Transition

Washington State Service Member for Life Transition Summit

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WSMTC Members,

I wanted to ensure that you had the flyer for this year’s Washington State Service Member for Life Transition Summit. Please save the dates on your calendar, I would also like to highlight the WSMTC Workgroup breakout session (Day 1: 1:00-4:00) located at the Hawk Transition Center. This will provide a unique opportunity for each track continue to build partnerships with local leaders in the public and private sector. It will also allow each track to get valuable feedback from the professional community that will help set Track goals for FY16.

This is an important event that will help us continue to carry over the great success you have all had into the next year, and continue to build upon that success for FY16.

If you have any questions please let me know.
Very Respectfully,
Paul Cruz | WA State Military Transition Council Project Manager
Washington Department of Veterans Affairs
1102 Quince St. SE |Olympia, WA 98504
Tel: (360) 725-2237|Cell: (360) 972-0435
paulcr@dva.wa.gov | www.dva.wa.gov|

WSMTC Summit Flyer

Events, Women

OARS for Women Veterans STORM Memorabilia Auction & “Hoops For Heroes” OARS Spotlight Game Information

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Attached are:

  1. Storm Auction Flyer

visit our auction at:

OARS 2015 Storm Memorabilia Auction

  1. Storm Flyer for the game.  Remember Promo code is oars

the URL for the tickets is:

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/storm/EN/promotion/home

3. OARS arts flyer

OARS 2015 StormGameFlyerFNL

This is including Friday this week and next. We need people to come to get the funding.

Please post the attached flyer and forward to anyone you feel will be interested. These tickets are available for all Women Veterans ($10 with appropriate id). They are also available for folks supporting our women veterans and  their re-adjustment back into civilian life.

Please show your support by purchasing tickets. If you cannot come then buy your ticket for a woman veteran to come.

Outreach And Resource Services (OARS) for Women Veterans

10002 Aurora Ave. N. Unit 36-597

Seattle, WA 98133

(206) 554-9600

Health, Substance Abuse

11/5 King County Mental Health & Substance Abuse Legislative Forum

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Please Join Us, and Help Spread the Word!

19th Annual

King County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Legislative Forum

Thursday, November 5, 2015

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

(public reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:00 p.m.)

Town Hall Seattle

1119 8th Ave. (at Seneca St.), Seattle

With 950 community members in attendance last year, the forum will now offer expanded seating capacity!

The Forum will include:

  • Remarks from King County Executive Dow Constantine.
  • King County’s proposed legislative priorities in mental health and substance abuse for 2016.
  • Current innovations and outcomes in behavioral healthcare in the communities of King County.
  • Compelling personal stories from individuals in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse.
  • The perspectives and priorities of federal and state legislators and King County Councilmembers.

More details about the event are available at http://thsea.org/KCMH-forum or http://www.kingcounty.gov/mhsa.

If you think you may be able to attend, please send a note to Chris Verschuyl at chris.verschuyl@kingcounty.gov.

Please also do whatever you can to spread the word among your personal and/or professional networks. Everyone is welcome to this free event, and no RSVP is required.

Thank you for considering adding this event to your calendar, and for helping us encourage others to participate.

Sincerely,

Jim Vollendroff

Division Director, King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division

jim.vollendroff@kingcounty.gov

Jobs, Training, VA

VA Launches New No-Cost Training Programs

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vafacebook_originalVA Launches New No-Cost Training Programs

Programs Designed to Help Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans Develop New Skills and Credentials

WASHINGTON –  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today launched two new no-cost training programs, Accelerated Learning Programs (ALPs) and VA Learning Hubs, to help transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans from all eras learn skills, earn credentials, and advance in civilian careers following separation from service.
ALPs and Learning Hubs are part of VA’s Veterans Economic Communities Initiative (VECI), promoting education and employment opportunities for Veterans through integrated networks of support in 50 cities. VA launched the VECI program in response to President Obama’s August 2014 challenge to help Veterans and families integrate with their communities and find meaningful jobs that can lead to economic success. Under VA Secretary Robert McDonald’s MyVA transformation, VECI is now in place in cities across the United States.
“My message to transitioning Servicemembers is simple: Plan early and stay engaged, because transition is the mission,” said McDonald. “These two new resources provide no-cost opportunities for our transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans to learn new skills and earn credentials, which can increase their competitiveness during their transition.”
ALPs offer transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans the opportunity to build on their world-class training and technical skills gained through their military service, and earn certifications in high-demand fields.
VA is piloting ALPs this summer with seven courses focusing on building skills and certifications needed to advance in high-demand careers in information technology (IT), as part of the President’s TechHire initiative. Each ALP course is offered at no cost and includes free referral and support services..
The first ALP cohort includes seven courses covering a range of IT-related topics, including:

  • Coding/Programming Boot Camps;
  • 80+ IT Certifications in Hardware, Software, Networking, Web Services, and more;
  • Network Support Engineer Job Training and Certification;
  • Cybersecurity Training and Certification;
  • IT Help Desk Job Training; and
  • IT Boot Camps for Desktop Support and Windows Expertise.

Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans from any era are invited to apply to their choice of courses. Applications will be accepted starting August 17, 2015 – seats in the pilot cohort are limited; applicants are encouraged to apply early. ALPs do not involve use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill..  Students are able to participate in these programs while also pursuing other programs of study using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Visit the ALP website to learn more about each program and apply.
VA is also launching Learning Hubs in 27 cities across the country this year in partnership with the American Red Cross, The Mission Continues and Coursera, an online education platform.
Transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans can take advantage of both online and in-person study. Each week, online course modules will be completed outside the classroom while class sessions, led by Learning Hub facilitators, provide opportunities to discuss course materials with peers, hear from subject matter experts, and network. Upon completion of the program, Servicemembers and Veterans may elect to receive one free verified certificate issued by Coursera.
For more information about the VECI or to learn more about VA ALPs and Learning Hubs, contact VeteranEmployment.vbaco@va.gov

MOAA, VA

Veterans SEA MOAA picnic-ACTION 8/26 11am-2pm

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SEA MOAA Veteran’s Picnic
Wed. August 26th at Seward Park, Picnic site #1
Picnic 11:00 – 14:00

Please plan on coming to enjoy the picnic with all of the Veterans from the Seattle VA Hospital and other SEA MOAA members.

SEA MOAA will provide the following: Chili, hotdogs, hamburgers, buns and condiments, water, ice, soda pop, pickles & olives, diced sweet onions, lettuce & tomato and a variety of chips.

RSVP to Jay Murray: Telephone 206-932-6064 or email murraysj2@msn.com by Monday August 24, 2015 so we can purchase enough food, beverages, etc.

Please pass on this information to others. The area is wheelchair accessible. We hope to have a big turnout. See You there.

Jay Murray
VA Picnic Coordinator

Employment, Homeless

President Obama Nominates Mike Michaud for Assistant Secretary of DOL-VETS

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Former U.S. Representative to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Employment and Training Service

Washington – President Obama today announced that he is nominating former U.S. Representative Mike Michaud for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Veterans Employment and Training Service at the Department of Labor (DOL-VETS).

Mr. Michaud had been a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 until the 114th Congress.
As the Democratic Representative from Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Mr. Michaud had a large impact on veteran issues through his seat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. He served as the Ranking Member of that Committee, as well as the Health Subcommittee. In his work in these positions he was a committed advocate for homeless veterans and the programs that serve them, especially on areas that addressed employment and education.

DOL-VETS is responsible for a wide range of veteran specific programs at the Department of Labor, including the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP), Jobs for Veteran State Grants (JVSG), and Stand Downs. Last year they served 1.1 million veterans and helped them gain employment.

The position is currently held by Acting Assistant Secretary Teresa Gerton, who has held the position since the retirement of Assistant Secretary Keith Kelly earlier this year. Ms. Gerton had previously held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at DOL-VETS, and has been an impactful leader on the issue of veteran homelessness in both positions.

NCHV Executive Director Baylee Crone said of the nomination, “NCHV looks forward to the arrival of Mr. Michaud at DOL-VETS, and is excited to be re-gaining a partner with such a long history of committed advocacy on behalf of this country’s homeless veterans.”

Homeless

Operation: WelcomeOneHome Event

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Today is the Day!!!

The US Declared War on Veteran Homelessness and it Actually Could Win

http://www.npr.org/2015/08/04/427419718/the-u-s-declared-war-on-veteran-homelessness-and-it-actually-could-win

Veterans, Neighbors and Landlords,

Please join us Monday, August 10, 2015 at 10 a.m. for the campaign launch event of Operation: WelcomeOneHome

A Community Call to Action to end Veteran homelessness in King County by December 31, 2015.

WE NEED YOU, so please share this link with your professional and personal networks to truly make this a community event!

We have 120 seats remaining. Registration and more details at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/operationwelcomeonehome-campaign-launch-tickets-17927177671

We look forward to seeing you there!

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No One Does More For Veterans