How and Why to Volunteer for the Veterans Consortium #ProBono Project

On Memorial Day, think about providing pro bono services to our veterans. There are many benefits to doing so (e.g. you can get free training) but mostly - it's the right thing to do!

From the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Project website:

IF: you are an attorney interested in our program, we will provide you with:

A day-long training class on veterans' law issues. When you accept a case referred from the Program, we will provide you with the following services: A comprehensive analysis of the appellant's case as a guideline for the appeal; Extensive legal research materials, including a CD-ROM with an on-line research capability; A mentoring attorney to assist you in formulating your litigation strategy; A case monitor, to ensure that no deadlines are overlooked during the appeals process; and We will take your phone calls and we wll answer your questions. If you are interested in volunteering you must attend a day-long training. To find out more about future training dates, please visithttp://www.vetsprobono.org/newsite/train/trainingdates.htm or email us at probonoprogram@nvlsp.org

LEARN MORE HERE:

http://www.vetsprobono.org/attorney.htm

VA Announces Disaster Assistance After Tornado Outbreaks

VA Press Release:

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that special disaster assistance may be available to Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans who have been affected by recent tornados in Missouri.

“We will do everything we can to help Veterans and their families get through this difficult time,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We urge Veterans to use VA resources available to help them recover from this disaster.”

VA strongly encourages mortgage companies not to initiate any new foreclosures in the disaster areas for a period of 90 days. The agency also encourages mortgage companies that service VA-guaranteed home loans to extend every possible forbearance to borrowers who are in distress through no fault of their own. This includes suspension of reporting to credit bureaus and waiving late charges for affected borrowers.

Veterans should contact their insurance company as soon as possible to file claims for losses. At the same time, they need to contact their mortgage companies to let them know their circumstances.

Veterans should also start the FEMA disaster application process as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-3362. Low interest loans, cash grants, and housing assistance may be available from agencies associated with the disaster recovery effort.

VA has information available on its web site (www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans) that provides basic guidance on options veterans should consider following a major disaster. Veterans may also contact their nearest VA Regional Loan Center at 1-877-827-3702.

For updated information on eligible counties, visit the “Are you a disaster survivor?” section on the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm.

MORE:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2107

May 25/Stillwater, MN - Echoes of War: The Combat #Veteran in Criminal Court

The Washington County Law Library(http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library  ) presents this program in coordination with the Washington County Bar Association (http://wcba-mn.org/ ), but membership in the Association is not required for attendance.

Title:
"Echoes of War: The Combat Veteran in Criminal Court"

May 25, 2011 noon-1pm
This CLE will be held in Room 436 of the Washington County Government Center
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Credit:
Two Bias CLE credits will be applied for
Cost:
Free
Speakers:

• Brockton Hunter, Esq.
• Hector Matascastillo, MSW.
• John Baker, Esq.

Suggestions for programs are always welcome and should be directed to the County Law Librarian, who may be reached at 651-430-6330

MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library/continuing_legal_education

MORE FREE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION:
http://4freecle.blogspot.com/

Veterans Advocacy at Swords to Plowshares

Swords to Plowshares (motto: Vets Helping Vets since 1974) reports:

"Swords to Plowshares is one of the few organizations in the country that provides free attorney representation, case management and advocacy to veterans. We have widespread impact by helping veterans access the VA benefits and health care they have rightfully earned and rely on to rebuild their lives.

Did you know?

Not all of our country’s service men and women are guaranteed benefits or medical care from the VA after they have served.

The staff at Swords have been practicing VA law and providing free benefits advocacy to veterans for decades. They advocate on behalf of veterans by removing obstacles that prevent them from being eligible for VA benefits and services.

Our Legal Team specializes in:

■VA benefits claims and appeals

■Military discharge upgrade reviews

Our Impact last year

We provided free legal advice to nearly 500 veterans, 189 who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each year, we win hundreds of thousands of dollars in VA disability compensation and pension on behalf of our clients and we leverage several times more than what it costs Swords to provide these services, at no cost to the veterans themselves. We have won more than 90 percent of the cases that are followed through to conclusion.

Contact us:
legal@stp-sf.org
(415) 252-4788"

MORE:
http://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/services/benefits/

VA to Take Applications for New Family Caregiver Program (#veterans health care issue)

The federal Veterans Administration just announced progress in program that may be very helpful to veterans who require home care, and for the families and professionals that seek to serve them:

"WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the interim final rule for implementing the Family Caregiver Program of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010. This newrule will provide additional support to eligible post-9/11 Veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary Family Caregiver.

"We at VA know that every day is a challenge for our most seriously injured Veterans and their Family Caregivers," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "I know many Veterans and their Family Caregivers have been waiting anxiously for this day and I urge them to get their applications in as soon as possible so they can receive the additional support they have earned."

On May 9, staff in VA's Office of Care Management and Social Work will open the application process for eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers to designate their Family Caregivers.

Additional services for primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers include a stipend, mental health services, and access to health care insurance, if they are not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan. Comprehensive Caregiver training and medical support are other key components of this program.

The program builds on the foundation of Caregiver support now provided at VA and reflects what families and clinicians have long known; that Family Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care.

Starting May 9th, Veterans may download a copy of the Family Caregiver program application (VA CG 10-10) at http://www.caregiver.va.gov/. The application enables the Veteran to designate a primary Family Caregiver and secondary Family Caregivers if needed. Caregiver Support  Coordinators are stationed at every VA medical center and via phone at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) to assist Veterans and their Family Caregivers with the application process.

Caregivers for Veterans of all eras are eligible for respite care, education and training on what it means to be a caregiver, how to best meet the Veteran's care needs, and the importance of self-care when in a care giving role. The full range of VA services already provided to Caregivers will continue, and local Caregiver Support Coordinators at each VA medical center are available to assist Family Caregivers in identifying benefits and services they may be eligible for. The Caregiver Support Coordinators are well versed in VA programs and also have information about other local public, private and non-profit agency support services that are available to support Veterans and their Family Caregivers at home.

VA programs for Veterans and their Family Caregivers include:

• In-Home and Community Based Care: This includes skilled home health care, homemaker home health aide services, community adult day health care and Home Based Primary Care.
• Respite Care: Designed to relieve the Family Caregiver from the constant challenge of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home, respite services can include in-home care, a short stay in one of VA's community living centers or an environment designed for adult day health care.
• Caregiver education and training programs: VA currently provides multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in multiple severe traumas such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind Rehabilitation. VA has a Family Caregiver assistance healthy living center on My HealtheVet, http://www.myhealth.va.gov/, as well as caregiver information on the VA's main Web page health site; both Websites include information on VA and community resources and Caregiver health and wellness.
• Caregiver support groups and other services: Family Caregiver support groups, offered in a face to face setting or on the telephone, provide emotional and peer support, and information. Family Caregiver services include family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses.
• Other services: VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments."

MORE:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2088
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-1963

The ABA Military Pro Bono Project

For Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families

The American Bar Association's Military Pro Bono Project does not directly serve members of our warrior community. However the ABA's Home Front page links to helpful information, such as a State-by-State directory of Programs and a Military Family Information Center linking to legal information of special interest to military families.

For Lawyers

The ABA Military Pro Bono Project offers attorneys two different ways to help military families:

• Attorneys can register to be contacted by the ABA Military Pro Bono Project with opportunities to provide pro bono assistance on behalf of military families when cases arise in your geographic and substantive area. Sign up for our weekly Case Opportunities listserv to stay up-to-date on the latest pro bono opportunities through the Project. Learn more.
• Attorneys can register to join the Consultation Center to volunteer time to receive calls or emails from military attorneys in need of attorney-to-attorney advice on state-specific legal information relating to your legal area of expertise, so they can better assist their servicemember clients.

Military Attorneys are encouraged to register as above, so they may be able to refer their clinets to the project and/or take advantage of the Consultation Center.

Learn More At:

http://www.militaryprobono.org

May 25/Stillwater, MN - Echoes of War: The Combat #Veteran in Criminal Court

The Washington County Law Library(http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library ) presents this program in coordination with the Washington County Bar Association (http://wcba-mn.org/ ), but membership in the Association is not required for attendance.

Title:
"Echoes of War: The Combat Veteran in Criminal Court"
May 25, 2011 noon-1pm

This CLE will be held in Room 436 of the Washington County Government Center
14949 62nd Street North
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082-0006
Two Bias CLE credits will be applied for
Speakers:

* Brockton Hunter, Esq.
* Hector Matascastillo, MSW.
* John Baker, Esq.

Suggestions for programs are always welcome and should be directed to the County Law Librarian, who may be reached at 651-430-6330

MORE:
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/law_library/continuing_legal_education