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MODERNIZATIONof Services & Benefits

for CF Veterans & their Families

Information Sessions presented at

Canadian Forces Bases and Wings

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Overview of Session

Introduction by the Deputy Review of Programs and Eligibility Presentation and discussion on implementation

considerations Presentation and discussion of the Statute and

the Regulations Presentation and discussion on the

consultations in moving forward Presentation by Veteran organization

participants on key considerations

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VAC’s New Programs

Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act - Bill C-45 passed on May 13, 2005

The “New Veterans Charter” will: Provide a one-stop, client-centred service with VAC case managers to

ensure that the needs of CF Veterans and families are properly identified, addressed, monitored, and followed-up, and to ensure that there is coordination of service providers

Focus on rehabilitation & reintegration to civilian life through a suite of new needs-based programs that support “wellness”

Rehabilitation Program Economic Loss Program Health Benefits Program Job Placement Program

Modernize how CF Veterans are “compensated” for pain and suffering by replacing disability pensions with disability awards

Grandfathering provisions will mean that monthly disability pensions already in pay will notbe affected, but applications for new conditions will be processed under the new scheme

Screening(Transition Interview)

RoutineTransitional Needs or Non-Service Related

RehabilitationNeeds ?

Service RelatedRehabilitation

Need?

New program access

CF Veteran

Case Management Services, Rehabilitation, Loss of Earnings,

Income Support, Permanent Impairment Allowance,

and Health Benefits

Disability Award and Related

Benefits

Service related disability?

Case Management Services, Counselling (Including cultural

transition), Training Referrals, and Job Placement

yes

Medically Releasing ?

yesyes yes

CF Member

Release

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Rehabilitation Program

Purpose To restore to the fullest extent possible the capability and

functioning of a CF Veterans and their families; and, to remove barriers to successful re-establishment

Content Phases:

Medical Rehabilitation – stabilize physical and psychiatric conditions and restore basic function

Psycho-social Rehabilitation – restore independence and adapt to disability

Vocational Rehabilitation – identify and achieve vocational goals Features:

Expanded eligibility and more flexible program access No need to first obtain a VAC disability award Both individual and family counselling provided When Veteran unable to benefit from program, spouse may receive

vocational assistance and other rehabilitation services if required Integrated with SISIP program

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Economic Loss Program Purpose

To recognize and compensate for the impacts on “earnings” after release as the result of a service-related or career-ending disability

Content Earnings Loss (Taxable)

Temporary Earnings Loss - income replacement benefits during rehabilitation, payable up to 75% of salary

Extended Earnings Loss - income replacement to age 65 if unable to work after rehabilitation

Supplementary Retirement Benefit - payable at age 65, 2% of total Earnings Loss paid

Permanent Impairment Allowance – payable for life as a result of severe and permanent service related impairment in recognition of diminished employment potential and lost career advancement opportunities.

Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit (Non-Taxable) For CF Veterans after rehabilitation who are not employed or

employed in low-paying jobs (eligibility for life based on need)

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Disability Award Program

Purpose Compensation for the personal impact of a service-related

disability including, for example, “pain and suffering” Content

Tax-free cash payment for service-related conditions Payable in 5% increments, up to a maximum of $250,000 No offset from Economic Loss payments, as is currently the

case Conditions that worsen may be reassessed In the case of service related death during service, survivor

benefits up to $250,000 maximum VAC will provide reimbursement for clients who wish to

access independent financial advice Current CF disability pensioners will be grandfathered

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Health Benefits Program

Purpose To provide health benefits coverage to CF Veterans and their

families Content

VAC will continue to provide treatment , Veterans Independence Program, and Long Term Care for Service Related conditions

Supplementary health benefits coverage from VAC after release for CF Veterans and their families and for families of serving members Supplementary coverage will be similar to Public Service Health

Care Plan but tailored to needs of CF First, to those releasing CF members who are medically releasing

or have service-related re-establishment needs but are not eligible for the Public Service Health Care Plan

Then, to all medically-releasing CF Veterans, and all voluntarily releasing with 20 years service; and to families of serving CF members

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Job Placement Program

Purpose To help CF Veterans enter the civilian workforce

Approach Delivered in partnership with DND and others (e.g., Human Resources

and Skills Development Canada) Content

In cooperation with DND, transition and job search training to include Skills assessment, interest and aptitude Job-search training Return to work plan, to include training offered by HRSDC and the

provinces Housing seminars Counselling and coaching through to job placement

Active job finding assistance All categories of release, except releases relating to misconduct,

entitled to this service

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Service & Program ModernizationOrganizational Readiness and

National Implementation Approach

Presentation to Veterans’ Associations

June 29, 2005

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Organizational ReadinessUpdate

Access to New Suite of Programs (diagram) Scope of Implementation Planning National Implementation Approach Governance Structure Roles and Responsibilities Progress to Date Discussion

Screening(Transition Interview)

RoutineTransitional Needs or Non-Service Related

RehabilitationNeeds ?

Service RelatedRehabilitation

Need?

CF Veteran

Case Management Services, Rehabilitation, Loss of Earnings,

Income Support, Permanent Impairment Allowance,

and Health Benefits

Disability Award and Related

Benefits

Service related disability?

Case Management Services, Counselling (Including cultural

transition), Training Referrals, and Job Placement

yes

Medically Releasing ?

yesyes yes

CF Member

Release

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Scope of Implementation Planning

Legislation: Royal Assent May 13, 2005

Consultation with Stakeholders Regulations Policies Business Processes Development & Harmonization Internal IT Systems/Linkages Staff Training Statements of Work and Contracting for Outside

Service Providers (Job Placement – Health – Rehab)

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Scope of Implementation Planning (cont.)

HR Planning Outcomes-Based Case Management Financial Framework/RMAF Privacy Impact Assessment Performance Management Transition Measures (advice to clients) Communications DND/HRSD Readiness Workload Back Log Reduction

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National Implementation Approach

What are we going to do? use existing resources and expertise for all

implementation-readiness tasks involve all affected stakeholders to obtain

expertise and support involve key departments and agencies (DND,

HRSDC, PWGSC,PSC) use these resources on an ‘as required’ basis,

reducing operational impacts

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Program-Based Implementation Groups

Implementation Groups Disability Award Program Economic Loss Program Rehabilitation Program Client Services

Case Management, Service-Related Rehabilitation Need Contracted Programs

Job Placement, Health Care Benefits

Working Groups Training / Change Management Communications

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Advantages to this Approach

• Allows for an environment in which all necessary implementation readiness tasks are identified by departmental stakeholders in a structured, organized manner

• Establishes formal connections between stakeholder groups, at regional and HO levels for cross-divisional work and information sharing, and ensures operational awareness and preparedness

Ensures comprehensive, holistic approach to key areas such as communications and training

Reporting structure allows for two-way communications on input/consultation

Ensures that post-implementation, expert resources will exist within each region/ division involved in the implementation planning

Governance Structure

Deputy Minister

Organizational ReadinessSteering Committee(Ferguson/Hillier/

Executive Director SPMTF)

VAC/DND Steering Committee(Ferguson/Jarvis) National

Implementation Team

Assistant Deputy Minister

Veterans Services

NationalImplementation

Manager

Divisional LeadsWorking Group LeadsPartners (HRSDC, DND)

Executive DirectorSPMTF

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Roles & Responsibilities

Task Force (Led by Darragh Mogan)

External Consultations Lead Communications Lead Regulations Policy Framework Contracting Strategy and SoW Training Strategy Outcomes-Based Case Management

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Roles & Responsibilities (cont.)

National Implementation Team (Led by Diane Huard)

Overall coordination, facilitation, and issue resolution of tasks to be completed

Tracking of organizational readiness progress including linkages between Regulations, Policies, SOW, Contracting and Business Process Mapping

Functional direction and support to individual program-based implementation teams and regional implementation groups

Monitoring expenditures

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Roles & Responsibilities (cont.)

Regional Implementation Teams

Develop Regional Implementation Strategy and Plan Participate in Implementation Activities (Testing) Lead Consultations and Communications in their

Region Implement CCSA and Outcomes-Based Business

Model Manage Change within their Region Reduce Workloads

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Progress to Date

Implementation Leads appointed at national and regional levels

Regions and Divisions are engaged in first wave of training

DoJ Drafters have started drafting of regulations in collaboration with TF Program Experts & Departmental Legislative Unit

Treasury Board Submission approved for operating expenditures for FY 05-06

Discussions with PWGSC underway to obtain their support for the development of Statements of Work and for contractual phase

Phase 1 of Consultation with Veterans Associations started today

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Progress to Date (cont.)

DND appointed Chief of Staff to ADM HR-Mil to ORSC and DND Liaison Officer to National Implementation Team

Implementation Groups participated in Work Breakdown Structure Session mid-May

Work Breakdown Structure submitted for each program area

include all tasking, areas/individuals assigned to tasks, anticipated effort/duration of task, interdependencies

Project Manager will soon be selected – RFP closed end of June

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Discussion

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Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment/

Compensation Act.

Bill C-45

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Objective

To provide an overview of statute authority and supporting regulatory content.

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Part 1

Job Placement

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Provide job placement services Perform needs assessment and develop

plan Refuse service if entitled via another

organization

Job Placement

Statute authority

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Eligible groups Program principles Application requirements.

Job Placement

Regulations will define:

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Part 2

Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Assistance, and Financial Benefits.

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Statute authority

Provision of rehabilitation services/vocational assistance to medical releases, Veterans with service related rehabilitation needs, spouses, and survivors

Assessment of needs Development/implementation of rehabilitation/ vocational

assistance plans Evaluation and modification of plans Refusal/cancellation of services

Rehabilitation Services and

Vocational Assistance

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Regulations will define:

Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance

Exceptions to medical release eligibility Application requirements Barrier to re-establishment Total and permanent incapacity Program principles and factors Authority for payments of expenses Circumstances for suspension or cancellation Redress Circumstances where duplication will be avoided

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Financial Benefits

Earnings Loss Supplementary Retirement Benefit Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit Permanent Impairment Allowance

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Statute authority:

Eligibility Basic formula Division of payment for survivor and

orphans Cancellation provision

Earnings Loss

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Earnings Loss

Application requirements Time and manner of payment Formula details Suitable gainful employment Circumstances for cancellation Redress

Regulations will define:

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Eligibility

Supplementary Retirement

Benefit

Statute authority:

Regulations will define: Application requirements Time, manner, and amount of payment Redress

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Eligibility Commencement and duration of benefit Formula for determining the amount payable Provisions for suspension or cancellation Residency requirement Requirement to participate in job placement Rates

Canadian Forces Income

Support Benefit

Statute authority:

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Application requirements Time and manner of payment Employment related criteria Circumstances for suspension or cancellation Formula definitions Residency parameters Redress

Canadian Forces Income

Support Benefit

Regulations will define:

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Eligibility Rates Authority to exam/assess Cancellation provision

Permanent Impairment Allowance

Statute authority:

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Permanent Impairment Allowance

Regulations will define:

Permanent and severe impairment Application requirements Time and manner of payment Circumstances for cancellation Redress

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Part 3

Disability, Death and Detention: Disability Award

Death Benefit

Clothing Allowance

Detention Benefit

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Eligibility Assessment of disability Maximum disability assessment Division of payment for survivors Redress Rates

Disability Award

Statute authority

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Disability Award

Application requirements Rules of evidence; evidentiary presumptions Circumstances for reduction of award

Regulations will define:

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Eligibility Amount of benefit Redress

Death Benefit

Statute authority

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Death Benefit

Application requirements Rules of evidence/ evidentiary presumptions Circumstances for reduction of benefit

Regulations will define:

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Eligibility Amount and timing of benefit Redress

Clothing Allowance

Statute authority

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Clothing Allowance

Application requirements Time, manner, and amount of payment

Regulations will define:

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Eligibility Redress

Detention Benefit

Statute authority

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Detention Benefit

Application requirements Time, manner, and amount of payment

Regulations will define:

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Part 4

Health Benefits

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Authorization to enter into a contract and set terms and conditions for a group insurance program

Health Benefits

Statute authority

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Health Benefits

Eligibility

Regulations will define:

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Other Regulatory Context

Indexing Payment or re-imbursement of fees for financial

advice Processes and procedures to be followed by

the Minister in making decisions under this Act.

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Regulations

The “Consultation” road ahead

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Consultation Plan withVeterans Organizations 4 phases (beginning and ending with

multilaterals; bilaterals in between) Time frames

Target to conclude by mid to late September 1st bilateral likely mid-July; 2nd likely mid to late

August Final session with Minister late September

Schedule of topics included in plan

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Key Considerations

Flexibility in both timing and subject of discussion during each phase.

Consultations by topic as soon as material is ready for preliminary discussion

Constantly close the loop on all suggestions or concerns Demonstrate that action has been taken; or if

not possible, why not Keeping focussed on topic and level Keeping eye on the ball – the “ball” is

“implementation” as soon as 1 April 2006

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The “Process”

Series of bilaterals, with multilaterals to start and finish (DM starts; Minister concludes)

First multilateral to set the process in motion and lay out the task at hand Stage setting exercise Review of statute Overview of regulations Discussion of process Vets orgs outline any key considerations in

moving forward

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The “Process”, continued

First bilateral consultations Briefing on status and proposed direction Initial feedback from Vets orgs Followed by internal consultation and study

within each organization Detailed feedback from Vets orgs in advance

of next bilateral session All input shared with Design Team for

consideration, analysis, etc Follow-up discussion by phone or in writing as

necessary between sessions Material prepared to present back to Vets orgs

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The “Process”, continued

Second bilateral consultations Presentation and discussion as follow-up from

first session Briefing on status and proposed direction for

additional topics (not yet addressed) Initial feedback from Vets orgs, followed by

other steps as in first round of bilaterals A subsequent, or third bilateral may be

required Finalization of input and proposed response

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The “Process”, continued

Final multilateral consultation All Veterans organizations with the Minister Will occur at point when draft regulations are

“near” final form Content will be shared in advance The goal will be to ensure that collectively the

Vets orgs are supportive of the proposed regulations

Session will, however, represent final opportunity for change before regulations are submitted for approval