Swords to Plowshares

http://www.paralysis.org/

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) have resources and expertise to enhance the care and recovery of active military and veterans with paralysis and/or traumatic brain injury.

The PRC Military Outreach Campaign assists all active and retired military with mobility impairment from a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury. The PRC has two locations and an extensive website to help those living with paralysis make more informed decisions about their treatment.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new benefit providing educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.

When Can I Receive Benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill?
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date.

Am I Eligible?
At a minimum, you must have served at least 30 days of continuous active duty service after September 10, 2001 and be discharged due to a service-connected disability, or served an aggregate of 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001, and—

- Be honorably discharged from Armed Forces; or

- Be released from Armed Forces with service
characterized as honorable and placed on
the retired list, temporary disability retired
list, or transferred to the Fleet Reserve or the
Fleet Marine Corps Reserve; or

- Be released from the Armed Forces with service characterized as honorable for further service in a reserve component; or

- Be discharged or released from Armed Forces for:
o EPTS (Existed Prior to Service)
o HDSP (Hardship) or
o CIWD (Condition Interfered with Duty); or

- Continue to be on active duty.

If I am eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill (chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill- Selected Reserve (chapter 1606), or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (chapter 1607), am I eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill?
You may elect to receive benefits under the Post- 9/11 GI Bill if, on August 1, 2009, you have met the requirements to qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and you are eligible for chapter 30, 1606, 1607, or are serving in the Armed Forces.

How many months of assistance can I receive?
Generally, you may receive up to 36 months of entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

How much will I receive?
You are entitled to a percentage, as determined by your length of active duty service, of the following:

- Amount of tuition and fees charged, not to exceed the most expensive in-State public institution of higher education (paid to school);

- Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing (BAH) amount payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in same zip code as school* (paid to you); and- Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000* per year (paid to you); and - A one time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas. (paid to you)

NOTE: Housing allowance and books and supplies stipend is not payable to individuals on active duty. Housing allowance is not payable for those pursuing training at half time or less or to individuals taking distance learning.

Length of Service Requirements and the Percentage of Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 36 months: 100% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-connected disability: 100% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 30 months, but less than 36 months: 90%Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 24 months, but less than 30 months: 80% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 18 months, but less than 24 months: 70% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 12 months, but less than 18 months: 60% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 06 months, but less than 12 months: 50% Maximum Benefit Payable

At least 90 days, but less than 06 months: 40% Maximum Benefit Payable

Examples:
Tuition and Fees charged for full time: $6700
Highest In-State Tuition and Fees: $7000

Example 1: If you served for three years on active duty and separated, and you are going to school full time, in the above example you would be eligible for $6700 for tuition and fees, the monthly housing allowance, and $1000 for books and supplies.

Example 2: If you aggregated 12 months of active duty service in the guard or reserves, and were going to school full-time, you would be eligible for $4020 (60% of $6700) for tuition and fees, $600 (60% of $1000) for books and supplies stipend and 60% of the monthly housing allowance.

How long am I eligible?
You will be eligible for benefits for 15 years from your last period of active duty of at least 90 consecutive days. If you were released for a service-connected disability after at least 30 days of continuous service, you will also be eligible for benefits for 15 years.

What does The Post- 9/11 GI Bill cover?
You may receive benefits for training programs approved for chapter 30 that are offered by an institution of higher learning. This includes graduate and undergraduate training, vocational/technical training and foreign training. You may also receive benefits for tutorial assistance and reimbursement of a licensing and certification test. Additionally, if you were eligible for chapter 30, 1606 or 1607, and you elected to use benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you would be eligible to receive benefits for on-the-job training, apprenticeship training, correspondence courses, flight training, preparatory courses, and national exams.

Can I transfer my entitlement to my dependents?
If you are a member of the Armed Forces on August 1, 2009, the Department of Defense (DoD) may offer you the opportunity to transfer benefits to your spouse or dependent children. Please contact DoD or your military service branch for more information.

DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PAMPHLET TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY. Always submit an application for benefits to receive a formal decision.

Visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/ for up to date information on this and other education benefits.

PDF Link: The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 Fact Sheet

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ArmyTimes- New GI Bill answers: Learn when benefits start, who will qualify and how much you may get

For additional info click here, here.

Adrian College, in Adrian Michigan, is now accepting applications for its new scholarship program benefiting disabled veterans. The College is welcoming all applications for the fall 2008 semester.

The program, which is called ‘Operation Education’, will offer a disabled American veteran, who was injured during combat in Afghanistan or Iraq post Sept. 11, 2001, a full scholarship toward earning his or her college degree.

“The young men and women who risk their lives each day in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes to all of us,” says Docking. “All Americans, regardless of whether they support these wars or not, share in the responsibility in helping these men and women further their education once they return home.”

“The College will ask the Veterans Administration to provide us with one to two candidates each year,” says Docking. “Adrian College will provide them with the services they need – housing, books, food, and other academic support requirements – to earn a four-year undergraduate degree free of charge.”

The College will offer the fundamentals: books, housing, meals, a laptop and school supplies, as well as physical and emotional support. If the soldier has a spouse or family, they too will be provided for through the College’s benefits.

For more information please follow this link:http://www.adrian.edu/news/6_08op_ed2.php

http://www.cccco.edu/SystemOffice/Divisions/StudentServices/TroopstoCollege/tabid/660/Default.aspx

California’s Troops to College initiative was announced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in March 2006 to provide educational opportunities and assistance to active duty service members and veterans by the state’s premier education segments and related agencies. He specifically targeted increased instructional opportunities to men and women on active duty, the National Guard and the Reserves.

Includes: listing of Veterans offices and contacts at Community Colleges throughout the state

http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/troopstoteachers/index.asp?Flag=True

Troops-to-Teachers provides Referral Assistance and Placement services to military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The DANTES Troops-to-Teachers office will help applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification and employment opportunities.

Women’s Research & Education Institute (WREI):The Women in the Military Project

The Women in the Military project was established in 1990 to provide information and policy analysis on issues important to military women and women veterans to government policy makers, scholars, the media, the media, and the general public. In conjunction with the project’s mission, WREI publishes Women in the Military: Where They Stand, now in its fifth edition.

The Network of Care for Probation Services, provided by the Merced County Probation Department. This Web site provides information about probation, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance, the Network of Care helps you find what you need. It helps ensure that there is “No Wrong Door” for those who need services.

merced.networkofcare.org/ps/

http://www.veteransfund.org/
The Fund for Veterans’ Education was established to provide scholarships to veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan or Iraq since September 11, 2001 and who are now enrolled in college or vocational-technical school.

http://eeoc.gov/facts/veterans-disabilities-employers.html

Each year, thousands of military personnel stationed around the world leave active duty and seek to return to jobs they held before entering the service or look to find their first, or new, civilian jobs. According to government statistics, between October 2001 and February, 2008, more than 30,000 veterans returned home with service-connected disabilities (e.g., amputations, burns, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injuries).

At least two federal laws provide important protections for veterans with disabilities. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), sets forth the requirements for reemploying veterans with and without service-connected disabilities. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces, prohibits private and state and local government employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability. Title I of the ADA also generally requires covered employers to make reasonable accommodations – changes in the workplace or in the way things are usually done that provide individuals with disabilities equal employment opportunities. Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act applies the same standards of non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation as the ADA to Federal Executive Branch agencies and the United States Postal Service.

This guide briefly explains how protections for veterans with service-connected disabilities differ under USERRA and the ADA, and then describes how the ADA in particular applies to recruiting, hiring, and accommodating veterans with service-connected disabilities.

http://eeoc.gov/facts/veterans-disabilities.html

According to government statistics, between October 2001 and February, 2008, more than 30,000 veterans serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding duty stations have been wounded in action. Many of them have lost a hand or limb or been severely burned or blinded. Others have been diagnosed with hearing loss, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and other service-connected disabilities. Despite their injuries, many veterans who leave active duty are able to work.

This guide answers questions that veterans with service-connected disabilities may have about the protections they are entitled to when they seek to return to their former jobs or look to find their first, or new, civilian jobs. It also explains changes or adjustments that veterans may need, because of their injuries, to apply for, or perform, a job, or to enjoy equal access to the workplace. Finally, this guide includes resources on where veterans can find more information about the employment rights of individuals with disabilities.

AVC believes that the best way to honor our veterans is by taking tangible actions that help to improve the quality of their everyday lives. They support veterans in their times of need by providing financial assistance toward living expenses, medical expenses, counseling expenses, temporary housing and transportation.

www.american-veterans.org

www.abanet.org

The Mission of the American Bar Association is to be the national representative of the legal profession, serving the public and the profession by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the law.

www.vetadvocates.com

The National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA) was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the District of Columbia in 1993 to serve attorneys and non-attorney practitioners admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). NOVA recognizes the need to share information and analysis in order to provide successful advocacy for veterans. NOVA provides continuing legal education and support to individuals representing veterans.

http://www.thepathwayhome.org/

The Pathway Program, located on the grounds of The Veterans Home of California – Yountville, is a Residential Recovery program specifically created for, and dedicated to serve, those of any age who have served during the Global War on Terror in areas of the world such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The Pathway Home Program can help to address many problems facing veterans and can help maximize each veteran’s mental and physical health, resiliency, and overall functioning. The goal of the Pathway Program is to provide a comprehensive program of treatment and support for its veterans so that they can continue to recover from the stressors of war or other traumatic military-related stressors.

Do you know where each of the Presidential Candidates stands on veteran’s issues?

The following links will take you directly to their web pages focused on veteran issues. We encourage you to take a moment to consider their positions before you vote in the general election.

Mental Health: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Suicide (pdf link):

Veterans face innumerable mental hazards while serving in the armed forces. Typically, upon their return home from a deployment, military personnel and their families encounter a myriad of issues. The anticipation of homecoming often causes idealistic expectations and pressures of reunification. This coupled with potential separation from the military and pending transitions into civilian life often cause feelings of anxiety, anger, and resentment between a service member and their family. Moreover, personnel and veterans recently returning from combat may, at the very least, struggle to assimilate back into a civilian lifestyle. It is not uncommon for veterans and personnel to experience sensitivity to loud noises, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

The nature of military efforts often exposes combat veterans to violence and death. As a result, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have relatively high instances of mental health disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are “signature” injuries of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A guide written by Swords to Plowshares

The VA can and will help finance your education with the Montgomery GI Bill provided:

• you have an honorable discharge,
• have served at least 36 months,
• paid the required 12 months into the Montgomery GI Bill,
• and are enrolled in school.

As long as you served at least 24 months you are eligible. The payments, however, will be prorated for your time served. So go for it. It’s a great opportunity to meet people, have fun, and learn some really good information. Not only that, but you’ll be more marketable once you obtain that degree. The next section below is a general guide to securing your benefits in a timely fashion.

Here’s a little extra advice: get to know your VA certifying official really well, even before you are admitted into your school of choice. That person can be an indispensable resource. They will not only serve as the liaison between the VA and you for your monthly payments, but he/she will also help you navigate the often daunting school bureaucracy.

This all may appear to be a huge mountain of information in front of you, but take heart, once you actually start the process it gets easier each semester you complete, so have fun and enjoy school. Hell you deserve it.

Forms

• Application for VA Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) (pdf link) or you may fill out and submit your application online.
• Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Form 22- 5490) (pdf link) or you may fill out and submit your application online.
• Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation (Form 28-1900) (pdf link) you must submit this application first to your nearest Veterans Administration office before attending the school you choose.

Information for Reservists and/or Active Duty Members

In this time of conflict in the world, all universities are aware that you may be activated or deployed for military duty at any time. They know that you have many personal matters to take care of when you are anticipating military activation or deployment. Please remember to take special care in handling your school records. This checklist was designed in order to provide information and advice on maintaining your school records as you prepare for activation or deployment.

Leaving School: Alert your instructors during the term when you think you might be leaving school for redeployment. Discuss with them possible options for completing course requirements if you leave during the semester.

Term Withdrawal: If you need to withdraw from all of your courses, you will need to complete a Term Withdrawal Form. Please read the form instructions and submit the form to the appropriate office, depending on your withdrawal date.

Financial Aid: If you are receiving financial aid, grants, or loans, contact the Financial Aid Office of your school about your term withdrawal and obtain any paperwork that you will need to complete if your deployment is longer than one semester.

Montgomery GI Bill or Reservist GI Benefits: Contact the VA office as soon as possible if you are receiving GI Bill or Reservist GI benefits and you withdraw from your classes. Note that your enrollment certification will be terminated, and notifying the VA office promptly will help to prevent an overpayment of benefits, which you will have to pay back.

Leave of Absence: If you think you will be away for more than one semester, complete a Leave of Absence Request with the educational institution so that you can maintain your catalogue rights. Your “catalogue rights” consist of the year that you enrolled at whatever particular university. So, let’s say that you enrolled at ABC university in 2001; on you first semester in 2002, you got activated and deployed to Iraq. You would go to the administration request, complete, and submit a Leave of Absence Request; when you came back from deployment you will still be eligible to graduate under the requirements of the year you enrolled, in this case 2001.

Provide the university with your mailing address: The educational institution will send correspondence to you during your leave that may require your attention. If you need to change your address with the educational institution go to the admissions department, and make sure they have your correct address.

Types of attendance

If you do not want to attend school as a full-time student you do not have to. Be mindful, however, that your monthly check will be less than if you attend full time. This means if you attend as a half-time student (6 units per semester) your monthly payments will be less than a full-time (12 units) student. The attendance is classified as full-time (12 units), three quarters-time (8 units), half-time (6 units), or less than half-time (3 units). You should also realize that if you take more than 12 units, you may get out of school sooner, but you will not receive any more than the standard monthly payment for 12 units.

Paid Grades

The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that students maintain “satisfactory progress” towards their degree and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. See “Satisfactory Progress” below. All “unallowable” grades will result in an over-payment due back to the VA. The VA does allow grades of Incomplete in which case students have one year to complete the coursework.

Satisfactory Progress

Students receiving federal veterans education benefits will have their benefits terminated if they complete any two consecutive terms with an academic action other than Good Standing, even if the level of achievement does not result in dismissal from the educational institution.

Major and Minors

The Department of Veterans Affairs allows payment for double majors and minors. All majors and minors must be declared for payment of courses in those majors or minors. You can have as many majors and minors as you want (or that the school will allow) and still be able to receive your monthly payments. You will not receive double payments for double majors, however, payments are based on the number of units you take. (See types of attendance above.)

Concurrent Enrollment

Students receiving veterans educational benefits may attend two or more colleges at the same time, as long as it is all in pursuit of a single educational goal and by so doing can expedite their graduation. Students are responsible for having the supplemental school(s) send Form 315, Supplemental/Concurrent Enrollment Form to the parent college or institution that is awarding the degree.

Address Change

To ensure that you continue to receive your VA benefit checks, certifications, and other important VA and/or university information, EVERY TIME YOU MOVE you must be sure to contact the Veterans Affairs Regional Processing Office at 1-888-442-4551 and give them your new address. You must also inform the school of your new address, usually at the administration office.

Financial Aid

If you are getting VA benefits this may affect your level of student aid; most veteran students do qualify for financial aid. Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the school’s Financial Aid office and make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor, or you can file online. The Federal Financial Aid will be discussed in detail later on in this website.

Monthly Self-Verifications

Almost everyone receiving Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty benefits, as well as those in the Selected Reserve, must verify their enrollment each month to receive payment for that month. Your enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month by using our Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) at www.gibill.va.gov/wave or by calling the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line at 1-877-823-2378.

Changing Your Certification

If there is a change in your program or enrollment (adding, dropping, or withdrawing from a class) which will affect your training time, you should contact your educational institution’s Veterans’ Certifying Official. If you have any questions about whether a change will affect your training time, please contact your school’s Veterans Certifying Official for clarification.

End of Benefit

The VA will pay for an entire semester if you have at least one or more days of benefits remaining at the beginning of that semester. Consequently, when you are planning your semesters, you may want to be careful about skipping a semester in receiving benefits, if in doing so it will deplete the remainder of your benefits, or changing your type of attendance with respect to the GI Bill payments. Dropping your payments to half-time or three quarters-time for a semester or two, will actually push your end of benefits date out further. Remember, though, that once you reach the 10 year mark after the date you exit the military you become ineligible to receive benefits. This applies only to persons receiving the Montgomery GI Bill (Active, Selected Reserve, Etc).

Some Practicalities Concerning the Montgomery GI Bill

So you have the GI Bill and you are accepted, admitted, and enrolled into the school of your choice, but you realize you are strapped for cash. Do not lose heart you have gone too far to give up now. First talk with the administration office and your VA Certifying Official at your school. Tell them your situation, and more often than not the school will work out a payment plan with you.

The payments do not begin to flow the moment you start classes. The payments are disbursed at the beginning of each month, but only after you have completed the first month of the semester. Sounds confusing, well, the VA can be that way. In other words, payments come at the beginning of the month for the prior month.

Federal Financial Aid (and State) General Information

You may be able to obtain educational benefits from other sources as well as the Montgomery GI Bill; some states also offer veterans educational benefits. Be careful, however, about loans. They may seem like “free” money, but you have to pay them back, unlike the Montgomery GI Bill assistance. Even if you are not contacted about paying back school loans after you have left school, or even sometimes years later, you will still owe money, with interest, and the government will eventually locate you. For detailed information and to apply for a loan, scholarship, or grant, go either to your school’s Financial Aid office or go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

There are two sources of financial aid: the federal government and the state government. The federal government uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This is used for both grants and loans. Grants are money given to you for you education that does not need to be paid back. Loans, on the other hand, must be paid back Another good source for information and applying for student aid is the financial aid office or www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Paying back loans: IMPORTANT

If you take out a loan you have to pay it back. Many people have been ruined by not paying back school loans. The lending institution may not track you down as soon as you complete school, but in time, even years later. They will find you and you will have to pay back the loan. Later on, if you want to buy a house or a car and need to take out a loan, your past delinquency on the student loan may prevent you from getting the house or car loan.

State Educational Benefits

On top of the federal veterans benefits, you are also entitled to state benefits. These vary from state to state and there are differing requirements for eligibility. You may see each state’s veterans educational benefits and requirements by going to the web address below.

Next to be discussed is residency issues. When you exit from the military, the state associated with your home of record is considered the state your official residence. For example, if you were discharged in Washington then you could claim residency in that state, and have it afforded you shortly thereafter provide you discuss that matter with that state’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) website; just click on State VA Departments and you will be automatically sent to the list of states with their respective DVA websites.

As with many things in life there is a caveat. In this case, the rules and benefits may have changed and that change may not be reflected in the information on the Web site, so you will have to be prepared for this possibility. Hell, I can’t even guarantee that everything you read here is completely correct and up to date.

California Dependents Education Assistance (CHP 35)

The dependent child, spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of a service-connected disabled or deceased veteran may be entitled to tuition and fee waiver benefits at any campus of the California State University system, University of California or a California Community College.
To obtain eligibility requirements and assistance in applying for these valuable benefits, please contact your local County Veterans Service Office, your school’s veterans office, or call CDVA at (916) 503-8397. When the form is completed, contact your nearest County Veterans Service Office. For a complete list check http://www.cacvso.org/

If you are receiving VA Education Benefits under Chapter 35 (Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance), you are not eligible to receive the California Dependents Education Assistance under Plan A. See the instructions for the California Dependents Education Assistance for details about Plans B and C and minimum eligibility requirements.

The tuition and fee waiver benefits provided by this program cover only the State Fee, not campus-based fees, such as health care, or housing costs.
This benefit is applicable to one academic year only and must be renewed each academic year. Generally, the academic year starts in the fall and ends at the end of the spring semester / quarter.

The Next Step Center is a non-profit organization located on the VA grounds in Menlo Park and has provided comprehensive employment services to veterans since 1988. Using a “whole person” model approach to vocational rehabilitation, coupled with intensive case management, the Next Step Center has served thousands of veterans since its inception and placed them in a wide variety of positions throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. NSC provides area employers with qualified, pre-screened candidates for part-time, full-time, permanent and temporary employment.

The Point of Contact is:
Rose Sutton, Site Director
795 Willow Rd. (MS-116B-6)
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 566-0240
24 hr. (650) 326-4526
nextstep@nextstepjobs.org

www.nextstepjobs.org

www.seamlesstransition.va.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) web site for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF).
This is the catch all site for all GWOT veterans. It can be hard to navigate at times, but it is a clearing house for nearly all benefits and health related issues. For medical, or any mental health, substance abuse, OIF/OEF, or MST issues.

The mission of the Veterans Transition Center is to provide services for Monterey County’s homeless veterans and their families. By providing veterans with transitional housing, emergency services and case management programs, veterans will once again become employable, productive members of the community. VTC does not simply offer short term solutions to homelessness, it strives to better the lives of homeless veterans and aims to give them the tools they need to help themselves.

Zebedee Whindleton Jr. Case Manager.
Martinez Hall
220 12th St.
Marina, CA 93933
Phone: (831) 883 8387
www.vtcmonterey.org

This site is devoted to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. It is the start off point to begin the whole process.

www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm

This site is devoted to other types of Educational Benefits available to veterans.

www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/benefits.htm

On this page the veteran verifies each month of each semester, in order to receive his/her educational benefit.
https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/default.cfm

Tells you monthly compensation rates for any type of institution (college, technical school, vocational training).
http://www.gibill.va.gov/

http://www.horatioalger.com/scholarships_military/index.cfm

Horatio Alger Military Scholarship is specifically for veterans of OIF/OEF

The Horatio Alger Association seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society.

Polly Rose (415) 221-4810 x4405

Nathan Johnson (707) 590-3639

Romeo Horvath (707) 333-4814

www.esgr.org

DoD/volunteer organization – encourages employers to hire Guard and reserve, educates employers and reservists regarding USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act ) employment rights, and mediates disputes. ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

The ESGR Ombudsmen Services Program was established to address potential problems arising among the nation’s employers regarding the phasing out of the “draft” or conscription of people into the military by the Selective Service and the establishment of the all-volunteer force. There was concern that the nation’s employers, who were used to some of their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve as an alternative to compulsory active duty service, might question the necessity of such service in a purely voluntary military system. The Ombudsmen Services Program was established in response. It provides information, counseling, and informal mediation of issues relating to compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Trained ESGR volunteers and the Ombudsmen Services national staff are available to promptly respond to inquiries and conflicts presented by employees or employers. (see ESGR Resources page of the Web site, ESGR Committee Contacts section, for local contact listing; use 1-800-336-4590 or About ESGR page of the Web site, Our Staff section, to contact national staff.) More than 95 percent of all such requests for assistance are resolved in this informal process. Many problems result from poor communication between employers and their employees or from a lack of familiarization with the rights and responsibilities of each as defined by law.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heart/
Documentary on PTSD – streaming video, resources and background material.

www.ivaw.org
Anti-war organization affiliated with Vets for Peace

Debbie Skolnick, Family Assistance Network Coordinator.
Email: debbie.skolnick@us.army.mil
www.calguard.ca.gov/readyfamilies

The California National Guard established a Family Assistance Network as a resource to Guard and other military families - especially those involved in current deployments. They have developed rosters of civilian, government, and military agencies that can help families dealing with issues that have surfaced because of active duty. Family readiness handbook, resources, telephone contacts, training materials.

www.dvbic.org/

The mission of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is to serve active duty military, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.

www.ncptsd.va.gov

The National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) aims to advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders.

www.taps.org

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is the non-profit Veterans Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to all those who are grieving the death of a loved one in the Armed Forces. TAPS receives absolutely no government funding, but through the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, all families faced with a death of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces receive information about TAPS and our military survivor programs.

www.fallenheroesfund.org

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Begun in 2000 under the auspices of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, and established as an independent not-for-profit organization in 2003, the Fund has provided close to $60 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. These efforts are funded entirely with donations from the public, and hundreds of thousands of individuals have contributed to the Fund. 100% of contributions raised by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund go towards these programs; all administrative expenses are underwritten by the Fund’s Trustees.

www.fisherhouse.org

Supporting America’s military in their time of need, we provide “a home away from home” that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time — during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.

semperfifund.org

Established in May 2004, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that has provided over 6,000 grants totaling over $16 million in assistance to our Nation’s wounded heroes and families. This assistance helps with immediate financial needs and perpetuating needs, such as modified transportation, home modifications, and specialized equipment.

http://www.calguard.ca.gov/j1/Pages/CMFRF.aspx

The California Military Family Relief Fund (CMFRF) was established to provide short term, financial assistance in the form of grants to California National Guard members and/or families impacted by mobilization and deployment who meet listed criteria.

href=”https://www.mi.ngb.army.mil/family/FinAsst.asp”>https://www.mi.ngb.army.mil/family/FinAsst.asp

The Michigan National Guard Family Fund was created to assist Air and Army National Guard families who experience financial difficulties with temporary emergency financial assistance, and to fund programs and training to maintain and improve the quality of life of our Michigan National Guard families. What constitutes a need? Emergency loss of income through activation for military duty, inability to maintain employment due to injury or sudden illness, or job loss; unexpected medical expenses; pay problems; or the accumulation of legitimate bills (e.g. rent, mortgage, electric, oil, gas, etc.). Inability to pay for basic needs: food, shelter, utilities, clothing, medical bills, and transportation due to unforeseen circumstances.

www.usacares.us

USA Cares exists to provide military families with financial support and other critical resources in their time of need.

They provide “A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out.”

• Assisting wounded warriors and their families

• Preventing home foreclosures and evictions

• Helping with basic needs during financial crisis

www.jacobsprogram.org

“Our Mission is to send our military overseas necessities and comforts from home. We focus on military without family or support from home. We want to give them the support they need and to be a lifeline from America.”

www.cominghomeproject.net

The Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing compassionate care, support and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. We are a group of veterans, psychotherapists and interfaith leaders committed to helping transform the wounds of war. We help veterans and family members rebuild the connectivity of mind, heart, body and spirit that combat trauma can unravel; renew their relationships with loved ones; and create new support networks. We build a safe space – a community — for veterans and their families to come together and share their stories, struggles and accomplishments. Single veterans are also most welcome.

www.operationhomefront.net

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)3 founded after September 11, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,000 volunteers in 31 chapters nationwide. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need.

www.vfwfoundation.org

This Foundation allows members and friends of the VFW alike across the nation to help support all the causes we so strongly believe in. In the end, the VFW Foundation will enable the VFW to grow, prosper, and provide many years of service to this great country and those who have proudly served it.

www.asymca.org

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is a national member association of the YMCA of the USA and works with the Department of Defense. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the ASYMCA has provided support services to military service members and their families for more than 140 years, particularly focused on junior-enlisted men and women – the individuals on the front lines defending our nation and their families. ASYMCA operates at 16 dedicated branch locations and nine affiliated community YMCAs, as well as six Department of Defense/Department of Homeland Security affiliates worldwide.

www.cause-usa.org

Cause began its outreach shortly after the advent of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003 by providing personal care items and clothing to wounded soldiers arriving at Walter Reed from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Research has shown that recreation and entertainment are vital to the healing process, especially for those injured in the prime of youth. Cause steps in with programs designed to bring comfort and recreation into the lives of military men and women taking a long journey back to health.

Today, Cause programs reach hundreds of injured service men and women facing months of medical care and rehabilitation far from home and family.

www.zerotothree.org…key_military

Military Projects at ZERO TO THREE has launched a new three-year initiative, Coming Together Around Military Families (CTAMF). It is aimed at strengthening the resilience of young children and their families who are experiencing deployment and separation.

www.read2kids.org

Their Military Program, an underway quality-of-life program for military families, helps keep parents and children connected while separated during long deployments, through the medium of reading aloud on videotape.

www.ourmilitarykids.org

Our Military Kids provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country. OMK grants are made to honor the sacrifices military parents make and to ensure that the children have access to activities and support that help the children better cope with challenges arising during a parent’s deployment or injury recovery.

www.nmfa.org

Their goal is to educate military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives and to promote and protect the interests of military families by influencing the development and implementation of legislation and policies affecting them.

www.veteransandfamilies.org

Veterans and Families is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics, philanthropists and community leaders.

giveanhour.org

A nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a national network of volunteers to respond to acute and chronic needs within our society. They are currently establishing a national network of mental health professionals and reaching out to our first target population, the U.S. troops and families affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The mental health professionals who join are giving an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families. Those who receive services from the Give an Hour network will be given the opportunity to give back to their own communities. Visitors can log on and enter their zip code to locate the counselor nearest them.

www.nvlsp.org

NVLSP is an independent, nonprofit, veterans service organization dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. government honors its commitment to our veterans by providing them the federal benefits they have earned through their service to our country.

www.vetsprobono.org

The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides: free attorneys to veterans and their qualifying family members who have an appeal pending at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court). If an appellant has filed an appeal with the Court, he or she can request assistance from The Veterans Consortium.

www.veteransvillage.org

The mission of Patrick McCaffrey’s Foundation is to promote mental and holistic wellness and palliative care among veterans returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), by providing a live-in retreat village, wherein with the help of trained professional staff and volunteers, veterans will find inner healing and an eventual re-entry into society.

www.vvsd.net

Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), also known as Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, is dedicated to extending assistance to needy and homeless veterans of all wars and eras and their families by providing housing, food, clothing, substance abuse recovery and mental health counseling, job training and job search assistance.

www.newdirectionsinc.org

New Directions provides a wide variety of services for homeless veterans, including job training and placement, parenting and money management classes, legal and financial assistance, counseling, remedial education and resources for alumni. Residents leave New Directions with a job, housing, a savings account, computer skills, renewed self confidence and the support of mentors and peers. Such a transformation takes hard work, motivation and accountability, but the results are life-altering — and for many veterans, life-saving.

www.sentinelsoffreedom.org

Mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who have suffered severe injuries and need the support of grateful communities to realize their dreams.

www.mcsf.com

Mission is to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action. Beginning in 2004, Toyota committed to funding a $1.25 million endowment for “Toyota Scholars”, which awards scholarships worth $5000 to students every year in each of Toyota’s 12 regions across the United States. In 2006, Toyota increased the endowment to $1.65 Million in order to provide scholarships in our four Lexus areas.

www.vetbiz.gov

A Veteran Resource Information web site designed to assist veteran entrepreneurs who want to start and expand their businesses in the Federal and private marketplace. This site provides up to the minute information from the Federal Government as it pertains to Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Small Businesses.

www.hirevetsfirst.gov

Comprehensive career website for hiring veterans of America’s military. Whether you’re a manager, human resources specialist, or veteran, you’ll find the resources you need for matching employment opportunities with veterans.

www.vetjobs.com

The VetJobs vision is to meet the shortage of qualified candidates in the civilian sector with highly trained veterans who can offer employers technical skills, management expertise and most importantly, leadership. VetJobs provides the tools necessary to make job searching easy for veterans and translating the military experience to civilian equivalents easier for employers.

www.helmetstohardhats.org

Helmets to Hardhats is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry.

www.recruitmilitary.com

For military veterans, including enlisted transitioning military personnel, as well as senior officers and junior military officers, they offer free comprehensive job search and career transition services. They connect these individuals with thousands of employers seeking quality candidates with the unique and well-rounded skill sets a military background provides. They assist our candidates with information about resumes, networking, and interviewing tips in our Career Center. They also provide veteran job fairs throughout the country.

www.hireheroesusa.org

Hire Heroes USA is the link to employment opportunities nationwide for disabled veterans returning home. We provide placement services to our wounded heroes with any level of disability as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Hire Heroes USA matches the career interests and skills of our nation’s heroes to the needs of companies who are partnering with us to fill job openings. We offer our services at no charge to veterans and employers. As a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, our program is supported through private and corporate donations. Hire Heroes USA is an initiative of the Health Careers Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organization established in 1990.

www.return2work.org

Return 2 Work advocates work, education and benefits for newly enabled Americans including injured soldiers returning home from combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world. R2W’s services include: evaluation, training, placement, supported employment, service learning for active duty members, financial counseling, home buyer education.

www.easterseals.com/…ntl_veterans_tbi_pilot_form

Three Easter Seals affiliates in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; and Sacramento, California — with funding from the Ludy Family Foundation — are conducting a project to help returning service members and veterans that may have symptoms associated with a TBI.

TraumaticBrainInjury.Com

“Traumatic Brain Injury.com is a project of Traumatic Brain Injury.com, LLC. The site is sponsored by and paid for by the Law Firm of Cohen, Placitella and Roth, P.C., with offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our mission is to be the leading Internet resource for education, advocacy, research and support for brain injury survivors, their families, and medical and rehabilitation professionals.”

www.neuroskills.com

The TBI Resource Guide is a source of information, services and products relating to traumatic brain injury, brain injury recovery, and post-acute rehabilitation.

www.biausa.org

Founded in 1980, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the leading national organization serving and representing individuals, families and professionals who are touched by a life-altering, often devastating, traumatic brain injury (TBI). Together with its network of more than 40 chartered state affiliates, as well as hundreds of local chapters and support groups across the country, the BIAA provides information, education and support to assist the 5.3 million Americans currently living with traumatic brain injury and their families.

www.tbiguide.com

This online book explains head injury in clear, easy to understand language. Most say the available material is too medical or too difficult to read. The goal of this online book is to better prepare the head injured person and family for the long road ahead.

http://www.dvbic.org/cms.php?p=About_us

www.tirrfoundation.org

TIRR Foundation founded, directs and funds Mission Connect, a collaborative research project focused on the discovery of treatments and cures for central nervous system damage caused by brain injuries and stroke, and paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. The foundation continues to support summer camps and sports teams for wheel chair dependant children. The foundation’s early dedication to improving patient care continues as does the goal to ensure neurologically injured patients receive the highest level of care and greatest opportunity for recovery.

www.ptsdhelp.net

In addition to providing free basic information to veterans, this site is intended to serve as a clearinghouse for practical ideas to help them and their families.

www.onefreedom.org

ONE Freedom provides education and training for our nation’s warriors and their families regarding the challenges of military deployments and the return to home. The programs help the individual, the family and the community by teaching the natural elements of the stress response and self-guided tools for increasing personal resiliency and strength.

www.mvrd.org

A resource directory for active-duty troops, veterans, and others who are concerned about the military’s mandatory bioterrorism vaccines. Here you will find an overview of these vaccines, the latest news, support groups, health care tips, medical and legal resources, and more.

www.mercymedical.org
www.aircompassionforveterans.org

The mission and purpose of Air Compassion For Veterans (ACV) is to ensure that no financially-needy veteran / active duty military person or their family member(s) is denied access to distant specialized medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation for lack of a means of long-distance medical air transportation.

http://www.tricare.mil/

Authorized users can schedule & view appointments; access approved health content; access personal health information; use pharmacy tools; check medications; access military staff applications and more.

www.militarymentalhealth.org

These are completely anonymous and voluntary self-assessments. These questions are designed so you can review your situation with regard to some of the more common mental health issues. The screening will not provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a professional. But, it will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment. It will also give you guidance as to where you might seek assistance.

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/

ptsdcombat.blogspot.com

While a wide variety of events can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, this PTSD blog focuses solely on the combat-related variety. As a new generation of combat vets returns to civilian life and seeks out resources, PTSD Combat is here to help.

www.usvets.tv/

www.vetvoice.com

VetVoice is an online home of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It is for Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members, as well as for veterans, their families, and their supporters. VetVoice is where we can come together to sound off on the issues that concern all of us. VetVoice aims to be a nexus for information and opinion on war news, war politics, deployments, optempo, veterans’ issues, troops’ families’ issues, and more.

www.vawatchdog.org

This site provides the latest information about the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and other topics of interest to veterans and their families. This information is provided free as a public service. You are encouraged to pass it on to others who will find it useful. All information is carefully documented and links to sources are provided.

www.pentagonfoundation.org

The Foundation’s goal, in partnership with the donor community, is to ensure that those who are devoting their lives to the defense of our country have the skills and resources they need to secure a sound financial future for themselves and their families.

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/homes/yountville.asp

A significant portion of the mission of the California Department of Veterans Affairs is “to provide the state’s aged or disabled veterans with rehabilitative, residential, and medical care and services in a home-like environment at the California Veterans Homes.”
CDVA currently operates the Veterans Home of California with campuses at Yountville (Napa County), Barstow (San Bernardino County) and Chula Vista (San Diego County).

www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm

List of Organizations Chartered by Congress and/or Recognized by VA for Claim Representation

www.ngwrc.org

The National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC) offers assistance to veterans of recent and current wars and operations. They are an international coalition of advocates and organizations providing information, support and referrals for all those affected by the complexities of current and recent combat operations (1990 to current).

www.vetcenter.va.gov

The Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center program operates a system of 207 community based counseling centers. The Vet Centers are staffed by small multi-disciplinary teams of dedicated providers, many of which are combat veterans themselves. Vet Center staff are available toll free during normal business hours at 1-800-905-4675 (Eastern) and 1-866-496-8838 (Pacific).

Paralyzed Veterans of America works to maximize the quality of life for its members and all people with SCI/D as a leading advocate for health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans’ benefits and rights, accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers, sports programs, and disability rights.

National Headquarters
801 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-3517
800-424-8200
www.pva.org

The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is a national, non-profit amputee consumer educational organization representing people who have experienced amputation or are born with limb differences. The ACA includes individual amputees, amputee education and support groups for amputees, professionals, family members and friends of amputees, amputation or limb loss related agencies, and organizations.

www.amputee-coalition.org

The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), is an organization specifically established to promote the welfare of blinded veterans. They offer help so that veterans and their families can meet the challenges of blindness.

www.bva.org

The American Pain Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy, and support. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of people with
pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management.

www.painfoundation.org

www.nvf.org

To serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families. They operate a toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families as well as outreach services that provide veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources.

www.vietvets.org

Established in 1980 VVC offers community based activities for veterans and their families. With Eight Service Centers in Northern California, they are focused on the complex realities of veterans’ issues and work diligently to design innovative programs, which respond to the diverse needs of veterans and the community.

www.iraqwarveterans.org

The Iraq War Veterans Organization provides information and support for: Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans, Global War on Terror Veterans, Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans, active military personnel and family members related to pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment issues, as well as service member and family Operation Iraqi Freedom Deployment Readiness problems, information about PTSD, Health issues and Veterans Benefits. The Iraq War Veterans Organization website has links to information about Veterans Administration health care, readjustment after deployment, education, employment, military discounts, PTSD issues, support-chat forums, family support and deployment information.

servicewomen.org

The Service Women’s Action Network supports and develops the leadership of veterans, mentors young women considering military service, works to solve problems facing women in uniform, and provides and promotes services that are healing to women after their military service experience. SWAN establishes a worldwide network of military women, veterans and allies to provide lasting support, community and resources.

www.vets4vets.us

Vets4Vets is a place for veterans of today’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to use peer support to help each other through speaking and listening. Many of today’s new veterans are coming home with an overwhelming amount of emotional obstacles in readjusting to life after the hardships or horrors of war.