Posted on Nov 12, 2014
Limits on nonprofit groups designed to protect military families
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As the resident nonprofit guru here on RallyPoint, I want to obtain feedback from our community - especially those currently serving - on this article.
Many nonprofit groups have encountered obstacles when attempting to offer their services on an installation because of access restriction issues. What are your thoughts on allowing more access to local nonprofits? Help? Hindrance?
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20141104/NEWS/311040045/Mission-Family-Limits-nonprofit-groups-designed-protect-military-families
Many nonprofit groups have encountered obstacles when attempting to offer their services on an installation because of access restriction issues. What are your thoughts on allowing more access to local nonprofits? Help? Hindrance?
http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20141104/NEWS/311040045/Mission-Family-Limits-nonprofit-groups-designed-protect-military-families
Posted in these groups: 
Non-Profits
Family
Non-Profits Family
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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Sir, we talked about this topic before - probably under a thread started by you - regarding the possibility of DoD sanctioning nonprofits who want to help the military and veterans. The question is, how do we vet these organizations? I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that most want to help, but there are some who most likely want to rip them (us) off.
I distinctly remember this very topic in another thread. I like this quote from the article:
"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been listening to the nonprofits’ concerns, and DoD is looking at this issue, moving to clarify the boundaries of current policies to provide more consistency and ensuring practices are fair and equitable, while protecting troops and families."
"We" need to figure out a way to vet these organizations - DoD-wide.
I distinctly remember this very topic in another thread. I like this quote from the article:
"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been listening to the nonprofits’ concerns, and DoD is looking at this issue, moving to clarify the boundaries of current policies to provide more consistency and ensuring practices are fair and equitable, while protecting troops and families."
"We" need to figure out a way to vet these organizations - DoD-wide.
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RP6 must be down as this my second attempt to respond. Email is [login to see]
Number of non-profits:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/philanthropy/22967-the-community-foundations-response-to-veterans.html
Veterans organizations:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/lack_of_oversight_increased_nu.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/giving/after-war-more-veterans-find-more-help.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/10/19397067-investigation-after-us-military-spends-34-million-on-unused-building-in-afghanistan?lite
Huffington post series: The War Within
Military Suicides On The Rise Despite Army's Efforts
For those knowledgeable of organization psychology, this is a good read. The topic of more and better integrated service is well covered. A large number of eligible veterans are not using the system and a quoted 50% of those seeking treatment do not return!
While outside the scope of the article but crucial to any "veterans focused" approach is the still lacking existence of a national network of local peer support groups working at the street/neighborhood level to encourage folks to explore their options and to stay in a program longer to better benefit from it. Veterans health and welfare can not be just limited to a clinic or hospital campus.
Our veterans and spouses are a national resource; well trained, experienced and motivated to help themselves and others. Out of the "tens of thousands" of veterans' assistance entities in place, why does there not/not exist a complementary resource network helping to fill the operational support gap between the VA and those needing more 24/7 and face to face help?
No one agency or group can provide the long term web/local networking we in the mil/vet community, and our general population, needs.
http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_ExpandingTheNet_Carter.pdf
Number of non-profits:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/philanthropy/22967-the-community-foundations-response-to-veterans.html
Veterans organizations:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/lack_of_oversight_increased_nu.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/09/giving/after-war-more-veterans-find-more-help.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/10/19397067-investigation-after-us-military-spends-34-million-on-unused-building-in-afghanistan?lite
Huffington post series: The War Within
Military Suicides On The Rise Despite Army's Efforts
For those knowledgeable of organization psychology, this is a good read. The topic of more and better integrated service is well covered. A large number of eligible veterans are not using the system and a quoted 50% of those seeking treatment do not return!
While outside the scope of the article but crucial to any "veterans focused" approach is the still lacking existence of a national network of local peer support groups working at the street/neighborhood level to encourage folks to explore their options and to stay in a program longer to better benefit from it. Veterans health and welfare can not be just limited to a clinic or hospital campus.
Our veterans and spouses are a national resource; well trained, experienced and motivated to help themselves and others. Out of the "tens of thousands" of veterans' assistance entities in place, why does there not/not exist a complementary resource network helping to fill the operational support gap between the VA and those needing more 24/7 and face to face help?
No one agency or group can provide the long term web/local networking we in the mil/vet community, and our general population, needs.
http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_ExpandingTheNet_Carter.pdf
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LTC Jason Strickland
LTC Stephen Kubiszewski, great comments. You have certainly done your research!
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Col Dick Rauschkolb
It is a tough battle. The lawyers at the AF Academy believe the Association of Graduates--a non-profit--is no different than any other non-profit and the JAGS say "no" to almost everything the AOG wants to do. Be careful for what you wish for. I think if you want to do this, you need to get into Title 10 legislation. In other words Congress needs to get involved.
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LTC Stephen Kubiszewski
Gents,
I will concede that we all have good points which are overwhelmed by the current situation and the volume of entities now vying for access, etc.
For example, the National Resource Directory.gov only lists those organizations which are existing non-profits, faith based entities, agencies, and education/schools.
Talk about herding cats!
I am still ver whelmed by the number of non-profit espousing to serve our mil/vets. Add in the huge number of Federal, state and local agencies! For profit and non-profit educational enterprises feasting off our mil-vet community as well as the general population looking for employment and career advancement. Lastly, the very large and cloudy domain of faith based programs, churches, sects promising aid and deliverance across the nation.
The need to redefine this mess is essential but very unlikely.
Dick has it right on, Congress MUST get involved and take definitive action. Any bets?
This is a clear example of the Sorcerer's Appentice!
GAO recently studied some 99 DOD and VA programs all focused on similar objectives etc. mission duplication is not a force multiplier but a drag on progress.
I will concede that we all have good points which are overwhelmed by the current situation and the volume of entities now vying for access, etc.
For example, the National Resource Directory.gov only lists those organizations which are existing non-profits, faith based entities, agencies, and education/schools.
Talk about herding cats!
I am still ver whelmed by the number of non-profit espousing to serve our mil/vets. Add in the huge number of Federal, state and local agencies! For profit and non-profit educational enterprises feasting off our mil-vet community as well as the general population looking for employment and career advancement. Lastly, the very large and cloudy domain of faith based programs, churches, sects promising aid and deliverance across the nation.
The need to redefine this mess is essential but very unlikely.
Dick has it right on, Congress MUST get involved and take definitive action. Any bets?
This is a clear example of the Sorcerer's Appentice!
GAO recently studied some 99 DOD and VA programs all focused on similar objectives etc. mission duplication is not a force multiplier but a drag on progress.
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