Derek D. Mendes, MBA’s Post

I understand the value of higher education. I went to North Carolina State University on a full academic scholarship. Without it, I would have come out of school with over $100K in debt. Even with my scholarship, I worked all 4 years to cover my expenses. I was incredibly fortunate to only have #debt from my graduate school education. And it took me over 10 years to pay that off. I now have a 5 year old daughter and a husband who is retired from the military on 100% #disability. We elected to make our permanent residence in Virginia BECAUSE of VMSDEP. We have saved for our daughter's college education, but with inflation, it is estimated that a 4-year degree from an in-state institution will cost over $140,000 by the time she enrolls in 2037 (https://lnkd.in/eZA-qU8e). We don't have that. We won't have that. And, she could take out loans to cover the rest as is suggested by this new plan, except we will never qualify because my husband's disability benefit has to be counted as income. I want our college and university systems to thrive. I understand how expensive that education system is to provide. But the answer is NOT to take away one of the most significant financial benefits of being a VA state resident from our service men, women, and their families. Please help me in protecting this earned benefit for my daughter and for all of the other military families who value education but will not be able to afford if if this passes. #vmsdep #militaryfamily #disabledveteran #veteran #military

Military members and their families put our nation and community first, and it’s up to all of us to support those who play such a critical role. Allsup Veterans Disability Appeals Service® (AVDAS) is veteran-led and veteran-owned. We bring expertise, experience and understanding to help veterans obtain the benefits they have earned in-service. It’s how we continually recognize the contributions of our armed forces. Our VA-Accredited Claims Agents help when you have been denied service connection for a disability, disagree with a recent rating decision, or need to file a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Notice of Disagreement. … Do you or someone you know need help with a VA disability appeal? Connect with AVDAS: 888-372-1190 https://lnkd.in/eY_CkkKY #MilitaryAppreciationMonth #VAAppeals #DisabledVeteran #VADisability #SupportVeterans #AllsupVA

Sundays with Saul. Another year of giving back & paying it forward… Free, no-strings-attached financial advice and planning for underserved people* provided by or in conjunction with a CFP® professional volunteer. These services will be delivered through one-on-one engagements or through interactive group sessions on topics specific to an at-risk audience, with the option for personalized engagement to follow. (* e.g., low-income individuals and families, military personnel/veterans, domestic violence survivors; people affected by natural disasters, serious medical crises, bankruptcy, etc.) https://lnkd.in/efFsJ9rQ

Fort Campbell will return to a “hybrid” of our normal operations. Specifically: For the next two days, the installation will conduct a late call at 0930 to ensure we do not impede recovery progress (avoid routes with active recovery efforts). Individuals or families personally affected by the storm will remain focused on their individual/family recovery efforts. Individuals actively assisting or coordinating clean up efforts in their communities will continue these efforts and will keep the chain of command informed (requesting assistance as required). The chain of command will evaluate individuals with exceptional circumstances because of the storm on a case-by-case basis (to include, but not limited to, childcare concerns). Leaders are empowered to make decisions on personnel based on the above guidance. All on-post military schools, deployment activities, and unit re-integration efforts will continue, unless you are part of the affected population.

The DCD program is all about the Win-Win-Win: - Each dog is a rescue/rehomed dog. - Each dog is trained by an inmate handler - Each dog is given to a veteran needing support for PTSD or related conditions, at no cost. DCD dogs are trained by low security inmates which enables consistent and dedicated training 24/7 for a minimum of 10 months. The dogs will mirror this dedication to their Veteran recipient. None of the inmates who have participated in the program have re-offended, and many have gained transferable skills to help them with reintegrating to society: “This program has changed my life; it’s taught me to be kind and patient, as well as the importance of being a role model for someone in your duty of care... there’s a real sense of trust and honour in being able to train and nurture a Labrador for a life-changing purpose." 🐾🐕💜 Visit our website for more information: www.dcdogs.com.au Improving the lives of Veterans. One paw at a time. 🐾 #veteranassistancedogs #veteransupport #servicedogs #veteranhealth #support #veterans #MentalHealth #ADF #ausairforce #assistancedog #army #navy #defence #ptsd #dogs #defencecommunitydogs #onepawatatime #winwinwin #PTSD #RSLNSW #DefenceMemberFamilyServices #DefenceBankFoundation

Over time, conditions connected to military service may worsen, often leading to increased VA disability claims. If you need to boost your existing service-connected VA disability rating, you can easily submit a claim online at VA.gov. To improve your chances of approval, provide updated medical evidence showing deterioration in symptoms since your last assessment. You've got three options to help with your VA disability increase claim: 1. File independently through the VA’s online portal at VA.gov. 2. Hire an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) for assistance. 3. Seek help from an accredited claims agent or attorney. Spread the word to anyone who might find this useful! #military #veterans #benefits

COMING SOON: INTRODUCING FIRST DAWN RECOVERY 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 At First Dawn Recovery in Las Vegas, NV, we embrace a unique approach to caregiving that acknowledges and addresses the profound impact of traumatic experiences on the overall wellness—physical, emotional, and psychological—of military personnel. Our primary focus lies in understanding the diverse spectrum of traumatic events that veterans may have encountered: from combat situations and exposure to violence to childhood adversities and instances of sexual assault. These encounters can significantly influence their mental well-being over time. With a commitment to excellence, we've tailored our program to accommodate a maximum of 10 individuals. This intentional limitation ensures a cocoon of security and encouragement, fostering an environment where veterans can embark on their journey towards healing and recuperation. #veteransaffairs #veteransupport #peersupport #traumainformed #addictiontreatment #mentalhealth

It's not uncommon for conditions related to military service, already rated at 0% or higher, to worsen over time. This often prompts veterans to seek an increase in their VA disability rating. If you find yourself in this situation, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of success. To increase your VA disability rating, it's essential to provide updated medical evidence showing the deterioration of your symptoms since your last assessment. Here are three options to help you with your claim: ✅ File independently through the VA’s online portal at VA.gov. ✅ Hire an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to assist you. ✅ Seek assistance from an accredited claims agent or attorney. Share this with someone who could benefit from it or take action if it applies to you! #veterans #militarytransition #veteranshelpingveterans

Be Red Cross Ready for Caregivers 5/16/2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CDT https://lnkd.in/g6a8Teiz Join the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network in collaboration with AARP for a special preparedness event designed for caregivers. This special presentation will help caregivers better prepare for emergencies. Topics covered include the importance of creating a team, what your team can do now to help you prepare, and how you and your loved one can get support during and after an emergency.

Check out this podcast where my colleague Alex Wheatley highlights a new report on challenges to using indirect cost rates in the island areas and recommendations on how to address those challenges!