Vietname Veterans of America vs. DoD: Personality Disorders Discharge Lawsuit

From Vietnam Veterans of America:

"Vietnam Veterans of America has filed a lawsuit responding to Department of Defense's wrongful discharge of nearly 26,000 veterans.
 
The Department of Defense (DoD) has violated the law by failing to release records showing that it has wrongfully discharged nearly 26,000 service members on the basis of so-called "Personality Disorder." This Personality Disorder designation has prevented disabled veterans from receiving the disability compensation and other benefits they have earned. Vietnam Veterans of America and its counsel, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic of the Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization at Yale Law School, hope that the records they obtain through this lawsuit will convince Congress to mandate a systemic review of these discharges and compel DoD to repair the harm it has caused.

The complaint, press release and other documents are accessible at http://vva.org/ppd.html.

ABA iso Director Military Pro Bono Project (Chicago)

Description:

• Staff Attorney 
•  Legal Services
• Section Funded
• Part-Time

Managing the ABA Military Pro Bono Project, a high-visiblity program connecting active duty servicemembers with pro bono counsel around the country. Position involves substantive legal work, close collaboration with legal assistance leadership of the five service branches and a dedicated military liaison officer, national outreach to lawyers and law firms to handle pro bono cases, and management of web-based intake and referral platform. Includes legal research, writing, speaking, provision of technical assistance, and grant development and/or fundraising.

MORE:
https://www5.recruitingcenter.net/Clients/abanet/PublicJobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&job_id=10474

Military Forbearance Option

According to the Fannie Mae website http://www.knowyouroptions.com/military/: 

If you’re facing a financial hardship due to a death or injury of a service member on active duty, you may be eligible for a special military forbearance option. Read below for more details and for additional assistance, you can also visit Army OneSource or Military OneSource.

A forbearance is an agreement between you and your mortgage company to temporarily suspend or reduce your monthly mortgage payments for a specific period (usually between 90-180 days) of time. This option lets you deal with your short-term financial problems by giving you time to get back on your feet and bring your mortgage current.

With a military forbearance, you may qualify for additional benefits such as a longer forbearance period—up to 6 months—and no adverse impact to your credit score (all credit reporting related to your mortgage loan will be suspended during the forbearance period). Additionally, a special hotline has been set up for additional guidance about this option and other mortgage assistance programs—877-MIL-4566.

Military Forbearance may be an option if:

• You are ineligible or do not want to refinance
• You are facing a financial hardship due to either an injury or loss of spouse in active duty
• You are several months behind on your mortgage payments

What are the benefits?

• Lower or temporarily suspend your monthly payment for up to 6 months—giving you time to improve your financial situation and get back on your feet
• No adverse credit reporting (related to your mortgage loan) during the forbearance period
• Stay in your home and avoid foreclosure

How does it work?

Forbearance reduces your monthly mortgage payment—or suspends it completely—during the forbearance period (usually between 90-180 days). If you qualify for forbearance, you and your mortgage company will sign an agreement that will outline the forbearance terms:

• length of forbearance period,
• reduced payment amount (if the payment is not suspended), and
• the terms of repayment.

After the forbearance period has ended, you will need to repay the amount that was reduced or suspended. However, you usually have a few ways you can repay—moving the payments to the end of your mortgage, which will lengthen the term; making a one-time payment for the amount; or adding a specific amount to your payments each month until the entire amount is repaid (see Repayment Plan for more information).
If you are still struggling with your mortgage payments after the forbearance period is over, you may be able to qualify for a modification that would permanently change the terms of your mortgage.

Next steps

	Gather your financial information—Make sure you have your basic financial and loan information on hand when you call your mortgage company. You’ll need: your mortgage statements, including information on a second mortgage (if applicable) your other monthly debt payments (e.g., car or student loans, credit card payments), and your income details (paystubs and income tax returns).
	Explain your current situation—Be ready to outline your current hardship and explain why you are having trouble making your mortgage payment and if this is a short-term or long-term problem. Your mortgage company will need to understand the reasons why you are having difficulty in order to find the right solution for you.
	Contact the Fannie Mae Military Support Hotline—Call 877-MIL-4566 (877-645-4566) and tell them you are interested in a Military Forbearance.

http://www.knowyouroptions.com/resources/helpful-forms

Contact us today to see if you qualify for this option. If you need additional assistance, you can also visit Army OneSource or Military OneSource.

SEE MORE:

http://www.knowyouroptions.com/military/

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) has a new website: http://www.mic3.net/. 


Military families move between postings on a regular basis, and while reassignments can often be a boon for career personnel, they can be difficult for the children of military families. The average military student faces transition challenges more than twice during high school and most military children will attend six to nine different school systems in their lives from kindergarten to 12th grade. The Compact therefore seeks to make transition easier for the children of military families so that they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals.


MORE:
http://www.mic3.net/

Deadline Extended: The National Guard Bureau Seeks Feedback on Families with Special Needs

In the mailbox:

"The National Guard Bureau (NGB) is actively working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and all Parent Service Organizations (Army, AF, Navy, and Marines) to add additional support services for Families with Special Needs (Exceptional Family Member Program-EFMP).  

NGB needs your feedback to determine the scope of the needs and the most important issues impacting these families. Survey feedback will directly affect proper allocation of resources to support EFMP Families. 

All Soldiers, Airmen, Family members of Servicemembers, and ARNG/ANG Family Program staff are encouraged to participate. 

The Guard Family Special Needs Survey assessment will only take about 2 minutes and will be available until September 30, 2010. To complete the survey, please click on the following link to the Joint Services Support (JSS) webpage: https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Survey/TakeSurvey.aspx?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=403 "

Sep 10/Seattle, WA - The History of Military Commissions in American Jurisprudence

 WSBA LAMP Section Quarterly Meeting and Mini-CLE — "The History of Military Commissions in American Jurisprudence"

Sponsor: WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP) Section ( http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/lamp/ ).

The LAMP Section announces its quarterly meeting, to be followed by a mini-CLE examining the history of military commissions in American jurisprudence, presented by Vice Admiral Bruce MacDonald, Judge Advocate Generals Corps, United States Navy Judge Advocate General.

When: Friday, September 10, 2010

Where: Ben Bridge Jeweler

2901 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor, Seattle

Approved for 1 general CLE credit

Cost:    Free to LAMP Section members
To join the LAMP Section, see  http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/lamp/default1.htm

Please click on the following link to register for this timely seminar:

https://pro.wsba.org/forms/cle/Z100910.asp  

TBI, PTSD & Employment Training

From Americansherosatwork.gov

TBI, PTSD & Employment
An online training tool for employers, supervisors & hiring managers

About This Training
Due to advances in military medicine and protective equipment, increased numbers of Service Members are surviving the injuries they sustain on the battlefield. However, the changing combat landscape has caused a sharp increase in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which are increasingly recognized as leading injuries of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although their injuries may not be visible, returning Service Members experiencing psychological health or cognitive issues related to combat stress or a brain injury may face difficulties, especially with respect to employment.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is educating employers about TBI and PTSD, and working to dispel some of the myths associated with these common conditions. Not all TBIs and PTSD cases are the same, nor are most severe - and simple workplace supports can often help individuals with TBI and/or PTSD succeed in their jobs.

This online training resource is not designed to be a diagnostic tool or a substitution for professional/clinical advice. It is designed to educate and inform HR professionals, hiring managers and employers about TBI and PTSD, and how these injuries may impact employment, while illustrating that employment can play a vital role in the recovery of our wounded warriors. Basic clinical information about TBI and PTSD is offered in addition to scenario-based learning and links to tools and resources. We encourage you to use and share these resources to help ensure a successful employment environment - for employers, employees and co-workers who may be experiencing the impact of TBI and/or PTSD.

Please allow up to 45 minutes to complete the training.

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This America's Heroes at Work training was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service with strong support from the Job Accommodation Network; the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury; the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

MORE
:http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/presentations/TBIptsd/