Thursday, 20 April 2023
13:00 - 14:30 (ET)
MS Teams
Care and support advisory group members
- Major (Retired) Bruce Henwood, National Council of Veteran Associations
- 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
- Marie Andrée Malette, Canadian Caregivers Brigade
Regrets
- Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Retired) Debbie Eisan, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
- Reverend Ken MacLaren
- Major (Retired) Jorma Hamalainen, NATO Vets
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Jane Hicks, A/Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management (Co-chair)
- Pamela Harrison, Senior Director, Engagement and Events
Minister’s office
- Erika Lashbrook Knutson, Press Secretary, Minister’s Office
Observer
- Kristen Johnson, Office of the Veterans Ombudsperson
Care and support advisory group meeting
Welcome/Opening remarks/Administrative updates
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.
Labour disruption
The VAC co-chair provided an update on the labour disruption and directed members to visit our website for the most up to date information on labour and resulting service disruptions.
Discussion:
- A member flagged that if the labour disruption is extended, RCL could anticipate Veterans reaching out to the poppy campaign for support. If so, would VAC be able to top up the poppy campaign if that does occur.
- The VAC co-chair indicated that Veterans should continue to access emergency support through the Veterans’ Emergency Fund.
Face-to-face meeting discussion
An in-person meeting with a hybrid option for those who are unable to attend is being planned for June 14-15 in Ottawa at 66 Slater Street, VAC Headquarters.
Travel day – June 13 (possible pre-meeting or group dinner)
Full day – June 14 (group dinner)
Half day – June 15
Return home – June 15 or 16
All travel costs will be covered by Veterans Affairs.
Agenda would see day one focused on receiving presentations from subject matter experts on key issues/priorities. The second day would be an in-camera session with just Advisory group members. The VAC Co-chair summarized some of the priority topics discussed last time including: healthcare treatment benefits, gaps in programs and services, Veterans Independence program, long-term care, mental health supports.
A discussion occurred on the format of the meeting and potential topics including - overview / pathway to access VAC benefits, foundational presentation on the Veteran Health Care Regulations. A draft agenda will be prepared for discussion at the May meeting.
Rehabilitation services and vocational assistance project (RSVP) update
The VAC Co-chair provided an update on the Rehabilitation Services and Vocational Assistance Project (RSVP). Migration of existing rehabilitation participants continues, to date we have migrated more than 4,000 and 1,200 new participants have entered the program. Phase B migration has been paused as a result of the labour disruption. It will resume once the disruption is over is expected to continue through the summer.
We are experiencing some issues with the number of Rehabilitation Services Specialists across the country but additional RSS have been hired and will be coming onboard soon. PCVRS has increased to 795 clinics (from 600) and number of providers has grown to more than 12,000. VAC has issued a new provider bulletin to improve the education of the contract and increasing our communications to the community and clarifying some misinformation. The next issue of Salute! will also feature an article on the program.
Discussion:
- Member requested a copy of the Rehabilitation participant guide that is available on the portal to help members discuss the program with Veterans and help correct misinformation. VAC co-chair will provide a copy of the manual and the provider bulletin.
- VAC Co-chair informed that participant surveys have gone out and we should have the results from that first survey to share shortly (labour disruption dependent).
Roundtable
A number of items were raised and briefly discussed during round table including:
- Request for additional information on VAC eligibility for long-term care including entitlement for community beds. Emphasized it is a gap and that eligiblity needs to be extended to regular force Veterans.
- Member flagged that they are part of a community of practice to discuss and understand long-term care facilities to improve the quality of care and standardization of care across LTC facilities.
- A member raised how they are dealing with a number of Veterans in palliative care and their concerns on the lack of understanding and knowledge in the medical community on how to treat and care for ill and injured Veterans. A lot of intervention and advocacy is required.
- A member raised the issue of fraudulent organizations who publicly state/present their business as “fully endorsed by Veterans Affairs Canada” – there is a need for VAC to address those situations and ensure Veterans are protected from these fraudulent claims that could cause harm to Veterans.
- A member asked what defines a Veteran and who is entitled to call themselves a Veteran? There are some fractures among Veteran groups because there is a lack of clarity out there about the definition of a Veteran from the perspective of VAC or the CAF. Are Cadets and Rangers included for example?
- VAC co-chair shared that there is a broad definition of a Veteran from a service in the CAF perspective but then there are also elements of the definition with respect to program eligibility from Veterans Affairs (for example, completion of basic training, honourably discharged).
- Impressed at the level of RSVP information available on VAC website and online. A member flagged that RSVP training was very useful and helpful but what we are seeing as gaps, service provider post release is an outstanding concern.
- A member encouraged everyone to participate in polls and requested a refresh on the work of the other five advisory groups. When we discuss gaps in services, it is premature to consider RSVP a gap given its infancy.
- Former co-chair apologized if previously offended anyone when he spoke during the January advisory group and as a result he has decided to step down as member co-chair but would like to remain an active member. He apologized again for any harm he or his words may have caused any members of the advisory group.
- VAC co-chair thanked him for being co-chair and is grateful that he is remaining on the advisory group as an active member.
Closing remarks
- 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.
- VAC co-chair confirmed that we would begin to work on the draft of the face-to-face meeting agenda for discussion at the May meeting.