Limits on nonprofit groups designed to protect military families

2014-11-12T18:22:21-05:00

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

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 7:05 PM

2014-11-12T19:05:24-05:00

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.

Response by LTC Stephen Kubiszewski made Nov 13 at 2014 10:07 PM

2014-11-13T22:07:24-05:00

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