Legislative Update
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services is a committed public advocate for veterans, service members and their families, as are many of our elected officials who serve in the Maine State Legislature. This past legislative session, several bills became law that positively affect our veteran population.
Over the last six months, we had the pleasure of working with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to expand Maine’s Moose Lottery, which benefits wounded service members and veterans. The Bureau of Veterans’ Services is also now permitted to accept donations to help fund the Disabled Veteran Controlled Moose Hunt, and holders of Gold Star Family vehicle registration plates may now be issued complimentary licenses to hunt, trap and fish. In addition to recreational opportunities, Gold Star Families will now be exempt from vehicle registration fees.
The Bureau also worked closely with the University of Maine System and Maine Community College System to expand educational opportunities to dependents and spouses of 100% permanent and totally disabled veterans. A child of a veteran who is attending state-supported postsecondary vocational schools or institutions of collegiate grade must be admitted free of tuition including mandatory fees and lab fees for associate certificate programs, associate degree programs and bachelor's degree programs. The tuition waiver provided under this paragraph may not exceed the cost of 120 undergraduate credit hours at the in-state tuition rate at the University of Maine campus located at Orono.
Lastly, much has been done over the last year to reduce the number of homeless veterans across the state. In an effort to continue that progress, the Legislature created the Veterans' Homelessness Prevention Coordination Program. The program will provide ongoing funding for reimbursements to a human services-based volunteer organization that provides transitional housing to veterans who are homeless.
The State of Maine provides nearly 20 different programs for veterans, including property tax exemptions, free education for dependents of 100% permanent and totally disabled veterans, and complimentary hunting licenses. We are proud advocates for Maine veterans and we at the Bureau look forward to working with our partners to continue expanding our offerings and services.
Maine Military Community Network to Host 9th Annual Conference
On Thursday, July 18th, the Maine Military & Community Network (MMCN) will host its 9th annual statewide conference at the Augusta Civic Center. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Moral Injury: The Many Faces of Loss.”
Delivering the keynote address will be Dr. Carolyn Allard, Associate Professor and Program Director of the PhD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University. Prior to her current position at the CSPP, Dr. Allard served as the Program Director of the Military Sexual Trauma & Interpersonal Trauma Clinic for over a decade at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.
MMCN’s annual conference provides active duty military personnel, veterans, veteran service organizations and clinicians the opportunity to network and share information on topics affecting veterans, service members and their families. The objective of the conference is to increase the overall awareness among service members, veterans and providers of the issues and opportunities related to those who have served in the military.
To register for the 9th Annual Maine Military & Community Network conference, and to view the complete conference agenda, please visit: https://mainemcn.org/annual-conference-2-2/. The cost to attend the conference is $40, however military personnel and veterans may attend for a cost of $10 per person. AdCare will also be offering Continuing Education Credits to those who attend. The deadline to register is July 16th, or when the conference reaches capacity.
MBVS had the privilege of attending the following events:
Honor Flight Maine - 75th Anniversary of D-Day
Thursday, June 6th in Augusta
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Vet Center 40th Anniversary Gathering
Thursday, June 13th in Portland
Flag Day Ceremony - OceanView
Friday, June 14th in Falmouth
 Veterans of Foreign Wars 2019 State Convention
Friday, June 21st in Bangor
Thomas Elliott's 100th Birthday Party
Sunday, June 23rd at Togus
Wreaths Across America Vietnam Veteran Recognition Event
Wednesday, June 26th in Randolph
MBVS Director Dave Richmond and Dr. Keita Franklin, National Director of Suicide Prevention for Veterans Affairs
Wednesday, June 26th in Manchester, NH
Screening of "Breaking the Silence"
Thursday, June 27th at VA Maine
The Bureau collaborated with the VA Maine Healthcare System to bring the film, "Breaking the Silence" to the theater at Togus. The film was created by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, and chronicles the lives and experiences of five LGBTQ Oregonians who served their country in uniform.
To view the film online, please visit VA Oregon's website. |