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WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
WDVA Briefing of August 14, 2008
Superior, Wisconsin
Board Members Present Council on Veterans Programs Present
Marv Freedman Connie Allord, UWV (Madison videoconference)
William Andersen Russ Alsteen, NCUSA
Jackie Guthrie Cleon Brown, USSVWWII (Union Grove video)
Dan Naylor Paul Fine, ANU
Peter Moran Mark Foreman, VVAW
Rick Langan, TREA
Legislative & Program Review Present Steve Lawrence, VFW
Pete Moran John Margowski, VVA (Union Grove videoconference)
Marvin Freedman, ex-officio Clif Sorenson, WACVO
Scott Berger Tim Thiers, AMVETS
Loren Christensen Paul Weprinsky, JWV
Steve Lawrence William Sims, NABV (Union Grove videoconference)
Roger Mathison (Madison videoconference)
Jim Young WDVA Staff Members Present
Ken Black, Deputy Secretary
Long Term Care Committee Members Present Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Jackie Guthrie Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Ellen Blissenbach (Madison videoconference) Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Mike Demske (King videoconference) Mike Sievert, BOIS
Lee Guerrero (Union Grove videoconference) Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (UG video)
Lewis Harned (Madison videoconference) Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King video)
John Hofer Steven D’Amanda, WVH Adjutant (King video)
Christine Jordan (Union Grove video) Donna Warzynski, Nursing Admin (King video)
Dr. Lochner, Medical Director (King video)
Financial Committee Members Present Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King video)
Bill Andersen Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King video)
Dan Naylor Joshua Gilmour, IT (King video)
Ellory Medor Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison video)
Jerry Polus (King videoconference) Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison videoconference)
Al Richards (Madison videoconference) Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison video)
Tim Thiers Bill Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison video)
Alan Walker (Union Grove video) Ken Grant, Program Services (Madison video)
Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison video)
CVSO Advisory Council Present Colleen Holtan, Budget Office (Madison video)
Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO (Madison video) Charles Piper, VAP (Madison videoconference)
John Solis, Rock CVSO Joe Bertalan, Training & Employment (Madison video)
Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO (Madison video) Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison video)
Fred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO (King video) Julie Van Metre, Exec Staff Asst (Madison video)
Mike Haley, Chippewa CVSO
Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
The briefing session by WDVA staff for Board, Council and Committee members was called
to order at 1:06 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
1. Roll Call
It was certified that the meeting was properly noticed.
Roll call of Board members: 5 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of CVSO Advisory Council members: 6 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Legislative and Program Review Committee members: 7 members present for a quorum.
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Roll call of Long-Term Care Committee members: 7 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Financial Committee members: 7 members present for a quorum.
Roll call of Council on Veterans Programs members: 12 members present; did not meet a quorum.
Introductions included: Doug Finn, Douglas County Board Chair; John Robinson, Chair of the
Douglas County Veterans Board; Tom Bridge, Superior Common Council President.
2. Approval of Briefing Minutes
It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Andersen and carried on a voice vote to approve
the minutes of the June 19, 2008 briefing. Mrs. Guthrie abstained from voting as she was not in
attendance at the June 19th meeting.
3. Legislative Report
Mr. Hardie said that on June 30th the President signed into law the Post 9/11 Veterans
Education Assistance Act. It does not take affect until August 1, 2009. There is an interagency
working group on veteran’s educational benefits that WDVA has convened along with the Wisconsin
Technical College System, UW System, the Department of Administration Budget Office, the Higher
Education Aids Board and the Governor’s Office. After September 15th when the budget has been
submitted we will be able to come together with a unified solution to determine how to amend state
law in order to match what is happening at the federal level with what is happening here in the state.
Mr. Freedman asked for updates on significant developments on what this multi-agency group is doing
so that the Board has the ability to be informed of events as they occur, and if there are concerns from
the Board’s perspective, they will be able to share those with the Department.
The bill related to Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond Program was enacted. A hundred
million dollars in bonding authority was provided. We have two members of the Wisconsin
delegation on the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Paul Ryan and Congressman Ron
Kind. Both have been very helpful in the last couple of years to bring this issue to the forefront. The
Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond Program only affects five states and the fact that we have gotten
this done is truly remarkable.
The appropriations bills are moving through Congress. Of significance: first, the Military
Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill has been marked up in the Senate and has
been passed by the House on August 1st. It contains a significant increase in the cemetery program
which helps to ensure that grants with regards to our state veterans cemeteries will move forward. For
the Homes, $165 million is included in the House bill and $250 million in the Senate bill—both of
those are a significant increase and we will see eligibility in the next year for the Chippewa Falls
Home.
Other items of interest for FY2009 in Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Act as passed
by the House on August 1st: first, total funding for veterans medical care would be expanded under the
House version by $11.8 billion over 2007. Additionally, medical services, $30.9 million is proposed
by the House, that’s one million dollars over the President’s request and $2.8 million over FY2008
level. Priority 8 veterans have not been enrolled in the VA Health Care System since 2003. The
House version of the bill includes $400 million, which was not requested by the President, to start
enrolling Priority 8 veterans. It would enroll 10% of those veterans who are Priority 8 but it remains
to be determined how that 10% would be chosen. That’s a $68 million increase in medical facilities
costs as well. Fee based care--$200 million was passed by the House that was not requested by the
President and not funded in 2008 for fee-based purposes to improve access to care where VA services
are not available. Beneficiary travel—$100 million above the President’s request to increase the
beneficiary travel reimbursement rate from the current 28.5¢ per mile to 41.5¢ per mile. Assistance
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for homeless veterans--$130 million appropriated by the House for the Homeless Grants Per Diem
Program which rejects the President’s $8 million cut. It would be the same as the 2008 level and
includes $32 million to hire additional personnel for the Housing and Urban Development Veterans
Affairs supported housing program. The $165 million appropriated for the State Veterans Homes or
the extended care facilities rejects the President’s $80 million cut to that program. It would be the
same as the FY2008 level. For general operating expenses appropriated by the House--$1.8 billion
which is $102 million above the President’s request and $197 million above FY2008. This will enable
the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to hire roughly 2,100 additional claims processors to work
down the backlog of claims. Nearly 396,000 claims are pending, just 20,000 more than their goal.
Mr. Freedman asked how much was the fee for service increase, how much was that? Mr.
Hardie said $200 million and that was not funded at all in FY08 and not requested by the President.
The Defense Appropriations Bill included a number of health research items--$300 million
appropriation for health research for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and $150 million in traumatic
brain injury. The House Appropriations Subcommittee has put in $617 million for TBI and
psychological health research in the current bill; $100 million for orthopedic research; $80 million for
prostate cancer research; $50 million for spinal cord research; $25 million for ovarian cancer research;
$25 million for lung cancer research; $5 million for vision research and that $617 million is more than
the sum of all of those put together.
Mr. Freedman asked if the TBI appropriations as they stand now focus purely on traumatic
brain injury or is there some funding somewhere for traumatic blast injury? Mr. Hardie was not aware
of anything for traumatic blast injury.
Mr. Hardie next reported on outreach activities in the Department.
• WDVA weekly summaries are published every Friday afternoon, hopefully those continue to
be of interest. Two sample CVSO press releases were sent out; in July on the Veterans
Museum and in August on educational benefits.
• On July 6th the Department conducted a Supermarket of Veterans Benefits at the Milwaukee
Zoo in conjunction with Operation Freedom
• July 29th was the WDVA stakeholder conference held at Department headquarters
• CVSO and TVSO training was held in Madison on August 4th through 6th
• Purple Heart Day event in LaCrosse on August 7th at the Riverside Park
• Veterans Day at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee was August 10th
• August 13th there was a public forum, listening session, held by State Representative Frank
Boyle at the Bong Heritage Center in Superior
• Secretary Scocos spoke at a number of Veterans Service Organization state conventions
throughout the summer—July 21st the AMVETS in Stevens Point; June 28th the VFW in
Milwaukee; July 16th the American Legion in LaCrosse and upcoming will be the DAV Fall
Conference at which Deputy Secretary Ken Black and Anthony Hardie will attend
• Jeff Johnson, the Mission Welcome Home Coordinator, has accepted a promotion as a US
Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment Liaison in Quantico, Virginia. We are currently
filling his position with an LTE.
• September 5th there will be a Supermarket of Veterans Benefits at Ft. McCoy in conjunction
with the Ft. McCoy Retiree Appreciation Day; and on October 24th and 25th at the New
Richmond National Guard Armory
• August 20-21 is the Ex-POW Convention
• August 30th is the annual Wisconsin Badgers Football Salute to Wisconsin Veterans at Camp
Randall
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• September 5-7 the WDVA and the Veterans Museum will have veterans benefits booths at the
Indian Summer Festival in Milwaukee
• September 19th the Department will conduct a POW-MIA Recognition Day event
• September 22-26 is the CVSO Association Fall Conference in Waupaca
• September 26-28 will be the Second Annual Women’s Veterans Conference at Ft. McCoy
• We continue the on-campus veterans benefits open houses for the Fall and we have a number
of them lined up—September 3rd at UW Madison, September 4th at the Madison Area
Technical College, September 10th at UW Oshkosh, September 15th at the UW Whitewater,
September 17th at the NE Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, October 7th at the
Milwaukee Area Technical College, October 18th at the Fox Valley Technical College in
Appleton, October 21st at UW Milwaukee, October 22nd at the Chippewa Valley Technical
College in Eau Claire, and October 23rd at UW Eau Claire
4. Programs Report
Ken Grant reported on CVSO Bulletins:
Bulletin #843 addressed the new 5.75% interest rate for the Primary Mortgage Loan Program.
Bulletin #849 addressed the new maximum PML loan amount of $385,000.
Bulletin #850 addressed the new underemployment income limits in the Retraining Grant Program.
Bulletin #852 addressed the new DoD Program for Spouses to Teachers.
Bulletin #853 addressed the release of an updated version of WDVA Form 2045 (Verification of Illness
or Disability).
Bulletin #855 addressed the availability of the application for the County Transportation Services Grant.
State Veterans Cemeteries: The bid opening for the Columbarium Construction at Southern Wisconsin
Veterans Memorial Cemetery was changed from August 7th to August 14th due to a requirement for an
addendum to the bid document. Once the contract is awarded, construction is estimated to begin
sometime in September and be completed in the early spring of 2009. The first draft of the Cemetery
Feasibility Study for Outagamie County has been received. Revisions are being completed at this time
and the study is expected to be completed by no later than the end of this calendar year.
Veterans Assistance Program: All homeless program sites other than Chippewa Falls are full or near
capacity with veterans. Chippewa Falls currently has 16 veterans and 6 SRO members. Since the
program opened at Chippewa Falls in January of this year over $10,000 in cash and many other
donations has been received.
Campus Open House Briefings for Veterans Benefits: Ten schools have been scheduled to receive
benefit briefings during August, September and October. Last spring WDVA participated in six open
houses and met with about 150 veterans.
Education Program: On June 30, the President signed into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational
Assistance Act. The new law increased the funding of the current active duty Montgomery G.I. Bill by
20%, from $1,101 to $1,321 per month for up to 36 months.
Loan Programs: Loan volume in the Home Loan Programs was $6,864, 290 in June and $5,511,549 in
July. The budget office is currently working on obtaining additional funding under QVMB for the
program. Loan volume in the Personal Loan Program was $262,245 in June and $323,970 in July.
Volume in the Home Improvement Program was $38,000 in June and $98,500 in July. The Veterans
Trust Fund delinquency rate was 2.41% in June and 2.15% in July.
Mr. Freedman asked about the feasibility report for the Outagamie County cemetery and wanted
to know what that initial report consists of as far as its findings. Mr. Grant said the contract is with an
outside vendor to look at Outagamie County and the surrounding areas to see if it is feasible for the
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Department to create a fourth cemetery. Statistical data is still being put together. Mr. Freedman said
that as developments of significance occur as this process continues, they should be included in future
briefings. Also, Mr. Freedman requested a written summary of Mr. Hardie’s report for Board members
in the future.
5. Veterans Homes Report
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King reported:
• The census at the Wisconsin Veterans Home, King remains fairly constant at just below 700, or
nearly 96%.
• King admitted 23 new members in the past two months but also experienced 19 deaths and
discharged six.
• Cash donations received in June: $19,735 and in July: $48,730 (which included almost $39,000
bequeathed from an estate); a total of $68,465 for the period.
• Expenditures during this period totaled $85,650, which included the purchase of 23 large screen
TVs in the amount of $43,000, blanket warmers in the amount of $16,000, and painting of
Ainsworth Hall 4th floor wall murals at $12,200.
• Staffing levels remain stable. The change in CNA vacancies reflects the promotion of 5 CNAs
to the LPN classification via the LPN stipend program.
• Water Supply Well Production Project - Well #1 is in its second year of operation. The second
well will be brought into service this fall with an estimated completion date of January 2009.
• Resident Ceiling Lifts Project – Design has been completed and has been approved by VA. It
will be ready to go out for bids after review by DSF and it will be considered for funding in FY
2009.
• The Olson Hall Domestic Water Piping Replacement Project began in March and is ongoing. VA
funds have been set aside in FY 08.
• An architect/engineering firm is performing a feasibility study for the Wandering Resident
Monitoring System. This would replace an existing system and will be considered for VA
funding in FY 09.
• Olson Hall Window Replacement - A/E performing feasibility study on installation of glass and
sash vs. new frames, glass and sash. VA funds set aside but needs to be re-ranked in FY 09.
• Laundry Energy Initiative Project – Project approved by State Building Commission. A/E
selected. Design and drawings are currently being reviewed. Bid process will follow. Will be
considered for VA grant in FY 09.
• Special events: DAV King Day – June 29th; Member Council Independence Day Celebration –
July 4th; VFW King Day – July 27th; Bicycling Veterans of Northeast Wisconsin Visit – August
9th; American Legion King Day – August 10th; Military Order of the Purple Heart King Day –
September 7th; and AMVETS King Weekend – September 13-14.
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant of the Union Grove Veterans Home reported:
• As of July 31st the campus census was 201; 92% occupancy. Since the last Board meeting,
there were 16 admissions into the skilled nursing facility and 6 had been discharged, 4 of those
were due to death, 1 went to Tomah and 1 went to Fairchild Hall. In Boland Hall there are 35
pending applications and in the Assisted Living buildings there are 32 pending applications
with an average processing time of 4 ½ days.
• Direct care staffing: of the 152 campus-wide direct care permanent positions, 139 (91%) are
filled. Active recruitment is in progress for all the vacancies and do not see a problem filling
those vacancies.
• Construction update: the conversion of ten double rooms into fifteen singles continues at
Fairchild and Shemanske Halls. The ongoing construction has temporarily reduced assisted
living available beds from 128 to 98. Once completed available beds will increase to 123 with
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an overall reduction of 5 beds across both buildings. The first wings in Fairchild and
Shemanske Halls have been completed and have passed state inspection. Members have
moved back into those wings. Work on the second wings for both buildings began in early
July for Fairchild and August for Shemanske. The project manager anticipates that the project
will be completed in November 2009.
• Since the last report, $6,195 in donations has been received. Approximately $1,100 has been
spent. The balance in the gifts and bequests account is approximately $40,000.
• Annual federal assisted living survey for Gates, Fairchild and Shemanske Halls was held on
May 21st. Several issues were identified and plans of correction were submitted to the federal
VA. Two complaint investigations were conducted on campus—one in Boland Hall and one in
Fairchild Hall. No deficiencies were noted in Boland Hall, several issues were identified in
Fairchild Hall and all items have been corrected and a plan of correction has been sent to the
Department of Health and Family Services.
6. Financial Report
Ms. Holtan presented summarized financial statements to include fiscal year 2008 transactions
posted through July 31, 2008. The fiscal year 2008 thirteenth month accounting period closed on
August 6, 2008. Accordingly, fiscal year 2008 transactions posted August 1, 2008 through August 6,
2008 are not reflected here.
Wisconsin Veterans Home-King: Operating revenues were $64,159,147 and operating expenses were
$61,231,578, resulting in preliminary fiscal year-end operating income of $2,927,570, which is
$1,150,708 more than for the same time period in fiscal year 2007. Transfers out through the end of the
July thirteenth month reporting period totaled $357,690 and $6,957,459 for fiscal year 2008 and fiscal
year 2007, respectively. Notably, as of last preliminary fiscal year end, $1,131,149 has been transferred
to the Veterans Trust Fund pursuant to authority provided in 2005 Wisconsin Act 468; and $5,777,842
to the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove. No transfers to the Veterans Trust Fund have been
made in FY 2008. A fiscal year 2008 transfer out to the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove in the
amount of $3,328,985.30 was completed on August 4, 2008, and, therefore, is not reflected in these
preliminary fiscal year-end statements. Operating activities have provided $7,474,109 of cash fiscal
year-to-date. The preliminary fiscal year end cash balance was $23,946,990.
Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove: Operating revenues were $12,824,305 through the
preliminary fiscal year end, an increase of $6,599,175 over the same time period in fiscal year 2007.
Operating expenses were $17,271,386 and included a write-off of accounts receivable totaling $299,622.
The operating loss of $4,447,082, together with non-operating expenses of $381,239 and transfers out of
$64,371 for municipal services payments and agency funds capital projects, caused fund equity to
decrease $4,892,692 as of the close of the July thirteenth month reporting period. No transfers in were
made through the close of the July period as contrasted with the transfer in of $5,777,842 last fiscal year.
The transfer in from the Veterans Home at King is in the amount of $3,328,985.30 and was completed
on August 4, 2008. The amount of the transfer was calculated to cover negative fiscal year 2008
appropriation balances, less the amount of outstanding encumbrances and what is called the statutory
adjustment which is the amount of uncollected 2008 fiscal year accounts receivables as of July 31st. The
preliminary fiscal year-end cash balance was a negative $4,824,115.
Veterans Trust Fund: Assets have decreased $9,040,302 since fiscal year 2007 preliminary year end,
including decreases of $3,663,194 of cash and cash equivalents and $5,433,191 of unpaid principal
balance of loans outstanding. Preliminary fiscal year-end operating revenues were $2,479,581, as
contrasted with $2,601,892 for the same period last fiscal year. The decrease includes reductions in
sales of goods and services, which are museum sales and resident and SRO fees for the VAP, and loan
interest.
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Operating expenses were $9,085,998 through the preliminary fiscal year-end, a $1,495,804 increase over
operating expenses for the same period in fiscal year 2007. Preliminary fiscal year-end grant
expenditures and investment income, respectively, were $1,145,102 and $480,927 less than last year and
contributed to a $782,112 decrease in net non-operating expenses. No transfers in were made to the
Veterans Trust Fund in fiscal year 2008. In fiscal year 2007, $1,131,149.51 was transferred in from the
Wisconsin Veterans Home-King. The preliminary fiscal year-end cash balance was $23,568,456.
Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund: Operating revenues, which consists solely of mortgage interest and
income from the sale of real estate, totaled $15,366,733. This represents an increase of seven percent, or
$953,895, over the fiscal year 2007 preliminary fiscal year end figure. The increase in operating
revenues is due to a $20,566,996 increase in the unpaid principal balance of loans outstanding during
that same time period. Operating expenditures were $22,587,296 for the preliminary fiscal year end and
include $546,222 of arbitrage rebate and interest payments on the 2005 Series A Tax-Exempt Extendible
Municipal Commercial Paper and 2006 Series C Tax-Exempt Extendible Municipal Commercial Paper
and $19,015,002 of interest expense. Non-operating investment and interest income decreased
$1,385,534, from $6,092,364 to $4,706,830 for preliminary fiscal year end 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The reduction in income is the result of reduced earnings rates for funds on deposit in the State
Investment Fund, an average of 5.27% in fiscal year 2007 and 3.93% in fiscal year 2008, and a
decreasing cash balance. The preliminary fiscal year-end cash balance was $108,229,212. The
insurance reserve requirement of 4% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of mortgage loans
had been met.
The delinquency rate for the Personal Loan Program for July 2008 was 2.17%. In June 2008 the
Primary Mortgage Loan delinquency rate was 0.86%. Forty-three Primary Mortgage Loan applications
were received in July 2008.
Mr. Moran asked about the State Investment Board interest rates going from 5.27% in FY2007
and 3.93% in FY2008 and the current rate being 2.25%--is there any expectation as to how far this is
going to go down? How low did it get during our last economic turndown from 2001-2003? Ms.
Holtan said that at the last economic turndown, the lowest the rate got was 0.99%. It appears to have
leveled off at this time and we’re hoping that we’ve seen the valley. The June and July rates were
steady at 2.25%.
Mr. Andersen said with the Union Grove Veterans Home, from 2007-2008 revenues increased
about $6.5 million and expenses increased about $5 million but the cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the year shows almost negative $5 million. What is factored in to account for such a large
decrease in the cash equivalents? Ms. Holtan clarified that he was asking for an explanation of the
increase in the negative cash balance. The expenditures have exceeded the revenues and as well, the
timing of some of the collections on accounts receivable affects the cash balance. Currently, the
accounts receivable balance at the end of the fiscal year approximated about $1.4 million. Mr.
Andersen noted that the operating loss from 2007 to 2008 has been reduced by about $1.5 million.
7. Public Input
Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO, said this is a challenging format having remote locations
connected via videoconference, but what would be beneficial to the remote locations is that for those
not using their microphones, please turn them off because all we hear is shuffling of papers. Mr.
Freedman said that he and Mr. Black will meet next week to discuss how the Board meetings will be
staffed in the future when videoconferencing is used. It is imperative that the Board be able to have
certain things done in person as opposed to remotely.
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8. Recess/Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Andersen and carried on a voice vote that the
Board of Veterans Affairs adjourn.
Not having a quorum at this briefing, Mr. Sorenson announced that the Council on Veterans
Programs would convene at its regular meeting on Friday morning.
It was moved by Mr. LiDonne, seconded by Mr. Haley, and carried on a voice vote that the
CVSO Advisory Council stand in recess.
It was moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Freedman and carried on a voice vote that the
Financial Committee stand in recess until after the CVSO Advisory Council meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Freedman, seconded by Ms. Jordan and carried on a voice vote that the
Long Term Care Committee stand in recess until after the Financial Committee meeting.
It was moved by Mr. Berger, seconded by Mr. Lawrence, and carried on a voice vote that the
Legislative and Program Review Committee stand in recess until after the Long Term Care Committee
meeting.
The time was 2:20 p.m.
8
MINUTES
CVSO ADVISORY COUNCIL
August 14, 2008
Superior, Wisconsin
Members Present WDVA Present
Mike Haley, Chippewa Ken Black, Deputy Secretary
Mark Grams, Dodge (Madison site) Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Fred Kaiser, Waushara (King site) Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Jon LiDonne, Waupaca Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Ted Mynyk, Iowa (Madison site) Mike Sievert, BOIS
John Solis, Rock Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison site)
Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison site)
Members Excused Colleen Holtan, Budget Office (Madison site)
Nick Benzinger, Shawano Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison site)
Andrew Clark, Outagamie Bill Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison site)
Robert Stone, Winnebago Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison site)
Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison site)
Joe Bertalan, Employment & Training (Madison site)
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant (Madison site)
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (U.G. site)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King site)
Steve Stead, Finance Director (King site)
Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King site)
Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King site)
Joshua Gilmour, IT (King site)
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting of the CVSO Advisory Council was called to order by Chairman Solis at
2:25 p.m. A quorum was present.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting
Certification was so noted.
3. Approval of Minutes of June 19, 2008
It was moved by Mr. LiDonne, seconded by Mr. Haley and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the June 19th CVSO Advisory Council meeting.
4. Announcements and Introductions
None.
5. Update on ANV PAT Recommendations
Ken Black said that Form 2045 was looked at and the intent was to make it a more user-
friendly form. It has been updated and posted on the Department’s website.
Mr. LiDonne said a question came up in the Association on what actually happened to
the issue of dropping the income limit on the Assistance to Needy Veterans grant. He thought it
was agreed upon some time ago that the income limit for the disaster grant was going to be
dropped and now it looks as though it remains part of the requirement. Chris Schuldes said that
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the PAT made the decision that the disaster grant component not be modified at the current time
but instead we would use the available funding to extend the application period from 30 to 90
days. That would involve expending more money, so the decision by the PAT was to
recommend that, rather than drop the requirement that the veteran suffer a loss of income in
order to qualify for the grant, we would allow more veterans to qualify for the program.
6. Discuss Delay in Publishing of BO100
Mr. Hardie said the BO100 has been completely revised and we are very pleased with
how it has turned out. We are anticipating it coming back from the printer literally any day. We
have an initial order of 75,000 copies. He highlighted some of the significant changes in the
booklet: first of all we had incorporated additional federal program information, additional
points of contact, additional state programs outside WDVA, and the entire look of the booklet is
changed. It will be distributed according to the formula used in the past with each CVSO getting
some based on the number of veterans in each county and if additional are needed, we will be
happy to provide them.
Mr. Grams said the BO100 is a significant tool used by CVSOs for outreach and we have
been out of them for at least six months. This is the second time that we’ve had a significant
outage and what has been put into place as far as procedures so we don’t have the outages of
these tools that we need to get the information out to the veterans in our communities?
Mr. Hardie said the Department is equally concerned about having these booklets
available. There have been a number of issues completely beyond the Department’s control,
some of those issues deal with inter-agency coordination. The booklet has been available on the
Department’s website for a couple of weeks as well. The Department has a limited number of
people working on these kinds of efforts and we’re juggling all of them simultaneously.
Jon LiDonne realizes that the Department is struggling to stay on top of what they do.
We appreciate having continued involvement in form changes and will be able to provide
valuable input on a regular basis.
Mr. Hardie said the CVSO input was critically important and needed to be incorporated
into the BO100. The changes needed to be reviewed and discussed by various staff members.
This is a graphic intensive format that was done by an outside designer. The veteran’s
community should be very pleased with the final product even though there has been a bit of a
delay.
7. Discuss Online Posting of Revised Edition of B0105
Mr. Solis asked why is there a delay in updating the online edition of the B0105? Mr.
Hardie said that this is not a WDVA form, it is an interagency form and each time that there are
any changes, the Technical College System, the UW System and WDVA have to review it. Mr.
Hardie was notified a few minutes ago that the updated B0105, Wisconsin Tuition Programs for
Veterans Qualifying Spouses and Children, has been approved for use and posted to the
Department’s website. Some of the changes were: updated legal language, added exceptions to
Wisconsin G.I. Bill coverage that was not there before, updated VetEd language, the word
dependent is eliminated throughout and replaced with spouses and children, added list of TVSOs
and school veteran certifying officials, and it is user friendly.
2
8. Discuss Procedure for Changing Forms and Making Sure Online Forms Match Printed Forms
Jon Solis said that what one sees online in certain sections of the Assistance to Needy
Veterans forms, is not what is printed on the form. Tony Cappozzo said that discrepancy will be
looked into. Ken Black asked for more specifics so that we can go right to the area of the form
that’s inconsistent as opposed to WDVA doing a blanket-wide search of all forms. Jon LiDonne
suggested that the CVSOs use the CVSO Advisory Council as a conduit to funnel that
information into the Department.
9. Secretary’s Matters
Jon Solis requested a briefing on the VetEd changes or what we might anticipate seeing
because of the changes to the federal G.I. Bill and also the recommendations the Department
may be considering making regarding the Wisconsin G.I. Bill. Ken Black said that what’s
important to note now is that we do not have enough information available to us where we can
make some informed decisions about how this program or the different programs affected by it
will look going forward. Anthony Hardie said the Department has convened an interagency
working group consisting of WDVA, the Wisconsin Technical College System, the UW System,
the Department of Administration Budget Office, the Higher Education Aids Board and the
Governor’s office. This is a monumental task, not only affecting Wisconsin but all the other
states having some sort of state-level education program. Here in Wisconsin we have not only
the Wisconsin G.I. Bill and VetEd, we also have the National Guard Tuition Grant. WDVA,
through the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, was successful in
requesting that the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill payments be made directly to the school.
Ken Black thanked Secretary Scocos for giving him the opportunity to take on this huge
task of providing support to the veterans in Wisconsin. The best we can do for the veterans will
come about as the result of the entire veteran community working together to do that. To the
CVSO community in particular, Ken Black will do everything within his power to continue to
work with them. He encourages comments from the veteran community at large. He offered
thanks to the CVSOs, the Board, VSOs and the staff for all you do for veterans.
10. Public Input
No public input.
11. Council Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
Jon LiDonne said the stakeholders conference revealed the viability of the Veterans Trust
Fund. CVSOs will continue to point out possible solutions. CVSOs support the big effort of
general purpose revenue dollars back into the Trust Fund. On another matter, Mr. LiDonne said
the Department of Transportation, it was learned at a previous meeting, was not safeguarding
DD-214s in an appropriate manner and Mr. LiDonne asked if there were any efforts continuing
to make sure that those documents are protected in the future. Bill Kloster said there is an
agenda item on the Legislative and Program Review Committee that addresses that particular
matter.
Mark Grams talked about a program that began in Ohio called Freedom Honor Flights.
The group’s mission is to organize and fly groups of veterans—at no cost to the veterans—to
Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials that stand in their honor. Freedom Honor Flight
serves veterans within a 120-mile radius of LaCrosse. The first flight is scheduled to leave from
La Crosse on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. All veterans on a flight are accompanied by trained
volunteer guardians, who assist veterans for the day. Guardians have to pay their own way and it
is $500.00. The point of contact for Milwaukee is Ozaukee CVSO Ken Brown, 1201 S. Spring
3
Street, P.O. Box 994, Port Washington, WI 53074-0994. The point of contact in Madison is
Connie Allord, 218 S. Highpoint Rd., Madison, WI 53717; telephone number (608) 833-6222.
More information and applications for veterans to participate can be found at
www.freedomhonorflight.org. Mr. Hardie said the Department would place this information on
its website.
12. Election of Officers
Jon LiDonne nominated Robert Stone for Chair. It was moved by Jon LiDonne and
seconded by Mike Haley to cast a unanimous ballot for Robert Stone as CVSO Advisory Council
Chair. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
Jon LiDonne nominated Nick Benzinger for Vice Chair. It was moved by Jon LiDonne
and seconded by Mike Haley to cast a unanimous ballot for Nick Benzinger as CVSO Advisory
Council Vice Chair. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.
13. Next Meeting Schedule
September 25th at the CVSO Fall Conference in Waupaca at the Best Western Grand
Seasons Hotel.
14. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. LiDonne, seconded by Mr. Haley and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the CVSO Advisory Council meeting, the time was 3:05 p.m.
John Solis
Chairman
4
MINUTES
LEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of August 14, 2008
Committee Present WDVA Present
Pete Moran Ken Black, Deputy Secretary
Marvin Freedman, ex officio member Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Scott Berger Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Steve Lawrence Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Roger Mathison (Madison videoconference) Mike Sievert, BOIS
Loren Christensen Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison site)
Jim Young Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison site)
Colleen Holtan, Budget (Madison site)
Committee Members Excused Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison site)
Don Heiliger Bill Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison site)
Mike Furgal Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison site)
Charles Vandenplas Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison site)
Ken Rock Joe Bertalan, Employment/Training (Madison site)
Jamie Aulik (arrived at 4:40 p.m.) Ken Abrahamsen, Budget (Madison site)
Marcia Anderson Julie Van Metre, Exec, Staff Asst (Madison site)
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (UG site)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King site)
Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King site)
Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King site)
Joshua Gilmour, IT (King site)
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting of the Legislative and Program Review Committee was called to order at
3:43 p.m.; a quorum was present. Pete Moran introduced Marjorie Bunce from Senator Kohl’s
staff who said that the Senator is very supportive of veterans. The Senator also chairs a Special
Committee on Aging in Washington, DC and a lot of programs there will also benefit the
veterans.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting
It was noted that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Steve Lawrence, seconded by Loren Christensen and carried on a voice
vote to approve the minutes of the June 19th meeting.
4. Discussion and Action on Beginning Administrative Code Process for Assistance to Needy
Veterans Grant Program Regarding Eyeglasses
Chris Schuldes said that when the Health Care Aid Grant Program was redesigned in
2005, it was done with the intent to create a more efficient, cost-effective program. It was also
intended to target gaps in the federal VA health care system. One of the goals was to provide
tangible health care benefits for Wisconsin’s neediest veterans. The budget for that program was
set at $650,000 and spending caps were set for three areas--hearing care, vision care and dental
care. Dental care had a $2,500 limit; hearing care was $1,500 per year and eye care was $500.
1
Each of those caps was for 12 consecutive months. The program under spent its budget by a
wide margin in its first year of operation. In FY06 $280,000 was expended. There were
concerns raised early on that not enough veterans qualified for the program so on February 1,
2006, the income limit on the program was raised from 100% of the federal poverty guideline to
130%. That did allow more veterans to qualify and as expected, the program expended more
money in FY07--$569,000. The program continued without significant changes until October of
2007 when the caps on the individual components were removed and the lifetime cap was
increased from $5,000 to $7,500. The expenditures began a sharp upward trajectory almost
immediately, but only $96,000 was added to the annual budget appropriation. At the end of this
past fiscal year in late June, the Department found it necessary to transfer $370,000 into the
FY09 budget. The Office of Policy, Planning and Budget estimates that FY08 spending will end
up at $1.2 million and FY09 spending will be around $1.8 million. For the upcoming biennium,
fiscal years 10 and 11, it is expected that $1.9 and $2.1 million respectively will be expended.
For the biennium that would mean that we will spend somewhere around $4 million, which
would leave a shortfall for the biennium of about $2.6 million. There have been concerns since
the program changed in October about excessive spending on eye care that involves some
veterans purchasing multiple pairs of very expensive frames and lenses. Recently a bill for
LASIK corrective eye surgery was submitted for $4,790 and we can expect that as word spreads,
we will see more bills for corrective eye surgery and other types of surgery. The average vision
care since the caps were removed has approximately tripled from less than $400 per grant to over
$1,100 per grant. Spending on dental care far exceeds vision care. Most people with health care
coverage have fairly limited dental coverage, however, there are no limits to dental care
coverage under the WDVA program because the language simply stipulates that we will cover
any care given to teeth by a dentist. The program is very liberal and for fiscal year-to-date we
estimate that for every dollar spent on vision care, we will spend $6.50 on dental care.
Mr. Stewart said there are three basic ways to address this issue, we can address it as a
policy directive, or through the Administrative Code, or we can make a statutory request through
the budget process. For informational purposes the Committee reviewed three issues: (1) what
the Department had in the past, which Mr. Schuldes addressed, which were specific dollar
limitations through the statutory process; (2) going through the statutory process to get those
dollar limits back or those kinds of limitations back; and, (3) an Administrative Code change
based on the way US Department of Veterans Affairs treats eyeglasses. Because this is a budget
year, the Administrative Code process essentially comes to a halt on October 1st until the
Legislature reconvenes the following year. The Administrative Code procedure is a three to four
month process once it gets before the Legislature.
Mr. Stewart talked the Committee through an addition to the definitions section of the
current Administrative Code that handles the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant. The
Department would define in Code what can be covered under vision care. The proposed
language is an attempt to rein in potentially abusive behavior in the repetitive buying of the same
glasses at the same time.
Steve Lawrence said that a veteran who needs glasses does not have to have designer
frames. There has to be some kind of reasonable limit placed on the amount of money that can
be expended for frames. Mr. Stewart said that the Committee, Board and the Department has
established that the cost issue is a statutory issue—we got costs put on and then went through the
statutory process and got costs taken off. Putting costs back on cannot be done through a policy
2
directive, we can’t do it through an Administrative Code revision, we’ll have to go back to the
Legislature and say we want dollar limits put back on this program. It does not behoove this
Department to have that revolving situation where it is perceived that we can’t make up our
minds.
Scott Berger said that perhaps a lifetime limit will control the dollar amount spent per
frame. Loren Christensen had no objection with not mentioning a monetary amount. Roger
Mathison asked if by not having a monetary amount per eyeglass prescription, and by having a
lifetime limit that would have to be updated every few years, wouldn’t it make it simpler to just
specify how many pairs of eyeglasses can be purchased.
It was moved by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Lawrence and carried o a voice vote to
recommend that the Board authorize the Department to develop a Statement of Scope for the
Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Program regarding eyeglasses. Mr. Stewart said he would
present a Statement of Scope at the next Committee and Board meeting.
5. Discussion and Action on Need for Legislation to Protect the Confidentiality of DD-214’s of
Wisconsin Veterans
Bill Kloster reported that a letter signed by Secretary Scocos was sent to Secretary
Morgan at the Department of Administration (DOA) addressing the concerns of this Committee.
A letter was also sent by Secretary Scocos to Senator Sullivan, requesting that the Senator
provide assistance in the way of legislation. WDVA has made both the administrative side of
government and the legislative side aware of this problem and we are currently waiting for
feedback from both sides. The Department has asked to participate with the DOA in the group
that does have the responsibility for developing policy in regards to safeguarding sensitive
information throughout state government. We also provided to DOA several of our existing
policies, which they were very pleased to get.
Mr. Moran asked if it would be of any help to have a resolution by the Wisconsin Board
of Veterans Affairs directed to DOA and the other parties indicating our concern and that of the
veterans community and CVSOs. Mr. Kloster said that would be an alternative course of action.
It was moved by Mr. Christensen, seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote that the
Committee ask the Board to draft a resolution that would strongly state the concerns of the
Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs speaking for and in conjunction with the veterans
community in this regard.
6. Secretary’s Matters
Ken Black said his intent is to continue to focus on the veterans and we should think very
carefully about the resources that we have available. We need to make sure that we are using
our resources smartly and that includes our capital and political resources. If we do that right, it
will afford us the opportunity to continue to provide the best support, service and benefits for our
veterans.
7. Public Input
Dr. John Hofer spoke about his experience as the Dental Chief at the Madison VA
Hospital. They obtained supplemental funding for OIF/OEF veterans for fee basis. We’ve come
up with a $2,000 treatment for returning veterans, and that same plan from a private dentist came
3
back at $12,000 or more. For eyeglasses, veterans can select from a supply of 10-12 different
frames and he has not heard any complaints.
Mark Grams thought it would be beneficial to know what the current budget authority is
for the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Program and how much of that has been disbursed
so far and then what happens when that limit is reached, does the program just stop or are more
funds asked for—what is the process? Bill Kloster said the budget for the health care of the
ANV Grant is $746,000 annually. We have already exceeded the annual budget by about
$370,000 and we had to go into FY09, this year’s budget, to pay last year’s bills. This year, we
have about $300,000 left, which means we will run out of money in the October/November
timeframe. We will have no more budget authority for that particular program. The option
available to us is to submit a 13.10 request to the Legislature for authority to increase our budget
authority. The pitfall in doing that is that the money will come out of the Veterans Trust Fund.
The Board has given us the guidance to stretch the Trust Fund out to a certain point in time. If
we go in and ask for more money for this program, that will have an impact on the long term
solvency of the Trust Fund and be in contradiction to the Board’s guidance to make it stretch out.
8. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
Scott Berger brought up a matter on behalf of Michael Jackson. The Legislative and
Program Review Committee voted at its June meeting to support the recommendations of the
Aid to Needy Veterans PAT wherein one of those recommendations was to keep the proof of
loss of income for the disaster grant. Mr. Jackson does not think this makes sense. In the 2007-
09 budget request, WDVA asked that this loss of income provision be removed, and
unfortunately it was not removed. Let the claimants apply for what they need and let the $7,500
lifetime limit do its job. Mr. Moran asked the Department to formulate a response for members
of the Committee. Mr. Hardie said the last budget session was very difficult and a number of
provisions requested were not included by the Joint Committee on Finance. Ken Black said that
the recommendations provided at the last Board meeting came from the PAT whose members
were from the veterans community and the CVSOs. The recommendations were not made in a
vacuum, so while Mr. Black understands Mr. Jackson’s comments, it is a solution that came
about from the PAT.
9. Next Meeting Date
October 16, 2008 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
10. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded, and carried on a voice vote to adjourn the
meeting; the time was 4:38 p.m.
Pete Moran, Chairman
4
MINUTES
LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of August 14, 2008
Committee Present WDVA Present
Jackie Guthrie Ken Black, Deputy Secretary
John Hofer Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Lewis Harned (Madison site) Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Christine Jordan (Union Grove site) Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Charles Allen (Madison site) Mike Sievert, BOIS
Lee Guerrero (Union Grove site) Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison site)
Mike Demske (King site) Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison site)
Ellen Blissenbach (Madison site) Colleen Holtan, Budget (Madison site)
Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison site)
Committee Members Excused Bill Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison site)
Rod Moen Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison site)
Michael Jackson Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison site)
Rick Scollon Joe Bertalan, Employment &Training (Madison site)
Mary Meyer Julie Van Metre, Exec Staff Assistant (Madison site)
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (U.G. site)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King site)
Donna Warzynski, Nursing Admin (King site)
Steve Stead, Finance Director (King site)
Dr. Lochner, Medical Director(King site)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King site)
Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King site)
Joshua Gilmour, IT (King site)
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting of the Long Term Care Committee was called to order at 3:30 p.m., a quorum
was present.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting
It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Harned and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2008 Committee meeting; Jackie Guthrie
abstained.
4. Report on Production Date for King Koach & Current Status of the Veterans Homes Bus
Fund
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King updated the
members on the King Koach bus. All purchasing requests for the King Koach bus have been
signed and sent to the vendor. More specifics were addressed with the vendor at King two days
ago. The vendor does not see any problem with an early 2009 delivery date. The new King
Koach will have seating for 16 ambulatory members and space for 5 wheelchair members.
1
Jackie Guthrie said there was money earmarked for the King Koach, has that money been
exhausted or are there still funds left? Was enough funds raised to pay for this bus?
Steve D’Amanda said there was enough money raised for the new King Koach and four
smaller buses for Union Grove. In summary, there was about $470,000 collected; Union Grove
used approximately $175,000 on four vehicles, King spent $160,000 for the new King Koach,
and approximately $135,000 remains in the bus account. Some minor purchases for upgrades
and accessories that do not normally come from the manufacturer are expected for the new King
Koach and payment for that will come out of the $135,000. They will propose the purchase of a
smaller bus to help some of the lesser functioning members on trips, but the funds that would
remain after that are unallotted.
5. Secretary’s Matters
Ken Black wanted to make sure that everyone knows that his direction and focus is to
ensure that we’re all working together to support the veterans to get the best services and
benefits for veterans.
6. Public Input
None.
7. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
Chris Jordan asked when the Pathways study might be made public and whether any of
the recommendations of the study are going to be incorporated into the upcoming budget. Bill
Kloster said the report will not be published until it is completed and at the last meeting with the
contractor, they could not give us a completion date. At the current time WDVA has not
integrated any of the recommendations into the budget. None of the recommendations fit in the
budget request thus far.
8. Next Meeting Schedule
October 16, 2008 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
9. Adjournment
It was moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Guerrero and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 3:40 p.m.
Jackie Guthrie
Acting Chair
2
MINUTES
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of August 14, 2008
Committee Present WDVA Present
Bill Andersen Ken Black, Deputy Secretary
Dan Naylor Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Al Richards (Madison site) Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Ellory Medor Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Alan Walker (Union Grove site) Mike Sievert, BOIS
Jerry Polus (King site) William Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison site)
Tim Thiers Mike Diaz, Assistant Legal Counsel (Madison site)
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director (Madison site)
Committee Excused Colleen Holtan, Budget (Madison site)
Clarence Stoel Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison site)
Robert Stone Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison site)
Bill Hustad Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison site)
Joe Bertalan, Employment & Training (Madison site)
Julie Van Metre, Exec. Staff Asst (Madison site)
Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison site)
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (U.G. site)
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King site)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Steve Stead, Finance Director (King site)
Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King site)
Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King site)
Joshua Gilmour, IT (King site)
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting of the Financial Committee was called to order at 3:10 p.m.; a quorum was
present. Mr. Andersen welcomed Mr. Medor to the Committee, he was unable to attend the last
meeting due health issues but he is doing well now.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.
It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Naylor and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the June 19th Financial Committee meeting.
4. Secretary’s Matters
Ken Black said the most important thing we have to focus on is taking care of veterans.
Secondly, this Department is working under a finite amount of resources and we will have to
make sure that we keep an eye on what we’re doing and we greatly appreciate that you keep an
eye on what we’re doing as well.
1
Bill Andersen said that at the last meeting, the projection was that the Primary Mortgage
Loan money would last until November of this year. The Board also set an interest rate of
5.75%. The average rate for a conventional loan in the country is about 6.5% and within our
area it’s about 6.65%. He thought that what the Department accomplished for veterans in
Wisconsin deserves kudos.
5. Public Input
Russ Alsteen asked if the PML money will still last until November. Colleen Holtan said
it is actually not projected to last that long any more. The Department is working with Capital
Finance in the Department of Administration to sell bonds and we’re targeting the end of
September for a closing date. Our program serves veterans who have as little as 5% down and
consequently we’re seeing significant increases in demand because of that. The funds that we
currently have will probably take us to the beginning of October, therefore an end of September
closing is targeted so that we don’t have a fund outage. Bill Andersen confirmed that the Board
would have to meet to set an interest rate for that new money.
Question by Russ Alsteen: Is this money the first of the new QVMB money? Colleen
Holtan said we will be working with Capital Finance to issue qualified veterans mortgage bonds.
Most likely we will be using the new volume cap as opposed to refunding because of the timing
consideration to get the bond issue closed. If our quantitative analysis firm finds that it is more
economically advantageous to refund, we will do that first. It’s a matter of looking at what is
getting us the best rate on those funds, which in turn translates to the best rate for our veterans.
In answer to Mr. Alsteen’s question, Ms. Holtan said it is difficult to estimate what the interest
rate will be. One of the things that will positively impact the rate is the fact that those bonds are
no longer subject to the alternative minimum tax and that should reduce the rate that investors
will require to earn on those funds. Where the bond market is on any particular day is difficult to
estimate. All of our bonding for the primary mortgage loans is handled in the Mortgage Loan
Repayment Fund, separate from the Veterans Trust Fund.
Question by Mark Grams: If none of the primary mortgage loan money goes back into
the Trust Fund, what is the major flow of money into the Trust Fund for us to keep the programs
going? Ms. Holtan said the source of revenue for the Veterans Trust Fund is primarily the
interest earnings on personal loans and so the Personal Loan Program is what’s generating
revenue. There is some limited revenue that is generated by SRO fees at the VAP sites.
6. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
Tim Thiers attended the Stakeholders conference and was concerned with what he heard
as a recommendation to eliminate the retraining grant. Ken Black said the Department is looking
at reducing the amount of money in the retraining grant to fall in line with the demand, not
cutting that program out.
7. Next Meeting Date
October 16, 2008 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
2
8. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded, and carried unanimously on a voice vote to
adjourn the meeting; the time was 3:25 p.m.
Bill Andersen
Chairman
3
MINUTES
COUNCIL ON VETERANS PROGRAMS
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of August 15, 2008
Members Present WDVA Present
Connie Allord, UWV (Madison site) Kenneth B. Black, Deputy Secretary
Russ Alsteen, NCUSA Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Pat Brown, USSVWWII (Union Grove site) Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Phil Cote, AL (Union Grove site) Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Paul Fine, ANU Mike Sievert, BOIS
Mark Foreman, VVAW Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison site)
Steve Lawrence, VFW Bill Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison site)
John Margowski, VVA (Union Grove site) Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison)
Rick Langan, TREA Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison site)
Walter Peterson, Am. Ex-POWs (Madison site) Ken Grant, Program Services (Madison)
William Sims, NABV (Union Grove site) Charlie Piper, VAP (Madison site)
Clif Sorenson, WACVO Dennis Bohen, Claims (Madison site)
Tim Thiers, AMVETS Tony Cappozzo, Admin. (Madison)
Paul Weprinsky, JWV Colleen Holtan, Budget (Madison site)
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Dir. (Madison)
Members Excused Julie Van Metre, Ex Staff Asst (Madison)
Donna Chrzas, CVSO Association Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (UG site)
Rick Cherone, MOPH Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King site)
Roger Fetterly, MOAA Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King site)
Jesse Haro, CWV Steve Stead, Finance Director (King site)
Bill Hustad, WVV Donna Warzynski, Nursing Admin (King site)
Max Oleson, ARC Colleen Roemer, Ex Staff Asst (King site)
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV Shari McCann, Ex Staff Sec (King site)
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Jack Stone, PVA
MCL position vacant
1. Call to Order and Roll Call of Members
The meeting of the Council on Veterans Programs was called to order by Chairman
Sorenson at 8:00 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was present.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting
It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.
3. Introduction of Guests and Announcements
Introductions included former State Senator Dave Zien; Board Member Bill Andersen;
Board member Dan Naylor; VISN 12 representative Renee Oshinski.
4. Approval of Minutes of June 20, 2008
It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Fine, and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to accept the minutes of the June 20th meeting.
1
5. Council Communications
Secretary Alsteen received an announcement of a golf outing on August 20th in
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin in support of a Fisher House project. He received a
communication from the Navy League pertaining to the USS Freedom that’s being built in
Marinette. It will be commissioned some time later in the fall of 2008 in Milwaukee. The
website for more information on this is www.ussfreedom.org.
It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded by Mr. Fine and carried on a voice vote to go into
recess for five minutes in order to reconnect the videoconferencing hook up with the other three
sites.
Mr. Sorenson reconvened the Council meeting. Mr. Alsteen reported that he received
communication on the USS Green Bay which will also be commissioned in January 2009 in San
Diego. Communication was received from a group of Navy veterans in the Vietnam War, the
Blue Water Vets, regarding their exposure to Agent Orange and legislation that they are working
on to get all the personnel that received the service award from the area to also be eligible for
any of the Agent Orange related lawsuits.
Mr. Sorenson provided Council members with a veterans benefit alert. There are
organizations distributing misleading information to places such as assisted living facilities and
nursing homes soliciting to assist the veterans in obtaining US Department of Veterans Affairs
benefits for a fee up to $700. It is discouraging to hear of this practice.
Mr. Sorenson said that at the last meeting there was an action to table action on proposed
changes to the Protocol of the Council on Veterans Programs. Mr. Alsteen moved that the
Council carry this tabled item to the next meeting of the Council, the motion was seconded and
carried unanimously on a voice vote.
6. Museum Foundation Report
There was no report.
7. Honors Flight for WWII Veterans
Mark Grams was asked to talk about a program that began in Ohio called Freedom Honor
Flights. The group’s mission is to organize and fly groups of veterans—at no cost to the
veterans—to Washington D.C. to visit the war memorials that stand in their honor. The first
Freedom Honor Flight hub in Wisconsin serves veterans within a 120-mile radius of La Crosse.
The regional director for La Crosse is Ralph Jurjens, Jr. and his phone number is (608) 796-
9790. Another point of contact in the La Crosse area is (608) 784-1015. The first flight is
scheduled to leave from La Crosse on Wednesday, October 8, 2008—leaving at 7:30 a.m. and
returning that same evening. All veterans on a flight are accompanied by trained volunteer
guardians, who assist veterans for the day. Guardians have to pay their own way and it is
$500.00. Hubs in Milwaukee and Madison are being developed and the point of contact for
Milwaukee is Ozaukee CVSO Ken Brown, 1201 S. Spring Street, P.O. Box 994, Port
Washington, WI 53074-0994. The point of contact in Madison is Connie Allord, 218 S.
Highpoint Rd., Madison, WI 53717; telephone number (608) 833-6222. More information and
applications for veterans to participate can be accessed at www.freedomhonorflight.org. Mr.
Grams said it would be beneficial to hear back from Council members on what action was taken
and what the result was to get fundraising going to sponsor these World War II veterans at a cost
of $500 per veteran. Any contribution will be tax deductible. He asked that this issue be a part
of the agenda at the next meeting.
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8. Update from the Ad Hoc Committee
Chairman Sorenson said the Committee met several times. After substantial deliberation
among the members and communication with the Legislature and the Wisconsin Department of
Veterans Affairs and others, the Ad Hoc Committee will come forward with its recommendation
and the final wording for the Council’s discussion and action at the October meeting. Mr.
Lawrence asked for a copy of the final wording in advance of the October meeting date.
9. Secretary’s Matters
Ken Black said that his focus will be to provide the best service, support and benefits to
all the veterans and he thinks that we have to do that together. He will welcome input from the
veterans community to provide that support. His philosophy is that if we’re not all working
together, then we might not get the best for our veterans in this great state of ours and which they
so deserve. It is his honor to be here today and he looks forward to working with the Council in
achieving these goals.
The Council paused for a cell phone interruption after which Tim Thiers announced that
he just received a phone call telling him that he’s now a grandpa.
10. Unfinished Business
Ellen Blissenbach announced that she will be absent at the Council’s next meeting as she
has to be in Washington, DC at the government briefing for POW, Korean War and Cold War.
She is interested in hearing from anyone interested in knowing what is happening with the POW,
Korean War and people who are missing in action. Her email is eblissenbach@aol.com.
11. New Business
Russ Alsteen said that a senior member of the Council, Paul Bialk of the Marine Corps
League, resigned at the last meeting. He wanted the Council to provide Paul with a recognition
certificate for his long-term service on the Council on Veterans Programs and for all that he does
for veterans in the State of Wisconsin.
Russ Alsteen asked that the Council go on record thanking Anthony Hardie for all of his
efforts and the efforts of the Department over a long period of time to get the passage of the
Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonding legislation passed. Clif Sorenson said the Council very
much thanks Anthony, a deep debt of gratitude is owed to him.
Paul Fine asked that when we have announcements, he would like them to be included in
the minutes.
12. Activities within the Veterans Community
• October 14th Stand down in Onalaska at the Armory on 910 Oak Forest Drive
• September 20th Stand down in Milwaukee
• September 13-14 AMVETS King weekend and during part of that event they will be
serving a rib roast for the people at the VAP homeless shelter and Dan Naylor and
Secretary Black have been asked to help serve
• AMVETS, with the help of MOPH, will be revamping the miniature golf course at King
• Dan Naylor attended the AMVETS State Convention in June
• VVAW has initiated since spring a research program to find out who the homeless
veterans are in Milwaukee and what their immediate needs are. Once a week they go to
Preparers of the Breach in Milwaukee, on Wednesday from 10-noon, to put up posters
offering assistance. They are finding out that the two major needs are transportation and
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clothing because they want to work. They have been putting on fundraisers in
Milwaukee since the spring and by the end of the year they believe they can raise
$10,000. The best place to put this money is to provide transportation for those homeless
who really want to work.
• NABV is having a veterans coalition informational, Make a Difference fundraiser on the
28-29 and 30th of August at Veterans Memorial in Milwaukee. AMVETS, VVA, VFW
and CVI are doing this in conjunction with the 105th anniversary of Harley Davidson.
• August 20-21 at Ft. McCoy, VFW is having a picnic for the National Guard troops from
Wisconsin that are training there now. They need to have about 50 people each day to
volunteer to serve food and talk with Guard members.
• The Department of the Navy is going to be dedicating a memorial on September 26th on
Omaha Beach in Normandy
• A committee called the Spirit of Green Bay is conducting a fundraiser and awareness of
the commissioning of the USS Green Bay in Long Beach, California on January 24th
• Ken Grant, Bureau Director for Homeless veterans at the Department is creating survival
kits for homeless veterans. He is looking for backpacks from any organization. The
Department receives a lot of donations for the homeless program, and the homeless
veterans at these sites will fill these donated backpacks and make them available to the
County Veterans Service Officers so as they get contacted by homeless veterans on the
street they can give them the backpack.
13. Public Input
David Zien said veterans can order an updated version of their ribbons and medals and
medical records. August 23rd is a Wisconsin Veterans Tribute and the fundraiser is going to pay
for the flags at the Veterans Tribute in Cadot. The Veterans Tribute in Lake Holcolmbe is
dedicating a Naval and a Marine Corps Anchor. The Highground motorcycle ride is tomorrow
in Neillsville. August 22nd Rolling Thunder Motorcycle event in Washington, DC.
David Zien talked about pursuing some alternative revenue sources such as: (1)
unharvested timber in the State of Wisconsin is about $150 to $200 billion a year; (2) 80% of the
mid-grade iron ore is in the State of Wisconsin; (3) receive a portion of the net proceeds of the
sale of state lands; and (4) accelerate a veterans speakers bureau and the proceeds could go to
fund veterans programs. He suggested an ad hoc committee to pursue the timber, the mining, the
sale of state land and get these ideas moving. Tim Thiers asked Mr. Zien to provide something
in writing so that it could be an agenda item for the next meeting.
14. Next Meeting Date
October 17 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
15. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Fine, seconded by Mr. Lawrence and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn; the time was 9:15 a.m.
Clif Sorenson
Chairman
4
BOARD MINUTES
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of August 15, 2008
Superior, Wisconsin
Board Members Present WDVA Present
Marv Freedman, Chair Kenneth B. Black, Deputy Secretary
Bill Andersen, Secretary Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Jackie Guthrie Jimmy Stewart, Chief Legal Counsel
Dan Naylor Nate Nez, Regional Coordinator
Pete Moran Mike Sievert, BOIS
Mark Soleimani, BOIS (Madison videoconference)
Board Members Excused William Kloster, Policy Advisor (Madison videoconference)
Rod Moen, Vice Chair Tom Rhatican, Veterans Homes (Madison videoconference)
Marcia Anderson Mike Diaz, Legal Counsel (Madison videoconference)
Ken Grant, Program Services (Madison videoconference)
Charlie Piper, VAP (Madison videoconference)
Dennis Bohen, Claims (Madison videoconference)
Tony Cappozzo, Administration (Madison videoconference)
Colleen Holtan, Budget (Madison videoconference)
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director (Madison videoconference)
Kathleen Scholl, Public Affairs (Madison videoconference)
Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits (Madison videoconference)
Joe Bertalan, Employment & Training (Madison videoconference)
Julie Van Metre, Exec. Staff Asst (Madison videoconference)
Pat Shaughnessy, Acting Commandant (Union Grove video)
Steve D’Amanda, Adjutant (King videoconference)
Jackie Moore, Deputy Commandant (King videoconference)
Dr. Mark Lochner, Medical Director (King videoconference)
Steve Stead, Finance Director (King videoconference)
Donna Warzynski, Nursing Admin (King videoconference)
Colleen Roemer, Exec Staff Asst (King videoconference)
Shari McCann, Exec Staff Sec (King videoconference)
1. Roll Call and Introductions
The meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs was called to order at 9:38 a.m. The
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Freedman noted that Marjorie Bunce from U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s office
attended the meetings yesterday. Karen Graf from US Senator Feingold’s office was
introduced and read a brief statement on his behalf.
2. Certification of Notice of Meeting
It was certified that proper notification of the meeting occurred.
3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Andersen and carried on a voice vote
to approve the minutes of the Board meeting of June 20, 2008; Ms. Guthrie abstained
from voting as she was not in attendance at the meeting.
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It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Naylor and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the July 17, 2008 Board Teleconference; Mr. Andersen abstained
from voting as he was not in attendance.
4. Board Members’ Matters
Mr. Freedman attended a meeting between Pathways and Department staff with
respect to the study that is being conducted. He attended the stakeholders conference on
July 29th. A summary of the questions and recommendations from the veterans
community was provided to the Board members. Mr. Freedman joined the members of
the Paralyzed Veterans of America at their Miller Park event, he is always impressed
with their contributions to the veterans community.
Mr. Moran reiterated his concern that the Washburn County Peace Memorial
Wayside request for securing flags is being actively pursued by someone at the
Department and if WDVA brochures can be placed at that wayside. Mr. Moran received
a letter from the Milwaukee County Service Office with a challenge that we must
dedicate ourselves and the leaders of the veteran’s community must dedicate their
organizations to reach out proactively to a new generation of veterans in ways that make
them feel welcome. In response to this challenge Mr. Moran requested that two veterans
from OIF or OEF be recruited by each organization before the end of the year. Mr.
Moran received a letter from retiring State Representative Frank Boyle thanking
Secretary Scocos for his forthright communication to the Legislature regarding veteran’s
issues and for his strong leadership of the WDVA. Mr. Moran attended the veteran’s
forum hosted by Rep. Boyle at the Bong Heritage Center on August 13th.
Mr. Naylor thanked the stakeholders for participating in the meeting on July 29th. He
participated in the American Legion Pilgrimage at King. Last month Mr. Naylor was at
the Red Cliff Indian Reservation and met a Vietnam veteran who said that if it were not
for the Bayfield County Veterans Service Officer and the Vet Center, he would not be
here today. Mr. Naylor thanked Chris Johnson for his support and efforts and to
everyone who supports our veterans and to the people who allow the Vet Centers to
expand.
5. (7.) Presentation of the Board’s Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mark A. Schaitel (proclamation
attached to these minutes). Mr. Schaitel was very honored and said that he has always
been a firm believer in volunteerism.
6. (5.) Board Action from Committee and Council Meetings
CVSO Advisory Council: The Council made no motions requiring Board action. Mr.
Stone was elected as the new Chair and Mr. Benzinger was elected the Vice Chair of the
Council. Mr. Solis asked if each CVSO be allowed to automatically receive unapproved
minutes without each CVSO having to independently request a copy. Mr. Freedman
asked that the request be sent to him via email and then Mr. Freedman will discuss the
procedural logistics of this request with Deputy Black.
Financial Committee: Mr. Andersen updated the Board on the Mortgage Loan
Repayment Fund. Because the interest rate on the veterans mortgage loans are so
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competitive, the projection of the current funds running out in November has been moved
up to September. Since the money is going fast, the Department is looking at closing on
new funds by the end of September and the Board will have to meet to set a new interest
rate. Mr. Freedman asked if the state bonding cap will come into play as far as limiting
the amount of the bonds that WDVA will be able to put out prior to the completion of the
next budget process. He asked that the Board be provided with what the Department
proposes to request with regards to increases in the bonding cap. (Answer: The
Department will be requesting $220,000,000 increase in general obligation borrowing
capacity for the mortgage loan program. The increase was calculated based on the
borrowing capacity that is expected to remain at the close of the calendar year and
adding to it the annual qualified veteran mortgage bond volume cap for calendar years
2009 through 2011.) To what extent will current bonding caps limit our ability to issue
sufficient bonds to meet the demand for veterans seeking primary mortgage loans?
(Answer: The current bonding cap will not limit our ability to issue bonds during the
current biennium. The Department has $85,864,443 of available general obligation
borrowing capacity for the purpose of issuing new, general obligation bonds. After
considering a $25,000,000 planned bond issuance in September 2008 and a maximum
$46,000,000 of bond issuances during the remainder of the current fiscal year, nearly
$15,000,000 of borrowing capacity would remain.)
Long Term Care Committee: Ms. Guthrie said the Committee heard an update on the
transportation purchases made over the past couple years--$470,000 was raised to
purchase vehicles to transport residents both at Union Grove and King. The majority of
that money has been spent and we are waiting the delivery of the new King Koach.
Approximately $135,000 remains and is not earmarked at this time. The Committee
requested to know the completion date of the Pathways Study report. (Status Report as
of August 20, 2008--In late May 2008, the Department received a second draft of the
“Operational and Financial Assessment of Wisconsin Veterans Homes Project Report
VA-0750063-R1” from the contractor, Pathway Health Services, Inc. (Pathways). On
July 23, 2008, a meeting was held with representatives from Pathways, the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the Board of Veterans Affairs in attendance, to provide the
Wisconsin Veterans Homes a second opportunity to comment on the draft report and to
ask Pathways questions about their findings and recommendations. Due to the length of
the discussions, a third meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, August 21, to discuss
the findings and recommendations related to the financial and post-shift staffing sections
of that report. In addition, at the request of then Deputy Secretary Kloster, Pathways
staff will be meeting with Mr. Rhatican, Mr. Kloster, Mr. Diaz and Mr. Black to discuss
the role and responsibilities of the Administrator of the Division of Veterans Homes.
After the meetings, Pathways is expected to incorporate requested changes they feel are
substantiated and to provide a revised report. The length of time before the final report is
available is dependent on the number of additional drafts the Department requests
Pathways to provide.)
Mr. Naylor asked about a statement made at the last meeting that each day one
physician comes in and makes sick rounds, seeing members that the nursing staff feels
need to be seen that day. He asked what the response is when a member feels a need to
be seen that day, or does the nurse make that decision for a member? (Answer: When a
member requests to be seen, the nurse will do an assessment so that she/he has adequate
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information when contacting either the Sick Rounding physician or the member's primary
physician. The member's request is always taken very seriously and addressed as they
request. If the need is urgent/emergent, the member may be sent to the Emergency Room
to be seen by a physician. Donna Warzynski, 8/21/08)
Legislative and Program Review Committee: Mr. Moran said the Committee
recommended that the Board direct the Department to deliver a statement of scope to
begin the administrative code change process for ANV regarding eyeglasses. The other
item was that the Committee recommended that the Board pass a resolution in support of
decisive and timely passage of legislation to protect the confidentiality of DD214s of
Wisconsin veterans and that the resolution be sent to the Department of Administration
and to the leadership of the state legislature. Mr. Freedman suggested that the resolution
also go to the Office of the Governor, the chairmen of the Assembly and Senate
Committees on Veterans Affairs. There should be general language so that after we
prepare the actual resolution that we will be able to add additional parties if it is
determined to do so. It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Ms. Guthrie and carried
unanimously on a voice vote to prepare a Board resolution in support of protecting the
confidentiality of DD-214s. Mr. Freedman will work with Deputy Black and Mr. Hardie
to ensure that a legally sufficient document is drafted and transmitted as requested.
Council on Veterans Programs: Mr. Sorenson said the Council had three issues to
bring to the attention of the Board. They were briefed on the Freedom Honor Flight
Program that is sending veterans from World War II to Washington, DC to see their
memorial. More information is available at www.freedomhonorflight.org. Secondly, the
Council spoke about the USS Freedom to be commissioned at Milwaukee’s Veterans
Park on Lake Michigan; reservations may be made at 877-854-6611 or go to their web
site, www.ussfreedom.org. Finally, the CVSO community is very aware and concerned
about companies offering to place loved ones in assisted living facilities and nursing
homes for a fee of $400 to $700. That fee is not necessary; your CVSOs in the 72
counties are ready, willing and able to do that at no cost. (P.S. In a phone call to him
during the meeting, Tim Thiers learned that he had just become a grandpa.)
7. (8.) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Reports
Chairman Freedman said that the presentation the Board had requested on Traumatic
Blast Injury will be held over until the October meeting.
a. VISN 12—Renee Oshinski: The Network is seeing some increases in workload,
although not a lot of increase in the number of unique patients. Looking at the OIF/OEF
veterans, last year for the entire year VISN 12 saw 8,000 patients. Through July 14th of
this year they have seen 9,500; about 5,200 of those are Wisconsin veterans. VISN 12 is
doing focus groups with returning veterans on a monthly basis at each of the sites. The
mental health enhancements continue to move forward. It is anticipated that there will be
significant increased funding for mental health again next year due to the Uniform
Benefits Package for Mental Health. The clinic in Ironwood has a full time social worker
who is seeing patients routinely. The VISN is doing fairly well on waiting times but they
need to continue to improve.
Construction: In Milwaukee the medical director’s quarters are being moved out of
the first floor into trailers adjacent to the site so that all that first floor space can be
4
converted to additional primary care and mental health. Milwaukee is one of the sites
where they are very challenged to meet the goals for access. A $5.5 million project was
just awarded to modernize the operating rooms and the post acute recovery unit at
Milwaukee. Madison is opening an annex clinic within five miles of the medical center
that will do primary care and mental health care. That clinic is anticipated to open in
early November. The Janesville CBOC is going to be switched from a contract clinic to a
VA staffed clinic. The Green Bay expansion remains part of the FY09 budget request.
Valet parking has been implemented across the Network. Advantage Valet Parking is
in place in Milwaukee and Madison will begin the valet parking in October. Tomah and
Iron Mountain opted out of the contract because they felt that they had enough space in
close proximity to the medical center for parking. The valet service is only for veterans,
not for employees. There are no shuttles, drop off and pick up is done at the main
entrance for the veteran. The attendants can assist veterans in and out of their cars but
they are not trained health care professionals. Tipping is strictly forbidden.
b. VISN 23—Dr. Robert Petzel, Director: Dr. Petzel talked about access. The goal
is for less than 25% of total unique patients waiting more than 30 days; for Network 23
that’s less than 200 people. There is going to be about $350 million in the FY09 budget
for mental health. In Networks 12 and 23 that is going to be upwards of 30 to 35
additional mental health workers for both augmenting present programs and for initiating
new programs that are part of the comprehensive mental health package that has been
approved by the Secretary. SCI Center in Minneapolis is progressing well. A dedication
ceremony is planned for some time in November. The Network’s workload is up this
year, the increase is around 1.8%.
Hayward and Rice Lake CBOCs are going very well. There is enough workload to
add additional new people at Rice Lake and a long term lease was just signed for a
property in Hayward that will be a more satisfactory location. Over 26,000 OIF/OEF
veterans have been seen in Network 23, the majority are National Guard members and
very few active duty. Ninety percent of them are being seen as outpatients with only 493
admissions.
Mr. Moran asked for an update on the lease renewal and assurance that there will be
no change in location for the Twin Ports CBOC. Mr. Petzel said the lease is up for
renewal this fall and they are in the process of exploring how much space they will need
for expansion. If it’s over a certain amount of space, they will have to go out for bids.
Dr. Petzel said there are two areas in the CARES plan where they are experimenting
with increased secondary specialty services in the community. One was in Nebraska and
the other one was the Superior Clinic. They have not gotten started with that as yet.
Mr. Andersen said the suicide hotline is a three month program that has already saved
600 veterans. He read where 55,000 calls and 66% are calls from veterans, are there
other people calling in for help? Dr. Petzel said yes, it’s becoming a very well-known
suicide line and people sometimes get confused and call but they will be referred to local
people, etc.
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c. Milwaukee VA Regional Office Claims: No one was in attendance from the
Milwaukee VA Regional Office.
8. (6.) 2009-2011 WDVA Budget
Mr. Freedman said each section will be briefed, and questions can be raised after each
section. The answers will be provided within the next week by the Department in writing
and will become part of the minutes of these Board proceedings.
Mr. Black provided an overview of budget initiatives. Eventually he will seek
endorsement by the Board. The slides are Attachment 2 to these minutes.
Vet Ed Program:
• Mr. Andersen: the second bullet under VetEd is to eliminate study at private schools.
A veteran would have to be accepted at a state school and if they are not accepted
their only option is to use a private school that will accept them, so if we eliminate
study at private schools, they no longer have that option. Are there any savings by
eliminating the private schools? (Answer: Yes, In FY08, $1.4 million in VedEd grants
were for private schools. See Attachment 1 for estimates of the savings for FY09
through FY14.) Do we want to limit opportunities for veterans? (Answer: This is the
policy issue that the Board of Veterans Affairs must decide on.) Mr. Freedman
supplemented Mr. Andersen’s question with a request that the Board be given the
actual savings figure for each of the two fiscal years by imposing a five-year
residency requirement and that the Board be given the same information with respect
to eliminating study at private schools. (The requested data is provided in
Attachment 1) Please advise historically over a three to five year period how many
VetEd grants actually have been given in recent years for students attending private
schools. (The requested data is provided in Attachment 1.)
• Ms. Guthrie: getting into a private school is more difficult than getting into a public
school. Why would we limit where they go to school? (Answer: The purpose for
eliminating private schools is to reduce the annual cost of the VetEd program in
order to extend the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund. Veterans who entered
service from Wisconsin can get 100% remission at any state university to technical
college under the WisGI Bill. Those veterans attending a UW-System institution or a
Wisconsin Technical College who did not enter service from Wisconsin but who meet
the one-year residency requirement are provided 100% reimbursement under the
VetEd program. The relevant issue is this: Does the Veterans Trust Fund have
sufficient financial resources to continue to provide reimbursement of tuition and fees
of veterans who opt to attend a private school? It should also be noted that veterans
who qualify for the new Webb GI Bill will be able to use those benefits to attend
private schools.) Mr. Hardie said that private schools include not just private four-
year institutions which would correctly be at least as difficult to get into as a UW
institution, but all sorts of private academies such as a beauty school or truck driving
school, etc. For those who are still eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, they could
continue to use that for public or private institutions. The Wisconsin GI Bill limits
remission to waiving tuition at UW public schools. It is not available to the private
schools.
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Health Care Aid Grant:
• Mr. Freedman: one of the very top priorities of the DVA and the Board has to be
looking out for veterans that are in high risk and who are most in need. We should
not be limiting programs merely because they are becoming more expensive. If the
demand is there, it is appropriate. The solution is not necessarily caps. The number
of claims has not jumped that dramatically but with respect to vision care, some of
that increase cost is because of misuse and/or abuse. Mr. Freedman said we need to
address the misuse/abuse issue and also place limitations that are appropriate so that
we cover basic needs. We can deal with the use of the grant for LASIK surgery
through administrative rule. With respect to dental care, it is very hard to consider
caps without being provided with some statistical information about the number of
claims, going back three years and including a couple of years before the caps were
removed, to get an idea of what the amount was of the average claim submitted,
delineating particular situations that appeared after we removed the caps, such as
crowns. (The requested data is provided in Attachment 2.) It is good to know that
there is no indication that the hearing aid grants have presented a problem but Mr.
Freedman would like to see the same statistical information for hearing aids that was
provided for vision and dental care. (The requested data is provided in Attachment 2)
Why should we be placing a cap on hearing care if there appears to be no misuse or
abuse and the use has remained fairly consistent? (Answer: One issue with the fact
that this is “hearing care” is that, as is the case with both “dental care” and “vision
care,” any medical procedures or care related to “hearing care” would be covered.
Should that be the intent of this program? Moreover, without a cap for “hearing
care,” a veteran could purchase top-of-the-line hearing aids. Again, should that be
the intent of this program? Caps are an effective way of insuring reasonableness in
terms of the cost of the care provided under this program without having to specify
what type of care (dental, vision and hearing) are covered under the program or the
number of eyeglasses or hearing aids a veteran can receive in a 12-month time
period.) Mr. Freedman thought that initially, there are a number of things that we
could cover by rule.
• Mr. Moran concurred with Mr. Freedman about working through these issues in the
administrative rule process.
• Ms. Guthrie: Is this grant program only for those that don’t have insurance
elsewhere? Do we currently allow LASIK surgery and cosmetic dentistry or haven’t
we determined that? Mr. Stewart said that the Department has no restrictions, so if
individuals come seeking reimbursement, we will pay. Ms. Guthrie said she buys
insurance to get dental and vision coverage and nothing even close to this is covered
so we are being extremely generous unless the care needed is service-related. Mr.
Stewart said four years ago when there were caps, these dental surgeries, multiple
eyeglasses, etc. were not done because they were more expensive than the caps
allowed.
• Mr. Freedman: The Board and Department will have the latitude to make
adjustments through the rule making process as situations evolve. The rule making
process is a lot easier to move forward successfully than to have to rely on budget
provisions or separate legislation.
7
• Mr. Andersen: The purpose of this program was to provide basic care that was not
available from the USDVA, namely eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures. So are we
doing some of the things that the USDVA should be paying for right now? Mr.
Stewart said that WDVA is not going to give the veteran something that the USDVA
would otherwise give and this has caused consternation in the veteran community. A
veteran can obtain an eye exam through the USDVA, unfortunately that requires them
to go to a USDVA location at their own expense, without reimbursement for that
travel and sometimes they have long waits for an appointment.
• Mr. Andersen: The estimates of maximum potential liability based on the amount of
the lifetime cap—how many years are we projecting these 36,000 veterans to need
care? Twenty years from now are there still going to be about 36,000 veterans who
are going to need some type of care under this program? Mr. Stewart said we do not
have projections on how many veterans are going to be continuously added to the
rolls but it does reflect the gradual diminution of the individuals who are currently
eligible out of WWII, Korean, Vietnam, etc.—as they progressively get older there is
a diminution of their actual average annual incomes and that is factored in. The
projection is probably good for the next decade, the problem is they could all come in
tomorrow for the grant, we don’t know when they are going to come.
• Mr. Freedman said we have to look at this projection in the context of our actual
experience. Mr. Stewart said the Department is trying to be realistic in presentations
to the Board and the public at large as to the potential impact. Mr. Freedman added
that when the Trust Fund is unable to adequately fund veterans benefits it becomes
the responsibility of the people of Wisconsin to make sure the funding is there.
Mr. Freedman said that since he is not comfortable with how clear the
communication is among the sites with video and teleconference for this meeting, the
Board will meet again within the next ten days. Any responses and comments will be
addressed at that time. The Board will need something more detailed as far as proposals
and whether it’s a particular option or a collection of options, just why what’s being
proposed by the Department is the way to go.
Mr. LiDonne said the numbers are kind of ridiculous because many of these people
will be eligible for VA pension, many would be service-connection and eligible for
prosthetics through the federal VA, but on the other hand, on a daily basis he personally
hears how much benefits to a veteran is enough benefits. Maybe this is a program that
fiscally has become a bit too much at this point. It does not excuse the need for GPR
funding.
Non-Profit Veterans Trust Fund Foundation:
• Mr. Freedman—does this contemplate a new private veterans trust fund in addition to
the state Veterans Trust Fund? Is it suggesting that the current state Veterans Trust
Fund is going to be merged with this private fund? Answer: No. Mr. Freedman
wonders what the basis is for coming up with the projected figures of $10 million per
fiscal year beginning in FY12 and $100 million by 2021? How realistic are those
projections and what basis they’re arrived at? (The “projections” are really more in
the nature of goals than actual projections. How realistic they are is one of the
factors to be determined through the feasibility study. The study would also address
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viability and options for establishing such a foundation. It should be noted that
under this concept, the interest income earned from the loans made from funds
provided from the Foundation would be used to fund existing programs and services.
It is being proposed as an option to the eventual need for 100% GPR funding to
support VTF programs, services and administrative costs.)
• Ms. Guthrie—is this the same as the Director of Development that was proposed in
the last teleconference? She still has the same objections that she raised at that
teleconference. One being that it’s way too broad, we’re raising funds to go to
veterans programs and services. Two, the American public has been very generous
and accommodating to all the services that are provided to veterans and during a testy
economy with expenses raised everywhere, at what point is it too much.
• Mr. Andersen added that he can’t make sense of the idea and his first sense is that he
doesn’t like it and he doesn’t think it’s going to work. Mr. Black said that’s why a
feasibility study would take place. Mr. Andersen would like more information before
putting out that $150,000 for the feasibility study. (See response above.)
Transfer a portion of VTF expenses for Veterans Board meeting, VSO grants, CVSO
grants and the Claims Office to the Homes:
• Mr. Andersen asked why do we want to transfer that $208,500 budget authority to the
Homes, what’s the purpose of that? Mr. Freedman said that a portion of the expenses
are being transferred, it’s a percentage based on how the expenses are distributed
between those three different funds and it would be helpful to know what those
percentages are.
Veterans Outreach Counselors:
• Ms. Guthrie had it clarified that this position is not a medical counselor. Is this
coordinated with any other available programs out there? Mr. Black said we
coordinate with the National Guard when we do reintegration; we coordinate with the
schools in order to bring our services to the schools, so there will be coordination that
will occur during this outreach. Ms. Guthrie said that instead of creating new
services, we need to focus on increasing the productivity of services that we have.
The Department needs to know that the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the
Department of the Army has already contributed an enormous amount of money to
expanding the Yellow Ribbon Campaign and the Joint Family Support Assistance
Program. These programs are located at the Department of Military Affairs and a lot
of this is just duplication of services and rather than add four people at WDVA, it
would make more sense to add one or two to bring these services together.
• Mr. Andersen asked why FY11 about $50,000 less than FY10? (Answer: Because
the amount requested in FY10 includes one-time start up costs such as computers,
printers, office furniture, etc.)
• Mr. Freedman has advocated for eight additional positions and that we ensure that
there is regional distribution so that in particular we cover the northern half of the
state at least as aggressively as the southern half of the state. I agree that we have to
understand how this outreach program would provide a service not already being
provided. It has to be articulated and we have to have more than a cursory overview.
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University Agency Liaisons:
• Mr. Freedman said the funding request would be from GPR and he is comfortable
with that. He would have a problem if funding would revert back to the Veterans
Trust Fund.
• Mr. Naylor asked how this request fits with services already being provided by Vets
for Vets on the UW Madison campus. Anthony Hardie said Vets for Vets is a student
organization and they provide support to each other.
• Ms. Guthrie asked that why, with all the campuses and schools across the state,
would we focus on only the two biggest where they have the WDVA and Vets for
Vets and CVSOs and all the other resources available to them. Mr. Hardie said this
evolved from a conversation between UW System President Kevin Reilly and
Secretary Scocos that there was a desire for two FTEs at these locations.
• Mr. Freedman requested clarification on why President Reilly has requested these
positions be located on the two largest campuses in southern Wisconsin and how, if at
all, these liaisons would be utilized to provide services in whatever form to other
campuses throughout the state, including those that are more remotely located.
Mr. Freedman asked that the presentation on the budget be stopped at this point and
continue it as the first item of business when the Board reconvenes in a special meeting
and that agenda items 9, 10, 11 and 12 be held over to that special meeting. The Board
proceeded to Secretary’s Matters, Public Input and Other Matters Not Subject to
Adoption.
9. Update on Implementation of Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Recommendations
Agenda item held over for yet to be announced special Board meeting.
10. Discussion and Action on Beginning Administrative Code Process for Assistance to
Needy Veterans Grant Program Regarding Eyeglasses
Agenda item held over for yet to be announced special Board meeting.
11. Briefing on How VA Claims are Handled by the WDVA Claims Office (who has access,
how access is maintained, how information can be recovered)
Agenda item held over for yet to be announced special Board meeting.
12. Discussion and Action on Need for Legislation to Protect the Confidentiality of DD-214s
of Wisconsin Veterans
Agenda item held over for yet to be announced special Board meeting.
13. Secretary’s Matters
Deputy Secretary Black said that his focus going forward will be to service all
veterans and provide them with the benefits and support that they need. In order for us to
be effective in doing that we all have to work together; that includes the Board, the VSO
community, and the CVSOs and the best way to do that is to continue to communicate
with each other. Mr. Moran thanked Ken Black for participating in the veterans forum
on Wednesday evening and for touring the veterans clinic in Superior.
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14. Public Input
David Zien talked about events of significance in the area. HWY 2 is Richard Bong
Highway, HWY 13 is POW-MIA Highway, HWY 53 is the Peace Memorial Highway,
HWY 27 is Citizen Soldier Highway and there is the Richard I. Bong Bridge. Secondly,
he reiterated his thoughts on pursuing other revenue sources: (1) Unharvested timber in
the State of Wisconsin is about $150 to $200 billion a year; (2) 80% of the mid-grade
iron ore is in the State of Wisconsin; (3) The net proceeds of the sale of state land at
Chippewa Falls goes to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of
Corrections, the Department of Health and Family Services; and (4) Kick-starting a
veterans speakers bureau.
The following exchange was requested to be in these minutes verbatim:
David Zien: “I was with WISVET Outreach in 1975 and 1979. John Moses was fired by
the Board of Veterans Affairs and I remember the veterans community, they had a reason
to unite and it was just unbelievable. Pat Lucey was held in such poor regard and the
Board members in such poor regard. I would just like to, and I’m not going to ask the
Chairman if he’s been a part of any efforts, or any discussions with Legislators or staff or
leadership, I’m not going to ask you about removing John Scocos while he’s deployed in
Iraq, let’s not go there. But I would just hope that there is no talk about that in any way,
fashion or form. And, because we do have a person that’s going to be serving a second
tour in this global war on terrorism and I would just hope that that’s not happening. The
veterans community throughout the state is ablaze with rumors centering on the
Chairman and the Vice Chairman, but I would hope it’s not true. Any questions? God
bless you. Thank you very much.”
Marvin Freedman: “Well actually, there’s no way in the world that I’m going to let that
kind of a remark go unanswered. I’ll say a couple things. First of all, I will have a
detailed statement for the record that I will read in October at the Board meeting. I am so
fed up with the kinds of rumors that are not only being raised, but are being spread
maliciously by third parties within this veterans community about what supposedly the
Board Chair or Vice Chair or the entire Board is doing. The one thing that I will not
tolerate as a Board member and especially as Board Chair is having the focus of the
Board and the Department diverted from issues that are non-issues. As I say, I will make
a detailed statement on this in October. But one thing that I will tell you right now and I
will make it as clear as I can—is that Secretary Scocos, his position is protected for the
entire time that he is serving in Iraq. It is protected by federal law for a specified
statutory period upon his return. Regardless of what the—the Board understands, and
I’m saying that with sort of a wry sense of humor, dry sense of humor I guess is a better
way of putting it, we’re not fools. We’re not about to violate federal laws and the
applicable state laws. So with respect to the rumors, and this rumor that’s rife through
the veterans community, is that there is no basis whatsoever, in fact, in law, in reality that
the Chairman of the Board, and I have no doubt that the Vice Chairman of the Board
would object to me saying there is nothing that the Vice Chairman’s doing, nor has there
been any discussion by this Board in open or closed session about removing the Secretary
while he is in Iraq or during the period that he returns. That’s the extent of my comment
today, but I will make a further comment on that in October.” End of verbatim transcript.
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Jon LiDonne said that there are communication difficulties that County Veterans
Service Officers and VSOs are having with the Regional Office. He stressed the
importance of the Department getting the BO100 benefits booklet mailed out. He
recommended the removal of the delimiting date of 25 years for veterans wishing to use
the Primary Mortgage Home Loan Program. Mr. LiDonne requested a copy of Mr.
Black’s slide presentation on the budget.
Tim Thiers said that a lot of veterans applying for the Aid to Needy Veterans grant
are below federal poverty line—they have issues with PTSD and it’s a way to get them
into a CVSO office. It is a beneficial program for the veteran’s community. I would
strongly recommend setting up a Process Action Team, with the Senate Chair of the
Veterans Committee, to report to the Finance Committee on alternative funding concepts
brought out by Dave Zien and maybe hear more ideas from the veteran’s community.
Mr. Andersen asked Tim Thiers to bring that up at the next meeting to be discussed as a
Board agenda item.
15. Other Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)
Dan Naylor said that members at the King and Union Grove Homes who have the
ability and the desire to vote should have every opportunity to do so. King lost a site for
voting two years and the only place to actively vote now is at the Town Hall and there are
accessibility issues there. There is outreach by staff at King, Social Workers, the Town
Clerk and absentee ballots are available but he is still concerned that we have a
reasonable plan for all members at King who wish to vote that they have the access to
vote.
16. Next Meeting Date and Location
The next meeting will be October 17, 2008 in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley
Hotel. Ms. Guthrie announced that the evening of October 17th will be the 32nd Brigade
Mobilization briefing at the Radisson Paper Valley. Mr. Freedman asked that
information on this be provided to Deputy Black so that a notification can be provided to
the veterans community at large.
17. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Andersen and carried on a voice vote
to adjourn the meeting. The time was 1:27 p.m.
Marvin J. Freedman, Chair
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Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs
Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Mark A. Schaitel was born July 13, 1921 in Leon Valley, Wisconsin on a farm homesteaded by his
grandfather in the late 1800’s. After joining the U.S. Navy on July 10, 1941, he was assigned to the USS Boggs, a
Destroyer Minesweeper, from 1940 to 1944, advancing in rank on the Boggs from Seaman Second Class to First Class
Signalman; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of the ship’s company on the morning of December 7, 1941 and was an eyewitness to
history when the Boggs, returning from sea maneuvers and just entering Pearl Harbor’s waters, was flown over by the first
wave of Japanese attack aircraft. The Boggs was initially ordered to sweep for aerial mines, and then to pick up survivors,
and finally out for sea patrol as a follow-up Japanese land attack was expected. As the Boggs left Pearl Harbor for sea
patrol, one of its mine-sweeping cables tangled with a Japanese min-submarine that was subsequently destroyed by a
follow-on ship; and the Boggs continued operations in the South Pacific until July 1944; and
WHEREAS, in 1944 he was assigned to the USS Collingsworth, a brand new Troop Carrier, which carried 18 assault
boats and a Marine assault force. The Collingsworth participated in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945 and then served as a
carrier for homeward-bound troops after VJ Day; and
WHEREAS, during the Korean War, he was assigned to the USS Hanna, a Destroyer Escort, as a Chief Quartermaster
from July 1952 to May 1953. The Hanna, while operating in the waters off of Wonson, North Korea, was severely
damaged by a hostile shore battery attack in November 1952; and
WHEREAS, Mark Schaitel completed his military career as a Navy Recruiter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He retired
from the Navy on August 1, 1960 as a Chief Quartermaster (E-7) just before the creation of super grades E-8 and E-9. His
military decorations include the American Defense Service Medal with one star, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal with three
stars, American Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal,
WWII Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal with three
stars, Korean Presidential Unit Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with three stars; and
WHEREAS, he joined the Alonzo Cudworth American Legion Post 23 in 1961; and over the next 24 years he served
tirelessly and with distinction as a record-setting membership chair, the first Vice Commander and the Commander, and as
Commander escorted the Cudworth Choir to the National Championships. He was elected as a Director of the Wisconsin
American Legion Bowling Association; he served as a volunteer at Camp American Legion for 23 years; and he was
instrumental in the development of the American Legion Baseball All-Star Game, serving as the Chairman of the first game
held at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1972; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, desiring to return to his birthplace and that of his cousin, Deke Slayton, an original Mercury
Seven Astronaut, he moved back to Leon Valley and joined American Legion Post 100 in Sparta, Wisconsin. Serving as its
Commander he re-energized the membership with the prospect of building the Post’s first home, he increased the Post’s
membership to over 300 for the first time, and he led the construction of the Post building in 1988. He continues to serve
on the Post Executive Committee, is a member of the Wisconsin and National American Legion Press Association, and is
in his 16th year as Post Baseball Chairman; and
WHEREAS, he has served as Monroe County American Legion Commander and he has attended 32 state and 16
national American Legion Conventions. He returned to Pearl Harbor as a delegate to the 1978-79 National American
Legion National Convention, and while there, he laid a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial on behalf of a Wisconsin
family who had lost a loved one on the Arizona during the attack.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Marvin J. Freedman, Chair of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, proclaim MARK A.
SCHAITEL as the recipient of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award on this 15th
day of August 2008.
______________________________________
MARVIN J. FREEDMAN
Board Chair
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