Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program, which would authorize the governing board of a community college district and a community college campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the chancellor for a grant for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus. The bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Fund in the State Treasury. The bill would allocate moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to the chancellor for, among other things, administration of the program and distribution of awards to recipient community college districts and campuses. The bill would also require the chancellor to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program by May 31, 2019. The bill would repeal the program on January 1, 2023.

Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.

This bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program, which would authorize the governing board of a community college district and a community college campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the chancellor for a grant for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus. The bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Fund in the State Treasury. The bill would allocate moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to the chancellor for, among other things, administration of the program and distribution of awards to recipient community college districts and campuses. The bill would also require the chancellor to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program by May 31, 2019.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

AB 2494 (Roger Hernández) - Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

This bill establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program, contingent upon an appropriation, in which community college districts and campuses may apply for grants to provide veterans and active duty members resources to help them succeed academically. This program is scheduled to sunset January 1, 2023.

Fiscal Impact:

• Proposition 98 cost pressure in the millions to fund the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program. Actual costs are unknown as the scope of the program would depend upon any funding provided. Assuming half of community college campuses were awarded $200,000 grants, costs would be about $11 million. Additional local costs would be incurred after the first award year as grantees are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar award match. Funding for this purpose was not included in the Budget Act of 2016.
  
• Potential General Fund cost pressure depending upon the scope of the program and the number of community college districts and campuses that apply for a grant. To the extent the Chancellor’s Office needs one position to administer the program, cost could exceed $100,000.

Background:

According to the California Community Colleges, there are about 70,000 veteran students currently enrolled at its colleges. Approximately 77 of the 113 colleges have Veterans Resource Centers which range in space and support services but for the most part these centers help to facilitate academic success and assist in psychosocial reintegration. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (Chancellor’s Office) has also appointed a full-time Veteran Services Specialist. There is inconsistency in the level of support throughout the system. This bill seeks to establish a grant program to allow more colleges to provide the services necessary to meet the specific needs of student population.

In 2014 the Chancellor’s Office released the Veteran Resource Center Review Project report which cited the progress of several veteran resource centers statewide. Among other things, it stated that funding sources are necessary in order to adequately accommodate existing veteran students and to prepare for the increase of veteran students in the near future.

Proposed Law:

This bill establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program, contingent upon an appropriation, in which community college districts and campuses may apply for grants to provide veterans and active duty members resources to help them succeed academically. This program is scheduled to sunset January 1, 2023.

Specifically, this bill authorizes a governing board of a community college district and a campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the Chancellor for a grant to provide resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus to help them succeed academically.

The Chancellor is required to administer the program and develop application criteria, administrative guidelines, and other requirements for administering the program by May 26, 2017, through a stakeholder process and public meetings.

This bill provides that an applicant who receives a grant award in the first fiscal year that grants are awarded is not required to match the amount of the award. However, an applicant who receives a grant award in a subsequent fiscal year is required to match the amount dollar-for-dollar.

Related Legislation:

AB 393 (Roger Hernández, 2015) was nearly identical to this bill. AB 393 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Jim Nielsen, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/28/16

Subject:

DESCRIPTION

Establishes the Veteran Resource Center Grant Program (Program) to award grant funds – if the funds are made available by legislative appropriation in the annual Budget Act – to community colleges and community college districts that operate or intend to establish a veteran resource center (VRC). Sunsets as of January 1, 2013.

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Community Colleges (CCC) under the administration of the Board of Governors of the CCC and requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC.
2. Requires the California State University and the CCC and encourages the University of California to coordinate services for qualified students who are veterans or members of the military by clearly designating Military and Veterans Offices and individuals to provide specified services to qualified students. Current law defines "qualified student" as a student who is any of the following:
   1. Member of an active component of the United States Armed Forces.
   2. Member of the California National Guard or Federal Reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces.
   3. Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
   4. A family member of any of the above, who is a legal dependent under 28 years of age or living in the household of that person and eligible to be claimed as a dependent on federal or state tax returns.

This bill:

1. Makes legislative findings and declarations, including:
   1. More than 60,000 veterans and active duty service members were enrolled at campuses of the California Community Colleges in the 2013–14 academic year.
   2. Veterans face unique challenges in achieving professional success, including post-traumatic stress disorder and assimilation to civilian life during and after serving on active duty.
   3. The intent of the Program is to help veterans and active duty service members enrolled at campuses of the California Community Colleges achieve academic and professional success.
2. Establishes the Program.
3. Establishes the Veteran Resource Center Grant Fund (Fund) within the State Treasury.
4. Provides that moneys in the Fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, shall be allocated to the Chancellor for the implementation and administration of the Program.
5. Provides that a governing board of a community college district and a community college campus – at which a VRC has been or is intended to be established – may jointly apply to the Chancellor for a grant to provide resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, who are enrolled at the campus, to help them succeed academically.
6. Requires the Chancellor shall do both of the following:
   1. Administer the program and distribute awards to recipient community college districts and campuses.
   2. Develop application criteria, administrative guidelines, and other requirements, by May 26, 2017, through a stakeholder process and public meetings, for administering the program.
7. With regard to grant applicants, provides:
   1. That an applicant, who receives a grant award in the first fiscal year in which the grants are awarded, shall not be required to match the amount of the award.
   2. That an applicant, who receives a grant award during a subsequent fiscal year, shall match the amount of the award dollar-for-dollar.
8. Establishes a sunset date: The provisions establishing the Program and Fund shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2023, deletes or extends that date.

BACKGROUND

In 2010, the California Community Colleges High Tech Center Training Unit created a pilot program to establish VRCs at community colleges. The veteran centers assist veteran students in re-entering the educational system by providing veteran students additional guidance and services.

In 2014 the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office released the Veteran Resource Center Review Project report, which cited the progress of several VRCs statewide. Within its findings, the Chancellor’s Office found VRCs offer dedicated staff and camaraderie to veteran students which help these students succeed. Furthermore, the report stated that funding sources are necessary in order to adequately accommodate existing veteran students and to prepare for the increase of veteran students in the near future.

According to the analysis by the Senate Committee on Education:

There is wide acknowledgment among the California Community Colleges of the re-entry challenges many student veterans face and colleges have recognized the need to expand support services to help veterans successfully integrate into college life. The Community College Chancellor’s office, in response to the growing number of student veterans and to provide statewide leadership and coordination to assist the colleges has lead several statewide efforts that includes; 1) appointing a full-time Veteran Services Specialist, 2) hosting an annual summit to share information and best practices for staff, faculty and administrators who work with student veteran’s services 3) supporting the development and implementation of a training program for faculty and staff to increase awareness on military culture and challenges faced by many community college student veterans through the participation in the “Welcome Home Training Program,” and; 4) supporting the development of VRC project.

There are approximately 77 of 113 colleges with VRCs that range in space and support services but for the most part these centers help to facilitate academic success and assist in psychosocial reintegration. There is inconsistency in the level of support throughout the system. This bill seeks to establish a grant program thereby allowing more colleges to provide the services necessary to meet the specific needs of this emerging student population.

COMMENT

Prior/Related Legislation

AB 393 (R. Hernández, held on suspense in Assembly Appropriations, 2015) would have established a grant program to support California Community Colleges (CCC) veterans' resource centers.

AB 421 (Calderon, held on suspense, Assembly Appropriations, 2015) would have, among others, required the governing board of a community college district to provide in each CCC within the district, a veterans counselor.

POSITIONS

Sponsor: Author.

Support:

AMVETS-Department of California

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

Military Officers Association of America-California Council of Chapters

North Orange County Community College District

Veterans of Foreign Wars-Department of California

Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council

Oppose: None received.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No:

Subject:

NOTE: This bill has been referred to the Committees on Education and Veterans Affairs. A "do pass" motion should include referral to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program and the Veteran Resource Centers fund in the State Treasury for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty military enrolled at a California Community College (CCC) campus.

BACKGROUND

Existing law:

Requires the California State University (CSU) and the CCC and encourages the University of California (UC) to coordinate services for qualified students who are veterans or members of the military by clearly designating Military and Veterans Offices and individuals to provide specified services to qualified students. Current law defines "qualified student" as a student who is any of the following: an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the California National Guard, a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the Unites States, a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, and/or a family member of a person (as described above) who is a legal dependent under 28 years of age or living in the household of that person and eligible to be claimed as a dependent on federal or state tax returns.

(Education Code § 69785)

UC, CSU, the CCC to report annually to the California Department of Veterans Affairs the number of qualified students assisted by a Military and Veterans Office; the number of qualified students assisted who are active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the California National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States; and the total education benefits by all qualified students assisted by an office.

(EC § 69786)

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program and the Veteran Resource Centers fund in the State Treasury for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty military enrolled at a California Community College (CCC) campus. Specifically, it:

1. Authorizes a governing board of a community college district and a community college campus at which a Veteran’s Resource Center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the chancellor for a grant to provide resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at a CCC.
2. Requires the chancellor to:
   1. Administer the program and distribute awards to recipient community

college districts and campuses.

• 1. Develop application criteria, administrative guidelines, and other

requirements, by May 26, 2017, through a stakeholder process and public

meetings, for administering the program.

1. Establishes that an applicant who receives a grant award in the first fiscal year that grants are awarded is not required to match the amount of the award.
2. Requires an applicant who receives a grant award in a fiscal year following the first fiscal year grants are awarded to match the amount of the award dollar-for-dollar.
3. Makes various findings and declarations relative to veterans including, the unique challenges in achieving professional success, including posttraumatic-stress disorder and assimilation to civilian life during and after serving on active duty; and, the intent of the Veterans Resource Coordination Group Program to help veterans and active duty service members enrolled at CCC campuses achieve academic and professional success.
4. Sunsets the program on January 1, 2023.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. There are approximately 60,000 veterans enrolled at a California community college. According to the author, these students face unique challenges in their transition back to civilian life and Veterans Resource Centers offer specialized programs and services for military students to ensure academic and personal success. The author’s office notes that, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in its review of existing Veterans Resource Centers found that additional funding sources are necessary in order to adequately accommodate existing veteran students and to prepare for the increase of veteran students in the near future. This bill seeks to build on the success of existing efforts by encouraging, through a grant program, a community college campus to establish a Veterans Resource Center.
2. Existing efforts to support veteran students at a community college campus. There is wide acknowledgment among the California Community Colleges of the re-entry challenges many student veterans face and colleges have recognized the need to expand support services to help veterans successfully integrate into college life. The Community College Chancellor’s office, in response to the growing number of student veterans and to provide statewide leadership and coordination to assist the colleges has lead several statewide efforts that includes; 1) appointing a full-time Veteran Services Specialist, 2) hosting an annual summit to share information and best practices for staff, faculty and administrators who work with student veteran’s services 3) supporting the development and implementation of a training program for faculty and staff to increase awareness on military culture and challenges faced by many community college student veterans through the participation in the “Welcome Home Training Program,” and; 4) supporting the development of Veterans Resource Center project.

There are approximately 77 of 113 colleges with Veterans Resource Centers that range in space and support services but for the most part these centers help to facilitate academic success and assist in psychosocial reintegration. There is inconsistency in the level of support throughout the system. This bill seeks to establish a grant program thereby allowing more colleges to provide the services necessary to meet the specific needs of this emerging student population.

1. Program funding. Funding of the grant program is contingent on an allocation made through the annual budget act. No such funding was provided in the 2016 Budget Act.

Prior legislation. AB 393 (Roger Hernández, 2015) nearly identical to this bill, would have established a grant program to support California Community Colleges (CCC) veterans' resource centers. AB 393 was held on the suspense file in the Assembly Appropriations.

AB 421 (Calderon, 2015) would have, among others, required the governing board of a community college district to provide in each CCC within the district, a veterans counselor. AB 421 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SUPPORT

AMVETS-Department of California

California Association of County Veterans Service Officers

Military Officers Association of America-California Council of Chapters

North Orange County Community College District

Veterans of Foreign Wars-Department of California

Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council

OPPOSITION

None received.

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:

Author:(Roger Hernández)

As Introduced Ver:

Majority vote

SUMMARY: This bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program at the California Community Colleges (CCC). Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the governing board of a community college district and a community college campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the chancellor for a grant for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus.
2. Establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Fund in the State Treasury.
3. Allocates moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to the chancellor for, among other things, administration of the program and distribution of awards to recipient community college districts and campuses.
4. Require the chancellors to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program by May 31, 2019.

EXISTING LAW: Existing law establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors of the CCC and requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Appropriations Committee:

State costs will depend on the parameters of the grant program, such as the extent of any district matching requirement, and how many districts seek to participate. It is assumed the grants would be an ongoing cost to support the veterans' resource center, though the program could be designed to phase out state support after a period of time. A viable state grant program would be at least several million dollars annually. Assuming a minimum state grant of $100,000 at every campus, statewide costs would be $11 million annually. [General Fund-Prop 98]

Additional costs to the Chancellor's Office, which currently has a Veterans' Specialist position, would be minor and absorbable.

COMMENTS:

According to the author:

There are currently 113 campuses that make up the CCC system. According to the CCC, an estimated 2.2 million veterans reside in California, the most in the nation. That number is expected to increase dramatically as more military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan complete their service.

As these veterans transition back to civilian life, many attend one of California’s community colleges. In fact, over 60,000 veteran students are in enrolled in a community college today.

In 2010, the California Community Colleges High Tech Center Training Unit created a pilot program to establish VRCs at community colleges. The VRCs assist veteran students in re-entering the educational system by providing veteran students additional guidance and services.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office released the Veterans Resource Center Review Project report, which cited the progress of several VRCs statewide. Within its findings, the Chancellor's Office found VRCs offer dedicated staff and camaraderie to veteran students which help these students succeed. Furthermore, the report stated that funding sources are necessary in order to adequately accommodate existing veteran students and to prepare for the increase of veteran students in the near future.

As mentioned in the authors' statement, the pilot program report notes funding as the primary challenge to VRCs. The report's conclusion is worth quoting here:

Funding has been expressed as the major road block to the continued viability of this and all other VRCs. The message that Santa Monica wishes the CO to hear is… "All California Community College campuses should have a VRC. I hear too many stories from veterans about lack of services on other college campuses. I don't think we can do much to affect the CSUs (although they are getting some nice centers) or the UC campuses but the CCCs are the ideal places to help our veterans transition to civilian life and higher education." The SMVRC is a small center with a large heart. While the space is limited and cramped, the staff are dedicated, the students inspiring, and the atmosphere friendly and inviting. The services are all there and range from certification for VA benefits to coordinated wellness programs and Veterans' Club activities. Recreational space is limited, but staff are hopeful about a future expanded location. ….

This bill is an elegant attempt to create a scalable competitive grant program to triage and meet the wide range of VRC needs and varying levels of service across the massive community college system.

Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0003080

Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Jacqui Irwin, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2494 (

Author:Roger Hernández) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

SUBJECT: Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program

SUMMARY: > Specifically, this bill: >

EXISTING LAW: >

FISCAL EFFECT: >

COMMENTS: >

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

>

Opposition

>

Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550

Date of Hearing: May 4, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2494

Author:(Roger Hernández) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

The bill establishes a grant program to support California Community Colleges (CCC) veterans' resource centers. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the Chancellor of the CCC to develop and administer the grant program. Community college districts may apply for grants for existing or planned centers to provide assistance to veterans and active duty Armed Forces members to help them succeed academically.
2. Provides that the program requirements may include funding priority to campuses providing matching funds.
3. Stipulates that funding for the program is subject to an appropriation by the Legislature.
4. Requires the Chancellor to provide a progress report to the Legislature regarding the program by May 31, 2019.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. State costs will depend on the parameters of the grant program, such as the extent of any district matching requirement, and how many districts seek to participate. It is assumed the grants would be an ongoing cost to support the veterans' resource center, though the program could be designed to phase out state support after a period of time. A viable state grant program would be at least several million dollars annually. Assuming a minimum state grant of $100,000 at every campus, statewide costs would be $11 million annually. [GF-Prop 98]
2. Additional costs to the Chancellor's Office, which currently has a Veterans' Specialist position, would be minor and absorbable.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the CCC Chancellor's Office, in 2013-14, veterans and active duty military personnel comprised over 60,000 of the over 2.1 million students attending CCCs.

According to the author, "Based on our research, current law is silent regarding VRCs [Veterans Resource Centers]. The recent proliferation of VRCs is largely based on philanthropic efforts by public and private donors, as well as partnerships with local businesses." The author contends that AB 2494, "demonstrates a commitment by the state to work with charitable groups and build VRCs to provide veterans with necessary academic tools to succeed."

According to the Chancellor's Office, 74 of the 113 CCC campuses have VRCs, up from just 15 campuses 4 years ago. The first VRC obtained a federal grant, and served as a model for other campuses, though federal resources were similarly not available. The centers vary from a small room to office space with computers and furniture.

1. Prior Legislation. In 2015, AB 2494 (Hernandez), a substantially similar bill, was held on this committee's Suspense file.

Analysis Prepared by: Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 19, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Jose Medina, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2494 (

Author:Roger Hernández) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

SUBJECT: Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program.

SUMMARY: Establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant (VRCG) Program and the VRCG Fund housed in the State Treasury. Specifically, this bill:

1. Finds and declares the following intent of the Legislature:
   1. More than 60,000 veterans and active duty service members were enrolled at campuses of the California Community Colleges (CCC) in the 2013–14 academic year;
   2. Education is a tool for community college students to achieve economic success;
   3. Veterans face unique challenges in achieving professional success, including posttraumatic-stress disorder and assimilation to civilian life during and after serving on active duty; and,
   4. The intent of the VRCG Program is to help veterans and active duty service members enrolled at CCC campuses achieve academic and professional success.
2. Specifies that the CCC Chancellor shall do all of the following:
   1. Administer the VRCG Program and distribute awards to recipient CCDs and CCCs; and,
   2. Develop application criteria, administrative guidelines, and other requirements, by May 26, 2017, through a stakeholder process and public meetings, for purposes of administering the program. Specifies that said requirements may include the CCC Chancellor awarding funding priority to CCD and campus applicants that commit to contributing an amount of funds in addition to the grant to develop, enhance, or maintain a veteran resource center at a CCC campus.
3. Authorizes the governing board of a community college district and a CCC campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established, to jointly apply to the CCC Chancellor for a grant for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus.
4. Establishes the VRCG Fund in the State Treasury.
5. Allocates monies in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to the CCC Chancellor for, among others, administration of the program and distribution of awards to recipient community college districts and campuses.
6. Requires the CCC Chancellor to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program on or before May 31, 2019.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires the California State University (CSU) and the CCC and encourages the University of California (UC) to coordinate services for qualified students who are veterans or members of the military by clearly designating Military and Veterans Offices and individuals to provide specified services to qualified students. Current law defines "qualified student" as a student who is any of the following: an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the California National Guard, a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the Unites States, a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, and/or a family member of a person (as described above) who is a legal dependent under 28 years of age or living in the household of that person and eligible to be claimed as a dependent on federal or state tax returns (Education Code (EC) Section 69785).
2. Requests the UC, CSU, the CCC to report annually to the California Department of Veterans Affairs the number of qualified students assisted by a Military and Veterans Office; the number of qualified students assisted who are active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the California National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, or are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States; and the total education benefits by all qualified students assisted by an office (EC Section 69786).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Double referral. This measure passed out of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee on March 29, 2016, with a vote of 8-0.

Background. According to a recent survey by the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah, veteran students are six times more likely to attempt suicide than the general student population. Nearly 50 percent of the 525 veteran students surveyed reported having had suicidal thoughts some time in their lives. Twenty percent of these veteran students said they had suicidal thoughts with a plan; this is a rate three times higher than general college students who seriously considered suicide. Experts in this field agree that suicidal thinking with a plan is considered a very severe suicidal risk. The majority of individuals with serious suicide risks deal with PTSD symptoms such as: significant anxiety, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbances, and recurrent images from combat.

Outreach to current student veterans. The CCCs are providing more services to a growing population of student veterans; the CCC Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) recognizes the need for continued support of our student veterans and as such has been the lead on several statewide projects, including, but not limited to, the Veterans Resource Center Project: At VRCs, student veterans can interact with one another and obtain information and services. As a result, at least 24 additional colleges have established a VRC on their campus.

To note, because the individual campuses do not have to report to the CCCCO as to if they have a VRC, it is presently unknown the exact number of campuses that have VRCs, however, it is estimated that at least half of the CCCs have a VRC. Additionally, VRCs are staffed by either full-time employees or a mix of volunteers and student mentors.

Purpose of this measure. According to the author, "Current law is silent regarding VRCs. The recent proliferation of VRCS is largely based on philanthropic efforts by public and private donors, as well as partnerships with local business." The author contends that this measure, "demonstrates a commitment by the state to work with charitable groups and build VRCs to provide veterans with necessary academic tools to succeed."

Policy consideration. As presently drafted, it is unclear as to how the VRCG Program will be funded. Moving forward, the author may wish to work with the Legislative Budget Committees in order to ensure adequate funding is available and appropriated for purposes of the CCC Chancellor being able to implement the provisions described in this measure.

Previous legislation. AB 393 (Roger Hernández), of 2015, which was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, is similar in nature to this measure.

AB 421 (Calderon), of 2015, which was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, would, among others, require the governing board of a community college district to provide in each CCC within the district, a veterans counselor.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

North Orange County Community College District

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Jeanice Warden / HIGHER ED. / (916) 319-3960

Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

Jacqui Irwin, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2494 (

Author:Roger Hernández) – As Introduced Ver:February 19, 2016

SUBJECT: Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program

SUMMARY: This bill would establish the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Program at the California Community Colleges (CCC). Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the governing board of a community college district and a community college campus at which a veterans resource center has been or is intended to be established to jointly apply to the chancellor for a grant for purposes of providing resources to veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States enrolled at the campus.
2. Establishes the Veteran Resource Centers Grant Fund in the State Treasury.
3. Allocates moneys in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, to the chancellor for, among other things, administration of the program and distribution of awards to recipient community college districts and campuses.
4. Require the chancellors to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of the program by May 31, 2019.

EXISTING LAW: Existing law establishes the CCC under the administration of the Board of Governors of the CCC and requires the board of governors to appoint a chief executive officer, to be known as the Chancellor of the CCC.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.

COMMENTS:

According to the author:

There are currently 113 campuses that make up the CCC system. According to the CCC, an estimated 2.2 million veterans reside in California, the most in the nation. That number is expected to increase dramatically as more military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan complete their service.

As these veterans transition back to civilian life, many attend one of California’s community colleges. In fact, over 60,000 veteran students are in enrolled in a community college today.

In 2010, the California Community Colleges High Tech Center Training Unit created a pilot program to establish VRCs at community colleges. The VRCs assist veteran students in re-entering the educational system by providing veteran students additional guidance and services.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office released the Veterans Resource Center Review Project report, which cited the progress of several VRCs statewide. Within its findings, the Chancellor’s Office found VRCs offer dedicated staff and camaraderie to veteran students which help these students succeed. Furthermore, the report stated that funding sources are necessary in order to adequately accommodate existing veteran students and to prepare for the increase of veteran students in the near future.

AB 2494 builds on the success of the VRC pilot program by creating a state initiative to expand VRCs and encourages the creation of VRCs at campuses that currently do not offer them.

As mentioned in the authors’ statement, the pilot program report notes funding as the primary challenge to VRCs. The report’s conclusion is worth quoting here:

Funding has been expressed as the major road block to the continued viability of this and all other VRCs. The message that Santa Monica wishes the CO to hear is… “All California Community College campuses should have a VRC. I hear too many stories from veterans about lack of services on other college campuses. I don’t think we can do much to affect the CSUs (although they are getting some nice centers) or the UC campuses but the CCCs are the ideal places to help our veterans transition to civilian life and higher education.” The SMVRC is a small center with a large heart. While the space is limited and cramped, the staff are dedicated, the students inspiring, and the atmosphere friendly and inviting. The services are all there and range from certification for VA benefits to coordinated wellness programs and Veterans’ Club activities. Recreational space is limited, but staff are hopeful about a future expanded location. The website is easy to access and understand and the staff are helpful and while by necessity somewhat directing they are looking to the veterans themselves to chart the future course of the SMVRC.

This bill is an elegant attempt to create a scalable competitive grant program to triage and meet the wide range of VRC needs and varying levels of service across the massive community college system.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on File

Opposition

None on File

Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550