Version 8 May 2015 Joint Transportation, Highways and ...€¦ · 2015 Total Claims to date - 797 claims (as of April 2015) 2015 total claims projected: 1,370 Federal dollars returned

Joint Transportation,

Highways and Military Affairs

Interim Committee

Interim Study Topics

1

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] 2

With Your Permission….

Priority #: 3 Veterans' Commission

Combine 1) and 4)


veterans with VA disability and pension claims;

and 4) Utilization / benefit of veterans' service officers.

[Modified by Management Council]

As modified…


veterans with VA disability and pension claims; utilization

/ benefit of veterans' service officers.

3

Wyoming Veterans Commission

VA Transformation Impact on Wyoming

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

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

officers 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

4


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

5


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

6


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

7


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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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



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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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?

10


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

11


Supplementary Funding to Service Organizations

WVC provides supplemental funding to The American Legion, The Veterans

of 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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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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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 14

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



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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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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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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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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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 20

Veterans Benefit Administration’s (VBA) workload

has risen dramatically since 2009

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22

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

-

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

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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 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 Statutory Requirement

19-14-107. Creation of veterans' commission; composition; terms.

(v) Prepare, maintain and distribute information, by printed material or

otherwise, 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… 25


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

26


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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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,

open, and consensus based process.

Continued on next page…

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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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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

organization office

4 – Launch a state only office

5 – Develop a hybrid solution given the current situation

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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. 31


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


(State) NATRONA 6,691


(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

[email protected]

[email protected]

Veterans Commission

WVC – 2 Mr. David Gopperton

Ms. Alisa Cochrane

307-265-7372

307-472-0212

[email protected]

v

[email protected]

Veterans Commission

WVC – 3 Ms. Lori McGee 307-438-2101 [email protected]

Veterans Commission

WVC – 4 Mr. Brad Cline 307-250-3890 [email protected]

Veterans Commission

WVC – 5 Mr. Brian Yeager 307-687-5396 [email protected]

Veterans Home Vets

Home Ms. Lisa Griffith 307-620-0884 [email protected]

Sweetwater County County

Mr. Larry Levitt,

Director

Ms. Sam Esquibel

Ms. Hazel Koenig

307-922-5443

307-922-5442

307-922-5441

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Lincoln County County Ms. Nancy Stafford 307-877-3110 [email protected]

Sublette County County Ms. Cheryl Allen 307-367-4877 [email protected]

Uinta County County Vacant 307-789-7194,

ext. 5 [email protected]

American Legion Cheyenne Mr. Dwight Null 307-433-2751 [email protected]

DAV Cheyenne Mr. Leroy Kenner 307-433-2752 [email protected]

VFW Cheyenne Ms. Cheryl Shannon 307-778-7340 [email protected]

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37

Strength of Each Link in a Chain

Fully Functional

Not as Strong as Needed

Exceeding Expectations

38

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

39

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”


40

Documents

Version 8 May 2015 Joint Transportation, Highways and ...€¦ · 2015 Total Claims to date - 797 claims (as of April 2015) 2015 total claims projected: 1,370 Federal dollars returned