MINUTES

CVSO ADVISORY COUNCIL

February 21, 2007
Madison, Wisconsin

Members Present Others Present

Holly Hoppe, Oconto Russ Alsteen, Navy Clubs
Don Lander, Clark William Andersen, Board Appointee
Ted Mynyk, Iowa Duane Bauer, Dunn CVSO
Jim Young, Vernon Ellen Blissenbach, GSW
Michael Jackson, Dane Bill Bottoms
Nick Benzinger, Shawano Cleon Brown, Submarine Vets WWII
Mike Haley, Chippewa Joe Campbell, VVA
John Solis, Rock Rick Cherone, MOPH
Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Members Excused Andrew Clark, Outagamie CVSO
Mark Grams, Dodge Dan Connery, Asst Dane CVSO
Yvonne Duesterhoeft, Jefferson CVSO
WDVA Present Roger Fetterly
John A. Scocos, Secretary Paul Fine, ANU
Bill Kloster, Deputy Secretary Marvin Freedman, Board Member
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Jim Gausmann, La Crosse CVSO
John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Lewis Harned
Bill Crowley, Commandant, King Home Jesse Haro, CWV
Glen Brower, Commandant, Union Grove Home Don Heiliger, Board Member
Andy Schuster, Communications Mack Hughes, Board Chairman
Seth Perelman, Division Administrator Bill Hustad, WVV
Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits Kevin Kavanaugh
Mel Brandl, Regional Coordinator Al Kochenderfer
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator Jim Larson, Dane CVSO staff
Joe Bertalan, Training and Employment Section Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Chris Schuldes, Veterans Benefits Bureau Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Susan Bay, Grants Section Rocky Marcoux, City of Milwaukee
Kathy Scholl, Public Affairs John Margowski, VVA
Mel Brandl, Regional Coordinator Bud Mautz, American Legion
Kerry Metoxen, Oneida TVSO
Arnold Miller, AMVETS
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Duane Miskulin, AMVETS
Rodney C. Moen, Board Member
Pete Moran, Board Member
Bob Morzenti, VVA
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Cletus Rataichek, AMVETS Commander
Vera Roddy, UWV
William Sims, NABV
Larry Smerling, Winnebago CVSO
Clif Sorenson, Eau Claire CVSO
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Robert Stone, Rusk CVSO
Tim Thiers, AMVETS
Roger Treece, DAV
Deborah Waite, Eau Claire CVSO Staff
Alan Walker
Ken Wendt, Board Member

1
 Cullen Werwie, Aide to Sen. Leibham
Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff

1. Call to Order and Roll Call.

The meeting of the CVSO Advisory Council was called to order at 8:00 a.m. A quorum
was present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.

So noted.

3. Approval of Minutes of December 7, 2006

It was moved by Mr. Lander, seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the December 7, 2006 CVSO Advisory Council meeting.

4. Announcements and Introductions

Introductions included: Yvonne Duesterhoeft, Jefferson CVSO; Dan Connery, Assistant
Dane County Veterans Service Officer; and Jim Larson, Dane County Veterans Service Office.

5. Waive Employment Testing for Accredited CVSOs (brought back from Dec. Meeting)
Ms. Hoppe said that some already accredited CVSOs desire to move from one county to
another. They want to know if the employment testing can be waived. Mr. Kloster said that
under the requirements of Chapter 45, Section 45.82(2), in order for a county to receive a grant
from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs for the CVSO office, they must either have
taken the exam, which is issued by the Office of State Employment Relations (OSER), or they
must be appointed under civil service competitive examination procedure under 55.52(8) or
Chapter 63. There are three ways that a CVSO can be appointed in a county. Some of the
smaller counties have the authority to just appoint a CVSO. Other counties use a quasi-civil
service examination which is covered under Chapter 63 or Chapter 59 of the Statutes. The larger
counties use a full civil service examination. OSER reports that the examination was given four
to five times during the last 18 months. They do realize that it is out of date and they are looking
at trying to upgrade or renew the questions on that exam. The problem that we’re faced with
here is that there are three different ways in which a CVSO can be hired. Each one of the
counties has their own discretion on how they choose to do that under the rules of the statutes
and civil service laws that they fall under. For WDVA to dictate to the counties that they must
allow the transfer from one county to another, which could be two completely different systems,
would not be consistent with the law. In this case the Department is powerless in trying to force
this particular issue. OSER will honor an exam that is six months old. The hurdle is if the
county will accept an exam taken previously.

6. Income Earned Before Date of Injury Should not Count Against Veteran if Received After
Date of Injury
Mr. Black explained that the issue was raised when an unemployed veteran got a job and
was subsequently hurt. Obviously the veteran had an increase in income because before the
injury he had no income. The way the analysis is conducted for income is the difference
between the previous income (in this case no income) and the current income and that is what
WDVA would normally issue. In this case it would be a positive. Code changes would be
required but we do not know the impact of the code if we were to go back and make changes so
that we would take into consideration only the income prior to the time of loss. WDVA needs to
do more research and figure out the overall impact so that we can make an informed decision as
to whether we want to change this code based on this anomaly.
2
7. CVSO Recommendation for WI GI Bill Eligibility/UW and Technical College Credit Hours
Ms. Hoppe said that if an individual starts in a technical college and then transfers to a
university, they may not be aware that the 120 credit hours starts anew. CVSOs are asking that
the technical institution make sure that veterans are aware that their credits begin all over again.
Mr. Kloster said that we can try to do that, we try to work together with as much cooperation as
possible. There is no requirement that they comply with what we tell them to do. The
Department has been fostering relationships with the universities and technical colleges in order
to try to inform veterans as much as possible about their education benefits. Secretary Scocos
said the Department will get a report out to the CVSOs on the staff visits to all the technical
colleges.

Mr. Gausmann said he has both a technical college and a university in his county and it’s
true that the university is not looking at the technical college credits. In a sense that’s fair and
we should leave it alone because if you go to a technical college and then transfer to a university,
they are not going to accept a majority of those credits anyway. The students are at a
disadvantage—if you take 60 credits at a technical college and want to go to the university, you
are not going to get 60 credits toward your degree. If it is publicized, the university and
technical colleges may work together and we may be hurting our veterans instead of assisting
them.

Mr. Kloster wanted to make sure everyone understood that this discussion is about the
Wisconsin GI Bill Program and not the VetEd Program. This program is funded through the
university and technical college systems.

8. Secretary’s Matters
Secretary Scocos thanked all the CVSOs who attended the successful Salute to the
Legislature event last evening. We look forward to working with the Governor in his support of
our programs. Secretary Scocos asked that the CVSO Association work with WDVA on
legislative initiatives. Property tax credit is clearly a key issue. Another issue is general purpose
dollars so that we can build a sound financial future for our mortgage loan repayment fund and
trust fund. The bonding cap should be expanded from $50 million back up to $180 million.
These are the issues we see working on for the next nine months. Legislative leaders told us that
they consider veterans issues a priority so we need to work with them to solve these issues. Mr.
Scocos said he would get something out to CVSOs that will help them to help us work with the
legislature.

Secretary Scocos said that veteran representatives need to be at the Joint Committee on
Finance public hearings held around the state on the budget. We will work with the CVSO when
a hearing is in your county so that there is a good representation of all our organizations
speaking with one voice on issues of importance to veterans.

Mr. Kloster gave a briefing on several items.

• Distribution of grave registration information to individuals was addressed in Bulletin
#773. State law requires WDVA to safeguard this information.
• Characterization of discharge and VBATS—there was one of the various
characterizations of discharge that was not available in the drop down menu for the
records personnel to utilize. That problem has been corrected and it is now in the system
and is recorded in VBATS.
• The BO100 benefit booklets have been reprinted and they are available for distribution.
3
 • The status of the Administrative Code change regarding the CVSO grant and the
minimum salaries will be taken up once again by the Board today and then again at
another Board meeting before any changes are made.
• The identification of individuals who were pending eligibility in VBATS. Apparently in
the past the Department had been putting a “P” in front of the eligibility number on
written correspondence to let the CVSO know that a particular file was pending
eligibility but not yet eligible. That practice has been reinstituted. A base file number
does not equate to eligibility.
• The status of the CVSO Resolution from the Fall Conference that addressed elimination
of full time study requirement for a dependent child. That is in the budget and it is one of
the aspects that the Governor included in his budget.
• Clarification on the bonding for the Primary Mortgage Loan will be addressed in the
Financial Committee meeting later this morning.
• Mr. Kloster added that WDVA is working on the eligibility sheet that you can print out
on a veteran that includes all the programs for which a veteran might be eligible, with the
exception of military funeral honors and cemetery burials. WDVA is in the process of
getting those two things added on to save time in an application for eligibility.

9. Public Input
Rick Cherone asked that CVSOs have a presence at universities to inform veteran
students of their education benefits. That person should keep files on all the veterans in the
university and monitor them through their school semesters for any educational, financial and
psychological issues that might arise. Mr. Scocos said that the university’s budget includes four
outreach coordinators to do just that. Ms. Hoppe said her office makes contact with every
educational institution in her county so even if a counselor is not available, the veteran knows
how to reach the CVSO.

Mr. Jackson pointed out that Secretary Scocos mentioned that each institution, whether it
is voc-tech or the college campuses have a veterans coordinator on campus. Most of the
veterans in Dane County go to that individual to get their Montgomery GI Bill started. At that
point, the veteran coordinator should be advising them of the GI Bill and all other benefits and
telling them to come to the CVSO. A person from the Dane County Veterans Service Office
does go to the university once a week and he is placed with the student Vets for Vets campus
organization.

Mr. Mynyk has found a half a dozen cases in their old files where folks had applied for,
but were turned down for WDVA benefits in the past because they were peacetime veterans.
Peacetime veterans have since been allowed to apply for benefits. Their office has sent out
letters to those individuals and some have taken the opportunity to apply for education benefits.

10. Council Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)

None

11. Next Meeting Schedule

April 19, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay. Ms. Hoppe said that the April meeting will be the end of
her term so there will be an election for chair of the Council held.

12. Adjournment
4
 It was moved by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Solis and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the CVSO Advisory Council meeting, the time was 8:40 a.m.

Holly Hoppe
Chair

5
 MINUTES
LEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of February 21, 2007

Committee Present Others Present

Marvin Freedman Connie Allord
Lewis Harned Russ Alsteen, Navy Clubs
Bill Hustad William Andersen, Board Appointee
Vera Roddy Duane Bauer, Dunn CVSO
Jim Young Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Steve Lawrence Ellen Blissenbach, GSW
Duane Miskulin Bill Bottoms
Tim Thiers Cleon Brown, Sub-Vets WWII
Bud Mautz Joe Campbell
Rick Cherone, MOPH
Committee Excused Andrew Clark, Outagamie CVSO
Paul Weprinsky Yvonne Duesterhoeft, Jefferson CVSO
Roger Fetterly
WDVA Present Paul Fine, ANU
John A. Scocos, Secretary Jim Gausmann, LaCrosse CVSO
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Mike Haley, Chippewa CVSO
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Jesse Haro, CWV
Tom Rhatican, Division Administrator Ted Harvey, Price CVSO
Bill Crowley, Commandant, King Don Heiliger, Board Member
Glen Brower, Commandant, Union Grove Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSO
John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Mack Hughes, Board Chairman
Andy Schuster, Public Affairs Director Michael Jackson, Dane CVSO
Mike Diaz, Division Administrator Chris Kanios, VFW
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director Kevin Kavanaugh
Ken Black, Division Administrator Al Kochenderfer
Larry Kleinsteiber, OPPB Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Richard Zeitlin, Museum Rocky Marcoux, City of Milwaukee
Kathleen School, Public Affairs John Margowski, Waukesha CVSO
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Kerry Metoxen, Oneida TVSO
Arnie Miller, AMVETS
Rodney C. Moen, Board Member
Pete Moran, Board Member
Robert Morzenti, VVA
Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Cletus Rataichek, AMVETS Commander
William Sims, NABV
Mike Smith, ARC
Larry Smerling, Winnebago CVSO
Clif Sorenson, Eau Claire CVSO
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Robert Stone, Rusk CVSO
Tim Thiers, AMVETS
Roger Treece, DAV Chapter 24, Manitowoc
Deborah Waite, Eau Claire CVSO Staff
1
 Alan Walker
Ken Wendt, Board Member
Cullen Werwie, Office of Sen. Leibham
Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff

1. Call to Order and Roll Call.

The meeting of the Legislative and Program Review Committee was called to order at
8:45 a.m.; a quorum was present. Mr. Thiers welcomed Cullen Werwie from Senator Joe
Leibham’s office. Mr. Miskulin introduced Cletus Rataichek, Department Commander for
AMVETS.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.

It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.

3. Approval of Minutes.
It was moved by Ms. Roddy, seconded by Mr. Miskulin and carried on a voice vote to
approve the minutes of the December 7, 2006 meeting.

4. Legislative Report
Mr. Hardie said the Governor’s budget bill was introduced on February 13 and is now
Senate Bill 40. The Department has put together a budget review on its web page. The most
recent issue of Forward Veterans is now available on the web site and contains a good summary
of the WDVA biennial budget and some state and federal bills.

Mr. Hardie discussed Bills pending in the Wisconsin Legislature:

• Creditable military service under the Wisconsin Retirement System was introduced in the
Assembly by Rep. Musser as AB 43 and in the Senate by Sen. Jauch as SB 19. This does
differ from the Department’s proposal that was contained in the budget. The
Department’s proposal was a buy-in for those with military service who would be
Wisconsin Retirement System beneficiaries and the teacher’s union would not be
opposed to it. These bills have a higher cost to the employee trust fund.
• Assembly Bill 44 by Rep. Musser provides that Memorial Day be observed by state
agencies on the originally proclaimed date of May 30
• Assembly Bill 63 by Rep. Wieckert and Sen. Plale proposes Hire a Veteran Week,
Veteran Recognition Week, and veterans who volunteer in schools to provide for a
certificate program after a certain number of hours of volunteering.
• Assembly Bill 70 by Rep. Benedict and Sen. Sullivan deals with employment
discrimination based on veteran status. It guarantees veterans a right to an interview in
the state civil service, local government and school districts.
• A bill circulated by Rep. Wieckert would provide an $8,000 tax credit to businesses who
hire veterans.
• A bill circulated by Rep. Owens provides an income tax reduction for certain amounts of
mileage reimbursement by volunteer drivers.
• A bill by Rep. Gottleib has to do with Gold Star license plates for family members. It
would apply to those who are already authorized for the Gold Star pin at the federal level.
Mr. Hardie continued with an update on legislation at the federal level:

2
There has been much discussion on the appropriations bills and the funding for FY07. At this
point the FY07 budget has passed and was signed into law. For VA medical care there was an
increase of $3.55 billion over the FY06 level of funding. If the funding increased, there was to
have been an agreement with the VA that the spinal cord injury project for Milwaukee could be
completed.

5. Programs Report
Mr. Black gave a benefits update for February 2007.
• There are four new bulletins out since he last reported to the Legislative and Program
Review Committee; they are Bulletins #767, #774, #775 and #777. These are all posted
on the Department’s web site.
• Cemetery Report—at the Northern Cemetery phase one of the expansion of the outside
burial garden was awarded and construction will start early this spring. Phase two,
expanding columbariums, is going out for bid on March 13. At the Southern Cemetery
WDVA is working with DOA and the architect firm to develop a master plan that
addresses the next expansion for that cemetery in FY08-09.
• The Veterans Assistance Program—at Ft. McCoy the annual VA inspection was recently
completed with minor deficiencies. King’s annual VA inspection will be conducted this
month. At Union Grove we continue to progress toward completion of Cottage 16. We
have completed negotiations with CVI and are in the process of finalizing the contract.
Chippewa Falls—we are awaiting the signatures on a Memorandum of Agreement. We
plan to move an employee into the building at the end of March to start clean up, painting
and maintenance of that building so that we can prepare it for our veterans. We hope to
have the building ready for occupation for our veterans in late summer.
• The Veterans Education Program—in our continued attempt to refine the application
process, revision of the VetEd portion of our VBATS program was activated on 12
February as addressed in Bulletin #775. We have gathered current email addresses from
the veterans in an attempt to keep the veteran notified of changes occurring within our
system.
• We are working to make the VetEd Program a much better program. In December 2006
through January we received 500 more pre-applications and applications than at the same
time a year ago. We have been able to get about 90% of our veterans to submit the pre-
application and application on line. This past fall we visited every campus, public and
private, with five or more veterans using the VetEd—that’s about 100 schools. We made
sure that all the representatives understood exactly how the program works and what is
required. In January we sent emails to all veterans who received the VetEd in the past 12
months and the school veteran officials to explain the application process and the
deadline.
• Loans and grants—the primary loan volume was about $1.9 million for December and
about $975,000 for January. The PLP loan volume was $128,000 for December and
about $478,000 in January. We will launch an extensive marketing plan around the first
of March.
• The Veterans Trust Fund delinquency rate was about 2.6% for the month of December
and 2.54% in January.

3
 Mr. Thiers would like to see a change in the tuition fee waiver for the GI Bill. There is a
ten-year delimiting date for spouses of 30% or more service connected. But it is from the date of
your initial 30% and he would like to see that changed. Mr. Hardie said that it is an inter-agency
program and it would require a statutory change.

Mr. Jackson asked that the Department take into consideration the CVSOs in the
northern/northwest part of the state when the March marketing plan is launched. There was a lot
of concern about the earlier marketing plan that did not cover that geography.

6. Consider Draft of Permanent Rule Language in the Administrative Code RE: CVSO Grant
Program
Copies of a proposed order relating to the CVSO grant program were provided to the
Committee. The Board previously authorized the Department to publish a Statement of Scope
thereby allowing the Department staff to develop a proposed order for rulemaking to be
reviewed by the Committee and the Board. Promulgation of the proposed order would eliminate
rule language that links the CVSO grant to an obsolete pay schedule. Implementation of the
proposed order will have no fiscal effect on the Department’s budget.

It was moved by Mr. Mautz, seconded by Mr. Thiers and carried unanimously on a voice
vote to approve the proposed order and authorize the Department to continue the permanent rule
promulgation process.

7. CVSO Resolutions F001-06 Veterans Education Grant Delimiting Date; F002-06 Veterans
Education Grant Pre-Enrollment Requirement; F003-06 Veterans Education Grant Income Limit;
and F004-06 Aid to Needy Veteran Grant Improvement Recommendations
Mr. Freedman had requested a memo regarding the fiscal impact on the Department’s
budget and the Trust Fund if Resolutions F001-06, F003-06 and F004-06 were to be adopted. A
projection of cost was received at the opening of the Committee meeting. Mr. Freedman
proposed taking some time between now and the next meeting to review and evaluate the fiscal
analysis that was provided by the Department and then discuss it at the April meeting.

The Resolution regarding the pre-registration requirement was held over from the
December meeting so that the Department could create a Process Action Team on this subject to
come up with recommendations and alternatives. At the December meeting the CVSO Advisory
Council’s recommendations were also considered in which they had laid out a few alternatives
and middle grounds. We should be seeking a middle ground that addresses the concerns of the
CVSOs and so many other members of the veterans community and acknowledges the concerns
of the Department. Mr. Scocos said a Process Action Team will have a report at the April
meeting. `

8. Proposed Development of the VA-Milwaukee Historical District and USDVA Milwaukee

Hospital Grounds
Rocky Marcoux, City of Milwaukee, took the opportunity to bring forward the latest
proposal for the VA grounds at the Zablocki VA Medical Center concerning the enhanced use
lease that the VA and the City of Milwaukee would like to engage in. Mr. Marcoux read a letter
from Mayor Barrett explaining the City of Milwaukee’s intentions. He provided a proposed

4
concept as a work-in-progress reflection of the expressed interests and needs of veterans. The
proposal is also available on their web site—mkedcd.org/va and is viewable in its entirety along
with a map.

Mr. Freedman asked what the target date is as far as the timeline to get a final proposal to
VA from the City of Milwaukee?

Mr. Marcoux said that the proposal on their web site is essentially the framework of the
final proposal. There is a secondary stage with a legal team that would have to put together the
enhanced use lease. The Mayor and the VA would like to come to a decision in this process in
the next couple of weeks.

Mr. Scocos asked what the estimated investment is of the outside housing corporation on
the VA campus?

Mr. Marcoux said that the City of Milwaukee along with the provider as its partner is
going to have to provide the restoration funds necessary to bring Building Six and Old Main up
to historical standards. It would be in the range of $5 million for Building Six and slightly
higher for Old Main. If they are going to do housing there, they have to get the Section 42 tax
credits as well as the new market tax credit.

Mr. Pat Brown said that rather than see this turn into a City of Milwaukee project, he felt
that the land really belongs to the veterans and it should be used for veteran purposes. Mr. Joe
Campbell shared a letter from the Mayor asking for the opportunity to address the Milwaukee
County Veterans Board of Directors and the Milwaukee Allied Veterans Council to present its
ideas. Mr. Campbell responded to the letter by asking for the information which was requested
but left unanswered from previous discussions. For example, the specific language contained in
the lease with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and sub leases with tenants in the historic
district and office park.

9. Secretary’s Matters.
Secretary Scocos thanked everyone who attended the Salute to the Legislature, it was a
great event whereby we were able to show our support for legislators who have supported
veterans issues in the past. In late March a joint Senate and Assembly Veterans Affairs
Committee hearing will be scheduled whereby the Department will brief its budget.

Our major goal is to work together with the legislature and the Governor and all our
veterans groups and the Board of Veterans Affairs to put back in some of the things that were not
put into the budget that we think are important for the 21st Century veteran. The first one is
general purpose dollars. The transfer of monies means a positive cash balance for our Agency
through fiscal year 2021. We can continue to make personal loans through fiscal year 2016 and
no reductions in our Veterans Trust Fund Programs. If we receive general purpose dollars we
will move forward to look at different programs that we had to limit or eliminate in Phase 1 of
the solvency plan. Without general purpose revenues, the Department will be in a positive cash
balance through fiscal year 2012. We will have to look at a major reduction/restriction in the
Personal Loan Program after fiscal year 2007.

5
 Secondly, we talked about the property tax credit. The Department proposed that the
residency requirement for entry into service from Wisconsin would be dropped to ten years. The
100% disability would be dropped to 30%, including the individual unemployability and drop
the age limit of 65.

Third, retirement credit—the Department had proposed in the budget a buy-back program
for our veterans who are retiring. We believe it is the right thing to do to offer this benefit.

Another issue the Department will fight for is caps. We requested $180 million on our
bonding cap, we received $50 million. We would like to see that increased and work with
commercial paper to do that. Give us the tools to make veterans able to purchase a home.

Secretary Scocos said the CVSOs are important assets for us, working as a team. We
would like to put that $1,981,000 back into the budget. Let’s work together as a team to solve
the GPR crisis and get it back in the budget so that we can offer the programs that had to be
restricted in the past.

Mr. Freedman asked that in the next month a memo be prepared for the Board and
Committee members that would outline in more detail the impact of not having the GPR in the
budget.

10. Public Input.

Mr. Roger Treese, Jr. Vice Commander for DAV Chapter 24, spoke in support of the
property tax relief effort. He has a petition that can be distributed by service organizations
statewide so that we can present names to our legislators and the Governor to get the message
across that this is needed.

11. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption).

None.

12. Next Meeting Date.

April 19, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay

13. Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Hustad, seconded by Mr. Mautz and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the meeting; the time was 10:05 a.m.

Marvin Freedman
Chairman

6
 MINUTES
LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of February 21, 2007

Committee Present Others Present

Ken Wendt Connie Allord
Mack Hughes, Board Chair William Andersen, Board Appointee
Kevin Kavanaugh Russ Alsteen, Navy Clubs
Arnold Miller Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Jerry Rabetski Paul Bialk, MCL
Robert Morzenti Ellen Blissenbach, Gold Star Wives
Alan Walker Bill Bottoms
Cleon Brown, US Sub Vets WWII
Committee Excused Joe Campbell
Mary Meyer Rick Cherone, MOPH
Jerry Polus Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Dave Gough Andrew Clark, Outagamie CVSO
Chris Kornkven Yvonne Duesterhoeft, Jefferson CVSO
Ken Koon Roger Fetterly
Walter Stenavich Paul Fine, ANU
Marvin Freedman, Board Member
WDVA Present Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO
John A. Scocos, Secretary Mike Haley, Chippewa CVSO
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Lewis Harned
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Don Heiliger, Board Member
Tom Rhatican, Division Administrator Bill Hustad, WVV
Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-King Michael Jackson, CVSOA President
Glen Brower, Commandant, WVH-Union Grove Al Kochenderfer
John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Chris Kanios, VFW
Andy Schuster, Public Relations Director Don Lander, Clark CVSO
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Larry Kleinsteiber, OPPB Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Mike Diaz, Division of Veterans Homes Rocky Marcoux, City of Milwaukee
Seth Perelman, Division of Administration John Margowski, Waukesha CVSO
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Bud Mautz, American Legion
Kerry Metoxen, Oneida TVSO
Duane Miskulin
Rodney C. Moen, Board Member
Pete Moran, Board Member
Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO
Walter Peterson, Am. Ex-POWs
Cletus Rataichek, AMVETS Commander
Vera Roddy, UWV
William Sims, NABV
Larry Smerling, Winnebago CVSO

1
 Mike Smith, ARC
Clif Sorenson, Eau Claire CVSO
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Robert Stone, Rusk CVSO
Tim Thiers, Manitowoc CVSO
Roger Treece,DAV Chapter 24, Manitowoc
Jim Young, Vernon CVSO
Marcia Ziegler, Clark CVSO Staff

1. Call to Order and Roll Call.

The meeting of the Long Term Care Committee was called to order at 10:10 a.m., a
quorum was present.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.

It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.

3. Approval of Minutes.
It was moved by Mr. Rabetski, seconded by Mr. Miller and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the December 7th Committee meetings.

4. Veterans Homes Report

Commandant Brower reported that the census at the Union Grove assisted living facility
is 111 and there are 39 members in the skilled nursing facility. An application for admission is
processed in around 29 days. That timeline can be expedited in unusual circumstances. The
next milestone is to admit 40 additional members by the end of June. There are currently 171
employees (112 full time and 50 part time and 9 LTEs) at the Union Grove Veterans Home. An
additional 100 people will be hired over the course of the next ten months with a full level of
employment of about 262 employees. The second floor of Boland Hall is complete and
movement of residents to that floor has commenced. Funding for construction of Boland Hall
comes from the federal government ($13 million) and about 98% of that amount has been
received to date. The activity center received state Office of Quality Assurance approval that
allows members to occupy the facility. The chapel is open and it has three scheduled church
services each week. A number of items have been donated to the chapel from various
organizations to include such things as an altar, the crucifix behind the altar, a hymn board,
lectern, flower stands and hymn books.

Other miscellaneous items of interest:

• The Union Grove Home is looking to contract out its deli, bar and gift shop in the near
future. No dates have been set for the opening of these facilities.
• The food service operation is fully operational. The feedback from the members has
been positive for the most part but there have been some comments to the negative and
some issues with equipment failures.
• The architectural plan for the remodeling in Fairchild and Shemanske from double rooms
to single rooms has not been finalized. Twelve double rooms would be converted into 18
single rooms.

2
 • Approval was received through DOA to purchase a gazebo from monies donated by
United Auto Workers Region 4.
• The marketing DVD has been updated and will be sent out to all CVSOs within the next
couple of weeks.
• The buses are under assembly. Two of the smaller busses will be delivered in the spring
and the larger two sometime in the fall.
• This spring the Union Grove Home will establish a Veterans’ Association Council. The
first meeting is expected to be held in May.
• Indigent veterans’ funds and procedures—for FY07 we had $208,700 that had been set
aside from segregated funding. All of those dollars are committed at this time. For fiscal
year 2008 and 2009 the Department has put in a budget request for GPR funding and has
remained in the Governor’s budget.
• St. Patrick’s Day events will occur on March 11th.

Mr. Jackson asked about the special funds for indigent veterans, what is the procedure for
a person to apply for these funds? Mr. Brower said the first priority is to the members, they
receive a commitment from us so that they have enough funds to continue paying their rent.
Every time we commit to an existing current member, we have to obligate those funds
throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. We can project out and tell how many dollars we
have left in the indigent veteran fund but we cannot guarantee funding to any veteran who is not
a member of our facility. They apply for these funds through the CVSO.

Mr. Wendt asked what is the turnaround time or how many applications do we get when
we advertise for new employees? Mr. Brower said it varies. Some of the less desirable second
and night shifts are harder to fill, particularly on a part time basis.

Commandant Crowley gave an update for the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King. There
are 73 applications pending. The average length of time from the date of application to
admission is 51 days. The census as of the end of January remains strong at 707. The Home
Exchange operation showed a net gain of $296.00 on receipts of $36,851.00 for the months of
December and January. The revenues in gifts and bequests since the last meeting of the King
Committee amounted to $21,503; out of that there were expenditures of $14,816 for a difference
of $6,686. Last week we completed 104 pages of specifications for the new King Coach that we
are acquiring for the benefit of the members. Realistically, it will be 18 to 24 months before we
will take possession of that bus. The total amount received in the fundraising effort was
$460,000. The annual volunteer recognition banquet will be held on April 18th. (Subsequent to
the meeting, the date of the banquet was changed to April 11th to accommodate the Veterans
Board meeting schedule in April.) This is typically attended by about 250 of the nearly 400
volunteers that contribute about 65,000 hours of volunteer time to the veterans at the Veterans
Home at King. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.

5. Member Rate Cost Comparison Between King and Union Grove

Mr. Crowley said that Public Law 109-461 was passed on December 22, 2006 and that
has a couple very significant features in it regarding veterans and specifically the state veterans
homes throughout the country. A major provision of Public Law 109-461 states that
consideration is being given for the veterans who are 70% or more service-connected disabled
3
who may want to reside in a state veterans home. Because of the existing federal law and the
fact that the federal VA pays the per diem amount to state veterans homes, the federal VA was
not allowed to contract for the cost of care at state veterans homes. On the other hand they were
allowed to contract for the cost of care for 70% or more service-connected disabled veterans in
community nursing homes or other nursing homes that are not part of the state veterans homes
which receive the VA perdiem. The state veterans homes will now be allowed to contract with
the federal VA which will pay the full cost of care for those veterans residing in state veterans
homes. There was an additional provision that allows for the federal VA to pay the full cost of
the prescription medications for veterans living in state veterans homes who are rated at 50% or
more service-connected. This impacts on what the veterans have to pay at the state veterans
homes at King and Union Grove.

Each home is allowed to and is charged with developing their own rate schedule based on
the cost of providing care to the veterans. The rates at Union Grove were initially established
based on the cost of care per member taking into consideration the limited amount of
membership at the time. We have to look to the future and what it will cost in 2008 and 2009
and apply that cost equitably to the members at both homes. Starting March 1st, the daily rate for
veterans at Union Grove will be essentially identical to the daily care rate for veterans at King.
That will mean a slight decrease in the daily rate for veterans at Union Grove, reducing that cost
of care from $225 per day to $163.29 per day. The amount is the difference between the daily
cost of $231 minus the federal VA per diem of $57.71 per day. For the non veteran spouse the
cost of care is $231 per day (they do not receive the VA per diem). That could become effective
by April 1, 2007. There will be standardization and uniformity in the costs of care between the
two homes.

6. Secretary’s Matters.
Secretary Scocos thanked both Commandants for their hard work. The Governor was
very generous in his budget and showed a unique understanding for health care in this state.
Over 100 new positions were granted to Union Grove in the last two years. There has been a
staffing improvement at King. Three years ago the nursing vacancies at King were 71. As of
January 2007 we have less than 20 vacancies.

Mr. Scocos said that the solvency of our Trust Fund, the mortgage loan repayment and
the solvency of our Homes are the Departments major concerns. In April the Board will be
briefed on the business plan for the solvency of our Homes. The Board is going to be actively
involved in making decisions that will affect the future of our Homes—from personnel
decisions, financial decisions, construction decisions and where the skilled nursing facilities are
going in the future and how we fit into that. Eighty percent of our veterans live in the
Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha area. Vietnam Era veterans’ needs are going to double in the
next three to five years. We have to change with the trends and meet the needs of these veterans.

7. Public Input.
Mr. Jackson said he understands that now the rates for the two Homes will be consistent
but the other items were that at King you don’t need to bring clothes and at Union Grove you do.

4
At King you can get a haircut but you have to pay extra for that at Union Grove. Are there other
similar items that people need to know about before they apply for admission?

Mr. Kloster said that all that information is spelled out in the individual agreements that
the veteran signs before becoming a resident at either one of the Homes. The King Home and
the Union Grove Home are not the same. The biggest difference is that we have assisted living
at Union Grove and we do not have assisted living at King. The rules and the statutes for
assisted living are far different from the rules that apply to the skilled nursing facilities. There
are certain amenities under the statute and code that WDVA is supposed to provide to veterans in
our Homes and right now we are working to establish the contracts and means to provide those
services. There could be different services between the Homes, some of the amenities at King
are provided by the massive volunteer force that has been established over the past one hundred
years.

Mr. Jackson asked if the agreement was in the original application packet or does the
veteran sign that after they’ve been accepted? Mr. Crowley said that form is only available at
the time of admission and they sign it at the time of being accepted to the Home. Mr. Jackson
said they need that information up front.

8. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption).

Mr. Wendt said he sits on the Recreation Committee at the Wisconsin Veterans Home-
King. The Home Exchange has had problems in the past making their break even goal. The
Committee will implement free coffee for the veterans to get them down to the Home Exchange
and maybe spend money on other items. If every organization would send $30-$50 to their
representative at King to put out free coffee three times a week, the Home Exchange could
attract more customers and perhaps make that break even goal. Mr. Crowley said they are
evaluating how they can better serve the expectations of the members living at King. Therefore,
in late March or April the Home Exchange will have a convenience cart that will go out to the
units to take those services to the members on their units and sell these special items. This may
also have an impact on the bottom line of the Home Exchange.

Mr. Walker said he wanted to let the Chairman know that he is interested in volunteering
at the Union Grove Home.

9. Next Meeting Schedule.

April 19, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay

10. Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Kavanaugh, seconded by Mr. Walker and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 11:00 a.m.

Ken Wendt
Chairman

5
 MINUTES
FINANCIAL COMMITTEE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of February 21, 2007

Committee Present Others Present

Pete Moran Russ Alsteen, Navy Club
Don Heiliger William Andersen, Board Appointee
Connie Allord Paul Bialk, MCL
Bill Bottoms Ellen Blissenbach, Gold Star Wives
Jim Gausmann Cleon Brown, USSVWWII
Joe Campbell Rick Cherone, MOPH
Al Kochenderfer Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Roger Fetterly
Committee Excused Paul Fine, ANU
Mike Demske Marvin Freedman, Board Member
Jim Endres Mike Haley, Chippewa CVSO
John O’Brien Jesse Haro, CWV
Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSO
WDVA Present Mack Hughes, Board Chairman
John A. Scocos, Secretary Bill Hustad, WVV
William Kloster, Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson, CVSOA President
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Chris Kanios, VFW
Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-King Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Glen Brower, Commandant, WVH-Union Grove Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Mike Diaz, Division of Veterans Homes John Margowski, Waukesha CVSO
John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Bud Mautz, American Legion
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director Arnie Miller
Seth Perelman, Division of Administration Duane Miskulin
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Rodney C. Moen, Board Member
Ted Mynyk, Iron CVSO
Walter Peterson, Am. Ex-POWs
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV
Vera Roddy, UWV President
William Sims, NABV
Larry Smerling, Winnebago CVSO
Mike Smith, ARC
Clif Sorenson, Eau Claire CVSO
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Robert Stone, Rusk CVSO
Roger Treece, DAV Chapter 24
Alan Walker
Ken Wendt, Board Member
Jim Young, Vernon CVSO

1
1. Call to Order and Roll Call.
The meeting of the Financial Committee was called to order at 1l:05 a.m.; a quorum was
present.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.

Notice of meeting was certified.

3. Approval of Minutes.
It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded by Mr. Gausmann and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the Financial Committee meetings.

4. Financial Report
Mr. Abrahamsen reported on fiscal year 2007 statements through January 31, 2007.

Wisconsin Veterans Home-King: Fiscal year-to-date, operating expenditures have

exceeded revenues, resulting in a net operating loss of $687,203. This represents a nearly $1.7
million improvement over the results of operations for the same time period in FY06. A
significantly higher Medicaid reimbursement rate and new Medicare Part D revenues have
combined to increase revenue at a faster rate than the increases in operating expenses. Fund
equity as of January 31 was $43,547,050, a decrease of $387,079 since the start of the fiscal
year, but $19,584,847 greater than the balance as of January 31, 2006. The cash balance has
increased $6,328,559 since June 30 and $19,203,786 since January 30, 2006. The increases are
due to the receipt of retrospective Medical Assistance payments for fiscal years 2002 through
2006.

Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove: Operating revenues for the WVH-Union Grove
were $3,608,622, contrasted with $1,673,412 for the same period last fiscal year. $783,000 of
the $1,935,000 increase was generated by Assisted Living operations and $1,152,000 was
generated by Skilled Nursing operations. A fiscal year-to-date loss of $1,998,014 caused fund
equity to decrease from $15,707,797 at June 30th to $13,709,784 on January 31, 2007. Cash uses
have exceeded receipts by $2,712,953 for fiscal year 2007. The ending cash balance for the
WVH-Union Grove is a negative $2,346,105, as compared to a negative $2,541,098 balance in
January 2006, an improvement of nearly $200,000.

2
 Veterans Trust Fund: Assets were $74,423,352 as of January 31st, which is $8,033,224
less than one year earlier. The net operating loss through January 31 was $2,618,936, virtually
unchanged from fiscal year 2006. Fiscal year-to-date non-operating expenses were $1,348,470
less than the fiscal year 2006 results for the same period due to a decrease of $879,254 of grant
expenditures, primarily education grants, and an increase in investment earnings and grant
receipts of $483,902. The ending cash balance of $28,098,779 is $945,762 less than the balance
at the start of the fiscal year.

Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund: Assets in the MLRF totaled $422,211,757 at the end of
January 2007. The MLRF had a net loss of $1,184,949 through January 31, a $1,437,050
improvement from the $2,621,999 loss for the same period in fiscal year 2006. The cash balance
in the MLRF was $114,485,242 at January 31, which is an increase of $10,202,951 since June 30.

Veterans Trust Fund Delinquency Rate: The Veterans Trust Fund loan portfolio
delinquency rate for January was 2.54%, overall, and 2.52% for the Personal Loan Program.

Primary Mortgage Loan Delinquency Rate: The PML program delinquency rate for
December, the last month for which statistics were available, was 0.75%.

Primary Mortgage Loan Applications Received: Nine Primary Mortgage Loan

applications were received in January bringing the total number of applications received since
July 2006 to 126.

5. Secretary’s Matters.
Secretary Scocos spoke on the solvency of the Trust Fund and general purpose dollars.
He has been an advocate for the last two years that we should not be any different than any other
agency and that general purpose dollars should pay for our employees and different programs.
The receipt of GPR means a positive cash balance for our Agency through fiscal year 2021. We
can continue to make personal loans through fiscal year 2016 and no reductions in our Veterans
Trust Fund Programs. If we receive general purpose dollars we will move forward to look at
different programs that we had to limit or eliminate in Phase 1 of the solvency plan. Without
general purpose revenues, the Department will be in a positive cash balance through fiscal year
2012. We will have to look at a major reduction/restriction in the Personal Loan Program after
fiscal year 2007. Mr. Scocos said the Department will work with the Legislature to raise the $50
million bonding cap back up to $180 million. The future of our Homes and our strategic plan is
critical for the future of this Department.

The Secretary explained what he meant by right-sizing the Homes. It could involve a
reduction of beds at one facility and adding beds at another facility, looking at personnel
changes, working with the unions, veterans groups and the community all to meet the needs of
the 21st Century veteran and then moving forward with our plan for a Home in Chippewa Falls.

6. Public Input.
None.

3
7. Committee Members’ Matters (Not Subject to Adoption).
None.

8. Next Meeting Date.

April 19, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay

9. Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded by Mr. Campbell and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 11:20 a.m.
Pete Moran
Chairman

4
 MINUTES
COUNCIL ON VETERANS PROGRAMS
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of February 21, 2007

Members Present WDVA Present

Russ Alsteen, NCUSA John A. Scocos, Secretary
Paul Bialk, MCL William Kloster, Deputy Secretary
Pat Brown, USSVWWII Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant
Rick Cherone, MOPH Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-King
Paul Fine, ANU Mike Diaz, Veterans Homes
Jesse Haro, CWV John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel
Bill Hustad, WVV Andrew Schuster, Communications Director
Chris Kanios, VFW Kathleen Scholl, Public Information
Jon LiDonne, CVSO Association Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits
John Margowski, VVA Richard Zeitlin, Museum
Bud Mautz, Am. Legion Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant
Walter Peterson, Am. ExPOW
Jerry Rabetski, PLAV Others Present
Vera Roddy, UWV Connie Allord, via videoconference
William Sims, NABV William Andersen, Board Appointee
Mike Smith, ARC Ellen Blissenbach, Gold Star Wives
Clif Sorenson, WACVO Bill Bottoms
Clarence Stoel, DAV Joe Campbell
Tim Thiers, AMVETS Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Members Excused Roger Fetterly
Ron Rutkowski, VVAW Marvin Freedman, Board Member
Jack Stone, PVA Jim Gausmann, La Crosse CVSO
Paul Weprinsky, JWV Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSO
WWI vacancy Mack Hughes, Board Chairman
FCDV vacancy Michael Jackson, CVSOA President
Mrs. Chris Kanios
Kevin Kavanaugh
Al Kochenderfer
Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Duane Miskulin
Rodney C. Moen, Board Member
Pete Moran, Board Member
Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO
Renee Oshinski, VISN 12
Cletus Rataichek, AMVETS Commander
Roger Treece, DAV Chapter 24
Alan Walker
Ken Wendt, Board Member
Jim Young, Vernon CSO

1
1. Call to Order and Roll Call of Members.
The meeting of the Council on Veterans Programs was called to order by Chairman
Sorenson at 11:25 a.m.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.

It was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.

3. Introduction of Guests and Announcements.

None.

4. Approval of Minutes.
It was moved by Mr. Fine, seconded by Mr. Margowski and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to accept the minutes of the December 2006 meetings.

5. Council Communications.
Mr. Alsteen circulated to the members a letter he received from Senator Feingold’s office
in regard to the Council’s request for support of the spinal cord care unit at the VA facility in
Milwaukee. Mr. Hardie said the overall project funding was included in the budget for FY07
and has now been signed into law. However, it is now a VA decision at the Central Office level
as to how that funding is spent. It appears that this project was number one on the priority list.
It would be appropriate for letters to be sent to the VA in support of this project.

It was moved by Mr. Rabetski, seconded by Mr. Fine and carried unanimously on a voice
vote to send a letter to VA Secretary Nicholson stating the support of the Council on Veterans
Programs and requesting that he keep the priority where it is so that the spinal cord care unit at
the VA Milwaukee can move forward.

Mr. Sorenson said that The Veterans for Peace wrote to Secretary Scocos requesting
inclusion on the Council on Veterans Programs. Secretary Scocos said the organization is one of
several organizations seeking membership. It is one more group seeking to get the best benefits
for our veterans. The Council members thought it would be appropriate for the Chairman to
contact the organization directly for more information.

6. Museum Foundation Report.

Mr. Hustad said the Foundation Board had a strategic planning meeting in January. They
established short- and long-range goals for the Foundation. The Golf Outing will be on July
17th. A new fundraising event is being planned for the spring or summer. They continue
planning for the Museum Gala. Mr. Hustad encouraged everyone to see the current museum
exhibit called, “Belly of the Dragon”.

Mr. Cherone presented a $1,000 check to the Museum from Chapter 220, Military Order
of the Purple Heart.

7. Review Proposed Draft Legislation on Council Membership—Clif Sorenson

Mr. Sorenson updated the Council members. He is working on the draft legislation
requesting that two organizations be added to the Council and that two organizations be removed
from the Council. Senator Sullivan and Representative Musser have given positive feedback and
the bill draft is proceeding. The organizations to be removed because of inactivity are the
Veterans of WWI and the Federation of Minority Veterans. The additions would be the Military
2
Officers Association of America (MOAA) and The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA). The
progress of this legislation will be an agenda item for the next Council meeting.

8. Proposed Amendment to Council Protocol—Russ Alsteen

Mr. Alsteen passed out proposed language for an amendment to the Protocol. It was
moved by Mr. Alsteen and seconded by Mr. Fine to codify a procedure to remove a member
organization and notify them in a timely manner if: 1. Any organization that does not have a duly
appointed and current active representative. 2. Any organization that has not filed an activities
and membership report by September 30th of every odd numbered year as required by Wisconsin
Statute. 3. Any organization whose Council representative has accumulated three consecutive
unexcused absences. Any organization which meets all three of the above-listed requirements
shall be considered inactive and unless these deficiencies are remedied, the Council on Veterans
Programs shall seek authorization from the Wisconsin Legislature to delete said organization
from membership on the Council on Veterans Programs.

Mr. Rosinski said the actual language was not provided until this meeting today. You
also might want some reflection from legal counsel whether these things are within your
purview. He strongly recommends that a procedure be followed whereby the actual amended
protocol is provided to Council members for review at least ten days before action. Mr. Hustad
moved that the motion be tabled. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

9. Secretary’s Matters.
None.

10. Old Business.

Tim Thiers said it is in the Council’s Protocol that by written notice to the Chairman or to
WDVA, an organization can have an alternate sit in on the Council if the appointee has a
significant medical or personal reason which necessitates his/her absence. Mr. Cherone asked if
the expenses of that alternate would be paid by the state since he/she would have no vote.

Rick Cherone said there was previous discussion for a Fisher House on the VA grounds
in Milwaukee. There was also talk about putting a safe house there to be used for Iraqi veterans
to decompress and get some psychological help and educational training. Mr. Sorenson asked
Mr. Cherone to bring the issue forward to the April meeting of the Council.

11. New Business.

Anthony Hardie said Congresswoman Moore’s office wanted to give a brief update by
telephone on the VA Milwaukee grounds. Mayor Barrett of Milwaukee was in Washington, DC
in January for the Conference of Mayors. He spoke with Congresswoman Moore’s office
regarding an issue of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the licensing of another casino in
southeast Wisconsin. There was no discussion of the VA grounds in Milwaukee at that time.
The next day the Mayor and Rocky Marcoux and several people within the USDVA’s office and
the Congresswoman’s chief of staff attended a meeting regarding the enhanced use issue on the
VA grounds in Milwaukee. They were pleased to hear that the City of Milwaukee would not go
forward with its proposal without the support of the veterans’community. The Congresswoman
was the person who previously called the VA and insisted that they hold town hall meetings so
that the veterans’ voices could be heard. Congresswoman Moore has taken no position on any
proposed plan, she has stayed neutral.

3
 Joe Campbell said that the Milwaukee Allied Veterans Council will meet at the War
Memorial on Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. The Milwaukee Veterans Board will meet on
February 26th at 7:00 p.m. They will inform the Mayor that they will not meet with him until the
proposal is received and then they will call a meeting and present the City with the veterans’
proposal.

12. Activities within the Veterans Community.

Vera Roddy said that there will be a Women’s Conference on September 28-29 at Ft.
McCoy.

Tim Thiers announced that the AMVETS State Executive Committee will be held on
March 17 at Cobblestone Creek in Brillion. This will also be Commander Rataichek’s
Testimonial Dinner.

Clif Sorenson said that the WDVA will be holding a Veterans Benefits Information Fair
in Menomonee in March.

Al Walker said that on February 22nd the VA Hospital is holding a 6th Annual Salute to
African American Veterans.

Russ Alsteen said the Nave Club is sponsoring a division at the Great Lakes Training
Center on February 22nd.

William Sims said there is a stand down in Milwaukee on Saturday, February 24th.

Joe Campbell said the “Being There-Reaching Out” organization gathers the families of
fallen Wisconsin veterans together three or four times a year. On April 13-14 there will be a
gathering in Madison. Wisconsin will be the first state to recognize Gold Star Families. The
Governor will sign a proclamation recognizing the second Saturday of the Month of April as
Gold Star Family Day.

13. Next Meeting Date.

April 19-20, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay

14. Adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Bialk, seconded by Mr. Mautz and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn. The time was 12:05 p.m.

Clif Sorenson
Chairman

4
 BOARD MINUTES
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Meeting of February 21, 2007
Madison, Wisconsin

Board Members Present Others Present

Mack Hughes Dr. Jamie Adler
Pete Moran Connie Allord
Marv Freedman William Andersen, Board Appointee
Rodney C. Moen Nick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO
Don Heiliger Ellen Blissenbach, Gold Star Wives
Ken Wendt Bill Bottoms
Cleon Brown, USSVWWII
Board Members Excused Joe Campbell
Walter Stenavich Rick Cherone, MOPH
Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSO
WDVA Present Paul Fine, ANU
John A. Scocos, Secretary Jim Gausmann, La Crosse CVSO
Bill Kloster, Deputy Secretary Jesse Haro, CWV
Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSO
Bill Crowley, Commandant-King Michael Jackson, CVSOA President
Glen Brower, Commandant-Union Grove Al Kochenderfer
Andrew Schuster, Communications Dr. Dean Kron
John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Steve Lawrence, VFW Adjutant
Mike Diaz, Veterans Homes Bill Hustad, WVV
Ken Black, Division of Veterans Benefits Jon LiDonne, Waupaca CVSO
Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director John Margowski, Waukesha CVSO
Seth Perelman, Division of Administration Bud Mautz, American Legion
Richard Zeitlin, Museum Arnie Miller
Mel Brandl, Regional Coordinator Duane Miskulin
Kathy Scholl, Public Information Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSO
Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Renee Oshinski, VISN 12
Walter Peterson, Am ExPOWs
Cletus Rataichek, AMVETSCommander
Larry Smerling, Winnebago CVSO
Dr. Tracy Smith, Madison VAMC
Clarence Stoel, DAV
Tim Thiers, Manitowoc CVSO
Alan Walker

1. Roll Call and Introductions

The meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs was called to order at 12:10 p.m. A
quorum was present after roll call of members.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting

It was certified that proper notification of the meeting occurred.

3. Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded by Mr. Moran and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to approve the minutes of the December 7-8 Board meetings.

1
4. Board Members’ Matters
Mr. Moen had a parliamentary request with regard to the minutes. He would like it if
the minutes would reflect the name of individuals asking questions and the names of the
individuals answering questions, rather than generically referring to Q: and A:.

Board Member Freedman presented Dr. Zeitlin with the “Iron Mike” award for his
work and commitment to the Veterans Museum. Dr. Zeitlin said he is proud of his role and
for the role that all have played in making it possible for the museum to exist.

Board Chairman Hughes adjusted the agenda to take up the report from VISN 12.
Agenda Item 6. VISN 12 and 23 Reports was heard at this point in the meeting.

Ms. Oshinski said a lot of the conversations that have taken place at these Board
meetings over the last couple years have surrounded the mental health program in the VA,
the services offered, plans for the future, where gaps are and what is being done now and
what needs to be done in the future. As a result of that, Ms. Oshinski brought along Dr.
Dean Kron who is the Chief of Psychiatry at the Madison VA Hospital. He also chairs the
VISN Mental Health Committee, coordinating all the mental health efforts within the
network.

Dr. Kron said that in FY06 the VISN 12 hospitals served 37,182 veterans for mental
health problems. Across VISN 12, somewhere between 67% and 97% of all new patients
with mental health problems are seen within 30 days. Relatively few sites have weekend and
evening clinics, which a lot more of the OIF/OEF veterans would like to have. Twenty-two
of the 23 community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), that serve at least 1,500 veterans
now have basic mental health services. The 23rd (Madison) will be on board by March with
the hiring of a doctor for the Beaver Dam Clinic. There are more and better treatments for
PTSD depression and addiction than ever before. The bad news is we don't have all of those
evidence-based services at all of the sites. It takes training and hiring to get there. Tele-
mental health is a way of filling in the gaps for smaller sites. Access is not as quick at all
CBOCs for all services. The National Mental Health Strategic Plan incorporates some basic
areas that the VA is interested in improving over the next months and years. The first is to
transform the system into a recovery oriented system. One that allows veterans no matter
what their symptoms or disabilities to achieve the best life they can see for themselves. Next
is evidence-based care. There evidence on access to care and integrating mental health care
into primary health care, which is where a lot of patients want to get their care. And the final
goal is suicide prevention. There has been $100 million extra in FY2005, 2006, 2007 and it
will probably be there in 2008 and 2009. During 2005, 2006 and 2007, Madison, Milwaukee
and Tomah had 67.6 new FTE approved for VISN 12 mental health services. The hiring has
gone slower than hoped for but the barriers have been removed and by March 31st 90% will
be hired. The other area receiving upgrades is tele-mental health. They are hiring peer
support clinicians, people who have had mental health problems and will be part of the
evaluating committee and ongoing support services for people with significant mental health
problems. Vet to Vet groups are a little like the peer support group and is a peer facilitated
group learning process that is very successful in Madison. Another use for the money was to
increase the number of grant and per diem social workers. Finally, each site is going to have
a facility recovery coordinator. There are at least three new PTSD treatments--two medical

2
and one psychotherapy. Cognitive therapy for schizophrenia is being expanded. Dr. Kron
said OIF/OEF seamless transition is a big goal.

The Department of Defense has instituted a program called Battle Mind. Instead of
saying people with PTSD are damaged goods from the war, this basically is an educational
approach for both the service person and their families. It de-emphasizes illness and damage
and makes it much more of a normal process.

Mental health providers are being added in the primary care clinic. There is another
approach called the behavioral health lab approach to help the primary care doctor manage
his patients. March 1 has been declared suicide prevention day in the VA. There is a
nationwide kick-off and training programs start then. There has been funding for a suicide
prevention coordinator for every VA in the country.

In summary, the VA is rapidly increasing the number of skills of mental health

providers. The VA is a dramatically better mental health care system than any other public
or private mental health facility. VISN 12 is facing the return of an unknown number of
OIF/OEF combat veterans on an annual basis. All services have a baseline rate of mental
health problems and addiction. Those exposed to trauma have more mental health problems.
The sooner they get treated, the more likely it is that the treatment will be shorter and more
effective.

If anyone has problems in VISN 12, call Dr. Kron at 1-608-280-7015.

Mr. Freedman asked that, of the 37,000 veterans being treated within VISN 12 for
mental health related conditions, how many are seen as patients at CBOCs and VA Hospitals
as opposed to receiving services from contractors who contract out with the VA. Mr. Kron
will have to research that. Mr. Freedman asked that, of the 37,000, what percentage is
treated for PTSD? Mr. Kron said that is a complicated question. In the Madison outpatient
clinic, historically we have 4,300 patients in the system. Probably 40% of those people have
PTSD written on their chart somewhere. That may not be their only mental health problem.
The majority are not in the specialty PTSD clinical team care at any given moment. The
majority are in the general mental health clinic and at points when they need it they will go
through specialty care. Mr. Freedman asked how many veterans within VISN 12 are service-
connected for mental health issues? Dr. Kron said that in VISN 12 our veterans are
traditionally about 40% less likely to have been rated as service-connected for mental health
issues. Our veteran population in 2000 was 1,221,864 and 1.4% had service-connected,
which is 17,123.

Rick Cherone asked about the Vietnam veterans and WWII veterans and their
spouses who experience PTSD symptoms for the last 30-40 years. Is there any treatment that
is going to help the spouses? Dr. Smith said spouses are not treated at the Madison clinic. A
couples skills group for PTSD is being instituted. While we’re not getting funded for
treating a spouse, we’re not being told not to within the VA, so couples programs are much
more common.

3
Agenda item 7. Briefing on Telemedicine was presented at this point in the agenda by Dr.
Jamie Adler, mental health service at the Madison VA, the manager of psychosocial recovery
and also the tele-mental health coordinator for VISN 12 and for Madison.

Dr. Adler said that the VA has invested a lot of resources over the last couple of years
to enhance the quality, scope and availability of mental health services which have
traditionally been underfunded and underdeveloped compared to the physical medical
resources in the VA. However, traditionally in the VA, when you expand programs there has
been a bias toward bricks and mortar approach to expanding care. We would expand the
level of services in our main facilities and expect that veterans who want those services
would come and see us regardless of the travel distance. If travel distances were too great
then we would develop residential programs and we would house veterans at our facilities
while they were being treated. Residential services are necessary for some people that need
that level of structure but it is a tremendous inefficiency. It robs resources from our ability to
provide more services to more veterans. There has been recognition over the last several
years that we need to push resources out to where the veterans live as opposed to requiring
veterans to come in for care. There also has been some research that would indicate that the
amount of follow through care declines with the farther the travel time required to get the
care. The VA has recognized this problem when it comes to general medical services and
they created a series of CBOCs. It has only been more recently that we recognized the need
to plan for mental health services to those community care clinics. In some cases the clinics
are large enough that they can support a dedicated mental health staff. The majority of the
clinics are relatively small, primary care oriented clinics that would not support salaries of
specialty mental health care. Tele-mental health is not so new; tele-psychiatry has been done
with the Iron Mountain VA and with Rockford for several years but up until recently it was
prohibitively expensive to offer it to smaller settings. The equipment costs anywhere from
$10,000 to $50,000 per set up with extremely expensive data lines to connect up these
remote clinics. The technology has increased and costs have come down and the VA now
has access to technology at affordable prices. The Madison pilot program has taken the
newer technology and equipped every one of the outpatient clinicians in all of the general
specialty health care areas with the capacity of doing tele-medicine from their offices. And,
every remote CBOC has the capacity to receive that connection. If you have a need to be
seen for PTSD, all we need to do is check to see that the room is available at the CBOC and
that there is a slot in the clinician’s schedule and you can be seen by any specialist in PTSD.
There is no CBOC in southwestern Wisconsin, so the VA partners with agencies in the
community, typically these are mental health, general health care agencies to co-place our
tele-mental health equipment. In a partnership arrangement the VA will provide mental
health services to veterans living in that remote service area. Research evidence on tele-
mental health is every bit as effective as a live session and customers give it an extremely
high satisfaction rating.

Dr. Tracy Smith is the PTSD Clinical Team Coordinator at the Madison VA. The
tele-mental service works as well as seeing patients in the office. Her personal mission is to
treat as many veterans as she can.

Mr. Fine thought that PTSD could not be cured. He has been in treatment for six
years and still has the same nightmares and triggers. Dr. Smith said that cognitive processing
therapy is a treatment where you meet once a week for twelve or thirteen weeks. Even

4
among veterans with chronic PTSD, the rate of losing the diagnosis is 50%. Someone who
has PTSD in the earlier stages or has had fewer traumas, the rate of losing the diagnosis is
75%. Losing the diagnosis is not the same as being cured. Dr. Adler said that in addition to
looking at how much relief we can give you in terms of reduction in symptoms, we want to
take a look at how you are doing in all your other areas of life—are you able to put a life
together that is meaningful and worthwhile and fulfilling to you, despite the fact that you
continue to have PTSD symptoms.

Dr. Adler said that a lot of times clinicians in VHA are called upon to do the
evaluations for the ratings for disability determinations. There has been a lot of controversy
about the whole issue of fairness and appropriateness of the disability rating system and what
is the long term impact going to be on disability for some of the OIF/OEF returnees. The VA
is currently in a pilot program to create a training curriculum for the clinicians who do these
rating evaluations. The idea would be to try to introduce some consistency and some
evidence-base into the evaluations so that they are fairer and more consistent and more
timely.

Chairman Hughes returned to Agenda item 4. Board Member Matters.

Election of Board Officers: Mr. Freedman nominated Pete Moran for Board
Chairman. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Heiliger and a unanimous voice vote was
cast to elect Pete Moran for Board Chairman.

Mr. Moran nominated Marvin Freedman for Board Vice Chairman. The nomination
was seconded by Mr. Moen and a unanimous voice vote was cast to elect Marv Freedman for
Board Vice Chairman.

Mr. Wendt nominated Rodney Moen for Board Secretary. The nomination was
seconded by Mr. Moran and a unanimous voice vote was cast to elect Rodney Moen for
Board Secretary

Board Approval of CVSO Advisory Council Appointments: Three members of the

CVSO Advisory Council have terms that expire on April 1, 2007. The President of the
CVSO Association has recommended the following CVSOs to fill four-year terms ending
April 2011. Andrew Clark, Outagamie County; Robert Stone, Rusk County and Fred Kaiser,
Waushara County.

It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded and carried on a voice vote to approve the
recommended appointments.

Mr. Moran thanked the Board members for their trust in electing him as chairman.
He pledged to maintain the same strong, forward leadership that was provided by the former
chairs. Mr. Moran commented on the outstanding stakeholders meeting and the Salute to the
Legislature. He recognized Secretary Scocos for his receipt of the American Legion
Leadership Award.

Mr. Freedman said he had the opportunity to attend the Gulf War Illnesses seminar on
January 17 as part of Gulf War Illnesses Recognition Day. The presentations were

5
extraordinarily well done. Mr. Freedman would like to see a discussion on how as a Board
and a Department we might help facilitate addressing the health care issues of returning vets
who are affected by environmental factors. We have an obligation to all veterans to see if
there is something we can do at the state level or if there is anything we can do to hold the
federal government to its basic responsibilities on these types of matters.

5. Board Action from Committee and Council Meetings

Mr. Freedman said that the Legislative and Program Review Committee did
recommend to the Board that it move forward on the Administrative Rule changes relating to
the CVSO grant program

It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded by Mr. Moran and carried on a voice vote to
accept the reports of the Council and Committees.

8. Consider Draft of Permanent Rule Language in the Administrative Code RE: CVSO
Grant Program
It was moved by Mr. Wendt, seconded by Mr. Heiliger and carried unanimously on a
voice vote to direct the Department to continue with the rule making process regarding the
CVSO grant program.

9. Suggested Modifications to the Board Rules of Procedure—John Rosinski

Mr. Rosinski said the Board, over the last several meetings, has been considering
amendments to its Rules with regard to dealing with veteran service organization resolutions
and how they can more properly be handled by the Board and the Legislative and Program
Review Committee. Modifications to the language proposed at the last meeting put into the
rules the concept of modifying language that the veterans service organization had proposed.
Mr. Rosinski advised that this is not to be voted on today, the Board wanted to engage in
discussion and receive feedback in considering some of these changes.

Mr. Freedman expressed his appreciation for the inclusion of the language that
restates a basic right of the Board, that whether or not it accepts or rejects a resolution, the
Board always has the option to take a position based on a resolution. Mr. Rosinski said he
would wait for feedback from the Board as to whether the Board would want to contemplate
an actual amendment to its rules at the April meeting.

10. CVSO Resolutions F001-06 Veterans Education Grant Delimiting Date; F002-06
Veterans Education Grant Pre-Enrollment Requirement; F003-06 Veterans Education Grant
Income Limit; and F004-06 Aid to Needy Veteran Grant Improvement Recommendations
Mr. Freedman said that these four resolutions came before the Legislative and
Program Review Committee. The one relating to the pre-application process is being held
pending a report with recommendations from a Process Action Team (PAT) that the
Secretary will be forming. The other three resolutions were put on the agenda for the next
meeting in view of the fact that the fiscal assessments were just provided and a little time is
needed to review them. He asked that the three resolutions be scheduled for action at the
April meeting.

11. Secretary’s Matters

6
 Secretary Scocos welcomed Board member Moen and Board appointee Andersen.
The Secretary thanked Steve Lawrence and the VFW for hosting the Salute to the
Legislature. The speakers last night spoke on the issues we talked about today, our budget
and moving forward and working together as a team with the Governor and the Legislature to
find a middle ground to solve some of the issues we see for the 21st Century. We had the
opportunity to honor the Governor with an “Iron Mike” award and to thank President Reilly
for support from the University.

Secretary Scocos attended the National Association of State Directors of Veterans

Affairs midwinter conference in Washington, DC last week. Wisconsin leads the nation in
taking care of its veterans. Congress believes mandatory funding for our VA should be there
and they are forming stakeholders meetings too.

Highlights: Another issue of “Forward Veterans” has been distributed. The Gulf
War Illnesses Conference as a Women’s Veterans Forum were held at the Department
recently. The Rolf Family gift cards were distributed to military families and our Returning
Veterans Recognition Dinner was a great event. Upcoming Supermarkets will be held in
Menomonee on March 22-23, Rhinelander May 3-4, Janesville May 12, Ft. McCoy
September 7, Baraboo at Ho-Chunk October 23 and we’re working on a Waukesha event in
the Fall.

Congratulations to Chairman Moran, Vice Chair Freedman and Secretary Moen.

Thanks also to Ellen Blissenbach for her donation of $153 to the building fund.

Mr. Moen thanked the Secretary for agreeing to attend the CVSO regional meeting in
Osseo on March 9th.

12. Public Input.

Holly Hoppe said about 50 women attended the Women’s Forum. A Committee was
formed to outreach to all the women in Wisconsin know about their veterans’ benefits. This
program was started by the Department under Secretary Scocos.

13. Other Matters (Not Subject to Adoption).

Board member Heiliger said that this was probably his last meeting after eight years
on the Board and he has truly enjoyed his association with the Board and Department
members. Bill Andersen will be his successor.

Mr. Moen said that this is the only meeting in Madison this year. This being a budget
year and knowing the process of the Legislature, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. He
would like the Chairman to take under advisement the possibility of having a special meeting
some time in early May and invite the two chairs of the standing Committees on Veterans
Affairs to come in and address specifically those items that were not included in the budget
so that we can talk to them a bit about that. The budget will be up for a vote some time in
late June or early July.

Mr. Moran said he thought it was a great idea. He asked for a written request via
email to the Board members and the Secretary so that it could be taken up for Board action in
April.

7
14. Next Meeting Date and Location
April 19-20, 2007 in Sturgeon Bay

15. Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Wendt, seconded by Mr. Moen and carried on a voice vote to
adjourn the meeting at 1:45 p.m.

Mack Hughes
Chairman