2. Agenda
Review the objectives for this session
Spend a few minutes brainstorming about strategies
to use with sample cases
Cover websites and other resources.
3. Objectives
Understand basic terminology regarding military
transition to career
Get familiar with websites that are helpful to vets in
transition
Gather some information about the GI Bill program
and the vet’s obligations under the program
10. Common Issues for Vets
Divorce/loss of job
Risk of homelessness
Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)
Post Traumatic Stress
Suicide Risk
Overwhelmed
[Photo via Flickr]
11. Self-Advocacy
They’ve earned their benefits
Requesting accommodations doesn’t = a free pass
to get around requirements
13. Vets & College
First Generation college students
Training that is equivalent to college courses, CLEP
or DANTES test scores
May require accommodations for physical or mental
impairment
Don’t tend to be aggressive advocates for
themselves
14. How College-Ready Are
They?
Ask about:
Performance in high school classes
Support from family and friends
How they cope with stress
Any medical conditions that could affect attendance
Have other family members attended college?
92% of veterans have a high school diploma or
higher
15. Grades and the GI Bill
Withdrawals, Incompletes, and grades lower than a
“C” all can count against a student on the GI Bill
The VA may be able to call back the money and the
student may not be eligible to use those benefits
ever again
19. Where the Crosswalk Ends
O*NET has a cool
MOS to civilian career
crosswalk (YEAH!)
The client in your office
knows his MOS, but
when you plug it into
the crosswalk . . .
nothing comes up.
(BOO!)
What now?
20. The Resume that Said Too Much
Two pages of text
Lots of training & skills
None of it in English as
we know it
21. All is Well, BUT
I can’t write papers
I can’t make it to class
before noon
I can’t make it to
evening classes on an
urban campus
23. Veterans Administration
Healthcare—largest provider of healthcare in the
United States
Behavioral Health
Medical and Prescription Benefits
Optometry, etc.
Disability Compensation—Varies by “Rating”
Education—GI Bill
Death Benefits (Not so relevant if the veteran made
it to your office.)
24. Disability Ratings
Additional compensation based on level of disability
(10% and up)
Any physical injury resulting from service (service-
connected) or mental health issue may make them
eligible for disability compensation
This can be a 6 month process
25. Education Benefits
Post 9/11 GI Bill
Government pays the college/university directly
Includes a housing allowance
Up to $1,000/yr for books and supplies
Yellow Ribbon Program
Private colleges and universities allow veterans to
attend at a similar tuition rate as they would at a
public university
26. State & Federal Benefits
Veterans are entitled to federal benefits through VA
They also are entitled to state benefits where they
currently reside, and, possibly, the state where they
were born. In order to receive those benefits, they
have to apply separately.
32. Thank you
If you have additional questions, I can be reached
at
amy@amyarmstrongLPC.com
Email me if you would like a
copy of the handout. Will also
be posted on
www.amyarmstronglpc.com
Notas del editor
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army via Flickr.
Which piece of the pie represents veterans who identify as:
White
Black
Hispanic
All other (Alaskan Native, Asian, etc.)
Which piece of the pie represents veterans who identify as:
White
Black
Hispanic
All other (Alaskan Native, Asian, etc.)
Choices and options seem great and they are, but they are also overwhelming for someone who comes from a culture that offers few options.
A lot of vets may view applying for/requesting accommodations as seeking “special treatment” that isn’t really necessary. It can be important to point out to them that accommodations aren’t for that, but rather they exist to give every student an equal opportunity to succeed. A student with TBI just doesn’t have the same type of brain function as someone who doesn’t. A student with a hearing impairment really does need a hearing aid, a seat close to the professor and possibly, an interpreter.
Get a citation on the first gen piece plus a number
These students may attend without applying for GI Bill benefits because they don’t think to, think the government doesn’t have the money, or are intimidated by the process
Professors usually run the show when it comes to attendance policies and many will not budge regardless of a student’s veteran status. It’s important that students realize that if they will need to be absent more often than not, it will have implications for their grades.
Not *all* colleges accept CLEP credits.
Also, while a “technical” or “occupational major” is often a terrific option for someone with a trade background to get an associates degree, it doesn’t always transfer well to a four-year college. It’s important to get an idea of what the student’s goals are for college, and to make sure they get appropriate advisement regarding articulation agreements.
This could be very important for clients who are having trouble working full time