,500 Veterans

Organization Code VSO Name Phone Number VSO Email

Veterans Commission WVC - 1

• Ms. Vicki Richards
• Mr. Bob Stall

307-214-2112 307-274-7747 vicki.richards@wyo.gov robert.stall@wyo.gov Veterans Commission WVC – 2

• Mr. David Gopperton
• Ms. Alisa Cochrane

307-265-7372 307-472-0212 david.gopperton@wyo.go v alisa.cochrane@wyo.gov Veterans Commission WVC – 3

• Ms. Lori McGee

307-438-2101 lori.mcgee@wyo.gov Veterans Commission WVC – 4

• Mr. Brad Cline

307-250-3890 brad.cline@wyo.gov Veterans Commission WVC – 5

• Mr. Brian Yeager

307-687-5396 brian.yeager@wyo.gov Veterans Home Vets Home

• Ms. Lisa Griffith

307-620-0884 lisa.griffith@wyo.gov Sweetwater County County

• Mr. Larry Levitt,

Director

• Ms. Sam Esquibel
• Ms. Hazel Koenig

307-922-5443 307-922-5442 307-922-5441 levittl@sweet.wy.us esquibels@sweet.wy.us koenigh@sweet.wy.us Lincoln County County

• Ms. Nancy Stafford

307-877-3110 staffordn@sweet.wy.us Sublette County County

• Ms. Cheryl Allen

307-367-4877 allenc@sweet.wy.us Uinta County County Vacant 307-789-7194,

• ext. 5

veteran@uintacounty.com American Legion Cheyenne

• Mr. Dwight Null

307-433-2751 dwight.null@va.gov DAV Cheyenne

• Mr. Leroy Kenner

307-433-2752 leroy.kenner@va.gov VFW Cheyenne

• Ms. Cheryl Shannon

307-778-7340 cheryl.shannon@va.gov

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Strength of Each Link in a Chain

Fully Functional Not as Strong as Needed Exceeding Expectations

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Links in a Chain

Post, County or State (Initial Claim) BVA (Appeals) VBA (Decisions)

Service Organizations Advocacy @ VARO

Veteran

VBA – Veterans Benefit Administration BVA – Board of Veteran’s Appeals

Typical Process

Veteran on their own Many abandon the process

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Current Process 2015

Post Service Officers

BVA Cheyenne VBA Service Organizations At VARO Veteran

VBA – Veterans Benefit Administration BVA – Board of Veteran’s Appeals County Service Officers State Service Officers

“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,” President Lincoln Gettysburg 1865 “Serving Wyoming Veterans and their Families” Wyoming Veterans Commission

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