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"...Who do we serve? A former or current member of the United States Armed Forces, Guard or Reserves. As a former member, the Veteran must have been Honorably discharged or discharged “Generally” under honorable conditions. The Veterans Court may accept individuals with a diagnosis of PTSD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) or MST (Military Sexual Trauma) as a result of their military services. The Veterans Court may also accept individuals who are considered “combat” veterans* with substance use disorders. Potential candidates with a diagnosis of PTSD, TBI, or MST will be given the highest priority.Other counties may do things a little differently, but Spokane is typical. The process is still new, but studies from other states (e.g. Minnesota) show evidence that it works!
"Criminal Case Criteria: Only those individuals whose cases are Spokane County misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor are eligible for acceptance into the Veterans court pending a review by the Veterans Court Team. The Team consists of the Judge, Prosecutor, Public Defender, Probation Officer, Veterans Court Coordinator and Veteran’s Administration staff. Felony reductions plead in District Court may be referred to the Veterans Court for probation monitoring subject to a staffing review by the Team.
"Exclusions: Convictions for sexual and serious violent offenses...."
Press Release January 7, 2015Here's the list of mayors that have signed up for the challenge
Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that New Orleans is the first major city in the nation to end homelessness among Veterans as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness.
Members of the New Orleans Interagency Council on Homelessness as well as Veterans, service members, military leaders, national homelessness advocates and partners from the federal government joined Landrieu at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans to announce and celebrate the city’s historic milestone.
“Six months ago on Independence Day, we came together to pay homage to our service members and Veterans who courageously serve our great nation and announced our goal to effectively end Veteran homelessness in New Orleans by the end of 2014,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “I am honored and very pleased to report that we have housed 227 Veterans, exceeding our goal of 193, thanks to the hard work of our committed partners. New Orleans is now the first major city in the nation to answer the President and First Lady’s call to end veteran homelessness – and we did so one year earlier than the federal goal. We owe our Veterans our eternal gratitude for their service and sacrifice to this nation, and making sure they have a place to call home is a small but powerful way we can show our appreciation.”
The ambitious effort began in response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homeless, which challenged communities to end Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. To date, 312 mayors, six governors, and 71 other county or city officials from across the United States have accepted the challenge.
According to the HUD 2014 Homeless Point in Time Survey conducted by UNITY of Greater New Orleans, 193 individuals were counted to be homeless Veterans in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. As a part of the Mayors Challenge, Mayor Landrieu put together a coalition of nonprofits, homeless service providers, U.S. service members and Veterans, and federal, state, and local agencies – a coalition that has now permanently housed 227 homeless Veterans in New Orleans.
“Veteran homelessness is an important and challenging issue, and we are very proud of our accomplishment today in New Orleans, but the work of ending Veteran homelessness is never really done,” said Landrieu. “That’s why we have also created a new and sustainable rapid response model that combines all available local, state, and federal resources with the work of our local active duty and former military personnel – utilizing Veterans to help Veterans. I hope our model here in New Orleans can be replicated nationwide so that we can end Veteran homelessness in America once and for all.”
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| Computer Ready For Service In the CLC Common Area! |
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"IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release No: NR-456-14 September 03, 2014Then review the official DoD news story for an explanation and the Supplemental Guidance at http://www.defense.gov/news/OSD009883-14.pdf. Then take over a discharge upgrade, perhaps with a local branch of your favorate Veterans Service Organization. It is never too late to get the right thing done!
Department of Defense Announces Guidance for Upgrading Discharge Requests
The Department of Defense announced today that it has issued supplemental guidance to Military Department Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NR) when considering petitions regarding discharge upgrade requests by veterans claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“This is our responsibility and the right thing to do for veterans,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. “This new guidance reflects our commitment to those who served our country during times of war many decades ago.”
Recent attention has been focused upon the petitions of Vietnam veterans to BCM/NR for the purposes of upgrading their discharges based on claims of previously unrecognized PTSD. In these cases, PTSD was not recognized as a diagnosis at the time of service and, in many cases, diagnoses were not made until decades after service was completed. This supplemental guidance was issued to help review boards ensure fair and consistent results across the military services and ease the application process for veterans who are seeking redress. It is not intended to interfere with, or impede the boards' statutory independence to correct errors or remove injustices through the correction of military records.
BCM/NRs fully and carefully consider each petition brought by every veteran. This includes a comprehensive review of all materials and evidence provided by the petitioner.
For more information, the department’s supplemental guidance can be found at http://www.defense.gov/news/OSD009883-14.pdf."
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| Percentage | Rate |
|---|---|
| 10% | $133.17 |
| 20% | $263.23 |
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $407.75 | $587.36 | $836.13 | $1,059.09 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $455.75 | $651.36 | $917.13 | $1,156.09 |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $494.75 | $703.36 | $982.13 | $1,234.09 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $533.74 | $755.36 | $1,047.13 | $1,312.09 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $446.75 | $639.36 | $901.13 | $1,137.09 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $485.75 | $691.36 | $966.13 | $1,215.09 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $44.00 | $59.00* | $74.00 | $89.00 |
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Alone | $1,334.71 | $1,551.48 | $1,743.48 | $2,906.83 |
| Veteran with Spouse Only | $1,447.71 | $1,680.48 | $1,888.48 | $3,068.90 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $1,538.71 | $1,784.48 | $2,005.48 | $3,198.96 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,629.71 | $1,888.48 | $2,122.48 | $3,329.02 |
| Veteran with One Parent | $1,425.71 | $1,655.48 | $1,860.48 | $3,036.89 |
| Veteran with Two Parents | $1,516.71 | $1,759.48 | $1,977.48 | $3,166.95 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $104.00 | $118.00 | $133.00 | $148.64 |
| Dependent Status | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $491.75 | $699.36 | $976.13 | $1,227.09 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $439.75 | $630.36 | $890.13 | $1,124.09 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $530.75 | $751.36 | $1,041.13 | $1,305.09 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $569.75 | $803.36 | $1,106.13 | $1,383.09 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $478.75 | $682.36 | $955.13 | $,1202.09 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $517.75 | $734.36 | $1,020.13 | $1,280.09 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $24.00 | $32.00 | $40.00 | $48.00 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $78.00 | $104.00 | $130.00 | $156.00 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $44.00 | $59.00 | $74.00 | $89.00 |
| Dependent Status | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran with Spouse and Child | $1,530.71 | $1,775.48 | $1,995.48 | $3,187.60 |
| Veteran with Child Only | $1409.71 | $1,637.48 | $1,840.48 | $3,015.22 |
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and Child | $1,621.71 | $1,879.48 | $2,112.48 | $3,317.66 |
| Veteran with Spouse, Two Parents and Child | $1,712.71 | $1,983.48 | $2,229.48 | $3,447.72 |
| Veteran with One Parent and Child | $1,500.71 | $1,741.48 | $1,957.48 | $3145.28 |
| Veteran with Two Parents and Child | $1,591.71 | $1,845.48 | $2,074.48 | $3,275.34 |
| Add for Each Additional Child Under Age 18 | $56.00 | $64.00 | $72.00 | $80.52 |
| Each Additional Schoolchild Over Age 18 (see footnote a) | $182.00 | $208.00 | $234.00 | $260.13 |
| Additional for A/A spouse (see footnote b) | $104.00 | $118.00 | $133.00 | $148.64 |
