Physical & Emotional Health Action Group Meeting Minutes (March 17, 2023)

NEXT SDVC GENERAL MEMBERS MEETING: Friday, April 5th, at 8:30 AM.  Location TBA. In-person attendance is encouraged. Networking occurs before and after the meeting. Check out the SDVC Events Calendar to learn more.

NEXT SDVC PEH MEETING: Virtual Meeting on Friday, April 21, 2023 10:00 AM.

• Comments from Co-Champion Hannah Jaime (hannah.jaime@sdvetscoalition.org)

1. • Rattlesnake season starts in April, so please be careful with your dogs outside.

• • The Navy came out with a new Mental Health Playbook. It maps out responsibilities of leaders. It addresses stigma and encourages sailors to open up the dialogue. Here’s the link.

• • The Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee released their report

• • • Risk factors include: relationship issues, the job market, financial stressors, disrupted sleep, a culture of excessive alcohol use and reliance on energy drinks that follow troops into civilian life. It says the bulk of suicides involve guns and points out programs that r working like the use of comfort dogs. Here’s the link.

• • San Diego Gives is Sept. 7

• • • Our six month university leads up to 24 hours to give local. 225 nonprofits have signed up, and we’ve added a day of service on Sept. 8.
    • We’ve extended early registration through March 31, then prices go up.
    • You can learn more during a webinar on March 28 at 10am. Register here or contact Hannah at hannah.jaime@sdvetscoalition.org with questions.

• • Funding Opportunities

• • • San Diego Foundation is awarding up to $500,000 in total funding for nonprofits supporting mental and behavioral wellness of kids and families.
    • CAWFC will be accepting applications on March 20 to its annual grant cycle for animal shelters.
    • The CA Dept of Aging is accepting applications for age- and disability-friendly action plans.
    • I’ve been accepted into the Grant Professionals Association on scholarship. If your charity needs pointers on grants, feel free to reach out.

• • Arts Opportunities

• • • A Reason to Survive (ARTS) is hiring an Operations Manager and a Facilities/Maintenance person www.areasontosurvive.org
    • The Pollock-Krasner Foundation is accepting applications from individual artists for financial support.
    • Paths to Dignity is Is looking to expand locally: Paths To Dignity – Homeless Advocacy, Music for Healing

• • Dr. Kintzle shared the veteran survey USC is working on to better understand the needs of our veterans.

• • Stepping down

• • • It’s been an honor to be your co-champion a little over 3 years. This is such an amazing group, but I’ll be stepping down. I’ll never be able to thank Gary enough for his support, friendship and guidance. I’ll still be involved in PEH and want to continue supporting one another. I’m working on replacements and hope to have an announcement by the next meeting. Thank you all for your support.

• Comments from Co-Champion Vic Martin (martin@sdvetscoalition.org)
  1. Va Health Professions Education Week – https://www.va.gov/san-diego-health-care/stories/va-san-diego-celebrates-vas-health-professions-education-week/

VA San Diego Healthcare System celebrated VA Health Professions Education Week, March 13-17, which recognized the contributions of VA faculty and academic partners. Every year, the VA trains more than 113,000 future health professionals to provide state-of-the-art health care to our nation’s Veterans.

1. Sd Stand Down 2023 – https://vvsd.net/standdown/
2. July 20th, 21st, & 22nd (Thurs, Frid, Sat)
3. Pechanga Arena (Sports Arena) San Diego (3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110)
4. Approximately 400 Veterans expected to attend.
5. Some of the veteran services that are available at Stand Down 2023 is access to multiple, veteran-centric programs, breakfast, lunch and dinner, clothing/shoes, employment information, homeless programs and services, homeless resource center, hygiene items, homeless court/legal services, medical services/resources, pet resources, entertainment, haircuts and more.
6. Set Up – July 18 and 19 (Tues, Wed.)
7. Tear Down – July 23 and 24 (Sun, Mon)
8. Questions: Development@vvsd.net / Coe@vvsd.net
9. Sdvc Membership- https://sdvetscoalition.org/apply-for-membership/

If you are interested in learning more about FREE SDVC Membership, please reach out to me directly.  Vic Martin vic.martin@sdvetscoalition.org

• Comments from Champion Gary Rossio (garyrossio@gmail.com)

1. Sara Kintzle, USC, study on veterans needs is voluntary but she is willing to share results next fall which can help guide SDVC and PEH or other AGs so as to help guide our programs to help veterans and families.
2. Heather Arbogast, VA Women Veterans Care coordinator is holding a healthcare event for women veterans on March 22, 2023 1-4pm at 8875 Aero Dr. San Diego 92123 and she is looking for presenters and attendees.  Please call her at 619-680-1759 if interested.
3. Jay Wylie of Confidential Recovery did a comprehensive overview of his program to support veterans with addiction with complete with peer navigators that help veterans empower their own sobriety.
4. Gary Rossio thanked Vic Martin for the outreach to PEH members so we can better understand the impact we may be having to help members in their work.
5. Bill Protzmann commentary on NFP funding movie “Uncharitable” comes out this fall, Bill suggested a group be started to pursue this potential and that he would be a part of it for SDVC.
6. Hannah Jaime stepped down after 3+ years as Co-Champion and extended her best wishes to all for their work and the group reflected their appreciation for all the added value she brought to the work of PEH/SDVC.
7. Gary Rossio stepped down as PEH Co-Champion after 8.5 years and thanked all the previous and current Co-Champions and members and that a search for  Co-Champion is under way with good potential partners with Vic Martin moving forward.  Gary cited a comment that was recently captured by a military combat veteran in the SD Union Tribune that veterans need, “purpose, identity, and community”.  This is a strong endorsement of PEH tenets.

Make sure to check out the SDVC Events Calendar and Announcement Board to keep up on all the amazing work our member-partners are doing!