2. Apolonio E. Muñoz III Background 2001 – Graduated from H.M. King High School, Kingsville, TX (Army JROTC Brahma Battalion Executive Officer) 2001-2004 – US Army, B CO 440th SIG BN, 22nd SIG BDE, V Corps (Asst. Communications Site Team Lead) 2004-2007 – Private Security (Shift Supervisor) 2007-2009 – Job Developer/Case Manager, Veterans Dept/HVRP Program, Salvation Army Bell Shelter 2009-Present – Information Services Representative/Outreach Coordinator, National Veterans Foundation 2010-Present – Bachelors of Science in Human Services, University of Phoenix – Sothern California Campus
3. What is the National Veterans Foundation? 501 (c) 3-Non Profit Organization, that operates a National Toll-Free Hotline for Veterans of all eras and their families. Advocate, Ears and Voice for Today’s Veterans. To Serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through: Management and operation of the nation’s only toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families. Outreach services that provide veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources. Public awareness programs that shine a consistent spotlight on the needs of America’s veterans.
4. History Founded in 1985 as Vietnam Veterans Aid Fund. Established its Toll-Free Hotline in 1987 (888.777.4443) Officially changed name to National Veterans Foundation in 1992. Since inception the Foundation has spoken before congress on countless occasions in regards to Veterans Benefits, Employment, Housing, and Education. NVF Staff have also been seen on TV, Radio and Print presenting these and many other issues that are effecting Today’s Veterans. November 2010 – Celebrated 25 Yrs of Serving America’s Veterans
6. President & FounderFloyd “Shad” Meshad Education 1962 - Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Psychology; Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama 1969 - Masters Degree and Post Masters work in Psychiatric Social Work, Criminology and Psychology; Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
7. Professional Experience: 1968-1971; United States Army, Captain, Reserve Medical Service Officer 1971-1979; Founder and Co-Author, Vietnam Vet Re-Socialization Unit; created model for Operation Outreach; Chairman of the Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C. 1979-1986; West Coast Regional Director for the National Vet Center Program 1985-Present; President & Founder of the National Veterans Foundation 1973-Present; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of California 1986-Present; International Consultant on Veterans Readjustment Problems; International Consultant on Trauma Incidents; International Consultant on Wellness Issues of Counselors and Therapists; Consultant to the Department of Defense in the areas of Combat Trauma; Certified Trauma Specialist, Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists Board Certified Diplomat in Social Work, National Board of Examiners and Clinical Social Workers Licensed Continuing Education Provider, State of California – Post Traumatic Stress Therapy, Compassion Fatigue Therapy, Thought Field Therapy 1995-Present; Certified Thought Field Therapy Provider 1997-1999; President, Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (Board Director 1994-1999) 2005-2008; President, Green Cross (Board Director 1998-Present)
9. Programs Life Line for Vets™ Homeless Outreach Veteran Education Veteran Advocacy
10. Life Line for Vets™ Toll Free Nationwide Hotline Speak or chat live with another Veteran Confidential Crisis Management National Information Referral Service Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM PST, Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM PST, Sat & Sun www.nvf.org ~ 888.777.4443 ~ vetsupport@nvf.org
12. Homeless Veterans Statistics 23% of the homeless population are veterans 33% of the male homeless population are veterans 47% served Vietnam-era 17% served post-Vietnam 15% served pre-Vietnam 67% served three or more years 21% served two years 7% served one year 33% were stationed in war zone 25% have used VA homeless services 85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans 89% received an honorable discharge 79% reside in central cities 16% reside in suburban areas 5% reside in rural areas 76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems 46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans 46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans Courtesy of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 2009.
13. 2009 LAHSA Homeless Count Los Angeles Continuum of Care 42,694 City of Los Angeles (24,915) Cities of Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena 5,359 Los Angeles County 48,053 Homeless Veterans in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care 6,540 or 15% of population counted Homeless Veterans in City of Los Angeles 4,107 or 16% of population counted Estimated 20,000 (42% of Homeless Population) Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles County, placing LA County as the Homeless Veteran Capital of the World (LA Times, Jan 2011) According to GLA VAMC they estimate only 8,197 and served 83 Homeless Veteran Families in 2009 (numbers are from samples of VA participants, and does not include Veterans outside the VA) Emergency Beds 55 Transitional Housing Beds 1500 Permanent Housing Beds 1317
14. Veteran Education Newly Formed NVF Program Free of charge to Veterans Classes offered: Financial Management Veteran De-Stress & Relaxation Career Development Classes starting April 2011
15. Veteran Advocacy Partnerships with agencies all across the country Veteran Service Officers (State, Local, and National Service Organizations) Legal Firms (NVLSP) Courts (Veteran & Local Courts) Employment (EDD, VEC) Homelessness (New Directions, US VETS, Salvation Army, NCHV) Counseling (Vet Center Program, Swords to Plowshares, CIAV, Coming Home Project) Media & Congressional Support
