LIVINGSTON COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES 2019 MARY DURST DIRECTOR

LIVINGSTON COUNTY VETERANS’ SERVICES 2019 MARY DURST, DIRECTOR

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE NAME We have a tight-knit team to assure our Veterans get the care and service they need. These individuals are deeply committed and motivated to making a difference in the lives of Livingston County Veterans and their Survivors. 2

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP JOE RIKER, CHAIRMAN Branch of Service: War Time Era: Term Expiration: Army and Navy Global War on Terror 12/31/2022 BOB BEZOTTE, VICE CHAIR Branch of Service: War Time Era: Term Expiration Army Vietnam 12/31/2022 3

COMMITTEE MEMBERS KEVIN NAGLE Branch of Service: Army War Time Era: Global War on Terror Term Expiration: 12/31/2021 JIM WALLACE Branch of Service: War Time Era: Term Expiration Army Vietnam 12/31/2020 BRUCE HUNDLEY Branch of Service: War Time Era: Term Expiration Army Vietnam 12/31/2020 4

VETERANS SERVICES OFFICE STAFF RON BLACKWELL, LEAD BENEFITS COUNSELOR • Army Veteran • Previous VSO of the American Legion • Retired Deputy Sheriff/ Detective • Date of Hire: 10/16/2019 DENA DAHER, BENEFITS COUNSELOR • Dual Master Degrees in Social Work and Health Administration • 15 years as a mental health social worker in prisons and nursing homes. • Date of Hire: 11/06/2018 KELLY JOHNSON, ADMINISTRATION SPECIALIST APRIL TOWNSEND, BENEFITS COUNSELOR • Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services • • • Former OLHSA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Case Manager 10+ years in Medical Administration/Office Management • Expert knowledge of medical billing Date of Hire: 3/18/19 • Date of Hire: 1/17/2019 5

TRANSPORTATION • • JON HALL, LEAD DRIVER 20+ years in public schools • and 7 years in transportation. • Date of Hire: 4/23/2018 • TOM SIDELKO, DRIVER Air Force Reserve Veteran • 15 years of special education services and handicap transportation • Date of Hire: • 3/21/2019 TOM EVELETH, VOLUNTEER Army Veteran Prior Transportation Sergeant with the Michigan Department of Corrections Date of Hire: 05/16/2019 • BRUCE HUNDLEY, VOLUNTEER Army Veteran • Veterans Services Committee Member • Sunny disposition with “can do” attitude 6

G I L OF E C FI H G HI S T H 7

WHAT’S NEW? • Security cameras • New scheduling software • GPS tracking systems on vans • Mobile printer/scanner for home visits • Sold MV 1 & purchased Dodge van and wrap • Ipads for drivers to access new scheduling software • Converted Counselor desktops to laptops for home visits 8

ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Fully staffed • Fully accredited • Purged over 1, 300 documents • Converted to digital documents • Converted two positions into Lead positions • Obtained VA Personal Identification Verification cards • Started mobile claims for outreach and housebound veterans 9

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS • • • • Livingston County Veterans’ Council MVAA Catholic Charities Homeless Continuum of Care Committee Housing Stability Taskforce Committee Eviction Prevention Committee Ann Arbor VA HUD/VASH Ann Arbor VA Hospital OLHSA Veterans Treatment Court Jill Haas-Warrior Way Home Non-Profit VFW National Children's’ Home Piquette Square/Cheryl Allen Elissa Slotkin’s office • • • Ann Bolin’s office MCDC Cleary Love Inc. Connect Five Brighton Home Depot Howell Wall-Mart Village Manor MI WORKS! American Legion/Gary Easterling Volunteers of America Helping Veterans Find Employment 10

OUTREACH EVENTS • Walk for Warmth • Pinckney Art in the Park • Community Connect • Guest Speaker Village Manor • MVAA/Sheriff Veteran Friendly Employer Recognition • POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance • Rolling Thunder Ride to Remember • Veterans Day Guest Speaker at Pinckney Schools • The renaming of the Howell Post Office • Provided $500 Worth of Turkey Baskets to Veterans for • Veteran of the Year Award • Freedom is Never Free Memorial • Livingston County Employee Health Fair • Memorial Day Parade Thanksgiving • Santa Seniors Gifts • The Traveling Memorial • Free meals to Veterans on Veterans’ Day • Vet Fest 11

SANTA FOR SENIORS 12

CURRENT COLLABORATIONS • L. E. T. S. • MVAA • AA VA - Micro-Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) to Howell area. 13

VETERAN STATISTICS 2017 -2018 14

NATIONAL AVERAGE ANNUAL REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT 15

COUNTY VETERAN STATS • Veterans in Livingston County* • Percentage of Veteran population in Livingston County • County ranking in Michigan* 10, 300 5% 17 out of 84 *GDX_FY 2018 16

VETERANS SERVICES as of 12/3/2019 17

OFFICE STATS Veterans/dependents seen in office 848 Veterans/dependents utilizing transportation 63 Veterans who used both office and transportation 17 Veterans/dependents who utilized transportation or office services 875 18

OFFICE APPOINTMENT STATS Claims/records appointments 1, 423 Indigent Relief appointments 167 Total in-office appointments 1, 590 Transports (individual on single day) 846 19

INDIGENT RELIEF STATS Veterans/Dependents seeking relief 117 Approved applications 102 Disapproved applications Total amount spent as of 12/3/2019 15 $98, 446. 59 20

INDIGENT RELIEF BREAK DOWN Auto $13, 859. 24 Hotel/Homeless $11, 069. 25 Rent/Mortgage $10, 410. 00 Other (line items <$2, 000) $9, 917. 94 C. C. & Personal Loans in Collections Status $9, 888. 76 Home Repair $8, 760. 00 Utilities $8, 327. 16 Medical $4, 745. 18 Groceries $3, 933. 67 Gas Cards $2, 250 The Blue Car $1, 948. 50 Mental Health $1, 910. 00 Flag Boxes $688. 30 21

COMPARISON FROM PREVIOUS YEAR VETERANS/ APPOINTMENTS INDIGENT RELIEF DEPENDENTS EXPENDATURE PEACE TIME INDIGENT RELIEF EXPENDATURE VETERAN I. D. ’S Community Projects and Promos 2017 610 959 $228, 281. 99 * * * 2018 568 1, 354 $238, 507. 02 * * * 2019 848 1, 590 $98, 446. 59 $5, 296. 29 $910. 00 $30, 181. 77 22

YEAR END FINANCIAL OVERVIEW CASH $79, 200. 90 INVESTMENTS $1, 307, 000. 00 TOTAL $1, 386, 200. 90 23

MOVING FORWARD 24

MISSION STATEMENTS PREVIOUS Mission Statement: Livingston County Department of Veterans' Service will never turn a veteran away and ensure Livingston County veterans and their dependents receive any and all benefits available through local, state, and federal government, pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. CURRENT Mission Statement: Compassionately helping Veterans and dependents in Livingston County improve their quality of life through timely, efficient and comprehensive services; increasing access to medical care, supportive services and benefit awards. 25

2020 DIRECTOR GOALS • Take care of the employees so they can properly take care of our veterans. • Create a more friendly atmosphere • Create a more compassionate atmosphere • Provide highly knowledgeable, trained staff through emphasis on professional development • Encourage a “can do” office attitude • Ownership in identifying and expanding services and programs • New Office • • Better visibility Larger facility More inviting atmosphere Room for growth, if needed • Full Marketing Plan Completed • • • Rebrand Raise office awareness Inform of services Correct misconceptions Better understanding our target audience and their needs. 26

QUESTIONS? MDURST@LIVGOV. COM WWW. LIVGOV. COM/VETERANS