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Montana Veterans! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Your Question Now!
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On September 15th, 11AM MDT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer-to-peer support services. Type your questions in now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» SGT Lauren Augustine - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» PO1 Kate Stevens - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» 1LT (Join to see) - Suicide Prevention Coordinator, VA
» CMSgt Scott Robinson - Director of Military & Veteran Services, Easterseals
» MSG Jamie Kleppen - Veteran Service Representative, Fort Harrison Regional Office
» Montana Veterans Affairs Division - Bureau Chief, Montana Veterans Affairs Division
» Korey Schroeder - Senior Associate, Operations, Team Rubicon
» PO2 Shannon Noble - Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP), Job Service Missoula, Montana Department of Labor & Industry
You can ask questions to the following people:
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» SGT Lauren Augustine - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» PO1 Kate Stevens - Operations Associate, Team Rubicon
» 1LT (Join to see) - Suicide Prevention Coordinator, VA
» CMSgt Scott Robinson - Director of Military & Veteran Services, Easterseals
» MSG Jamie Kleppen - Veteran Service Representative, Fort Harrison Regional Office
» Montana Veterans Affairs Division - Bureau Chief, Montana Veterans Affairs Division
» Korey Schroeder - Senior Associate, Operations, Team Rubicon
» PO2 Shannon Noble - Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP), Job Service Missoula, Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Billings
Missoula
Great Falls
Responses: 18
The Clay Hunt Fellows Program opens quarterly and equips the veteran with tools to redefine their purpose and identity out of uniform for a life of continued service. Fellows will complete a six-month Base Camp curriculum focused on emotional intelligence through strengths finders discovery, self-awareness exploration and personal assessments, focused cohort discussions, reading, and guided self-reflection assignments. Upon completion, Fellows will be equipped to better lead in their communities and within Team Rubicon.
For more information, check out: https://teamrubiconusa.org/clay-hunt-fellowship/
For more information, check out: https://teamrubiconusa.org/clay-hunt-fellowship/
Clay Hunt Fellows Program | Team Rubicon | Team Rubicon
The Clay Hunt Fellows Program equips veterans with tools to redefine their purpose and identity out of uniform for continued service upon transition.
I’m the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) at the Job Service (Montana Department of Labor & Industry: montanaworks.gov) and the Outreach Specialist for the Veteran Support Network (VSN) – Missoula Region (access website from your desktop & click on "More" to see multiple pages of resources and contacts): https://www.vsnmontana.org/
*** We have MULTIPLE Peer Support Specialists all over Western Montana listed on the site, but if you have a specific need, please ASK. We're excited to answer ANY questions you have! Thank you for your service and sacrifices ~ You are SO appreciated!
*** Job Service offices with DVOP specialists across the state:
o Kalispell [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Nick, [login to see] )
o Polson [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Ian, [login to see] )
o Great Falls [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP: Danny, [login to see] )
o Helena [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Justin, [login to see] )
o Billings (406) [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP: Dan, 655-6065, [login to see] )
o Bozeman [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Eric, [login to see] )
o Butte [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP / LVER: Eric, [login to see] )
*** We have MULTIPLE Peer Support Specialists all over Western Montana listed on the site, but if you have a specific need, please ASK. We're excited to answer ANY questions you have! Thank you for your service and sacrifices ~ You are SO appreciated!
*** Job Service offices with DVOP specialists across the state:
o Kalispell [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Nick, [login to see] )
o Polson [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Ian, [login to see] )
o Great Falls [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP: Danny, [login to see] )
o Helena [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Justin, [login to see] )
o Billings (406) [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP: Dan, 655-6065, [login to see] )
o Bozeman [login to see] , [login to see] (Half time DVOP: Eric, [login to see] )
o Butte [login to see] , [login to see] (Full time DVOP / LVER: Eric, [login to see] )
Veteran Support Network (VSN) - Missoula Region
Resources, services, and events for Veterans, service members, and their families & caregivers in the Missoula Region
Melissa Comeau
PO2 Shannon Noble following along and tagging you for your exceptional work in Montana!! Thank you for all that you do!
PO2 Shannon Noble
Melissa Comeau - it's my honor & privilege! Thank you for the kind words and all you do as well :)
Hey there Montana! Lot's of volunteer opportunities going on across the nation including in Montana with Team Rubicon!
Team Rubicon not only responds to natural disasters, across the nation and state, but we do a variety of things from in person and remote trainings, local service projects, professional/personal development opportunities, fire and flood mitigation work, disaster preparedness, and the occasional social to build camaraderie with other like minded individuals. We all come from a variety of backgrounds with experience and welcome Military Veterans, First Responders, and as we like to call them our Kick-ass Civilians.
Below PO1 Kate Stevens posted some background information on Team Rubicon and more on our Clay Hunt Fellowship Program but again here is the website https://teamrubiconusa.org/.
If you have any additional questions or need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me at [login to see] or Kate at [login to see] .
Team Rubicon not only responds to natural disasters, across the nation and state, but we do a variety of things from in person and remote trainings, local service projects, professional/personal development opportunities, fire and flood mitigation work, disaster preparedness, and the occasional social to build camaraderie with other like minded individuals. We all come from a variety of backgrounds with experience and welcome Military Veterans, First Responders, and as we like to call them our Kick-ass Civilians.
Below PO1 Kate Stevens posted some background information on Team Rubicon and more on our Clay Hunt Fellowship Program but again here is the website https://teamrubiconusa.org/.
If you have any additional questions or need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me at [login to see] or Kate at [login to see] .
Team Rubicon serves communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service by helping people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises.
SSG Edward Tilton
Don't get me wrong, I enlisted RA (Regular Army at 17) I volunteered for Korea in 1963 and for a TDY to Vietnam. 1965 in Korea, Vietnam in 1966& 1967, I wanted to be a soldier. Artillery Operations and Intelligence was me. The Army was good for me.
Melissa Comeau
AWESOME Photo!!!! I love the hair. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your service. We are so proud of you. Are you still smoking???? I may have a resource to help, if you are interested?
Last May I had a VA appointment at Fort Harrison, Helena Mt. Still haven't received travel pay to date! About this time I was also trying to contact them if there was any rental assistance available after I lost my apartment because of an over 40% rent increase and I no longer met the 3 and 4 times the rent to meet minimum monthly income requirements on Social Security and retired pay! I kept calling Helena with no human contact and never even got a call in return back from my voice mails. Tried multiple phone numbers that went to voice mail and died there. Contacted Senator Tester for help and was put into email contact with one of his people. About this time I lost a bid on an affordable Condo because the VA was going to take 30 to 60 days to approve the purchase and the seller wasn't going to wait that long. I now am living with my sister and brother-in-law as any rentals are outrageously expensive and "For Sale" shack prices are running completely out of this world! I finally just gave up trying to contact Fort Harrison as it wasn't doing my health any good after I had a Cardiac Ablation to hopefully rid myself of severe chronic AFIB. My blood pressures were around 190/95 until I just gave up on the VA's lack of response. Now they're back in the safe normal range after giving up! After 68 years and serving my country for 22 years, I've lost my independence!
I suggest that all registered VA retires be provided with a published phone number listing to KNOW WHERE TO CALL and get a human response to questions and problems! Not playing voice mail roulette!!! And all with the expectation you'll be getting a response!! I'm sure their are many others experiencing the same things I have been dealing with!
I suggest that all registered VA retires be provided with a published phone number listing to KNOW WHERE TO CALL and get a human response to questions and problems! Not playing voice mail roulette!!! And all with the expectation you'll be getting a response!! I'm sure their are many others experiencing the same things I have been dealing with!
PO2 Shannon Noble
Hi Michael ~ Thank you for your service! I'm sorry you're having that experience. I'm not in Helena, but I found some #'s you can try:
Fort Harrison Hospital - Travel [login to see]
Todd Dunlap [login to see]
Duane Cunningham [login to see]
Fort Harrison Hospital - Travel [login to see]
Todd Dunlap [login to see]
Duane Cunningham [login to see]
Melissa Comeau
MSgt Michael Breeden Thank you for sharing this incredibly challenging situation. I know how that voice mail roulette can make you feel. You have made a solid recommendation for your fellow Veterans and those that care for them. It is important to know who to call and who will answer.
There is a new Portal to submit VA travel online this may be faster in the future
Welcome to BTSSS! Travel Reimburse Portal
https://dvagov-btsss.dynamics365portals.us/
Additionally, I wanted to share the Hero Care Resource Directory with you
http://www.redcross.org/herocareresources
There are at least 800 resources in every zip code in America for help with Housing, Transportation, Care and more. You can also call the Hero Care Network for additional support [login to see]
I am so grateful for your service and as a caregiver-I'm glad to hear your blood pressure is back to normal.
There is a new Portal to submit VA travel online this may be faster in the future
Welcome to BTSSS! Travel Reimburse Portal
https://dvagov-btsss.dynamics365portals.us/
Additionally, I wanted to share the Hero Care Resource Directory with you
http://www.redcross.org/herocareresources
There are at least 800 resources in every zip code in America for help with Housing, Transportation, Care and more. You can also call the Hero Care Network for additional support [login to see]
I am so grateful for your service and as a caregiver-I'm glad to hear your blood pressure is back to normal.
Andi Martinez
Hi Michael, I am sorry for your experience with VA. If you have any unresolved issues or concerns, please call White House VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent). We have live agents available to talk with you.
1LT (Join to see)
Hi Michael, thank you for being willing to share your experience. I know the VA can be a chore to navigate. I wanted to share the Patient Advocacy service with you. These are staff who are familiar with the VA system and will help navigate your needs to the right service as well as educate Veterans about what the VA can and cannot do. For Ft. Harrison, the number to reach a patient advocate is [login to see] .
Melissa Comeau
PO2 John Havener Thank you for asking a question today. We are grateful for your service. I may not have the perfect answer but I reference this information anytime I am helping a Veteran with any type of claim. https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/
The VA claim process after you file your claim | Veterans Affairs
Find out what happens in the VA claim process after you file your disability claim. Learn about the steps in the VA disability claim process and how long it takes on average to get your VA disability rating.
PO2 John Havener
MSG Jamie Kleppen - Thank you MSG! I guess that answers my question. I know that a few years ago, the scuttlebutt was that the VA was trying to 'outlast' the AO Vets. I had a good friend pass from cancer who was heavily dosed with AO in Vietnam, so it was tempting to believe it. Rationallity doesn't afford that luxury, so I just kind of waited for more info. Thanks again, firstly for your service, and secondly for answering my question. John
PO2 John Havener
Melissa Comeau - Thank you, Melssa for your help. I have already filed a claim with Veterans Affairs, and my contact person says that anything else I do may muddy the waters. For now, I will follow his lead and see what happens. Thanks, again, John
MSG Jamie Kleppen
PO2 John Havener - I'm sorry to hear about your friend....Hopefully he was Service Connected for the cancer and his spouse has claimed survivor benefits (https://www.va.gov/disability/dependency-indemnity-compensation/). The MT VBA takes pride in taking an aggressive approach to ensuring that all claims we work are handled with the greatest attention to detail, a passion in understanding that there are people associated with each claim, and approaching each request with a sympathetic interpretation of the evidence to ensure that each Veteran has the best chance of Service Connection possible.
I thank you for your Service and patience in understanding that processing claims takes time to get it right.
I thank you for your Service and patience in understanding that processing claims takes time to get it right.
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
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