West Michigan Veterans Coalition Meeting August 18, 2015 – 10:00AM – Noon Grand Valley State University (Allendale Campus) 1 Campus Drive Kirkhof Center, Room 2250 – Grand River Room Agenda - Pledge of Allegiance - MiVCAT Updates - Employment Committee Updates - Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center 1800-MICH-VET - Military/Veteran Suicide - Podio

1. August 18, 2015

2. Agenda
• Pledge of Allegiance
• MiVCAT Updates
• Employment Committee Updates
• Military/Veteran Suicide
• Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center
1800-MICH-VET
• Podio

3. Timothy [Tim] J. Loney
West Michigan Regional Coordinator
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
loney@micounties.org
Work: 269-348-9175
Cell: 269-357-3410

4. West Michigan Veterans Coalition
• The West Michigan Veterans Coalition is a collaboration
between local military friendly organizations that provide
support, information, and resources to veterans and their
families, employers, and other organization throughout West
Michigan.
• Our mission is to improve the lives of veterans, their families,
and anyone that served in the Armed Forces by connecting
them to all available services and resources throughout West
Michigan.

5. Service Provider
Engage
Network
Network
Respond to
Request for
Support
Service Provider
Follow up on
provided
resources
Service Provider
connect veteran
with a person
and the
resource
Veteran Engage
Service Provider
Veterans Community Action Teams

6. Michigan
Veterans
Community
Action Teams

10. Veteran Suicide
Jeff Bird DNP(c), RN

11. The Numbers
22 veterans per day take their own lives
Based on estimates of a 2012 VA study
Only 21 states are included in the
study (excluding Texas and
California)
23% of suicides were excluded since
veteran status was unknown

12. The Numbers
23% of suicides were excluded since
veteran status was unknown
So the data is based on 77% of the
known suicides in 40% of the
population.
Suicide rates vary from state to state
between 7 – 29 veterans per day.

13. The Numbers
These data are usually framed in the
context of the recent wars
Most of the suicide were in veterans
over the age of 50.
Most of the veterans never deployed
Even more never saw combat

14. Newer Numbers
 A recent study looked at veterans who
served in active duty between 2001 – 2007
(1,282,072).
 Military records were matched with
National Death Index
 1868 suicides identified during the study at
a rate 29.5/100,000 (50% higher than
matched civilian)

15. Newer Numbers
 Enlisted personnel were twice the rate of
officer
 White, unmarried males at the highest risk
 Highest risk is in the 3 years after separation
 Those who don’t complete an enlistment are
also at highest risk

16. Women Veterans
While the data shows 83% of
veteran suicides are men, female
veterans killed themselves at a rate
more than twice that of the civilian
population

17. What does all
this mean?

18. Understanding Suicide
Suicidality is a complex problem
> 20 known broad categories of risk
factors
Mental illness (depression, PTSD,
bipolar)
Family history
Childhood trauma (abuse neglect)

19. Suicide
Different stages of suicide
Passive suicidal ideation
Active suicidal ideation
Suicidal desire
Suicidal intent

20. Understanding Suicide
The Interpersonal Theory
of Suicide (IPTS)

21. The Proximal Causal Pathway to
Suicide

22. Thwarted Belongingness

23. Perceived Burdensomeness

24. Acquired capability for suicide

25. The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire
INQ -10
The following questions ask you to think about yourself and other people. Please respond to
each question by using your own current beliefs and experiences, NOT what you think is
true in general, or what might be true for other people. Please base your responses on how
you’ve been feeling recently. Use the rating scale to find the number that best matches how
you feel and circle that number. There are no right or wrong answers: we are interested in
what you think and feel.
0 1 2
Not at all Somewhat Very True
for me true for me for me
_____ 1. These days the people in my life would be better off if I were gone.
_____ 2. These days the people in my life would be happier without me.
_____ 3. These days I think my death would be a relief to the people in my life.
_____ 4. These days I think the people in my life wish they could be rid of me.
_____ 5. These days I think I make things worse for the people in my life.
_____ 6. These days, I feel like I belong.
_____ 7. These days, I am fortunate to have many caring and supportive friends.
_____ 8. These days, I feel disconnected from other people.
_____ 9. These days, I often feel like an outsider in social gatherings.
_____ 10. These days, I am close to other people.

26. Let’s talk about Michael

27. What we can do (the importance
of the WMVC)
Advocate
Educate
Battle Buddy
Be there

28. What we have done (the
importance of the WMVC)
Story of a suicidal Marine

29. Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center
A collaborative partnership assisting Michigan veterans
West Michigan Veterans Coalition
Region 4 VCAT Quarterly Meeting
August 18, 2015

30. Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency
Vision, Mission, Values
• The vision of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is:
• that Michigan becomes the most veteran-friendly state in the nation by:
• creating a ‘no wrong door’ customer service culture that provides the
advice and assistance veterans need as they transition through the chapters
of their lives
• advocating for and on behalf of veterans and their families
• MVAA Mission:
• To serve as the central coordinating point, connecting those who have served in
the United States Armed Forces and their families, to services and benefits
throughout Michigan
• Agency Values:
• Inclusion – seek collaborative solutions and results
• Integrity – always do the right thing
• Transparency –don’t mislead or conceal
• Innovation – create and seek opportunities to demonstrate continuous
improvement
• Respect – treat everyone as you would like to be treated

31. Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center
(MVRSC) Launch
• The MVRSC is a collaborative effort with MI 2-1-1, regional VCATs and
accredited veteran service officers that realizes the vision, focuses on the
mission and personifies the values of MVAA
• Launched September 25, 2014 by Governor Snyder
• Toll free and operating 24/7/365, the MVRSC is more than a call center,
providing case management and information about federal benefits, state
services and local resources
• Case management tools allows the Resource Center to connect the veteran to all
the services s/he needs with multiple, concurrent referrals
• Connects veterans to accredited veteran service officers and service providers in
their local community
• Self-service, MichiganVeterans.com or full-service, 1-800-MICH-VET

32. MVRSC Mission
• MVRSC mission:
• To provide one centralized and knowledgeable point of contact
for veterans and their families to access federal benefits, state
services and local resources that help them transition through all
the chapters of their lives
• Customer Service Philosophy:
• Assist callers as Michigan citizens first and provide all assistance the
state offers
• State programs have broader eligibility and larger ‘pot’
• Stretches precious state and local veteran benefit dollars
• Fill in the gaps with veteran-specific programs based on eligibility,
including VA benefits
• Connect veterans to resources in the community they live in
• Treat every caller as family

33. MVRSC Staff and Training
• Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center
• Staff of 5 veterans and 2 military family members
• Full time web portal and social media manager for
MichiganVeterans.com
• Gryphon Place – extends to student veterans and military family
• Training for all MVRSC and Gryphon Place staff
• Military Culture Training (30 days)
• TRIM, Versatile, CRM, InContact, Micro-fiche, RightFax (30 days)
• Mental Health First Aid Certified (3 months)
• State of Michigan Training (6 months)
• Taking the HEAT to Provide Superior Customer Service
• Multi-Generational Appreciation
• MIVET Accreditation (1 year)
• Ongoing technical and knowledge-based training and research
• Database search and development

34. MVRSC by the Numbers
• Immediate 170% increase in calls following Governor’s announcement
• Current (July) monthly volume – 2,400 veteran contacts and growing!
• Calls - average 1,350
• DD214s –average 500
• 400 inbound emails plus over 100 e-benefit information requests
• 25 legislative, congressional and gubernatorial requests
• Resource development – adding to or cleaning up the knowledge base
• Add 25 specific new county resources each week
• 2-1-1 database is continually updated with VCAT enrollments
• Quality control
• Listen to 50 random calls month
• 400 outbound follow-up calls

35. MVRSC Partnerships
• MOUs with MI 2-1-1, DHS, MDOT and MEDC provide start up financial
support and ongoing technical support
• First program in the state to fully integrate with Michigan 2-1-1 and first
program in the nation to integrate with a statewide 2-1-1 system to
provide services to veterans
• After hours support first supplied by UPCAP, but MVRSC outgrew their
capacity to support within 6 months of operations
• Partnership with Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo began July 2015
• Better trained, especially in mental health support
• Proximity to Battle Creek VA
• Closer to Lansing enabling better communication and training
• More available after hours staff

36. MVRSC/Gryphon Place
Partnership
• Currently standing up the relationship
• Phase one – 2-1-1 triage (now)
• Phase two –additional MVRSC training and cultural awareness
(September)
• Phase two – Shared CRM implementation (September)
• Phase three – full service – seamless to MVRSC (November)
• Gryphon Place and MVRSC receive the same training and are held to
the same quality and customer service standards
• Shared customer service platform allows for seamless 24/7 veteran
service
• State provides licenses to Gryphon Place that allow for shared case
management
• MI 2-1-1 will share a database of resources that MVAA will convert
into a geo-coded file that is zip and radial searchable (November)
• Fillable and submit-able forms on web portal ease paperwork (Nov.)

37. MVRSC/VCAT
Partnership
• VCAT members are essential partners with the MVRSC
• Provide local connections for veterans who call 800-MICH-VET
• Inclusive of all programs providing any service to veterans
• Includes ‘micro’ resources ineligible for inclusion in 2-1-1
• VCAT members can call the Resource Center 24/7/365 for
additional assistance
• We want to refer to you -think of the MVRSC as an extension of
your staff!
• Enrollment in MI 2-1-1 is important and gives you high visibility
• Enroll at www.mi211.org and submit to resources@mi211.org
• MVRSC can search resources in PODIO, but 2-1-1 agents cannot
• Allows for 24 hour wrap around support: state –local –federal
• Grand Rapids Marine and family example

38. Serving those who served
VCAT
Members
Michigan
Veteran
Resource
Service
Center
Michigan
2-1-1
Accredited
Veteran
Service
Officers
24/7/365
support for
Michigan
Veterans and
their families
“If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one person does not become tired.”
― Askhari Johnson Hodari, Lifelines: The Black Book of Proverbs

39. www.MichiganVeterans.com
1-800-MICH-VET

40. An Overview of Podio:
How Coalition Members Can Navigate
and Use Podio to Better Serve Veterans,
their Families and Caregivers
An Overview of Podio 40
Elena Bridges
Altarum Institute

41. The Focus of Today’s Presentation
• The Need & Requirements
• Structure & Security
• Coalition Based Service Provider Directory
• Assistance and Support Requests
• Veterans’ Resources and Events
• Next Steps: The Process for Membership
Podio’s Functionality
An Overview of Podio 41

42. The Need
Implementing the “No Wrong Door” philosophy
• Service providers need to be identified
• Their information has to be collected
• Service providers have to come together to educate one
another
Collective Efforts
• Effective Coordination of Services
• Integration of Services
An Overview of Podio 42

43. Collaborative Tool Requirements
Gather Information Share Information
Foster
Communication
within the VCAT
Produce
Informative
Products that Aid
the VCAT’s Mission
An Overview of Podio 43

44. Podio Structure
An Overview of Podio 44

45. Security
• System Security
– The software services that comprise Podio have been
developed by Citrix, a multinational software company.
– Customer-uploaded data is hosted at the Citrix Datacenters
in Frankfurt and Amsterdam, and through Amazon Web
Services in Dublin.
– Network access to the systems hosting Podio is controlled
through firewalls designed to detect & respond to various
attacks.
• User Security
– All data in the workspaces are accessible by invite-only to
verified users.
An Overview of Podio 45

46. Coalition Based
Service Provider Directory
• Organization and Coalition Member Directory
– Every member has to complete their VCAT
Membership and Organization Information Form
to be included in the Directory.
• Allows member service providers to collect
each others information.
• The ability to search and filter the directory to
locate services for helping veterans.
An Overview of Podio 46

47. Assistance and Support Request
• Allows member service providers to request
support or assistance with helping a Veteran.
• Ability to document case management
(randomized ID number) with multiple
providers assisting in the resolution process.
• Can store completed requests for others to
reference navigation routes to obtain services.
An Overview of Podio 47

48. Veterans Resources and Events
• A central location for member service providers to
locate events, documents, and helpful websites to
better serve Veterans, dependents, and caregivers.
• There are various ways to view events in Podio – as
tables, lists, or a calendar.
An Overview of Podio 48
Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT) Calendar

49. Workspace Example
An Overview of Podio 49

50. The Next Steps:
How to Get Started in the
Podio Workspace
An Overview of Podio 50

51. Step 1 – Apply
Before you can register for Podio, you have to complete
the VCAT membership form. This information will
automatically be stored in Podio.
51
Veterans Community Action Team Membership Form
An Overview of Podio

52. STEP 2 - Register
You will receive an
email from Podio that
invites you to join the
VCAT workspace.
Follow the
instructions listed in
the invitation to
register.
52An Overview of Podio

53. STEP 3 – Create
STEP THREE: After you
register, you will need to
create your Podio account.
• Click on “My Account” in
the upper right hand
corner
• Click on “My Profile” and
complete your profile as
thoroughly as possible.
53An Overview of Podio

54. STEP 4 – Explore
STEP FOUR: Take time to explore the different apps in
the workspace. Feel free to find your member and
organization profiles in the Members App and
Organizations App, share resources with others, or add
events to the calendar!
54An Overview of Podio

55. Any questions about the
process for joining Podio?
An Overview of Podio 55
Please contact Elena Bridges, your Veteran Services Community Coordinator, (616)
401-2026 or at Elena.Bridges@altarum.org for any further questions.