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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Shasta County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

Investigative Reports Shasta County Veterans Services Office – Veterans’ Lives Matter .......................... 1

Published: July 27, 2016 12 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 11 findings

F1 Page 15

The VSO website lacks useful links and detailed and relevant information.

F2 Page 15

6 Veterans potentially fail to receive benefits because some files in the VSO have not

F3 Page 16

received follow-up from the VSO. Veterans are not receiving all eligible benefits because there is not a comprehensive case

F4 Page 16

management process in place. VSO staff performs tasks once done by Work-Study Program participants, limiting

F5 Page 16

available time to help veterans with their claims. The VSO eliminated outreach to Burney, causing Northeastern Shasta County veterans to

F6 Page 16

travel to Redding for assistance.

F7 Page 16

Veterans potentially received reduced level of service as a result of the previous Veterans Services Officer's time spent out of the office. Hiring Veterans Services Officers from outside Shasta County has created misgivings

F8 Page 16

among local veterans.

F9 Page 16

Currently, only one employee in the VSO is accredited, limiting ability to assist veterans with claims.

F10 Page 16

Failure of VSO staff to attend State of California training has resulted in decreased reimbursement to the County's General Fund.

F11 Page 16

The Shasta County - County Executive Officer failed to provide adequate oversight of the VSO during changes in leadership, potentially contributing to substandard caseload follow- up and a poorly managed office.

Recommendations 12

R1
Page 16

to stagger current VSO staff start, end, and break times to allow hours of operation to include lunch, evening, and an occasional weekend day
R2
Page 16

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer to implement a system by September 30, 2016, that will offer veterans the option of scheduling an appointment to meet with VSO staff. The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer
R3
Page 16

to update the Shasta County VSO website to include links to Federal and State of California veteran benefits pages and National Archives by December 31, 2016. The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer
R4
Page 16

to immediately implement a system to review all open, pending, and denied claims to ensure all are reviewed
R5
Page 16

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer to implement within the VSO by September 30, 2016, a comprehensive case management process that will provide consideration for all eligible benefits available to veterans, including burial and survivor benefits. The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer
R6
Page 16

to reinstate the Work-Study Program and posting a link to the Program application on its website by December 31, 2016. The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer
R7
Page 17

to post notice and re-establish consistent and regular monthly outreach to Burney
R8
Page 17

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer to ensure the Veterans Services Officer focuses on the functions of the office rather than attending non-vital community events.
R9
Page 17

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer to establish a hiring process by December 31, 2016, that will provide for encouraging and considering the applications of local qualified veterans when hiring a Veterans Services Officer.
R10
Page 17

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors instruct the County Executive Officer to monitor progress of all newly-hired staff, including the Veterans Services Officer, to ensure anyone assisting veterans with claims will be accredited within one year of hire.
R11
Page 17

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the County Executive Officer to initiate a plan by September 30, 2016, for all VSO staff to attend available State of California trainings on an ongoing basis.
R12
Page 17

The Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors immediately instruct the County Executive Officer to take a more proactive supervisory role over the new Veterans Services Officer.