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From: Heims, Jack J. (Portland) As you know, the
Governor’s Task Force on Veteran Services quickly discovered that information
sharing in this state, though improving, is less than stellar. Attempts to get a
statewide “bulletin board” up and running has been problematic due to
computer systems at ODVA and the ONG. In the meantime,
information sharing on a timely basis is compromised. So, I have reverted to
the old fashioned way, sending an email. I can appreciate it is a bit
hokey and may be sent to disinterested parties. Please forward, e.g. Tom Mann, can you send this to
CVSO’s, Michelle Kochosky and Barry Vertner to your teams, Jim Booker to
yours, Scott Delbridge to the Tigard group, Dave Greaves, Lon and Judith to
your mental health teams, Jim Booker to your employment group etc. This way about 500 will be on the
“bulletin board.” If you have additional
news, send them to me
and I will forward in a summary addendum. I apologize for this being
Portland Metro-centric and am hoping the addendum in a few weeks will
ameliorate. Like a bulletin board, this is stream of
consciousness. 1. Michelle Kochosky has assumed
leadership of the Oregon National Guard Family Program. Here is her
staffing list. Notable is her theft, kidnapping or whatever of Mandy
Martin from the Portland Vet Center. Also, little known is the
strong addition of Laura Fields and the Red Cross machine. 2. Full Time Family Support Document
(pdf file) 3. Jim Booker from Labor has also
fine tuned his statewide team. Here is the listing. WorkSource Oregon Employment Department Contacts (pdf file) 4.
The final new list I have is of the Oregon
Reintegration Team. This, combined with the job placement (ESGR) and
family programs constitute the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Team.
http://www.orng-vet.org/reint_home.html 5. Portland and Roseburg VA Medical
Centers have hired Suicide Prevention Coordinators. Portland is Rob
Tell is 503-220-8262 at extension 56198 and Colleen Denny at Roseburg
VA 541-440-1000 ext 143112. They are available for trainings of
your staff. Our suicide rate is much higher in Oregon. To
give you an idea, on the Suicide hotline, 1-800-273-TALK, Oregon has the 13th
highest calls vs being the 37th state in population. 6. DoD has hired a full time
Wounded Warrior Counselor that is embedded in the OEF/OIF offices in
Portland. His name is Garretson cell:209-679-4077. 7. LTC Pam Mindt, LCSW has become
the Behavior Health Office for ONG at Anderson Readiness Center, cell
503-884-0051. She works with Lt. Erik Martz. 8. If you are interested in a
strong model of reintegrating incarcerated veterans into the community, look
north to Vancouver and Clark Co. Mike Wilbur cell: 360-241-3148
mikew@dva.wa.gov 9. The Governor’s Task Force on
Veterans’ Services are presenting their findings and recommendations to the
Governor next Wednesday. 10. The next Summit is tentatively
scheduled for March 12 at the Anderson Readiness Center. 11.
The Clergy training held at the end of October was exceptionally
successful. It is being repeated March 11 in Eugene. The Head of
Chaplain Services at Roseburg, Mike Gillespie, is coordinating.
(541) 440-1000 x144721 michael.gillespie@va.gov 12.
The Community Based Outpatient Clinic for Hillsboro opened this week near
Tanasbourne Mall just behind Macy’s. It is fully staffed with primary
care and Mental Health. Compensation and Pension Unit from
Vancouver is moving there just after the first of the year. Yes,
I know there are rumors otherwise. They are moving. 13.
Speaking of C&P, the Portland unit has a bit of bragging to
do. Fiscal Year 2008 (ended Sept
30) marked the 7th year in a row where C&P has met its goals
for efficiency. The average time
for exam completion is less than 35 days. This was done despite
claims increasing by 15% ( with the average claim mandating 3 exams) in
2008. Out of over 30,000 exams,
only 18 were rejected which equals 0.06%. 14.
Portland State University is aggressively trying to be the most Veteran
friendly campus in higher education. They have doubled Chris Goodrich’s
time to allow for outreach. Coordinator,
Veterans Services Portland State University 503-725-3876
[goodric@pdx.edu] 1-800-547-8887
Chris also has excellent slides about post 911 GI Bill 15.
Tri-West and the VA are co-sponsoring a training for the various disciplines
in helping professions. It will be held March 6, a Friday, all day at
the Red Lion near Portland State. It will offer 6 CEU units and will
cost $50 including a continental breakfast, lunch, and cookies! A
huge CEU bargain. Lauren Stoner is a point person at Lauren.stoner@va.gov . 16.
COL Scott Delbridge has compiled a fantastic listing of services in the
state. Community
Networking Data Base (pdf file) 17.
May 23 is tentatively slated for Veterans Welcome home for all vets and their
families at the PGE stadium in PDX with a Portland Beaver Game. 18.
The Returning Veterans Project (Carole Levine cl47@comcast.net is adding pro bono acupuncture, chiropractors and massage
therapists to their panel of therapists. 19.
Salvation Army’s Operation Santa Clause raised 92K this week for emergency
asstce for COMBAT vets. 20.
Re: Jobs. Central City Concerns just hired a Homeless Vet job
developer, Kate Koehler, 503-226-7387 kkoehler@centralcityconcern.org. Labor Ready is partnering with Career
transition asstce prog. And has a great training program. Call Smith
Williams, 503-289-4616 or sewilliams@laborready.com. Finally, Kylie Penn at Comcast has 100 positions
that include healthcare and tuition asstce and free cable as
benefits. Kylie_penn@cable.comcast.com or 503-605-6354. 30% of Comcast are vets. They
hire veterans and their families as a priority. 21.
Ways to Work program as loans for transportation for Vets with bad credit and
are working and provides financial education. Shana Sturtz 503-232-0007
ext 303 Is this
useful? What else is going on that those who help Veterans should
know about? Let me know and I will include in the addendum. Jack J. Heims, MSW,
FACHE Office of the Director OEF/ OIF 503-220-8262 ext 56458 Blackberry #
503-901-9078 |
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