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http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=110063&sc=98
Veterans Affairs workload increasing as face of Canada's veterans changes
JIM DAY
The Guardian
When Brian Ferguson came to Veterans Affairs Canada’s headquarters in Charlottetown 10 years ago, there was growing concern over a decreasing workload leading to job slashing. Those fears were allayed over the years. A decade later, 1,354 persons are gainfully employed on P.E.I., with roughly 700 in the headquarters located in the large Daniel J. MacDonald Building that stretches half a block sandwiched between Kent and Grafton Streets. “The sense is that there is no lessening of pressure in terms of workload here,’’ said Ferguson, assistant deputy minister of Veterans Services.
In some areas, workload has more than doubled, he said. While public perception may have existed for many years that VAC is in the process of winding down, in actuality, the face of Canada’s veterans has, and continues to, change over time. The VAC is continually evolving to meet client needs, noted Ferguson. The Canadian Forces client population is rapidly increasing and the RCMP client group is also expected to continue to grow. In the April budget, Ottawa provided $13.7 million in additional funding to enhance services to veterans. “And that’s a recognition of the growth in the workload,’’ said Ferguson. “In addition, they gave us a million dollars a year to support the families of Canadian Forces veterans . . . and $9 million a year to establish around five new operational stress injury clients.’’ In the past five years, the number of clients pensioned with psychiatric conditions has tripled, increasing from 3,501 to 10,252 as of March 31. Of those, just over 6,500 or 63 per cent have a pension/award for post-traumatic stress disorder. Overall, VAC is processing more than 30,000 disability pension claims annually. In April, 2006, Ottawa passed a law to create a New Veterans Charter aimed at keeping pace with the needs of releasing Canadian Forces members and their families. Ferguson said the new charter represents the most sweeping change to veterans’ benefits and services in the past 60 years.
The new charter includes a broad package of wellness programs and services administered by VAC, including case management, rehabilitation services, health benefits, job placement assistance, financial benefits, disability award, and family support.
A disability award — a lump sum payment — replaces the disability pension. “For the most seriously injured, this is a much more substantial financial contribution,’’ said Ferguson. He said every releasing member of the Canadian Forces is given a job placement service if needed. “In this hot economy and in certain parts of the country, it may not be such a big issue,’’ he said. “But there are people, believe me, who actually take advantage of this and need it.’’ The headquarters in Charlottetown also puts significant staffing towards promoting commemoration.
Some innovative programming has been developed in recent years, said Ferguson. Canadians appear increasingly receptive to efforts that recognize the service of both veterans and current active soldiers. “I think there has been an interesting synergy in the growth of Canadian interest in commemoration and the department’s efforts,’’ said Ferguson. “You couldn’t really say there is a cause/effect relationship between the two, but the two have moved together in a kind of mutual box step.’’ He said VAC’s mandate is about showing Canada’s appreciation for veterans and families by providing good care. He describes the service ethic in the department as tremendous. “So, I think that people here really care about veterans,’’ he said. “The mission here is to ensure that veterans are well cared for.’’ VAC faces the challenge of replacing the many long-time dedicated employees who will soon be retiring. Demographics suggest that the headquarters will lose a large number of staff over the next several years. The current overall age for VAC employees is 46. This is based on indeterminate employees only.
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those number concerning PTSD will certainly explode with Afghanistan
Veterans Affairs workload increasing as face of Canada's veterans changes
JIM DAY
The Guardian
When Brian Ferguson came to Veterans Affairs Canada’s headquarters in Charlottetown 10 years ago, there was growing concern over a decreasing workload leading to job slashing. Those fears were allayed over the years. A decade later, 1,354 persons are gainfully employed on P.E.I., with roughly 700 in the headquarters located in the large Daniel J. MacDonald Building that stretches half a block sandwiched between Kent and Grafton Streets. “The sense is that there is no lessening of pressure in terms of workload here,’’ said Ferguson, assistant deputy minister of Veterans Services.
In some areas, workload has more than doubled, he said. While public perception may have existed for many years that VAC is in the process of winding down, in actuality, the face of Canada’s veterans has, and continues to, change over time. The VAC is continually evolving to meet client needs, noted Ferguson. The Canadian Forces client population is rapidly increasing and the RCMP client group is also expected to continue to grow. In the April budget, Ottawa provided $13.7 million in additional funding to enhance services to veterans. “And that’s a recognition of the growth in the workload,’’ said Ferguson. “In addition, they gave us a million dollars a year to support the families of Canadian Forces veterans . . . and $9 million a year to establish around five new operational stress injury clients.’’ In the past five years, the number of clients pensioned with psychiatric conditions has tripled, increasing from 3,501 to 10,252 as of March 31. Of those, just over 6,500 or 63 per cent have a pension/award for post-traumatic stress disorder. Overall, VAC is processing more than 30,000 disability pension claims annually. In April, 2006, Ottawa passed a law to create a New Veterans Charter aimed at keeping pace with the needs of releasing Canadian Forces members and their families. Ferguson said the new charter represents the most sweeping change to veterans’ benefits and services in the past 60 years.
The new charter includes a broad package of wellness programs and services administered by VAC, including case management, rehabilitation services, health benefits, job placement assistance, financial benefits, disability award, and family support.
A disability award — a lump sum payment — replaces the disability pension. “For the most seriously injured, this is a much more substantial financial contribution,’’ said Ferguson. He said every releasing member of the Canadian Forces is given a job placement service if needed. “In this hot economy and in certain parts of the country, it may not be such a big issue,’’ he said. “But there are people, believe me, who actually take advantage of this and need it.’’ The headquarters in Charlottetown also puts significant staffing towards promoting commemoration.
Some innovative programming has been developed in recent years, said Ferguson. Canadians appear increasingly receptive to efforts that recognize the service of both veterans and current active soldiers. “I think there has been an interesting synergy in the growth of Canadian interest in commemoration and the department’s efforts,’’ said Ferguson. “You couldn’t really say there is a cause/effect relationship between the two, but the two have moved together in a kind of mutual box step.’’ He said VAC’s mandate is about showing Canada’s appreciation for veterans and families by providing good care. He describes the service ethic in the department as tremendous. “So, I think that people here really care about veterans,’’ he said. “The mission here is to ensure that veterans are well cared for.’’ VAC faces the challenge of replacing the many long-time dedicated employees who will soon be retiring. Demographics suggest that the headquarters will lose a large number of staff over the next several years. The current overall age for VAC employees is 46. This is based on indeterminate employees only.
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those number concerning PTSD will certainly explode with Afghanistan
