HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05012007 - C.62 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS -- sE L-o� Contra
FROM: JOHN CULLEN, Cqunty Administrator 8
Costa C,
DATE: APRIL 23, 2007 __
os;_ County
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SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
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SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION
RECEIVE letter from the State,Department of Veterans Affairs reporting on the 2005/06 performance of
the County Veterans Service Office and appealing for a fully funded local office.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES/ SIGNATURE:
Ir
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K COMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMM ATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE ❑ OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): - j
ACTION OF BO N I�
APPROVED ASeQ
COMMENDEID ❑ OTHER ❑
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT�Z2 ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: MAY 1,2007
Contact: JULIE ENEA(925)335,1077 JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
cc: VETERANS SERVICES OFFICER
By: u tY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER,Governor
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY ,
POST OFFICE BOX 942895
SACRAMENTO,CALIFORNIA 94295.0001
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Telephone: (916)653-2158 —
Fax: (916)653-2456j E 1 E
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April 2, 2007 ------�11i1I111111
Mary N. Piepho, Chair L;n
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
651 Pine St., Rm. 106
VE iARISERVICE OFFICE CA 94553 MARTINEZ, CASrrCRNi��
Dear Board Member:
During the period of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, your County Veterans.Service Office (CVSO)
obtained new and increased monthly cash benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
(USDVA);in the amount of$318,891. On an annualized basis this amounts to more than $3,826,692 in new
benefit payments. In addition,your CVSO obtained $2,669,935 in one-time benefits,which consists of single
and retroactive payments received by.veterans or their dependents. Studies have shown that monies spent in a
community could turn over between 3 to 7 times,which is a fairly accurate measure of the spending impact on a
community. Using the conservative multiplier of 3, this equates to a spending impact of at least$11,480,076
from the annualized monthly cash benefits and$8,009,805 from the one-time benefits received.
In addition to the fact that your veterans' community received the above cash benefits,claim advocacy services
provided by your CVSO to obtain and maintain federal monetary benefits have resulted in savings to your
county based on your CVSO's active participation in the State Mandated Welfare Referral Program. This
program requires your CVSO to verify and make benefit entitlement determinations on all public assistance
referrals (i.e. GA/FR, Ca1WORKS, Food Stamps, and Medi-Cal) received from your County Welfare
Department. Included in the totals above are$26,856 in annualized monthly benefits and$66,744 in one-time
benefits received by individuals who had applied for public assistance grants. In addition,your CVSO verified
$99,919 in prior monthly USI)VA.monetary benefits being received by public assistance and Medi-Cal
applicants,which on an annualized basis represents$1,199,028. Your CVSO also assisted veterans'families in
their application for the College Tuition Fee Waiver Program. This resulted in either the veterans or their
family saving$817,638 in tuition and fees at California state colleges and universities.
I hope that you will consider this valuable information when addressing the needs of a properly funded and fully
supported CVSO. With a net county cost of less than$604,000,your CVSO once again remains one of the few
revenue producing offices in the county. In addition,your county veteran population deserves; and has earned
the right to continued high quality representation in veterans affairs.
If we can be of further assistance in maintaining your CVSO's services,please feel free to contact Jack Kirwan,
Chief of Veterans Services Division at (916) 653-2573.
Sincerely,
Tho as ohnson, FACHE
S ecr
cc: County Veteran Service Office
VSD file
HONORING CALIFORNIA'S VETERANS