(WWJ) On the same day that headlines screamed about Governor Gretchen Whitmer's extension of the stay in place order to May 15, she quietly defunded the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) most successful veteran's outreach program, the group says.
The outreach program, commonly known as the Regional Coordinator (RC) program, was designed to identify gaps in resources for veterans and their families and connect them to the benefits they're entitled to.
Joshua Parish, a regional coordinator for the MVAA said, "this program was literally saving veteran's lives," adding, "During this pandemic I have helped several suicidal veterans and with the swipe of a pen the program was shut down under the guise of saving money. This isn't the definition of an essential program, I don't know what is."
He added: "The veteran suicide rate in Michigan is significantly higher than the national suicide rate."
To help battle coronavirus, the group last week launched a new initiative called "Check on MIVet" designed to get veterans, Michigan National Guard and Reserve members connected tto benefits and services. The initiative allows anyone concerned about a veteran, Guard or Reserve member to fill out an online form requesting that a representative from MVAA or one of its partner organizations check in on them through a phone call.
To access the Check on MIVet form, visit www.michiganveterans.com and click on the "Check on MIVet" banner at the top.
As for the RC program, the governor did not immediately weigh in on why funding was cut, though she did announced that she would lay off 2,900 state workers, at least temporarily, to help the budget battered by coronavirus expenses.
Later her office released a statement that said, "The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has made the difficult decision to cancel our contract with Allied Technical Services, and thus MVAA's Regional Coordinator Program. Like all areas of government, business and the nonprofit sector, the financial impact and toll of COVID-19 is great, and we must make difficult but fiscally responsible decisions as we continue our services to Michigan veterans and our stewardship of state tax dollars."
Afghanistan war veteran Joe Riker said, "The RC program was doing so many great things in the communities they served, and this is the last program I thought they would ever cut." "Expect to see a rise in unresolved veterans' issues now that this program is cut."
Over the past five years the RC program has connected tens of thousands of veterans to their benefits and have formed partnerships with agencies to improve the lives of our veterans and their families.
"Michigan is ranked among the bottom three states in the nation in regard to services that are provided to its veterans. The state's decision to cut this program confirms why Michigan remains in the bottom for veteran care," Parish said.
The group is urging people to call Whitmer at 517-335-7858 and urge the program's reinstatement or contact the MVAA Director Zaneta Adams at 517-284-5217 or 517-599-9492 or email her at Adamsz@michigan.gov.
