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NCSL Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs | Nashville, Tenn. | 2019

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Military and Veterans Sessions at NCSL 2019 Legislative Summit

There were some informative sessions on military and veterans topics at this year's NCSl Legislative Summit in Nashville. Topics included enhancing state military economies; improving justice outcomes for veterans; preventing veteran suicide; and a special briefing on the report of the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. Task Force co-chairs Representative Tina Orwall (D-Wash.) and Representative Dean Dohrman (R-Mo.) were on hand and participated in many of the sessions. NCSL gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Department of Defense for its support of the meeting and the NCSL Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs.

Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019

On Duty at Home: Enhancing Your State Military Economy

Defense spending enhances local economies across the 50 states and U.S territories, positively impacting local job growth and business development. Defense dollars extend beyond the fence line of military bases into civilian employment across a range of industries. This session identified the impact of military defense dollars and examined state policies to better preserve and attract defense-related industry and jobs to your state and region.

Moderator:

  • Representative Dean Dohrman (R-Mo.)

Speakers:

  • Matt Borron, Association of Defense Communities, Washington, D.C. | Presentation
  • Sal Nodjomian, Matrix Design Group, Florida | Presentation

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019

Improving Outcomes for Justice-Involved Veterans

Since 9/11, roughly 2.5 million Americans have served their country in uniform. While most veterans return home strengthened by their service, others face an uphill battle. Before long, veterans contending with behavioral health disorders and homelessness can find themselves involved in the criminal justice system. This session examined justice-involved veterans and how states can better address their needs from arrest through reentry.

Moderator:

  • Representative Paul Ray (R-Utah)

Speakers:

  • Vicki Freeman, Tennessee Department of Correction | No Presentation
  • Tim Loney, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | Presentation
  • David Pelletier, Justice For Vets, Virginia | Presentation
  • Zaneta Adams, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | No Presentation

Homefront Heroes: Supporting Employment of Military Spouses (w/LED)

The ability of military spouses to obtain jobs and sustain careers through frequent moves is vital to the stability and readiness of an all-volunteer force. Yet military spouse unemployment remains five times higher than the civilian population, and those who are employed earn significantly less than their counterparts. This session explored strategies and policies that support military spouse employment, including state occupational licensing changes and public-private partnerships.

Moderator:

  • Representative Tina Orwall (D-Wash.)

Speakers:

  • Marcus Beauregard, Department of Defense, Virginia | Presentation
  • Sydney Callahan, Maher & Maher, Washington, D.C. | Presentation
  • Julie Cooley, JC Cooley Consulting, Louisiana | Presentation
  • Charles (Fred) Drummond, Office of the Under Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Virginia | No Presentation
  • Yolanda Williams, Blue Star Families, California | Presentation

Inspiring Americans to Serve: National Commission on Military, National and Public Service

The National Commission on Military, National and Public Service was created and charged with finding ways to encourage and inspire more Americans to serve their country and communities and to review the military selective service process. This session examined how the commission is igniting a national conversation about the value and importance of service as it develops recommendations for the American public, Congress, and the president by spring 2020.

Moderator:

  • Senator Ed Harbison (D-Ga.)

Speakers:

  • Carl Schneider, Veteran's Advocate, Tennessee | No Presentation
  • Shawn Skelly, National Commission On Military, National and Public Service, Virginia | No Presentation

The Battle Within: Preventing Military Suicides

Suicides among active-duty servicemembers reached record highs in 2018. And suicides among veterans, particularly young veterans and female veterans, are almost double that of the general population. Along with efforts by the federal government, states are training professionals to assess suicide risk, increasing funding to specific programs, and better-supporting servicemembers transitioning to civilian life. This session highlighted innovative state policy efforts to prevent military suicides.

Moderator:

  • Representative Tina Orwall (D-Wash.)

Speakers:

  • Jay Dick, Americans for the Arts, Washington, D.C. | Presentation
  • Wendy Lakso, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C. | Presentation
  • Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL | Presentation
  • Jennifer Stuber, University of Washington School of Social Work | Presentation
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