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Compact Service Corps Annual Coordinator Meeting
March 12-13, 2013
Denver, CO
Wendy Jeschke – Presenter
This workshop is designed to meet the needs of both novice and experienced coordinators in the national service field who are seeking tips, tricks, and ideas to engage veterans and the disabled.
o Welcome & Introductions
o Session Agenda
o Learning Objectives
o CNCS Focus
o Activity/Discussion
o Tips and Suggestions
o Making Connections
o Sharing Activity
Increase knowledge in working with veterans and Wounded Warriors
Identify resources for engaging veterans and people with disabilities
Take away new ideas on how to engage veterans in your community
In 2010, the Corporation for National and Community Service launched the Engaging Veterans with Disabilities Initiative to enhance the capacity of national service programs to recruit, engage and support veterans with disabilities as active service members in structured volunteer experiences.
As a table, take10 minutes to discuss and answer the questions on the Mingo worksheet.
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs as of September 2012: 22,328,000
91%
National Service Inclusion Project
Veterans Upward Bound
Define – Person with Disability
5.5 million
A visible disability is one that people can see without looking too hard. Quadriplegia or paraplegia are visible. Most forms of blindness are visible.
Invisible disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Some people with visual or auditory disability who do not wear glasses or hearing aids, may not be visible. Sitting disability, chronic illnesses: diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, PTSD, and TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts brain function
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder resulting from exposure to an experience involving direct or indirect threat of serious harm or death; may be experienced alone (rape/assault) or in company of others (military combat)
18 according to the National Violent Death Reporting System
?
33% of homeless males are veterans
26% have a bachelor’s degree
Be upfront, they like to know what’s in it for them, such as stipend, benefits, and their value.
Stressing volunteer service is a way for veterans to serve their country and help those in need.
Emphasize that service gives a sense of belonging, purpose, inclusion, helps with human connection and self-esteem
They want to have their interests matched with program goals and activities
Veterans are very independent and for the most part won’t ask questions
Ask - What is needed to be successful?
Inclusion is important! If someone responds to opportunity, but can’t perform function, have another opportunity on hand to offer.
Veterans that share their stories with other vets have great success.
The more people talking about your organization in a positive light, the better.
Be motivational!
Universal Design
Always focus on the individual, not the disability
Always speak directly to them not interpreter or companion. Do not talk down to them as if they were a child.
Any and all assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, service animals should be respected. Do not play with them!
If you would like to offer assistance, always ask
first! Never assume.
Relax. It is okay to use expressions such as “See
you later”
As with other etiquette issues, when mistakes are
made, apologize.
An individual with a disability is just that – an
individual. No two people experience a disability in
the same way.
Community Partners ◦ Veteran Provider Group
Vet Centers and Clinics
Job Service
Veteran Food Pantry
◦ Disability Organizations ◦ Civic Groups ◦ Youth Organizations
AmeriCorps Programs ◦ Conservation Corps ◦ Senior Corps
◦ AmeriCorps Week
NW Montana Veterans Food Pantry, Kalispell, Montana
Thanksgiving Food Boxes
Veterans Upward Bound
Support groups
Student Organizations
Service Learning Students
National Day of Service Project
Other?
Veterans Car Wash
9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
Step One: Discuss at your table what you are doing or could be doing on your campus for Veterans and individuals with disabilities?
Step Two: Write down your ideas and be prepared to share with the whole group.
National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) www.serviceandinclusion.org
National Service to Employment Project (NextSTEP) http://serviceandinclusion.org/nextstep/
Creative Training Solutions (CTAT ) www.ctat-training.com/veterans-projects http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/veterans/
For more information about engaging veterans and military families see:
American Council on Education, Toolkit for Veteran Friendly Institutions
http://www.acenet.edu/higher-education/topics/Pages/Supporting-Student-Veterans.aspx
Working with veterans, Community Provider Toolkit
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/toolkits/toolkits_list.asp
The Corporation of National and Community Service’s Veteran Corps
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/serveamerica/veterans.asp
United We Serve – Veterans and Military Families Initiative
http://www.serve.gov/vets.asp
To honor and empower wounded warriors:
Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Soldier for Life www.armymil/soliderforlife
Student Veterans of America http://www.studentveterans.org/
For more information on TBI and PTSD:
National Center for PTSD, www.ncptsd.va.gov
Brain Injury Association of America, Academy for Certified Brain Injury Specialist Training, www.biousa.org and www.ctat-training.com, The Essential Brain Injury Guide
Crisis Intervention, (24/7), US Department of Veteran Affairs, Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255 Online chat: www.veterancrisisline.net/chat
Other:
Montana Veterans Upward Bound, Lori Borth, Coordinator, College Transition & Educational Programs lborth@msubillings.edu 1-877-356-8387 ext. 2
Contact Information
Wendy Jeschke Flathead Valley Community College
Service Learning/AmeriCorps Program Assistant
406-756-3372
wjeschke@fvcc.edu
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