Thursday, 16 March 2023
13:00 - 14:30 (ET)
MS Teams
Care and support advisory group members
- Major (Retired) Jorma Hamalainen, NATO Vets
- Captain (Retired) Rod Holowaty, Zone Commander Legion District 3 Zone 1
- Sergeant (Retired) Andrea Newton
- Second Lieutenant (Retired) Walter Callaghan, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
- Lieutenant (Retired) Sylvain Bouliane, VeteransCanada.ca
- Mary Boutette, The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre (Member Co-chair)
- Major (Retired) Linda Lander
- Alexa Pasha, Royal Canadian Legion
- Reverend Ken MacLaren
Regrets
- Major (Retired) Bruce Henwood, National Council of Veteran Associations
- Marie Andrée Malette, Canadian Caregivers Brigade
- Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Retired) Debbie Eisan, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
- Erika Lashbrook Knutson, Press Secretary, Minister’s Office
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Jane Hicks, A/Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management (Co-chair)
- Toby Hill, Project Officer, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach
Observer
- Kristen Johnson, Office of the Veterans Ombudsperson
Care and Support Advisory Group Meeting
Welcome/Opening remarks/Administrative ppdates
The member Co-chair opened the meeting, extending a welcome to all members.
Land acknowledgement
The VAC Co-chair welcomed the members and offered a land acknowledgement recognizing that we are all on sacred land, subject to numerous treaties.
Life course trajectory
The member Co-chair shared the Veteran Care and Support Framework document, which was developed in 2017 with Dr. Nora Keating, who had encouraged the group to reflect on the literature on care and support across the lifespan and how recommendations will vary from one stage to another.
The stated purpose of the document is “Providing care and services to Veterans and their families that enhance capacities and abilities so that Veterans may have meaningful choice and live the lives they desire” and it outlines the themes of Veterans Health Care Regulation, Care and Support Services, and Veterans Independence Program Services over Veterans’ life course trajectories. These points were reviewed and it was stressed that progression through life stages and capacities is not always linear.
Group discussion of the document encompassed the following:
- Support offered through My VAC Account is critical to help Veterans navigate the system
- Questions of how VAC will close the gap of the rural/urban divide, especially now that many healthcare providers are rolling back their capacity for virtual services
- Need for ongoing live support from VAC staff and not just form letters in the mail
- Need to update the framework for 2023, including pieces on mental health and ensuring that diversity and inclusion lens is applied to encompass marginalized Veterans. Transition piece also needs to be updated to reflect current programs and services offered by VAC that were not in place in 2017
- Document will be sent to all members for their review and input
Priority of effort / Poll results
The VAC Co-chair discussed the results of the Google poll in which members were asked to identify the areas which they considered to be the top priorities for the group’s focus. The key results identified were barriers to care and support, healthcare treatment benefits, gaps in programs, benefits, and services, and the Veterans Independence Program. It was acknowledged that many of these topics overlap, as barriers and gaps are woven through many of the issues faced by Veterans, and communication was identified as being critical in all areas. These priorities will be further developed at the face to face meeting planned for late spring.
Face to face meeting discussion
An in-person meeting with a hybrid option for those who are unable to attend is being planned for May or June in Ottawa. A poll will be sent out to members to confirm the date that works for the majority.
The VAC Co-chair asked members to indicate if there are any priority topics that they would like information/education on at the meeting. One topic that was raised was an overview of the current suite of benefits and services offered by VAC, including eligibility requirements as well as an overview of VIP and how it is structured. The member Co-chair indicated that it would be helpful to know what challenges VAC sees with some of these programs and what areas are being tweaked, so that the group doesn’t focus on issues that are in the process of being modified or updated already. Mental health supports were also raised as a topic for more education.
Rehabilitation services and vocational assistance project (RSVP) update
The VAC Co-chair provided an update on the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Project (RSVP). So far, just over 4000 veterans have been migrated to new contract. Phase B of the migration is underway and is expected to continue through the summer.
There has been a lot of inaccurate information in the media. A meeting was held with the Case Mangers and a need for more communication and training was identified. Further messaging will go out to Veterans, providers, and Case Managers going forward, and another stakeholder briefing will be held on March 29. A fourth round of consultations is planned for those who are new to the system. The next issue of Salute! will also feature an article on the program.
Some members indicated that they have had contacts in their networks voice concerns to them about the contract, but have said that they are afraid to go to VAC directly for fear or repercussions. The VAC Co-chair and the representative from the Ombud’s Office both emphasized that concerns can always be taken to the Office of the Veterans Ombud if people are afraid to approach VAC directly. Many issues are based on a lack of understanding and the participant’s guide was mentioned as a helpful resource.
Roundtable
- A member asked about the reopening of area offices and also if RCL officers might again be reimbursed for mileage to visit Veterans as they were in the past.
- VAC Co-chair responded that the offices are open now and appointments are available for Veterans who wish to speak to someone in person. The former reimbursement for mileage for RCL officers was primarily for visits to Veterans in long-term care facilities, which had to be stopped due to COVID but could potentially start up again as the pandemic eases.
- A member asked if it would be possible to get a flow chart for the face to face meeting that outlines the pathway of a request made to the Department, beginning with the call to the NCCN
- One of the members has published a paper in the Journal of Military, Veteran, and Family Health. The VAC Co-chair asked them to share it with the rest of the group.
- The VAC Co-chair informed the group that the investigative reports on allegations of inappropriate conversations surrounding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was released to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs. The findings of the investigation indicated that this was an isolated incident involving one employee who had discussed the matter with four different Veterans. There was no indication that this was a widespread issue and these incidents in no way reflect the work of hundreds of Case Managers and Veterans Service Agents who interact with Veterans every day. The full report is available on the website and members are encouraged to read it and reach out if they have any questions.
- The VAC Co-chair also reminded members that she is available at any time if members have any concerns about anything that is discussed at the meetings.