Hello everyone,
You all should check out this petition and sign it because it is important. Service members who have been discharged due to
mental conditions should be able to have their disability reviewed. This
petition has 90 signatures, the new goal is 100! Spread the word to
your friends please and let's make this happen!
Petition
Thank you all for your support and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
As the weeks have progressed, we've made some changes and updates to our goal of change! So, for all of you who have taken the time to read this blog, please take a moment to sign this petition. We are still raising awareness for those veterans who are being left behind. Help us spread the word by sharing this post and this blog with your FaceBook friends and family. Let them know that this petition can go a long way!
Veteran's Petition
Thank you all for reading!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Solution:
Through my research, I have seen that one of the biggest issues that come
into play for homeless veterans is the fact that those who are dishonorably
discharged cannot receive government assistance or benefits. This is troubling,
because there are former soldiers who have issues such as depression, PTSD, and
severe anxiety that they would not have if it were not for being in the
military. (In other words seeing certain things and being involved in certain
military activities causes them to develop these problems). When these people
develop these problems it causes them to do things like not show up for drills,
or to not be able to fulfill other military obligations, and they can be dishonorably
discharged. When this process occurs these people have trouble finding
employment, benefits, applying to go to school, and they still suffer from
whatever mental issue caused them to be discharged to begin with. One of the
questions that we have to consider when it comes to these situations is: how
can we help them? What can we do to try to create change for people who are in
such horrible situations? One of the solutions that we came up with is starting
right here at home in Washtenaw County. There are small things that we can do
specifically, and there are ways that we can actually try to influence policy
changes.
The policy that we would want specifically to change is H.R.897. Part of this policy states that it: “Includes as a homeless veteran, for purposes of eligibility for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a veteran or veteran's family fleeing domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in the current housing situation, including where the health and safety of children are jeopardized, there is no other residence, and there is a lack of resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.” We do not disagree with this policy, but it does not include those who are dishonorably discharged from the military, regardless of the reason.
We believe that this creates a situation where their family members may have to suffer and have their benefits cut off, which is not fair to them (especially the children involved in the situation). What we would like to see changed about this policy is that either veterans who were dishonorably discharged should be able to receive these benefits, or their children should still be able to receive them. This way a family could still survive even if a person was discharged from the military for a reason beyond their control. The way that we can attempt to have this policy changed or expanded is by contacting state senators and other members of the government with our concerns, we can write letters or contact other politicians whose values fall in line with helping homeless vets. We can also get people’s attention by creating online petitions, and holding fundraisers. The more people who pay attention to an issue, the more likely it is that we can help create change.
Two other ways that we can help seem smaller, but they do make a huge difference. One of the ways is by donating to organizations that help homeless veterans either on a local or state-wide level. There are organizations such as the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans that allow online donations and help people all over the United States who have served our country and need assistance. This organization does not discriminate against those who have been dishonorably discharged, and they do what they can to help homeless veterans and their family receive food, affordable health services, and housing. Making online donations to this organization is quick and simple. Even if we cannot individually donate very much we can spread the word verbally and through social media sites to get a lot of people involved that want to help. Another simple way to help is by volunteering at shelters for homeless veterans. In Ann Arbor there is a VA office that helps volunteers find shelters and places to volunteer to directly assist homeless veterans and their families. There is also an organization called “A Voice for Veterans” that helps unemployed veterans find and keep jobs. Volunteers can assist these people in job searches, and teach them how to use computers and do job searches. While these things seem very simple, they can make a huge difference in someone’s life, and hopefully create change on a larger level.
The policy that we would want specifically to change is H.R.897. Part of this policy states that it: “Includes as a homeless veteran, for purposes of eligibility for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a veteran or veteran's family fleeing domestic or dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions in the current housing situation, including where the health and safety of children are jeopardized, there is no other residence, and there is a lack of resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.” We do not disagree with this policy, but it does not include those who are dishonorably discharged from the military, regardless of the reason.
We believe that this creates a situation where their family members may have to suffer and have their benefits cut off, which is not fair to them (especially the children involved in the situation). What we would like to see changed about this policy is that either veterans who were dishonorably discharged should be able to receive these benefits, or their children should still be able to receive them. This way a family could still survive even if a person was discharged from the military for a reason beyond their control. The way that we can attempt to have this policy changed or expanded is by contacting state senators and other members of the government with our concerns, we can write letters or contact other politicians whose values fall in line with helping homeless vets. We can also get people’s attention by creating online petitions, and holding fundraisers. The more people who pay attention to an issue, the more likely it is that we can help create change.
Two other ways that we can help seem smaller, but they do make a huge difference. One of the ways is by donating to organizations that help homeless veterans either on a local or state-wide level. There are organizations such as the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans that allow online donations and help people all over the United States who have served our country and need assistance. This organization does not discriminate against those who have been dishonorably discharged, and they do what they can to help homeless veterans and their family receive food, affordable health services, and housing. Making online donations to this organization is quick and simple. Even if we cannot individually donate very much we can spread the word verbally and through social media sites to get a lot of people involved that want to help. Another simple way to help is by volunteering at shelters for homeless veterans. In Ann Arbor there is a VA office that helps volunteers find shelters and places to volunteer to directly assist homeless veterans and their families. There is also an organization called “A Voice for Veterans” that helps unemployed veterans find and keep jobs. Volunteers can assist these people in job searches, and teach them how to use computers and do job searches. While these things seem very simple, they can make a huge difference in someone’s life, and hopefully create change on a larger level.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Homeless Veterans: Background/Current Analysis
BACKGROUND:
Homeless veterans has become a growing problem due to the lack of
treatment and benefits given to those who served our country. This is
not a new
issue and it has occurred over decades. A few of the reasons of why
veterans are homeless is because of the limited access to proper health
care, affordable
housing and income that is sustainable. There are also veterans at risk of
homelessness due to poor living conditions, poverty, and no support after
returning from active duty. In addition to those obstacles, most veterans are
facing traumatic effects such as, dissociation, post-traumatic stress disorder,
substance abuse, depression, adjustment disorder which all makes it harder for
them to actually seek employment and further education.
The expansion of what is
considered a homeless veteran came to be due to the conditions and the
acknowledgement of the different situations of a veteran. For example, there
are different types of discharge that effects the eligibility of benefits.
There are veterans who are dishonorably
discharged (DH), bad conduct discharge (BDC), or other than honorable discharge (OTH). Veterans with those types of discharges will not receive the
same help and benefits that they are entitled to because of incidents that may
or may not have been caused or influenced by trauma they sustained during
battle. Before, only honorable discharge and general discharge would receive
veteran’s benefits but now there is a policy in progress fighting to change
that.
Circumstantial situations involving DH and OTH discharge have to be
reviewed thoroughly before determining if they are eligible for assistance.
This method of determining isn’t working because there are too many veterans
who are homeless and suffering from untreated issues because they did not
receive the benefits that could have helped them. For example, transitioning
programs for veterans working to gain those skills and abilities to get back
into society and function well with the community. Educational opportunities
for veterans who are working to further their education, and health care
benefits that can assist them in treating their illnesses. The policies overall
have changed greatly considering how most programs have strict requirements.
Most policies are incorporating the measures to where a veteran who was not
honorably discharged can receive some benefits but there are conditions that
include “Veterans or veteran’s families
fleeing:
- Domestic violence
- Dating violence
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
Or any
other dangerous or life-threatening condition in the current housing situation”. In
addition to that, there are only a few policies that have those options for
veterans who are not honorably discharged.
For this particular issue, I do not find the policies overall effective
solely because it is not covering the broad aspect of the problem. From what I
have researched and learned so far, it tells me that there has to be a certain
degree of the situation for help and benefits to be given to a veteran. In my
mind there are holes and cracks in this policy because what if the majority of
homeless veterans do not meet the criteria of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, etc.? There needs to be a coverage for every angle to
make sure no veteran is going untreated because of an incident during their
serving time.
CURRENT
ANALYSIS:
In correspondence to the NASW code of ethics, they do not go hand in
hand. Yes, the well-being of a person is valued but that being is a person picked from a group to best fit the requirements.
There are rules and regulations that need to be enforce but at what cost?
Service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human
relationships, integrity and competence. Those are NASW values. Policies have a
problem and create a solution, but don’t offer variety within that solution.
The NASW code of ethics does not discriminate because of the situation. It vows
to serve everyone who comes seeking help. The policies that I’ve come across
helps select few and that needs to change.
References
"Beta." H.R.897. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. <http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/897>.
"U.S. Department of Labor -- Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) -- Fact Sheet 1." U.S. Department of Labor -- Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) -- Fact Sheet 1. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/vwip/vwip_fs.htm>.
"U.S. Department of Labor -- Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) -- Fact Sheet 1." U.S. Department of Labor -- Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) -- Fact Sheet 1. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014. <http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/vwip/vwip_fs.htm>.
Homeless Veterans: Introduction
United
States Armed Forces homeless veterans with a dishonorable discharge do not have
medical benefits available to them through the Veteran’s Affairs. Men and woman
that so bravely fought for our country should not be without medical benefits.
They put their lives at risk defending our country they should at least have
the right to medical benefits. The possibility that the effects of combat,
post-traumatic stress disorder, or the anxiety of the pressures that the
military has on soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines could have caused the
behaviors that warranted the dishonorable discharge.
“If you
served in the active military service and were separated under any condition
other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current
and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active
duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were
called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as
well” (Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp). The
problem is that we have veterans that do not have medical benefits, are unable
to pay for Obama care SSI. Because the veteran has a dishonorable discharge
that may have been due to service related stresses they are unable to receive these
medical benefits. Everyone has made mistakes in their lives that they regret,
but having a dishonorable discharge has to be changed by a court of law but
they are very difficult to be turned over.
“A Veteran’s
character of discharge (COD) must be
under other than dishonorable conditions to establish eligibility for
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
benefits based on that individual’s military service. A dishonorable discharge
or a statutory bar deprives a claimant of all VA benefits. Exception: A
dishonorable discharge or statutory bar is not binding on VA if it is
determined that the individual was insane when committing the acts which
resulted in the discharge” (M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v. Chapter 1, section B.
p. 1-B-2).
References
United States Department
of Veterans Affairs. (2014). Basic eligibility of medical benefits for veterans.
Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp
Statutory Bar to Benefits and Character of Discharge (COD) Overview.
M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart v. Chapter 1, section B. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
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