DND/CAF OMBUDSMAN Created in 1998 to: Increase openness and - PDF document

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca Improvements to the New Veterans Charter and the Successful Transition from Military to Civilian Life CDA Institute Roundtable 2 Feb 2015 Gary Walbourne Guy Parent DND and CF Veterans Presentation by Ombudsman Ombudsman www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca DND/CAF OMBUDSMAN Created in 1998 to: • Increase openness and transparency • Ensure that concerns raised by members of the Defence community are treated fairly • Improve the overall quality of life of Canadian Forces members, DND employees, their families and other constituents Mandate: • Reports directly to the Minister – completely independent of military chain of command and senior civilian management • Authority derived from Ministerial Directives • Act as a direct source of information, referral and education to assist individuals • Act as a neutral and objective sounding board, mediator, investigator and reporter Page 2 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 1

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca VETERANS OMBUDSMAN Office of the Veterans Ombudsman Created in 2007 • • Independent from Veterans Affairs Canada • Reports directly to the Minister of Veterans Affairs What we do Provide information on benefits/services/redress mechanisms • • Provide assistance navigating VAC programs and services • Facilitate referrals • Provide complaint resolution • Intervene to address systemic issues Page 3 www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES O V E R V I E W Objectives • New Veterans Charter Discuss the need to improve the New Veterans Charter • Veterans & Ombudsman's Review the challenges for Priorities Canadian Armed Forces • Transition Project members transitioning from military to civilian Life Page 4 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 2

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca NEW VETERANS CHARTER 1. Cost reduction Why the NVC? 2. Address transition needs from military to civilian life 3. More access to benefits for spouse and survivors 1. Emphasis on “Wellness” vs “Disability” Desired 2. Improved transition Outcomes 3. Improved survivor benefits 4. Better financial sustainability Page 5 www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca NVC DESIGN ELEMENTS Benefits Sources Types Change Pain & Suffering Pension Act Disability Pension No Allowances No NVC Disability Award Less Death Benefit More Economic SISIP LTD Payments No NVC Earning Loss Benefit More Allowances More Treatment Veterans Health Care Treatment More Regulations VIP No NVC LTC No Training SISIP Vocational Rehabilitation More NVC Page 6 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 3

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE Pension Act 140,491 Recipients 1919 2006 2089+ New Veterans Charter 48,559 Recipients 2006 2089+ Page 7 www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca NVC INITIATIVES & IMPACTS • Improving the New Veterans-Charter: The Parliamentary Review OVO • Investing in Veterans' Vocational Training Initiatives • Improving the New Veterans Charter: The Report • Improving the New Veterans Charter: The Actuarial Analysis • Supporting Severely Impaired Veterans • Evidence-based research by creating an informed debate • Held focus group with all major Veterans’ organizations, OVO advocates and stakeholders to ensure their input into the discussion Impacts • Catalyst to the ACVA “Review” of the entire NVC • Its recommendations were supported in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs’ Report on the Charter Page 8 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 4

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca OVO PRIORITIES Moving towards the future 1. Financial security after age 65 2. Better access to allowances for those with greatest needs 3. Income parity for reservists 4. Better support to families 5. No reduction of income during rehabilitation and transition 6. Successful transition from military to civilian life Page 9 www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca “Back to Civil Life” - 1944 “it is the responsibility of Government to see that Veterans are properly equipped to make a living and that they are not penalized through their war service; it is the responsibility of the men and women to help themselves through the facilities which the Government has established. The third responsibility is that of employers of labour and the Canadian public, as a whole. They must provide opportunity.” Page 10 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 5

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca Joint Systemic Review of the Transition Process CAF ITP Rehab Complex/non -complex Step 10 Step 8 Step 6 Step 4 Family Status Step 9 Step 7 Step 2 Wait List Step 5 Posted to JPSU? Service Attribution Consent VAC Step 3 forms Step 1 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 6

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca PROJECT PHASES Phase 1 Preliminary research – complete Research initial analysis Phase 2 – continuing Findings & Phase 3 Recommendations Page 13 www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca PRELIMINARY FINDINGS • Program centric versus member centric Service Delivery • Families • Timing of; Service Attribution • Benefits and Services • Priority Hiring (C-27) Page 14 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 7

www.ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca Questions / Discussion Page 15 CDA Institute_DND/CF OMB & VO_Feb 2015 8