SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services continues to work on suicide prevention efforts through our participation in the National Governor's Challenge. We recognize the urgent need to address the critical issue and we are taking targeted actions to make a difference.

One of the objectives of our suicide prevention strategy is comprehensive training to medical professionals across the state and ensuring they are military competent and trauma-informed. By appropriately screening, we can identify those who may be struggling with invisible wounds of their service and provide them with the support they need. 

Secondly, as part of the Governor's Challenge we understand the importance of fostering a sense of community and support. Through hosting our veteran centric expos across the state, we're able to showcase an array of benefits available to veterans and their families as well as build connections and camaraderie; by introducing them to peer to peer organizations where they connect with other veterans and activities they may be interested in. 

Lastly, we understand the critical role responsible firearm storage can play in preventing tragedies, soon we will be working with local gun shops and gun ranges to provide safe storage solutions. Through collaboration and education we aim to put time and space between a veteran and their firearm when they are in crisis, without the stigma of government oversight. 

September events in recognition of Suicide Awareness Month from the Maine National Guard and Maine Air National Guard: 

Remembrance Ruck March, September 22: Join leaders from across the Maine National Guard as they ruck 22km in honor of the 22 veterans a day that commit suicide. Ruck marches will be held in Bangor and Augusta (end of the Rail Trail off Water Street at 0800). 

Air National Guard Flyover, September 22:: Step outside as the Maine Air National Guard conducts a flyover through; Augusta, Togus, Lewiston, Portland, Presque Isle, and Bangor in honor of the lives lost to suicide.

Times are as follows: Bangor: 10:46 a.m., Waterville 10:56 a.m., Augusta 11:00 a.m., Auburn 11:06 a.m., Portland 11:13 a.m., Brunswick 11:18 a.m., Belfast 11:34 a.m., Bar Harbor 11:41 a.m., Houlton 12:08 p.m., Presque Isle 12:17 p.m., Millinocket 12:39 p.m., Old Town 12:49 p.m., Bangor 12:59 p.m.

BACK TO SCHOOL!

It's the end of summer and for some folks that means it's also back to school. Here at the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services, we're doing our part to help veterans and their families get connected to the education benefits they've earned. Below we'll shed some light on a few resources offered to assist with the transition from military service to academic success.

Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits (VDEB)

VDEB is designed to assist the children and spouses of veterans in
obtaining a quality education.

Maine provides a waiver of tuition and all mandatory fees for spouses
and dependents of veterans as defined in Title 37B, Chapter 7, Section
505(2).

Specifically, veterans must meet the following criteria:

• Has a 100% total permanent disability rating resulting from
  service-connected disability. Or who

• Was killed in action;

• Died from a service-connected disability as a result of service;
  At the time of death was totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability, but whose death was not related to the service-connected disability; or

• Is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who has been
  listed for more than 90 days as missing in action, captured or
  forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign
  government or power.

• University of Maine System

• Maine Community Colleges

• Maine Maritime Academy

Should you have any questions or require further information about the
Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits, please don't hesitate to
contact our office or visit our website: https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/education/dependents-educational-benefits.html

For more information and to apply for the program, please click on the
links below:

• Brochure (PDF)

• Application (PDF)

State Approving Agency for GI Bill Programs (SAA):

Navigating the complexities of the GI Bill and its related educational benefits can be overwhelming. This is where our dedicated State Approving Agency (SAA) steps in. The SAA serves as the bridge between veterans and educational institutions, certifying courses and programs that are eligible for GI Bill benefits. We work closely with academic institutions across the state to ensure that the coursework aligns with the requirements of the GI Bill, enabling veterans to make the most of their educational opportunities.

For more information regarding education services, please contact our office at 207-287-7020 or email mbvs@maine.gov 

Other Programs and Services

Troops-to-Teachers

• Provides funds to recruit, prepare, and support former members of the military in a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge, and experience are most needed; also helps these individuals find employment in high-need local education agencies (LEAs) or charter schools.

Veteran's Upward Bound Program

• Designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education.

Department of Education's Veterans Employment Program Office

• Aimed at increasing the employment of nondisabled and disabled veterans throughout the Department and encouraging their integration into the ED workforce nationwide through effective training, career development. and promotional opportunities.

DoD-ED Memorandum of Understanding 

• Establishes a framework for collaboration between the two departments to address the quality of education and the unique challenges facing K–12 children of military families.

2023 HOMELESS VETERANS' STAND DOWNS SCHEDULE: 

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services will be hosting mobile homeless veteran Stand Downs across the State of Maine this fall for the fourth year in a row along with many partner agencies.  

The Stand Downs are events that connect homeless veterans with housing and access to winter clothes, non-perishable food, and more. 

For more information, call 207-287-7019 or email HVC.MaineBVS@maine.gov

FREE YMCA MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE TO QUILIFYING MAINE VETERANS

The YMCA Alliance of Northern New England is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maine Healthcare System to grant Maine veterans access to YMCA programs and facilities across the state.

This initiative will utilize VA funds to cover monthly memberships for qualified Maine veterans.

Since the Togus VA Medical Center closed its gym and swimming pool during the pandemic, veterans have lacked a dedicated facility to support their wellness; this new partnership provides qualified veterans with the opportunity to join their local YMCA free of charge, with a referral from their VA Maine primary care physician.

Maine veterans interested in accessing this benefit must receive a referral from their VA Maine primary care physician.

The 15 YMCAs in Maine serve more than 95,000 people across the state each year.

For information about the alliance, visit nneymcas.org.

Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care at va.gov or by calling 877-222-8387.

HIRE-A-VET CAMPAIGN 2023

The 2023 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign has begun! This annual effort is designed to support our nation’s Veterans, who bring invaluable skills, experience, and dedication to the workforce. Our goal is to help at least 100 Maine employers hire at least 100 Veterans within 100 days. Whether you’re an employer seeking to hire top talent or a job seeker looking for your next career move, we invite you to join us.  Let's honor our Veterans by investing in their future success and building a stronger workforce together.

And remember, Hire the Right Veteran…for the Right Job…Right Now!

Schedule of events: 

• September 21, Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor. Employer and Resource Provider Deadline September 15.

• October 19, The Point, South Portland. Employer and Resource Provider Deadline October 13.

• November 9, Auburn Mall, Auburn. Employer and Resource Provider Registration Deadline October 13. 

Employers can register for one or multiple events.  The only requirement is being registered in Maine JobLink with at least one active job posted to your account on the day of the event.  Not registered with Maine JobLink?  It is free and simple to register at https://joblink.maine.gov/employer. Employers that currently have a National Labor Exchange account meets event eligibility requirements.

Additional event details can be found at the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign homepage https://www.mainecareercenter.com/mhav/.  If you have specific event questions, you can email us at MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov.

Employers can register online at Maine Hire-A-Vet Hiring Campaign.   

SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VISITS MAINE

Earlier this month the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services was pleased to welcome Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough as he began his two day visit to Maine.

The Secretary began his visit by joining us at the PACT Act Awareness event held at the new VA Clinic in Rumford.

Through this event, we continued to inform and educate veterans of the expanded coverage through the PACT Act and encouraged veterans to apply for backdated toxic exposure benefits.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

September 2 - Go Karts at Big Jakes, hosted by Maine Veterans Project, 11:00 a.m. Please join and welcome a guest for some fun and camaraderie. (207)989-5300 for more information. 9 Main Road, Holden.

September 5-10 - The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center, is set to be in Sanford Tuesday through Sunday,  It will be located on Route 109 in South Sanford, across from Walmart. For more information visit thewallthathealssanfordme.org or thewallthatheals.org 

September 6 - Homeless Veterans' Mobile Stand Down, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at FedCap - Veterans Forward. Providing connections to housing, benefits, community services, winter clothing, non-perishable food, medical check-ups & more! Located at 242 State Street, Brewer. 

September 9 - 3rd Annual Patti's Pontoon boat ride for veterans and their families at Long Beach Marina benefiting the veterans of Operation Ray of Light and their families. Veterans will be able to come out with their families for an awesome day on beautiful Sebago lake. The captains will escort them Veteran families throughout the lake with opportunities to enjoy the sand bar, adventure around Frye Island and possibly see some of the majestic bald eagles that live on the lake. At the conclusion of the day, pontoon convoy Will escort everyone back to the marina for a barbecue with all of the families. This is a wonderful annual event and a great opportunity to be outdoors at the end of our summer season with your families and enjoy camaraderie with other veteran families. If you have interest in this event please contact Sam at Long Beach Marina 207-787-3908 or Jim at Operation Ray of Light 207-233-1332.

September 10 - Tee it up FORE a Veteran, Annual Comedy Night sponsored by One Stop Earthworks. Dave Russo and friends will be back in Gray, Maine for a night of laughter in support of our veterans. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. Don't wait until the last minute, this show sold out last year. For more information contact 207-650-3904. 65 Lewiston Road, Gray.

September 10 - Paintball at Maine Military Supply hosted by Maine Veterans Project. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MVP takes to the paintball field for some fun and camaraderie with fellow vets. Maine Military supplies the masks and field time, we’ve got the paint, so all you need to do is show up ready to blast! Open to all veterans and a guest. 179 Main Street, Holden. 

September 13 - Homeless Veterans' Mobile Stand Down, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at FedCap - Veterans Forward. Providing connections to housing, benefits, community services, winter clothing, non-perishable food, medical check-ups & more! Located at 25 Sweden Street, Caribou. 

September 13 - Archery and Bocce Program hosted by VAST. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All equipment and instruction at no cost to veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694. 25 Campus Drive, New Gloucester. 

September 14 - Deep Sea Fishing with VAST. Leaving Pineland Farms at 5:15 a.m. to board ship in Hampton, NH at 7:00 a.m. This trip is hosted and funded by the Azimuth Check Foundation for Veterans with a disability rating.  $25 Deposit, refunded to veteran if they show up to fish that morning. VAST is supporting this event with rides to veterans from Pineland Farms. VAST will have a van to drive veterans to Al Gauron Deep Sea Fishing from Pineland Farms Outdoor Center located at 25 Campus Dr. New Gloucester, ME. SIGN UP LINK: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTg2ODI4

September 20 - Homeless Veterans' Mobile Stand Down, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. Providing connections to housing, benefits, community services, winter clothing, non-perishable food, medical check-ups & more! Located at 2-20 Main Street, Lewiston.

September 20 - Archery and Bocce Program hosted by VAST. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All equipment and instruction at no cost to veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694. 25 Campus Drive, New Gloucester.

September 22 - Mountain Bike Trip with VAST. Join us on this multi-day Mountain Bike trip on the hilly trails of Carrabassett Valley near Maine Huts and Trails. Our group will be starting from the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center (AOEC), Carrabassett Valley, ME. We will enjoy the beautiful Fall foliage and bike many miles on the various trails in that area.  The ride on Saturday will include a bike ride to the Stratton Brook Hut of Maine Huts and Trails for a delicious Harvest Lunch. Veterans can meet us at the AOEC in Carrabassett Valley, or we will drive a van from Pineland Farms on Friday morning. Spots are limited and Veterans must have experience with mountain biking on some moderate hills. For more information, contact Kristina Sabasteanski at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org .

October 4 - Homeless Veterans' Mobile Stand Down, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hannaford in Portland. Providing connections to housing, benefits, community services, winter clothing, non-perishable food, medical check-ups & more! Located at 295 Forest Avenue, Portland. 

If you have an event you wish to have featured on the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services website and newsletter, please email: ryan.e.lorrain@maine.gov

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