County Council President Bud Otis

(2/2017) In honor of the brave and victorious Battle of Iwo Jima which began on February 19, 1945, I’d like to share additional information on how to support our veterans.

One of the new ways is if they are in legal trouble is to connect to our newly formed Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) held on the 4th Wednesday of each month in Judge Scott Rolle’s Courtroom, 100 W. Patrick St., Frederick, 3rd floor, court room #4 at 9 a.m. The VTC’s Mission is to promote public safety and reduce criminal justice costs by assisting veterans through a coordinated response in collaboration with the veteran’s service delivery system, community based services, and the court system. The main goal is to honor veteran participants’ service to country, link them to mentors and available treatment support services, and reduce criminal recidivism. (Judge Rolle has applied for formal MD State approval to be recognized as an official VTC.)

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran in need of this support, you may request the attorney, public defender, or an advocate to refer you to this program. There are eligibility requirements. Once accepted, you will be seen with other veterans on the VTC docket.

A wonderful example of how one of the first veterans to participate in this program which began October 26 is being supported – he explained to Judge Rolle that he had just been accepted into a job training program out of town that assured him of employment upon completion. He did not have the funds for the travel or stay. One of the great people in the audience took this as an incentive to donate the needed financial support, anonymously. This is giving a young veteran the specific help critical to his success in life. Bringing those who support veterans, from the full spectrum, into the courtroom to listen to the life situations brings a welling up of desire to assist their journey to get and remain on the right track in life. They need a hand up, not a hand out. That is exactly what happened here. Thanks You to the tremendously generous anonymous donor. Your gesture honors his service to our country and exemplifies the military code of honor, duty and commitment.

There is a new Frederick Veterans Community Access Center (CAC) at the Department of Aging, 1440 Taney Avenue, Frederick. Another Veterans CAC is located at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. They offer free and completely confidential services to combat veterans and their families focusing on counseling, PTSD, alcohol and drug assessments, suicide prevention referrals, etc. POC is Gregory.Edens@VA.gov and Director is Dr. Heather West, Heather.West2@VA.gov 304-263-6776. Both locations are open on Tuesdays by appointment.

The MD Department of Veterans Affairs has an office in downtown Frederick at the Courthouse, 100 W. Patrick St., Suite 2120. They assist with disability compensation, pension, nursing home, cemetery, and other veterans’ benefits. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., closed daily for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.. Phone number is 301-600-2155. Walk-ins are welcome. A number of additional programs are available on their website including employment opportunities, tax preparation, financial coaching, homeless services, claims support, etc. www.Veterans.Maryland.gov.

Call 2-1-1 for various health and human services. It is a MD clearinghouse of information for anyone to access, www.211md.org.

Veteran Service Organizations Offering Assistance with Claim Representation:

• American Legion 410-230-4420
• AMVETS (American Veterans) 410-230-4430
• Disabled American Veterans 410-230-4440
• Military Order of the Purple Heart 410-230-4460
• Veterans of Foreign Wars 410-230-4480
• Paralyzed Veterans of America 410-230-4470

These non-profit Veteran organizations offer other services: Building Veterans, peer recovery program in Brunswick, www.buildingveterans.org email: BobWyatt@buildingveterans.org; The Purple Moon Project, mentoring program in Frederick, www.purplemoonproject.org email Craig Tyler at Craig@purplemoonproject.org; and Operation Second Chance, immediate needs support for combat Veterans www.operationsecondchance.org Cindy McGrew Cindy@operationsecondchance.org (Germantown, serving our veterans as well).

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, www.VA.gov has many services available for veterans and their loved ones including the Veterans Crisis Line operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 800-273-8255 (Option 1 for Veterans), a Homeless Veterans Hotline 877-424-3838. Also see www.Vets.gov

The VA’s Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV has a Community Based Outpatient Clinic at 1433 Porter St., Fort Detrick Army Garrison, Fort Detrick, 21702. Services available: Primary Care, Women’s Health, Laboratory and Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Dermatology, and Telehealth. You need to go through the Fort’s Security gate for access on Post, so please consider adding about 15–30 minutes to your arrival time.

Your Congressional representative (check www.mdelect.net) has district offices with dedicated caseworkers to assist you with veterans and other issues. For MD District 06 Congressman John K. Delaney, please call his Hagerstown District Office at 301-733-2900 or his Gaithersburg District Office 301-926-0300. For MD District 08, newly elected Congressman Jamie Raskin’s office is 202-225-5341. Or you may contact your Federal Senators Ben Cardin (www.Cardin.Senate.gov ) or newly elected Chris Van Hollen (www.VanHollen.Senate.gov). It is strongly recommended to contact only one federal representative’s office as they all utilize the same liaisons within the VA.

If you would like more information or have additional references to share, please contact my Executive Assistant, Diana Modelski at dmodelski@frederickcountymd.gov 301-600-1101.