02-20-15 to 03-31-15

VETERAN PROVIDERS’ COALITION OF SEDGWICK COUNTY (VPCSC)

2015 Activities

February, 2015

2-20-15 Howard “Hutch” Hutchison (HH) sheba5775@cox.net and Patty Gnefkow (PG) pgnefkow@mhasck.org hosted the first Veteran Providers’ Coalition (VPC) meeting at the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas (MHASCK), consisting of 28 attendees from 16 veteran service providers in the Wichita community.

2-23-15 HH and PG debriefed U.S. Airmen in TAPS at McConnell AFB regarding the Veterans Advocacy Council for Behavioral Health (V.A.C.B.H.), Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program & newly formed Veteran Providers’ Coalition (VPC) as they consider or are in the process of transitioning into civilian life.

PG and HH presented information about Vet-to-Vet Program, V.A.C.B.H. and VPC to 30+ Wichita State University (WSU) Psychology students. A female veteran approached Hutch afterwards needing advice for a female veteran who is navigating her way through the VA with regards to benefits. The veteran from class became a Compeer volunteer to tutor adults with mental illness who are working on completing their high school education.

Patty and a Compeer Advisory Board member who is also a Compeer participant made a Compeer presentation, including the Vet-to-Vet program, to 15 Butler County Community College (BCCC) students.

2-24-15 PG and HH provided Vet-to-Vet training to a new Compeer veteran volunteer who will be involved in the process of developing the VPC as well as mentoring a fellow veteran.

Hutch was available for support to veterans at United Methodist Open Door (UMOD) day shelter for the homeless.

PG, HH and Compeer staff member, Charlene Powell hosted a pizza party for veterans residing at Inter-Faith Ministries (IFM), veteran volunteers from the community, IFM’s CEO and staff members including Anne Corriston, Sandy Swank and Roxanne Moren to get acquainted and learn more about the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program. Hutch picked up one of his Compeer friends and attended the gathering together.

2-25-15 Patty and Compeer Advisory Board member/participant made another presentation about Vet-to-Vet and other Compeer programs to 20 BCCC students.

2-26-15 PG and HH provided Vet-to-Vet Program Orientation to newly interested veteran volunteer who attends WSU, meeting at the Riley Leroy Pitts Military and Veteran Center (Vet Center on WSU Campus).

March, 2015

3-2-15 HH and PG visited Senator Pat Robert’s office, representing the VACBH, VPCSC and Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program.

3-3-15 HH and PG met with Jen McGill, Outreach Specialist Support Services for Veteran Families at Catholic Charities (CC), regarding the VPC and feedback from first meeting. Patty also visited with Compeer participant who volunteers at CC.

Hutch was available for support to veterans at United Methodist Open Door (UMOD) day shelter for the homeless.

3-5-15 Patty Chaired and Hutch attended as a Board Member, the Compeer Advisory Board meeting, giving detailed feedback on Vet-to-Vet program and VPC. Eric Schultz, fellow Compeer Advisory Board Member, gave a report on his visits to the mens’ winter emergency shelter for the homeless at IFM. Eric reported that he regularly visits with veterans and offers them Howard’s contact information for further support.

3-6-15 HH and PG paid visits and delivered Vet-to-Vet referral packets to the Social Work, Primary Care and Behavioral Health VAMC.

3-9-15 HH and PG met with current leader, Tom Pletcher, of the Sedgwick County Veterans’ Coalition (SCVC) that meets bi-annually. He suggested we extend an invitation to SCVC members to attend future VPC meetings and join the efforts of the VPC.

PG and HH provided Vet-to-Vet Program Orientation to newly interested female veteran volunteer who attends WSU, meeting at the Vet Center on WSU Campus.

Hutch and Patty met with VPC’s pro-bono webmaster to set up web account and discuss basic design/development of the Veteran Providers’ Coalition of Sedgwick County (VPCSC) website.

3-10-15 PG and HH joined a Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) statewide conference call of Kansas leaders discussing “Engaging Unusual Voices” regarding civic leadership, followed by a personal visit to KLC and meeting with KLC’s CEO Ed O’Malley. Ed was very impressed with the formation of the VPCSC, Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program and veteran related activities with the Veteran’s Advocacy Council for Behavioral Health.

Hutch attended the Homeless Veteran Providers’ meeting and was available for support to veterans at United Methodist Open Door (UMOD) day shelter for the homeless.

3-11-15 Hutch represented the V.A.C.B.H. and attended the United Way Volunteer Managers’ Meeting which was facilitated by Mark Stump and Becky Springer.

Patty coordinated and took a female veteran, who is a WSU student, to visit with a VA Regional Office representative regarding placement as a work study student at the VA.

3-11-15 Hutch met with one of his Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support program friends who had recently been hospitalized.

3-13-15 HH:

  • Attended the Suicide Prevention Coalition (SPC) meeting at COMCARE.
  • Attended the Community Crisis Center (CCC) planning group meeting at COMCARE.
  • Visited several Veteran Service Organizations (VSO’s) at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

3-15-15 VPCSC website goes live!

3-16-15 Patty took Cowley County Community College (CCCC) student to tour WSU Military Vet Center and visit with WSU veterans.

3-17-15 HH and PG were available for support to veterans at the United Methodist Open Door (UMOD) day shelter for the homeless.

PG and HH visited Sandy Swank, Director of Case Management and Roxanne Moren, Property Manager at IFM regarding veteran residents.

3-18-15 Hutch attended the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) meeting at COMCARE.

3-19-15 Patty introduced new veteran volunteer tutor to MHA’s education specialist and toured MHA.

3-20-15 Hutch and Patty facilitated the second VPC meeting at MHA. It was decided the Coalition would be named the Veteran Providers’ Coalition of Sedgwick County (VPCSC).

3-23-15 HH and PG debriefed U.S. Airmen in the TAPS class at McConnell AFB regarding the Veterans Advocacy Council for Behavioral Health (V.A.C.B.H.), Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program and Veteran Providers’ Coalition of Sedgwick County (VPCSC) as they consider or are in the process of transitioning into civilian life.

3-23-15 PG, HH and two Compeer Vet-to-Vet program volunteers attended a bi-monthly Compeer Socialization Outreach that includes Veterans at an apartment building.

3-24-15 PG and HH met with newly referred veteran to the Vet-to-Vet program, getting to know him, his family and explaining the logistics of the program.

HH and PG attended a Robert J. Dole VAMC Town Hall meeting as representatives of the VPCSC and Vet-to-Vet program.

PG, HH & Amber McAnulla – WSU Veteran Student Intern/Compeer Volunteer, co-facilitated the weekly Life Skills self-help group at Project Independence, a consumer run organization (CRO), which welcomes Veterans.

3-25-15 Hutch paid visits to Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support program referral sources at VAMC.

Hutch re-visited Senator Pat Robert’s office about the VPCSC and partnerships with Veteran service providers.

3-26-15 VPCSC and Vet-to-Vet strategic planning.

3-27-15 PG, HH and another Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support program volunteer visited the emergency transitional housing for homeless veterans in Newton, KS, spending time in the community with a Compeer participant, visiting with new residents and staff, leaving program referral forms.

3-30-15:

  • HH and PG met with VPCSC webmaster to design “Recent Past Daily Activities” section of on-line calendar and posted an upcoming event.
  • HH and PG were guest speakers at the Prairie Pilot Club of Wichita a ladies’ auxiliary philanthropic group led by Carol Hirsh that provides support to those in need in our community. Prairie Pilot Club has received matching grants from Prairie Pilot Club, International to finance many special projects. They have generously donated a $1,500 specialized bicycle for a wounded warrior who is in the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program which will be tailor made just for him. The Prairie Pilot Club is the first donor to the VPCSC.
  • PG, HH & Amber McAnulla – WSU Veteran Student Intern/Compeer Volunteer, co-facilitated the weekly Life Skills self-help group at Project Independence, a consumer run organization (CRO), which welcomes Veterans.

3-31-15 PG and HH led the weekly Life Skills self-help group at Project Independence, a consumer run organization (CRO), which is also open to veterans.