Operation College Promise Newsletter

www.operationcollegepromise.com

 

 

July 2010

Operation College Promise is funded in part through a grant from the American Council on Education & the Wal-Mart Foundation

Operation College Promise

A NJ Association of State Colleges & Universities Initiative

150 West State Street

Trenton, New Jersey 08608

609-989-1100

Director of Programs and Policy Analysis – Wendy Lang
Text Box: Dear Friends and Supporters: Hope you’re enjoying your summer. It’s hard to believe, but this month is the beginning of OCP’s third year. Throughout the past several weeks, we’ve been evaluating programming and materials, as well as updating the website and reviewing legislative activity to keep you up to date. Be sure to check the articles below for further details. Here are some updates we’ve compiled on pertinent legislative and regulatory issues affecting veterans. Post 9/11 GI Bill Update: The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee met on July 21, 2010 to discuss amendments to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Changes, including altering the calculation of maximum tuition rates and eligibility for the housing allowance are being considered, along with broadening the active-duty definition for guard and reserve members who have not served under Title 10. Read the story, here. PTSD Coverage Update: A VA regulation to ease eligibility for coverage of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been approved, along with a renewed push by the House Veterans Affairs Committee for research on treatment options. Under the new rules, veterans will no longer be required to document incidences that may have caused the symptoms before receiving assistance. This validates the claims of many, who, while not serving in a combat capacity, have been affected by PTSD. Some estimate that more than 20 percent of the more than 2 million veterans of the OIF/OEF conflicts will develop PTSD. Services for Women Veterans: Several long-awaited improvements for women veterans were signed into law in May 2010, with $210 million allocated for hiring women veteran care coordinators at each of the 144 VA hospitals. Women veterans now comprise about 15 percent of active-duty, guard and reserve forces. Read the story, here. GI Bill Stipend Adjustment: Military Times reports that underpayments for living stipends will be corrected his August by the issuance of one-time checks to those receiving the stipend since January 1st. This amount represents the difference between 2009 and 2010 BAH adjustments (the basis for stipend) and average approximately $63 for about 153,000 veterans. Read story, here. Did you know? A major nationwide fundraising event for veterans is being coordinated by America’s Heart VET AID on October 10, 2010. This organization is currently seeking participants to coordinate events by donating venues and volunteers. A really cool event for a very worthy cause — all proceeds will go to the following: The Heart of a Marine Foundation; The USO; M Power; Geoffrey P. Morris Foundation; and Forgotten Heroes. Learn how to get involved at http://www.vetaide.org. Congratulations to Stockton for hosting the first New Jersey venue! North Jersey/New York Regional CVSP Program: Look for details on the December 1-3 CVSP Program at Ramapo College’s Meadowland Environment Center coming soon! Check out testimonials from the June program here. If you want to save a spot for the December event, go here. Remember, we’re always looking for news to share — so if you have a newsworthy event or story to share, please send it to me at walang@njascu.org. Text Box: Operation College Promise to Attend Annual VA New Jersey Health Care System Event August 14, 2010 Caldwell College Caldwell, NJ 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. All military veterans and their families are invited to attend. Learn more, here.

In the News

Retooling the GI Bill

GI Bill Offers Expanded Educational Opportunities to Veterans

ACE Releases Summary of Veterans Success Jam

ACE Testifies Before Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Post 9/11 GI Bill Improvements

Witnesses Rally Round Post 9/11 GI Bill Reforms

Cuts Made to MyCAA Education Program

VA is Long Overdue in Updating Health Care for Female Veterans

 

PTSD News Coverage

Obama:  Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Deserve Best Care

Help for Damaged Warriors

Carney Seeks to Improve Counseling for Student Veterans

V.A. Is Easing Rules to Cover Stress Disorder

Groups Find Trauma Rule for Veterans Lacking

U.S. Troops Suffer More Stress Than Britons, Study Says

Study:  Ecstasy Treats PTSD

Rules Eased for Filing PTSD Claims

New PTSD Rules Relax Definition

Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Symposium Puts GI Bill Transferability Among Top Issues

New Suicide Prevention Video Released

Returning Soldiers Still in Harm’s Way When They Get Home

 

Other News

NJ Airmen Spend Day at Panamanian School

Homecoming Event for Troops to be Held at Caldwell College

Honoring America’s Fallen Soldiers—Father’s Quest:  Remember the Fallen Every Day

Honor and Remember Tour Kicks off in Virginia

U.S. Army Unveils a Trove of Soldiers’ War Paintings

Military Institute Awards $1 million to Indiana Schools that Help Service Members, Veterans

One Battalion’s Wrenching Deployment to Afghanistan

As a Brigade Returns Safe, Some Meet New Enemies

 

Remember — if you have news stories or events that you’d like to share, please send them to me at walang@njascu.org.

 
Text Box: Grant Competition Funding Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) has released application materials for a grant competition for institutions of higher education to create Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Services. Nineteen awards of $250,000 to $400,000 are available, and the application deadline is July 30, 2010. Grant funds are to be used to develop model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students. Additional information and application materials are available here.