Thursday, July 21, 2016

Certifying Official Training Session Fitchburg State University

Hammond Hall

Agenda 9:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Welcome Richard S. Lapidus, Ph.D., President, Fitchburg State University

9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks George O’Connor, Assistant Commissioner for Academic & Veterans Affairs, Department of Higher Education

10:00 a.m. Break & Visit Exhibitor Tables

10:10 a.m. Breakout Session 1

Certifying Official 101 Location: TBD

George O’Connor, Assistant Commissioner for Academic & Veterans Affairs

Compliance Survey Training Location: TBD

Caitlyn Dean, Program Specialist for Veterans Education, Department of Higher Education Professional Development for Certifying Officials

Location: TBD Andy McCarty, Director, Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers, Northeastern University

11:00 a.m. Breakout Session 2

Best Practices for Certifying Officials Location: TBD Marie Hahs, Coordinator, Veteran & Military Services, Massachusetts Bay Community College

Gus St. Silva, Director of Veterans Affairs, University of Massachusetts Boston

Home Base Program Location: TBD Laura Lakin, LCSW, Associate Director of Veteran Outreach, Home Base Program

VA-Once for Beginners Location: TBD Rebecca Ryan, State Approving Agency Program Manager, Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

11:50 a.m. Lunch & Visit Exhibitor Tables

12:30 p.m. Breakout Session 3

Compliance Survey Training Location: TBD

Kristen Stone, Assistant Director for Academic & Veterans Affairs, Department of Higher Education

Massachusetts National Guard Benefits Location: TBD

MSG Josue Rojas, Education Services Specialist, Massachusetts National Guard VITAL Program

Location: TBD Alex R. Whitelaw, CPS Peer Support Specialist, Bedford VA Medical Center Dr. Eunice Kwon, Psychologist, Bedford VA Medical Center

1:20 p.m. Breakout Session 4

Red Cross Location: TBD Lynn Levine, Director of Service to Armed Forces and International Programs, American Red Cross of Massachusetts

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

Location: TBD U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA-Once: Advanced

Location: TBD Rebecca Ryan, State Approving Agency Program Manager, Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

Breakout Sessions

Best Practices for Certifying Officials This session will provide an overview of best practices for both new and seasoned Certifying Officials. Topics to be discussed include: providing a welcoming environment for VA students, creating network supports and establishing partnerships that will help transitioning student veterans from a two year institution to a four year college or university.

Certifying Official 101 This session will provide a basic overview for those who are new to the position or for experienced certifying officials who are seeking a refresher course. Topics to be discussed include: approval process, state and federal military education benefits, certification process, as well as student and institution responsibilities.

Compliance Survey Training Title 38 USC Section §3693 requires that periodic surveys be conducted at educational institutions. Compliance surveys are a review of a sample of GI Bill student records. The survey allows VA and the SAA to assist school certifying officials in understanding the requirements of the law in order to prevent discrepancies. This session will cover topics such as how to prepare for a survey, what to expect during the survey and common discrepancies found.

Home Base Program

The Home Base Program, a partnership between the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital, provides clinical care and support services to Iraq and Afghanistan service members, veterans and their families throughout New England, who are affected by deployment– or combat–related stress or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Massachusetts National Guard Benefits

During this session, Massachusetts National Guard staff will provide an overview of education benefits available to current members of the Massachusetts National Guard. Topics to be discussed include: Massachusetts National Guard Tuition and Fee Waiver and Federal Tuition Assistance.

Professional Development for Certifying Officials

This session will focus on how to make more of the Certifying Official role by getting involved in the community, learning about the various veteran service organizations, and other avenues for learning about the work that Certifying Officials do with student veterans.

Red Cross

In addition to its health and safety services and disaster relief efforts, the Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually. During this session, Red Cross staff will provide an overview of the services that it provides to military personnel, veterans and their families.

VA-Once for Beginners

Intended for new Certifying Officials with limited experience using VA-ONCE, this session will introduce users to the layout of the site and review how to build new students, submit certifications, and use amendments, adjustments, and terminations.

VA-Once Advanced

Designed for Certifying Officials with some background in VA-ONCE, this session will provide and identify tips, tricks, and common troubleshooting areas such as how to set up compatibility mode, when to use an amendment instead of an adjustment, and how to set up non-standard terms.

VITAL Program

Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) is VA’s approach to reaching out to student veterans to help facilitate the transition from Soldier to Student. The VITAL Initiative is a partnership between the Bedford VA Medical Center and local colleges and universities in order to help student veterans navigate their needs and concerns and maximize their unique set of strengths, skills, and life experiences.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program assists service-disabled veterans prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. During this session, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs staff will provide an overview of education benefits available through this program.

Exhibitors

American Red Cross of Massachusetts

Office of the State Treasurer, Veterans' Bonus Division

Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment (SAVE)

The Women Veterans' Network – Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services

The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program

VITAL

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment