In January 2019, the County Veterans Services Office launched a new program to help connect incarcerated veterans with services, giving them a better chance of succeeding upon release and preventing a return to criminal activity.
By connecting veterans to their Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, we can reduce costs to the County and free up resources for other inmates. Additionally, the County works in partnership with Supportive Services for Veteran Families, to help soon-to-be-released veterans find post-release services and housing they may need to successfully reintegrate into the community.
The program is funded for 18 months by the Community Corrections Partnership using funding from Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109), which was State legislation passed in 2011 that realigned funds to address public safety. This legislation resulted in more offenders being placed in County jails instead of State prison and led to the need for new programs at the County level to address the change in population. Through the partnership, the County Veteran Services Office was able to add a limited-term veteran services representative to work directly with incarcerated veterans, as well as at the Veterans Treatment Court.
The addition of someone dedicated to working with the County Sheriff’s Office and Veterans Treatment Court has yielded great results in a short period of time. The County veterans services representative works with veterans to establish VA benefits, which allows them to get much needed treatment that they are entitled to as part of their VA benefits for issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, and mental illnesses.
By connecting veterans to their Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, we can reduce costs to the County and free up resources for other inmates. Additionally, the County works in partnership with Supportive Services for Veteran Families, to help soon-to-be-released veterans find post-release services and housing they may need to successfully reintegrate into the community.
The program is funded for 18 months by the Community Corrections Partnership using funding from Assembly Bill 109 (AB 109), which was State legislation passed in 2011 that realigned funds to address public safety. This legislation resulted in more offenders being placed in County jails instead of State prison and led to the need for new programs at the County level to address the change in population. Through the partnership, the County Veteran Services Office was able to add a limited-term veteran services representative to work directly with incarcerated veterans, as well as at the Veterans Treatment Court.
The addition of someone dedicated to working with the County Sheriff’s Office and Veterans Treatment Court has yielded great results in a short period of time. The County veterans services representative works with veterans to establish VA benefits, which allows them to get much needed treatment that they are entitled to as part of their VA benefits for issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, and mental illnesses.
Success Stories
Free Jail Phone Line to Veteran Services
In October 2017, in partnership with the County Sheriff’s Office, the County Veterans Services Office launched a free phone line for veterans serving time in County Jail for them to be able connect with the Veterans Services team. In that time, the team has received more than 500 calls from veterans at the jail.
In October 2017, in partnership with the County Sheriff’s Office, the County Veterans Services Office launched a free phone line for veterans serving time in County Jail for them to be able connect with the Veterans Services team. In that time, the team has received more than 500 calls from veterans at the jail.
Compensation and Pension Examination in the Jail
An incarcerated veteran at County Jail needed a Compensation and Pension examination as part of the process to determine the level of disability related to their military service. Typically, these are completed in a doctor’s office. The veteran qualified for benefits after the Veterans Services Office worked with the Sheriff’s Office and the VA contractor to arrange an in-jail exam.
An incarcerated veteran at County Jail needed a Compensation and Pension examination as part of the process to determine the level of disability related to their military service. Typically, these are completed in a doctor’s office. The veteran qualified for benefits after the Veterans Services Office worked with the Sheriff’s Office and the VA contractor to arrange an in-jail exam.
In-Jail Video Exam Hearing Leads to Treatment
A homeless veteran who had multiple interactions with law enforcement needed treatment upon release from jail. The County Veterans Services Office worked with the Sheriff’s Office and the VA Domiciliary Program to conduct an in-jail video interview using a cell phone. This allowed the veteran to get admitted to the domiciliary facility in Los Angeles that provides long-term rehabilitation in a residential environment. Additionally, we worked with the jail to arrange transportation from San Luis Obispo to the facility.
A homeless veteran who had multiple interactions with law enforcement needed treatment upon release from jail. The County Veterans Services Office worked with the Sheriff’s Office and the VA Domiciliary Program to conduct an in-jail video interview using a cell phone. This allowed the veteran to get admitted to the domiciliary facility in Los Angeles that provides long-term rehabilitation in a residential environment. Additionally, we worked with the jail to arrange transportation from San Luis Obispo to the facility.
Making Service Honorable in the Eyes of the VA
Individuals whose character of service upon separation was classified as “less than honorable” are not eligible for VA benefits. The County Veterans Services Office helps veterans understand the situation that led to their less-than-honorable separation, and determine if extenuating circumstances, such as PTSD, could have been the cause. The County helps the veteran initiate the fully developed claim process for a VA rater to determine if their service could then be “honorable” for VA purposes. Through this process, the County has successfully upgraded the status of multiple incarcerated veterans with the VA, allowing them to connect to their benefits.
Individuals whose character of service upon separation was classified as “less than honorable” are not eligible for VA benefits. The County Veterans Services Office helps veterans understand the situation that led to their less-than-honorable separation, and determine if extenuating circumstances, such as PTSD, could have been the cause. The County helps the veteran initiate the fully developed claim process for a VA rater to determine if their service could then be “honorable” for VA purposes. Through this process, the County has successfully upgraded the status of multiple incarcerated veterans with the VA, allowing them to connect to their benefits.
Working in the Veterans Treatment Court
When veterans are diverted to the Veterans Treatment Court, the County Veterans Services Office works to understand what issues led to them there. Veterans Treatment Court is a structured supervised probation program that includes treatment, counseling, drug/alcohol testing, and mandatory court appearances to oversee progress. In San Luis Obispo County, numerous agencies and County departments work together to help rehabilitate these veterans. The State Superior Court collaborates with the County’s Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Behavioral Health Department, District Attorney’s Office, and Veterans Services Office and the Public Defender’s Office, the VA and trained volunteer veteran mentors to help over 80% of veterans sent to the Veterans Treatment Court get or increase their VA benefits and awards.
When veterans are diverted to the Veterans Treatment Court, the County Veterans Services Office works to understand what issues led to them there. Veterans Treatment Court is a structured supervised probation program that includes treatment, counseling, drug/alcohol testing, and mandatory court appearances to oversee progress. In San Luis Obispo County, numerous agencies and County departments work together to help rehabilitate these veterans. The State Superior Court collaborates with the County’s Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Behavioral Health Department, District Attorney’s Office, and Veterans Services Office and the Public Defender’s Office, the VA and trained volunteer veteran mentors to help over 80% of veterans sent to the Veterans Treatment Court get or increase their VA benefits and awards.
Started Working with the California Men’s Colony
Using AB 109 funding, the County Veterans Services Office also started to work with incarcerated veterans in the California Men’s Colony, a State prison located in San Luis Obispo County. This new project is similar to efforts in County Jail. The County has already successfully processed claims for six veterans at the California Men’s Colony and have more claims in progress.
Using AB 109 funding, the County Veterans Services Office also started to work with incarcerated veterans in the California Men’s Colony, a State prison located in San Luis Obispo County. This new project is similar to efforts in County Jail. The County has already successfully processed claims for six veterans at the California Men’s Colony and have more claims in progress.
Save the State and County Money, while Bringing in Additional Funds
Connecting all veterans, whether they are incarcerated or not, to their benefits helps save the State and County money by moving individuals who may be relying on Medi-Cal or County health care services to VA health care services. Additionally, the County works to help veterans get their VA disability or pension benefits. In 2018, the veteran population in San Luis Obispo County received more than $64 million in benefits from the VA. Additionally, this fiscal year we have processed over $840,000 in tuition fee waivers.
Connecting all veterans, whether they are incarcerated or not, to their benefits helps save the State and County money by moving individuals who may be relying on Medi-Cal or County health care services to VA health care services. Additionally, the County works to help veterans get their VA disability or pension benefits. In 2018, the veteran population in San Luis Obispo County received more than $64 million in benefits from the VA. Additionally, this fiscal year we have processed over $840,000 in tuition fee waivers.
