♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO SUPPORTING KENTUCKY'S VETERANS, A KET FORUM.

MY NAME IS CHIP POLSTON.

I'LL BE YOUR HOST THIS EVENING AS WE TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES FACING AND HELP AVAILABLE FOR THOSE KENTUCKIANS WHO STOOD UP TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND OUR NATION.

THE COMMONWEALTH IS HOME TO MORE THAN 270,000 MILITARY VETERANS, AND AS WE WRAP UP THIS YEAR'S VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS, FILLED WITH EVERYTHING FROM PARADES TO RESTAURANT DISCOUNTS, IT BEGS THE QUESTION, WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR?

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT KENTUCKY'S VETERANS IN THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THEY FACE THE OTHER 362 DAYS OF THE YEAR WHEN THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY CELEBRATED.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'LL TACKLE TONIGHT WITH A GROUP OF EXPERT PANELISTS HERE TO DISCUSS KEY ISSUES FACING OUR VETERANS.

OUR PANELISTS OR WHITT WHITT, A RETIRED U.S. ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL AMONG OTHER ASSIGNMENTS DID THREE COMBAT TOURS IN AFGHANISTAN AND KUWAIT AND SERVES AS COMMISSIONER OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

Dr. KATIE MARKS, COMMISSIONER OF THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

Dr. ANYAH HOANG-ANSERT, VICE PRESIDENT OF VETERANS AND HOUSING SERVICES AT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MID STATES IN LOUISVILLE AND COMPANY CHAIR FOR THE VETERAN COMMUNITY ALLIANCE OF LOUISVILLE, EILEEN WARD, DIRECTOR OF THE HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM FOR THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND Dr. ROBBIN HIGGINS, A RETIRED U.S. ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL WHO HAS HAD TOURS OF DUTY ALL OVER THE WORLD, INCLUDING A COMBAT TOUR IN AFGHANISTAN AND SERVING AS AN OPERATIONS OFFICER IN SAUDI ARABIA AND KUWAIT.

SHE IS ALSO CHAIRPERSON FOR THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS.

ALSO JOINING US THIS EVENING IN STUDIO IS AN AUDIENCE OF VETERANS ADVOCATES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH AND WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO KET FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE FIRST ISSUE WE WANT TO TACKLE IS A BIG ONE FOR VETERANS AND THAT'S MENTAL HEALTH.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME DAIT FOR CONTEXT.

THIS COMES FROM WHAT, AT THE TIME, WAS THE LARGEST STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH RISK EVER CONDUCTED BY THE U.S. MILITARY BY THE ARMY AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY FOUND ONE IN FOUR DEPLOYED SOLDIERS SHOWED SIGNS OF A MENTAL DISORDER OF SOME KIND.

THE RATE OF DEPRESSION IS FIVE TIMES AS HIGH AS IT IS AMONG CIVILIANS.

EPISODES OF EXTREME ANGER ARE SIX TIMES AS HIGH AND THE RATE OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR PTSD, 15 TIMES HIGHER THAN AMONG CIVILIANS.

THAT STUDY LOOKED AT ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIERS AND COMMISSIONER ALLEN, I WANT TO START WITH YOU, THE PREVALENCE OF THIS ISSUE AMONG OUR SARNS R VETERANS AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP THEM?

>> YES, SIR, WELL FIRST THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON HERE WITH THESE GREAT TALENTED SERVANT LEADERS AS WELL AS INVITING THE VETERAN LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMONWEALTH THAT'S IN THE AUDIENCE.

AND BEFORE I ANSWER THAT QUESTION, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TV AUDIENCE KNOW JUST AS WE ALL KNOW HERE, THIS IS NOT ABOUT DOOM AND GLOOM HERE.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT VETERANS FACE, AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL THE LEADERS HERE SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND JUST LIKE EVERYDAY PEOPLE, CIVILIANS, AS WE WOULD SAY, WE ALL GO THROUGH DIFFERENT CHALLENGES AND FACE LIFE PRESSURES THAT MAKE US BETTER DIAMONDS.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES LIKE THIS, YES, IT'S VERY PREVALENT.

AND THAT'S BASED ON EXPERIENCE.

I WILL USE AN EXAMPLE OF A NATIONAL GUARDSMAN FOR THE FLOODS LAST YEAR.

THAT INDIVIDUAL WENT OUT TO-- THE ENERGY TO GO OUT AND HELP LIVES.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS YOU ARE BRAVING THE WATERS AND SAVING LIVES, YOU SEE TRAUMATIC THINGS DEATH, STEY DESTRUCTION AND THAT IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANYBODY.

SO THOSE CHALLENGES ARE THERE FOR VETERANS AND-- >> THAT'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING THAT REALLY IT REWIRES THE BRAIN IN A LOT OF WAY.

>> IT DOES.

AND THE CHALLENGES, PERCEPTION OR STIGMA, ACCESS AND INFORMATION AND WHEN I SAY BY PERCEPTION AND STIGMA, IN THE MILITARY, WE ARE TRAINED TO BE LEADERS AT ANY TIME.

AND THERE IS THAT PRESSURE.

ROBBIN HIGGINS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL WOULD TELL YOU IN DEPLOYMENT, SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT HER PEOPLE, LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR WELFARE, SAFETY AND HEALTH.

HOWEVER, HOWEVER, SHE HAS TO REMAIN STRONG.

SO SHE WILL PROBABLY IGNORE HER SIGNS AND IF SHE HAD TO STEP BACK AND TAKE A KNEE, SHE WOULD FEEL WEAK... >> YOU WOULD NEVER ASK FOR ASSISTANCE.

AT THE TIME THAT I JOINED, YOU WOULD NEVER LET ANYBODY SEE THAT YOU HAD ANY TYPE OF WEAKNESS.

WOULD YOU NEVER ASK FOR ANY TYPE OF HELP.

AND SO IF YOU NEEDED ANY SORT OF OUTSIDE HELP OR GO TO A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, YOU JUST WERE NOT GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA THAT WOULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

SO YOU WEREN'T GOING TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE.

>> FORTUNATELY THERE HAS BEEN AN EVOLUTION FROM THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH ACTIVE DUTY THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND.

Dr. MARKS, LET ME GO TO YOU.

THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS THAT YOU SEE THERE IN THE CABINET IN TREATING VETERANS, WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT THEY POSE AND HOW ARE YOU ALL ADDRESSING THOSE?

>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN SET UP SO WELL, THIS CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW, AND ALSO THANK YOU.

IT'S AN HONOR TO IS TO HAVE THIS DIE NOTHING WITH SUCH LEADERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE CHALLENGES WE SEE, THEY'RE MULTIFACTORIAL AND YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS SOME OF THEM ALREADY, STIGMA IN THE PERCEPTION OF WEAKNESS, HEARD ABOUT STRUCTURAL BARRIERS, TOO.

SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THOSE CHALLENGES TO JUST SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS OR TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS.

AND THEN THAT TENDENCY TO SUPPRESS THE NEED FOR SERVICES AND THE NEED FOR SUPPORTS.

AS A RESULT, WE SEE THAT NEARLY 50% OF PEOPLE ARE NOT ACCESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES THEY NEED AND THAT'S A TRAGEDY BECAUSE, AS Dr. ALLEN SAID SO WELL, HOPE AND HELP EXISTS.

THAT'S WAY WANT TO TALK ABOUT BRIEFLY.

KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WE'LL EMPHASIZE FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THIS AS WELL-- ARE THRIVING IN LONG-TERM REMISSION AND RECOVERY.

THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES THINKS ABOUT HOW WE SUPPORT VETERANS THROUGH BOTH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CHANGING SYSTEMS; HELPING THE PROVIDERS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN BEST SERVE THIS DYNAMIC AND INCREDIBLE POPULATION.

SO WE START WITH VALUES, RIGHT?

THAT THERE IS NO WRONG DOOR TO TREATMENT.

AND WHEN YOU TALK INTO SERVICES, YOU ARE GOING TO ACCESS CULTURALLY COMPETENT, APPROPRIATE SERVICES THAT REFLECT THE VOICE THAT YOU HAVE PUT OUT THERE, THE CHOICES THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE.

ONE OF THE REALLY EXCITING INITIATIVES SUPPORTED BY OUR DEPARTMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES ARE MILITARY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COORDINATORS.

WE HAVE ONE IN EVERY REGION OF THE STATE.

SO THERE ARE 14 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND THEY SERVE THE 120 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

AND THEIR SOLE MISSION IS TO REPRESENT SERVICE MEMBERS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THE NEED THEY HAVE WHEN THEY WALK INTO CARE.

TWO GOALS: HELP PEOPLE GET SERVICES AND HELP PEOPLE STAY IN SERVICES.

ANOTHER REALLY EXCITING PILOT THAT WE ARE DOING IS FOR PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WHO ARE ALSO SERVICE MEMBERS OR VETERANS THEMSELVES.

SO PEERS ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE EITHER WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO WALK ALONGSIDE SOMEONE SIDE BY SIDE AND USE THAT SHARED UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT AND COMMON DIGNITY TO HELP PEOPLE FIND REMISSION AND RECOVERY AND THEN STAY IT IN LONG-TERM.

>> SO YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT AND IT'S A TEAM EFFORT IN A LOT OF RESPECTS AS YOU TALKED ABOUT THERE.

AND Dr. HIGGINS, WITH WHAT YOU RELATED EARLIER ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE SERVICE AND COMMISSIONERS, YOU SAID SO WELL, NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE A KNEE, AS YOU REFERRED TO IT AS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NOW HELP DOESN'T REALLY JUST BEGIN WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES THE MILITARY SERVICE.

THIS IS BRIGADIER GENERAL BRIAN WERTZLER.

HE IS ASSISTANT GENERAL FOR THE KENTUCKY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

GENERAL WERTZLER, THIS MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE, THIS IS REALLY AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVE DUTY NOW AS WELL.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> IT IS.

CHIP, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU TO THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE PANEL FOR MANY OF YOU HAVE SERVED AND ARE CONTINUING TO SERVE THE NATION AND THE SERVICE MEMBERS AND THE VETERANS SO THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO.

SO WE DO, OUR APPROACH IS WE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THERE IS AN ISSUE.

WE GET AFTER IT PRIOR TO TEACH AND TRAIN RESILIENCY TO OUR SOLDIERS.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THAT-- AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO STILL KIND OF FIGHT STIGMA A LITTLE BIT BUT WE TRY TO OVERCOME THAT BY IT'S NOT-- THERE IS NOT A STIGMA.

IT'S OKAY TO SEEK HELP.

THERE IS NO STIGMA TO ASKING FOR HELP.

AND THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IS CHAPLAINS.

WE HAVE HOLISTIC HEALTH AND FITNESS PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE-- >> EIGHTS A LAUNDRY LIST OF PROFESSIONALS.

BUT THE BASIS OF THIS IS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO LET SOLDIERS KNOW IT'S OKAY.

>> IT'S OKAY.

>> IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP.

>> AND WE SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES.

MUCH MORE ROBUST THAN IN THE PAST TO ENABLE OUR SOLDIERS TO REACH OUT, GET THE HELP THEY NEED AND CONTINUE TO BE PRODUCTIVE SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

>> YOU ARE DOING GREAT WORK THERE BRIGADIER GENERAL BRIAN WERTZLER.

KENTUCKY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

>> Dr. MARKS, YOUR CABINET HAS WORKED TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL VETERANS HOT LINE.

THE HOT LINE IS UP AND OPERATIONAL HERE IN KENTUCKY.

VERY SIMPLE DIGITS.

HOW DOES THAT WORK AND HOW CAN SOMEBODY ACCESS THAT?

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT.

98.

ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CAN CALL, TEXT, CHAT THIS FREE CRISIS LINE AND BE CONNECTED WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO CAN SUPPORT.

IT'S FREE.

IT'S SCFLT CONFIDENTIAL AND AVAILABLE 24/7.

ALMOST EVERY TIME WILL YOU TALK TO A LOCAL KENTUCKIAN READY TO SUPPORT YOUR NEEDS.

AND WHEN YOU CALL THAT, IF YOU ARE SEEBLING THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE NUMBER, YOU WILL JUST PRESS NUMBER 1 AFTER YOU DIAL 988 AND YOU WILL GET CONNECTED TO SOMEONE NATIONALLY WHO KNOWS THE UNIQUE STRESSORS AND CHALLENGES OF THE EXPERIENCE.

OVER 9200 PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY ALONE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE IN THE PAST YEAR.

>> IT'S TERRIFIC THAT IT'S AN EASY TO REMEMBER NUMBER AS WELL.

THERE IS NOT AN AREA CODE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND I WILL BE HISTORY WITH YOU,-- I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I TRIED IT TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS.

TWOO TWO STEPS AND YOU ARE CONNECTED.

THE SIMPLICITY IS WONDERFUL.

>> HOW IMPORTANT 911 WAS WE CREATED 988 BECAUSE WE KNOW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES ARE AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES.

>> AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AVENUE ARE AVAILABLE FOR HELP WITH MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THE V.A.

AND OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES BUT THERE ARE ALSO PROGRAMS OUT THERE FROM PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO HELP.

ONE SUCH GROUP LOCATED IN VANCEBURG KENTUCKY IS WARRIOR RIDGE.

THERE THEY LOOK TO REESTABLISH BONDS MADE DURING ACTIVE SERVICE THAT ARE OFTEN LOST AFTER SOLDIERS COME HOME FROM ACTIVE DUTY.

WE RECENTLY VISITED THE FACILITY AS PART OF OUR SHOW, KENTUCKY KENTUCKY EDITION.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> AS A VETERAN, YOU FEEL HONORED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY.

THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN YOU COME HOME, IT'S SUCH AN ADJUSTMENT AND IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE MILITARY, YOU ARE JUST OUT.

THERE IS NO TRANSITION PROCESS.

THERE IS NOTHING.

YOU JUST TURN YOUR UNIFORM IN, TURN YOUR GEAR IN AND YOU ARE DONE.

YOU GO HOME.

SO I MOVED INTO MY GRANDPARENTS FARM AND IT'S A CABIN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

I STARTED INVITING MY BUDDIES UP, MY TEAM.

I WENT DOWN PREAD HARD AND-- I WENT DOWN PREAD HARD AND MY BROTHERS WERE THERE FOR ME.

AND I INVITED THEM UP TO THE FARM.

I SAW HOW BENEFICIAL IT WAS FOR ME AND I ENVIETED OTHER VETERANS.

IT WAS JUST WHAT WE NEEDED.

>> THE FIRST DEPLOYMENTS I WAS IN THE INVASION FROM 2003.

FROM 2003, 2005, 2006 TO IRAQ AND 2008-20089 R 9 TO IRAQ.

AND AFGHANISTAN, YOU BUILD A BROTHERHOOD, YOU BUILD A UNITY BETWEEN ONE ANOTHER.

SO WHEN YOU FIND OUT, YOU GET TO BE WITH THESE GUYS FOR A FEW DAYS, IT'S LIKE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A CLOSE THIS RELATIVE, LIKE A CLOSE BROTHER IN SO LONG, YOU CAN'T WAIT TO COME UP HERE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IS WE NOMINATE ONE VETERAN THAT WE KNOW IS STRUGGLING.

BY DOING THAT, WE BRING THEIR TEAM BACK TOGETHER.

THEY SHOW UP ON A THURSDAY.

THAT'S A TRAVEL DAY.

THAT'S WHEN THE RECONNECTION ACTUALLY HAPPENS.

THAT'S WHEN THEY SEE ETCH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE YEARS.

WE GET THEM HERE, AND THEN FRIDAY, YOU KNOW, WE PROVIDE OBVIOUSLY ALL THE MEALS AND WE HANG OUT AT THE CREEK IN THE SUMMERTIME AND TAKE THEM KAYAKING AND THE BONFIRE HAPPENS EVERY EVENING.

>> OUT IN THE NATURE DISCONNECTED FROM CELL PHONES AND SITTING TOGETHER, TALKING BY THE FIRE, WE GOT OUT OF VEHICLES ON THAT THURSDAY AND WE DIDN'T STOP TALKING UNTIL MONDAY AFTERNOON AT 12:00.

>> WE WANT THEM TO STAY IN CONTACT.

OUR ONLY JOB HERE IS TO RECONNECT THESE GUYS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY WHERE THEY STAY IN CONTACT BECAUSE THEY HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACKS.

WE KNOW THAT.

THEY'VE PROVEN THAT IN THE WORST TIMES.

SO ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS KEEP THEM IN CONTACT.

THAT'S IT.

AND IT'S SO EASY.

THEY LEAVE HERE.

THEY ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT EVERY DAY.

THEY HAVE A BIG GROUP THREAD GOING RIGHT NOW AND JUST ABOUT EVERY MORNING SOMEBODY SAYS GOOD MORNING, BROTHERS.

THIS AND THAT.

AND THEY'RE THERE, A COUPLE OF THEM HAVE TOLD ME, IT WAS HARD GOING HOME AND READJUSTING.

GOING BACK TO WORK, GOING TO NORMAL LIFE.

BUT THEY STILL HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

A COUPLE DAYS AFTER THEY LEFT HERE, ONE OF THE GUYS TEXT ME AND SAID HEY, MAN, 363 DAYS AND A WAKEUP UNTIL WE ARE BACK AT WARRIOR RIDGE.

>> THERE IS MOST DEFINITELY A HEALING PROCESS HERE.

>> GET THEM BACK TOGETHER MAN, KEEP THEM IN CONSTANT CONTACT.

THAT WAY THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM THEY NEED FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES AND WE ARE GOING PUT A DENT IN THIS SUICIDE RATE, YOU WAIT AND SEE.

>> WHAT A TERRIFIC PROGRAM.

LET ME ASK YOU, HOW IMPORTANT ARE HOMEGROWN PROGRAMS LIKE THIS THAT ARE NGOS, NOT PART OF A GOVERNMENTAL GROUP.

BUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO GET TOGETHER AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE HOMEGROWN PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS.

YOU FIND YOURSELF-- AND DIFFICULT 28 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY SERVICE SO I FOUND MYSELF TRANSITIONING FROM BEING ON ACTIVE DUTY AND THE VERY NEXT DAY I WAS OUT OF THE SERVICE.

AND THERE WENT MY WHOLE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THERE WENT PEOPLE WHO JUST AUTOMATICALLY KNEW WHAT YOU WERE GOING THROUGH.

I MEAN YOU HAD THIS KINDRED SPIRITS.

SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THESE PROGRAMS AND FOR YOU, WHEN YOU TRANSITION, TO FIND YOUR COMMUNITY, TO FIND YOUR GROUP, BECAUSE YOU NEED THAT PEER SUPPORT, AND YOU JUST KNOW-- YOU JUST NEED THOSE FOLKS WHO UNDERSTAND YOU INTRINSICALLY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING.

BECAUSE WHEN I CAME BACK HOME, NO ONE HAD A CLUE WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

AND NO ONE REALLY COULD REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I HAD GONE THROUGH AND WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO NOW BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ACTIVE DUTY AND BE A VSH.

I JOINED A VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND IT WAS INSTANT.

IT WAS AN INSTANT COMMUNITY.

>> AND THAT CAN BE SO JARRING.

I READ SOME TESTIMONY FROM A VETERAN WHO TALKED ABOUT HOW HE WENT FROM A 48 HOUR PERIOD FROM BEING IN A COMBAT SITUATION TO BEING AT DISNEYLAND WITH HIS FAMILY.

AND HOW LANDING THERE AT DISNEYLAND WAS MORE TERRIFYING TO HIM THAN ACTUALLY BEING IN AN ACTIVE COMBAT ZONE BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN OUT OF THAT SCENARIO FOR SO LONG AND HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO REACT.

>> THERE IS A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO PUT IT PERFECTLY.

SHE STATED THAT WHEN YOU COME BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN, YOU GO FROM BEING A TARGET TO GOING TO TARGET.

SO I HAD TO THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

IT WAS REALLY A PROFOUND STATEMENT BECAUSE SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

AND SO HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT TRANSITION AND HOW DO YOU ADJUST BACK TO WHATEVER EVERYBODY CALLS SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY?

>> WE'LL GO BACK TO THAT TRANSITION LATER IN THE SHOW.

THESE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAN ALL TIE DIRECTLY INTO THE NEXT TOPIC WE WANT TO COVER HERE TONIGHT AND THOSE ARE INSTANCES OF HOMELESSNESS FACED BY KENTUCKY VETERANS.

FOR CONTEXT, THE KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION FOUND 417 HOMELESS VETERANS IN THE COMMONWEALTH LAST YEAR.

THAT NUMBER IS AN INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND JUST ABOUT HALF OF ALL OF THOSE VETERANS ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE LOUISVILLE AREA.

NOW FROM A NATIONAL STANDPOINT, AND TO EMPHASIZE THESE ARE UNITED STATES NUMBERS, THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS INTO THE HOMELESS VSH POPULATION-- VETERAN POPULATION.

THEY INCLUDE 89% OF HOMELESS VETERANS LEFT THE MILITARY WITH AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.

67 OF THEM SERVED THREE OR MORE YEARS IN THE ARMED SERVICES AND THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF HOMELESS VETERANS IS FROM THE VIETNAM ERA, NEARLY HALF OR 47 OF HOMELESS VETERANS WERE ACTIVE DUTY DURING THE VIETNAM WAR YOU WORK WITH VETERANS EVERY DAY.

THAT IS YOUR JOB.

DO YOU HEAR CONSISTENT THEMES TO THEIR STORY THAT TEND TO TIE TOGETHER THAT YOU HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

>> I DO.

THE MAJOR THING IS THE FIRST THING VETERANS START OFF WITH IS I REALLY JUST DON'T WANT TO BE ASKING FOR THIS HELP.

AND THEN HAVE I TO EXPLAIN TO THEM, I'M NOT A VETERAN.

ONLY 8% OF THE POPULATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE EVER SERVED THIS COUNTRY SO I THINK THAT YOU DESERVE THIS ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS HERE FOR.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SUCH A STRONG NETWORK.

BUT THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING.

OR I HEAR, WELL, I JUST FEEL LIKE THERE IS A VETERAN THAT DESERVES IT MORE THAN ME.

AND THERE IS NO HIERARCHY.

SO I DO, I HEAR THAT.

BUT WHAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT, ABOUT THE HIGHEST BEING THE VIETNAM ERA.

WE HAVE A PREVENTION GRANT, KDVA, AND ON AVERAGE, THE AGE OF THE PEOPLE THAT CALL FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS ARE AT THE 58, 59-YEAR-OLD.

>> AND THAT'S THE VIETNAM LEVEL.

>> AND IT'S BECAUSE-- IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T WORKED THEIR WHOLE LIVES.

BUT AN UNEXPECTED ILLNESS, YOU KNOW, A LARGE BILL FOR A CAR OR SOMETHING MAJOR THAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HOME, THAT PUTS YOU BEHIND AND THEN IT JUST SNOWBALLS.

AND SO-- I WOULD SAY THAT PREVENTION IS THE BEST WAY TO CURE VETERAN HOMELESSNESS.

>> WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR VETERANS BEFORE THEY GET INTO THAT SITUATION, TO REACH OUT FOR HELP?

WHAT IS THE AVENUE?

>> KENTUCKY VETERANS ARE LUCKY BECAUSE THEY CAN USE ALL COMMONWEALTH SERVICES.

AND THEN THEY HAVE SPECIAL SERVICES.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M LOOKING AT ANYAH.

WE HAVE SO MANY SSVF.

>> SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES.

THERE IS A LOT OF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO THEM TO PREVENT IT.

BUT ONCE IT HAPPENS, THEN THERE IS SO MANY OTHER SERVICES THAT CAN HELP WITH THAT.

BUT AGAIN, THE KDVA GRANT IS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AND IT'S A VERY POPULAR GRANT BECAUSE WE CAN TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING VERY QUICKLY.

>> THERE IS TACKIBLE BENEFITS THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE.

AND YOU SHARED A CONCEPT WITH ME A WHILE BACK WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND I WAS FASCINATED BY IT.

IT WAS A CONCEPT OF WHAT YOU CALLED PRECARIOUS HOMELESSNESS THAT'S FACED BY VETS.

WHAT IS THAT EXACTLY?

>> I THINK WE FOCUS THOSE NUMBERS AND THAT POINT IN TIME COUNT AND LOOKING AT THE NUMBER.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT 417, YOU ARE THINKING, THAT'S A LOW NUMBER.

EXCEPT THERE ARE SO MANY OF US, VETERAN AND NOT VETERAN, THAT ARE IN A PRECARIOUS HOUSING SITUATION.

WHERE WE ARE ONE PAYCHECK, ONE MEDICAL BILL AWAY FROM LOSING OUR HOUSING.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE IS NOT A SINGLE STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE LOWEST INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

SO WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT PREVENTION AND THE KDVA GRANT AND OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES VETERAN FAMILIES, WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE PRECARIOUS HOUSING SITUATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR VETERANS ARE REMAINING IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND THAT THEY HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LOT OF US AND THE VETERANS THAT ARE COMING INTO OUR PROGRAMS IS THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SUPPORT THAT THEY CAN LEAN ON.

I KNOW THAT IF I LOST MY JOB AND I HAD MEDICAL BILLS AND I LOST MY HOUSING, I HAVE SUPPORT THAT I CAN LEAN ON AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN I STAY WITH.

AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH TO LET OUR VETERANS KNOW THAT WE ARE THEIR SUPPORT.

THEY CAN COME TO US AND WE WILL FIND THEM PERMANENT HOUSING.

>> SO WHERE DO THEY FIND THAT SUPPORT?

IS IT SOMETHING THEY CAN FIND THROUGH VETERANS AFFAIRS OR WHERE CAN SOMEBODY TURN TO ACTUALLY GO IT THAT HELP?

>> THEY CAN GO TO KDVA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH THAT HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE RESOURCES AND THE HOUSING RESOURCES.

THE CONTINUUM OF CARE IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE THAT LIST OF RESOURCES AND KENTUCKY IS IB CREDIBLY INCREDIBLY SPECIAL.

I MOVED HERE EIGHT YEARS AGO FROM CALIFORNIA AND REALLY WHAT JUST ENDEARED ME TO THE STATE WHEN IS WE SAY WE ARE A COMMONWEALTH, WE ARE REALLY A COMMONWEALTH.

>> RIGHT.

>> WE WORK TOGETHER, WE ARE COLLABORATIVE, AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES, WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY FALLS THROUGH THE GAPS.

>> WALK ME THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WHEN A VETERAN REACHES OUT TO YOU AND YOU GET THAT PHONE CALL FOR HELP, WHERE DO YOU START WITH THEM?

WHERE DO THEY START?

AND HOW DOES THAT PROGRAM WORK?

>> DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THE PROCESS.

IF THEY'RE FACING AN EVICTION, OF COURSE WE WANT TO TRY TO PREVENT THAT BECAUSE HAVING AN EVICTION ON YOUR RECORD IS VERY DETRIMENTAL.

WE TRY TO PREVENT IT IF WE CAN.

BUT IF WE CAN'T, WE DEFINITELY MAKE REFERRALS TO OTHER PROGRAMS AND THERE IS THE FEDERAL-- I MEAN THE V.A.

HUD PROGRAMS, THERE IS, YOU KNOW, VOA, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER AGENCIES BUT IF THEY'RE ASKING FOR MONEY, WITH WE CAN DO IT THAT DAY.

WE JUST NEED A DDA FORM, A COPY OF A BILL AND I.D.

OR PAY RENT.

I CAN'T MAKE A MORTGAGE PAYMENT.

BUT WE CAN DO THAT IMMEDIATELY.

AND WHILE I'M HELPING THEM STOP IT, THAT'S WHEN ALL OF THE OTHER SERVICES STEP IN AND PROVIDE LONG-TERM CARE.

>> AND I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT EILEEN AND I HAVE WORKED WITH THESE LOVELY LADIES FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY'RE VERY HUMBLE BUT A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHEN IT DOESN'T WORK, SO WE HAD A WIDOW OF A VETERAN WHO CAME TO EILEEN LOOKING FOR HELP IN SAVING HER HOME.

UNFORTUNATELY SHE DID NOT QUALIFY.

FOR EILEEN-- EILEEN WENT AHEAD AND REFERRED HER TO IMMEDIATE HELP AND TURNED IT OVER TO ONE OF OUR VETERANS BENEFITS FIELD REP THAT DEAL WITH CLAIMS.

THIS PARTICULAR WIDOW'S HUSBAND WAS TURNED DOWN FOR AGENT ORANGE AND NOW, BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT PAC ACT, WE ARE ABLE TO OPEN THAT FILE.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, VBFR WAS ABLE TO GET BACK PAY OF $354,000 FOR THAT WIDOW PLUS A LIFETIME WIDOW'S PENSION FOR THE REST OF HIS-- HER LIFE.

IT'S LIFE CHANGE.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF MANY.

WE MAY NOT HAVE A LUGE-- A HUGE EVENT SUCH AS THAT, BUT IF IT STARTS WITH HER, IT LEADS TO OTHERS.

AND IN THE WHOLE DEAL OF NOT JUST FIXING OR GIVING A HAND UP RIGHT THEN AND THERE IS FINDING THE WAYS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND STANDARD FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT PACT ACT LATER IN THE SHOW BECAUSE THERE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR VETERANS TO KNOW THERE AS WELL.

VERY QUICKLY THOUGH MISS WARD, AND AGAIN YOU HAVE EMPHASIZED THIS MANY TIMES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ASK FOR HELP AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN.

IF YOU DIG THIS HOLE TOO DEEPLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF IT.

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT PEOPLE SAY VETERANS SAY I HATE TO ASK.

SO PLEASE KNOW THAT THIS IS ME OFFERING, CALL US.

LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN TO PREVENT ANYTHING MAJOR FROM HAPPENING.

>> AND YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS WORKING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS; INCLUDE BEING-- INCLUDING A SHELBY DEVELOPMENT.

THEY OPENED SIX TINY HOMES IN DOWNTOWN SHELBYVILLE FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSE HOUSING AND A RENOVATED COMMUNITY CENTER FOR FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP.

LAUREL ROGERS TAKES US THERE.

>> SERVING FIVE YEARS IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS FROM 1998 TO 2003.

>> WE ARE ON OYER WAY BACK-- OUR WAY BACK FROM OKINAWA AND WE GOT A CALL OVER THE AIRPLANE THAT THE PLANES HIT THE TWIN TOWERS.

>> HE WAS IN AFGHANISTAN TWO MONTHS LATER.

UPON LEAVING THE MILITARY, HE PURSUED VARIOUS PROFESSIONS AND INTERESTS UNTIL A SERIES OF SETBACKS LEFT HIM LIVING OUT OF HIS TRUCK.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE OUT THIS PLACE.

I WAS IN A REAL BAD PLACE FOR A GOOD WHILE.

>> BUT NOW HE IS IN A GOOD PLACE.

FEBRUARY WILL MARK TW TWO YEARS THAT HE HAS LIVED HERE AT THE VETERANS VILLAGE IN SHELL B.P.I SHILVILLE-- SHELBYVILLE.

>> THERE ARE FIVE OTHER GUYS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE HELP EACH OTHER OUT.

IT SAVED MY LIFE PROBABLY.

GLTD VILLAGE SERVES AS TRANSATIONAL HOUSING UNTIL A VETERAN IS BACK ON SOLID FOOTING.

FOR HIM, THAT'S LITERAL AS HE IS CURRENTLY NURSING AN ANKLE INJURY WHICH HAS DELAYED HIS DEPARTURE.

>> THIS HAS HELPED ME IMMENSELY.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE IF IT WEREN'T FOR VRO.

>> THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, STARTED WITH 3,000 DOLLARS AND HAS GROWN NOW INTO OVER $600,000 PROJECT.

I NEVER HAD TO ASK FOR A PENNY OF MONEY.

ABOUT THE TIME WE THOUGHT WE WAS RUNNING OUT OF MONEY, GOD SENT SOMEBODY, I WOKE UP AND I GOT A CHECK.

>> THE VETERANS VILLAGE IS A CONCEPT BORN FROM A GROUP OF VIETNAM VETERANS WHO STARTED A FOOD BANK IN 2015, THROUGH THAT OUTREACH, THEY REALIZED THERE WERE OTHER NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> OUR WHOLE MISSION OF IMMEDIATE NEEDS IS TRYING TO KEEP ALL THE VETERANS IN THEIR HOMES.

NOT TO BECOME HOMELESS.

>> ALONG WITH HIS MILITARY SERVICE, PIPPIN IS A RETIRED VETERINARIAN AND SAYS HE FINDS PURPOSE AND FULFILLMENT IN HELPING VETERANS WHO HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES.

>> THE SAD PART, YOU LEAVE THE MILITARY SERVICE AND IT'S JUST LIKE OKAY, YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME.

CEA SEE YA.

MANY HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND HAVE HAD MANY TOURS OVERSEAS.

>> VETERANS RURAL OUTRAGE PROVIDES COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY.

BOB SERVES IN THE ARMY, INCLUDING DESERT STORM FROM 1988-1992.

HE MOVED INTO THIS TINY HOME TWO MONTHS AGO.

>> IT'S A GREAT PLACE.

AND EVERYBODY AROUND IS FRIENDLY, ALL THE OTHER VETERANS THAT LIVE HERE, YOU KNOW, WE TALK A LOT AND ALL THAT AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT.

>> HIS GOAL IS TO GET A HOUSE IN THE NEXT YEAR.

IT IS VRO'S GOAL TO GET THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK WITH THINGS LIKE BILLS, BUDGETING AND BENEFITS.

>> GOT US SET UP WITH A FINANCIAL PLANNER HELPING US WITH MONEY MANAGEMENT AND LIFE SKILLS AND SETTING US UP AND INTO A PLACE WHERE WE LEAVE HERE IN A BETTER PLACE THAN WE CAME HERE.

>> IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, LET ME KNOW.

>> TERRIFIC PROGRAM IN SHELBY SHIL.

Dr. HIGGINS, LET ME ASK YOU, WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE HOUSING, SOMETHING YOU RELATED TO ME IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW WHEN YOU ARE ACTIVE DUTY, YOU GO FROM HAVING LITERALLY EVERY BASIC NEED MET THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY HAVE AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND IN ONE DAY, THAT ALL TURNS OFF.

IT'S ALL GONE.

IT'S UP TO YOU TO GET BACK OUT IN THE WORLD AND FIGURE OUT,000 MAKE IT.

SO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, IN SHELBYVILLE AND THE HOUSING PIECES WE TALK ABOUT HERE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO TRY TO HELP VETERANS BE ABLE TO REASSIMILATE INTO COMMON CULTURE.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT WILL YOU FIND ON INSTALLATIONS.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO GO THROUGH THAT TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

I KNOW THAT SOME FOLKS WILL PROBABLY TRANSITION SOONER THAN WHAT THEY ANTICIPATED BASED ON A MEDICAL RETIREMENT OR WHATEVER OTHER REASON THAT THERE IS.

BUT THESE PROGRAMS HELP, JUST LIKE IT SAYS, TRANSITION FROM BEING IN THE MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

AND THAT'S WITH YOUR FINANCES, FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE YOU MOVE OUT OF THE BARRACKS, OR ONCE YOU MOVE OUT OF MILITARY HOUSING OR, YOU KNOW, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT HAVE YOU A PLACE TO LAND.

WE DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT GET OUT AND JUST AS ANYAH AND AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.

THEY'RE NOT PREPARED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES SO THEY WIND UP-- THEY WIND UP, YOU KNOW, COUCH SURFING.

AND THEY'RE NOT ACCOUNTED FOR AND THAT'S WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT PRECARIOUS HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE THEY DON'T CONSIDER THEMSELVES HOMELESS.

THEY'RE JUST STAYING WITH A BUDDY OR A FRIEND FOR A WHILE BUT THAT CAN ONLY LAST FOR SO LONG SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO PREPARE FOR WHEN YOU DO TRANSITION OUT OF THE MILITARY AND THERE ARE VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

AND I WILL NAME A FEW.

THERE IS THE VFW, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, THE AMERICAN LEGION.

WE HAVE THE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO STAYS WITH THE TRANSITION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T WIND UP WITHOUT A PLACE TO STAY OR A MEAL TO EAT OR A GOOD SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT.

>> THE SAFETY NET THERE IS BUT AGAIN IT RELATES BACK TO A VERY COMMON THREAD THAT IS WOVEN THROUGH ALL OF THIS TONIGHT, YOU GOT TO ASK FOR IT.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO SAY I REALLY NEED THIS ASSISTANCE.

>> THE ASSISTANCE IS DEFINITELY THERE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT HAD I NOT GONE THROUGH TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

>> GOOD DEAL.

>> AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND CRISIS.

THAT IF YOU DO GET TO THE POINT, TO EILEEN'S POINT, IF YOU GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS, TO KNOW THAT A CRISIS IS JUST A MOMENT IN TIME.

AND THERE IS AN INTERCONNECTIVITY BETWEEN ALL OF THE STUFF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

HOUSING CRISIS IS A HUGE FACTOR TO SUICIDALITY.

SO IT'S UP TO US, AS SERVICE PROVIDERS, TO BAND TOGETHER AND BE THAT WRAP AROUND SERVICE AND SUPPORT TO VETERANS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR CRISIS IS TEMPORARY.

>> ONE OF THE MANY THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT ISSUES FACING VETERANS WHEN WORKING WITH OUR PANEL FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW IS REALLY HOW INTERCONNECTED SO MANY OF THESE ISSUES ARE.

AND SO FAR TONIGHT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, HOMELESS AMONG VETERANS.

AND THOSE TWO ISSUES ARE OFTEN INTERTWINED WITH THE NEXT TOPIC WE WANT TO COVER.

EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES.

COMMISSIONER ALLEN, I WANT TO GO TO YOU.

THIS WAS YOUR WHEELHOUSE BEFORE YOU BECAME COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN REGARDS TO THE VETERANS COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYMENT AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO CAR RAY THAT INTO THE ROLE YOU ARE IN RIGHT NOW?

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

AND IT'S A KEY TO ALL OF THIS, INCOME PROVIDES STABILITY.

INCOME PROVIDES STABILITY SO THERE ARE CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS.

AND IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF VETERAN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT ACTIVE DUTY, WHICH IS USUALLY COMING OFF SERVICES, COMING OUT OF THE SERVICES WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAJOR HURDLES, AND CHALLENGES THAT VETERANS FACE.

AND IT DEPENDS.

IT CAN BE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO SERVED FOR FOUR YEARS IN THE NAVY OR SOMEBODY WHO SERVED 25 OR 30 YEARS IN THE ARMY AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL, COLONEL OR SERGEANT MAJOR AND THE CHALLENGE-- IT WORKS BOTH WAYS WITH COMPANIES AND THE VETERAN THEMSELVES.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SENIOR VETERAN, WHO WAS IN UPPER MANAGEMENT, BEEN A LEADER, STRATEGIC THINKER, VERY SMART PERSON, NETWORK, KNOWN IN THE MILITARY, RIGHT?

HOWEVER, THEY HAVEN'T DONE AN INTERVIEW OR WROTE A RESUME IN 25, 30 YEARS.

SO THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO UNDERSELL OR OVERSELL THEMSELVES WHEN THEY LEAVE SERVICE.

ALSO THEY'RE VERY DEDICATED.

LIKE MYSELF, I WORKED ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE END, THE LAST DAY AND BASICALLY QUIETLY ON LEAVE, OR VACATION, AND THEN GOT OUT AND NOT HAVE A JOB.

AND BASICALLY, I HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY.

NOW ON THE OTHER END, IF YOU HAVE A FOUR-YEAR VETERAN THAT IS PERFECT, THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THEIR PEERS WHO ARE 21 AND 22, WHO HAVE THE BASIC SKILLS.

THEY KNOW HOW TO LEAD, SHOW UP ON TIME AND HANDLE A DESK BUT THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE DEGREE PIECE IN THERE.

SO PREPARATION IS IMPORTANT AND WE TALK ABOUT THE TRANSITION PROGRAM AND HOW THAT HELPS US INTO NETWORKING ON THE OTHER SIDE.

NOW THE CHALLENGES ON THE EMPLOYER SIDE, IT IS DEFINITELY EMPLOYER BIAS SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES.

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW OR CAN EQUATE MILITARY EXPERIENCE TO WORK EXPERIENCE.

A LOT OF THEM DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE SOFT SKILLS THAT VETERANS BRING.

AND THEN SOMETIMES THE COMPANY, THE C.E.O.

MAY BE FULLY ENGAGED IN WANTING TO HIRE VETERANS BUT THE HIRING MANAGERS OR C TEAM MAY NOT BE ONLINE WITH THEM.

>> THAT'S A PERFECT TRANSITION TO THE NEXT THING WE WANT TO COVER.

THERE CAN BE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYERS KNOWING HOW TO HIRE, AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID AND HOW BEST TO WORK WITH VETERANS.

THIS IS ZACH MORGAN, THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION.

YOU ALL ARE GETTING READY TO HOST A MILITARY HIRING ACADEMY AND YOU ARE GOING TO WORK WITH BUSINESSES TO TELL THEM HOW TO ATTRACT, HIRE AND RETAIN VETERANS.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO-- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS FROM THE VETERANS PERSPECTIVE.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BUSINESSES TO LEARN TO WORK WITHIN THIS POPULATION.

>> THANKS, CHIP, AND THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE, TOO.

I'M A MILITARY VETERAN AND MILITARY SPOUSE MYSELF.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ARE ALL DOING HERE.

THE REASON WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HELP EMPLOYERS FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THIS, THE FINDING IS, THE HIRING AND RETAINING OF THIS POPULATION IS AND COMMISSIONER ALLEN TOUCHED ON THIS ALREADY.

T█HE COMPLEXITY AND THE VAST DEPTH OF TALENT IN THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.

SO BOTH SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE GETTING OUT OF THE MILITARY AND LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST JOB.

AS WELL AS VETERANS WHO ARE OUT THERE AND MAYBE UNDEREMPLOYED, A LOT OF VETERANS ARE UNDER EMPLOYED RIGHT NOW, AS WELL AS MILITARY SPOUSES WHO HAVE HAD TO MOVE SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME WITH THEIR SPOUSE.

THE COMPLEXITY AND THE DEPTH OF THEIR TALENT MEANS THAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND THE CHAMBER SITS IN A REALLY GREAT POSITION AS THE CONVENER OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S WHY WE PICKED THIS UP AS A WAY FOR US TO BRING BUSINESSES TOGETHER AND HELP THEM LEARN IN A GROUP SETTING.

>> HOW CAN PEOPLE GET MORE INFORMATION ON THAT IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO.

>> THE BEST WAY TO FIND THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING TO RUN THREE COHORTS, THREE DIFFERENT SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN 2024.

AND SO THE BEST WAY TO FIND THAT WOULD BE AT OUR WEBSITE OR FOLLOWING OUR SOCIAL MEDIA KENTUCKY CHAMBER FOUNDATION SOCIAL MEDIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO SEE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THAT.

>> AGAIN TERRIFIC, ZACH MORGAN, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMISSION.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT ALL THESE ISSUES REALLY ARE INTERCONNECTED.

MISS WARD I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING YOU MENTIONED IN A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH YOU EARLIER ABOUT EMPLOYMENT IN PARTICULAR.

IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A PLACE TO GO TAKE A SHOWER TO GET READY FOR A JOB INTERVIEW, HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THEY BE EXPECTED TO GO OUT AND LAND A JOB?

IT REALLY ALL DOES INTERCONNECT?

>> IT DOES.

AND THAT'S WHY ONE SERVICE-- IT'S NOT PROVIDED ONE AT A TIME.

IT'S ALL PROVIDED AT THE SAME TIME.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, HOUSING FIRST, MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE, YOU KNOW, HELP WITH OTHER WORK, FINDING A JOB.

IT TAKES EVERYONE INVOLVED FROM THE EARLIEST POINT TO GET SOMEONE BACK ON THEIR FEET.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF REALLY GOOD SUCCESS STORIES BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND HELP THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS.

BUT, AGAIN, WE JUST SAY, YOU'VE GOT TO ASK FOR IT BECAUSE WE ARE HERE AND THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> AND TALKING ABOUT ASKING FOR THAT HELP, THE V.A., OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND HELP FOR VETERANS.

IN FACT, MANY OF THOSE RESOURCES WERE INCREASED AS A RESULT OF CONGRESS PASSING THE PACT ACT.

THIS RELATIVELY NEW LAW EXPANDS V.A.

HEALTHCARE AND BENEFITS FOR VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

BUT WHAT CHALLENGES FACE VETERANS IN ACCESSING BEN BENEFITS HIVE.

LET'S LOOK AT THE BENEFITS.

OF THE MORE THAN 207,000 VETERANS IN THE STATE, AROUND 74,000 OF THEM RECEIVE SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FROM THE V.A.

AND THE AVERAGE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF THIS COMPENSATION IS JUST SLIGHTLY MORE THAN $20,000 A YEAR.

NOW THIS COMPENSATION PROVIDES TAX-FREE MONTHLY BENEFITS AND RECOGNITION OF THE EFFECTS OF DISABILITIES CAUSED BY DISEASE, EVENTS OR INJURIES INCURRED OR AGGRAVATED DURING ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE.

PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO SURVIVING SPOUSES, DEPENDENT CHILDREN AND DEPENDENT PARENTS IN RECOGNITION OF THE ECONOMIC LOSS CAUSED BY THE DEATH OF AN INDIVIDUAL DURING THEIR MILITARY SERVICE OR AS A RESULT OF SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY AFTER THEIR DISCHARGE.

THAT'S Ard COULDING TO THE VETERANS-- THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN PLACE THROUGH THE KENTUCKY V.A.

TO HELP VETERANS ACCESS THIS?

>> NUMBER ONE, MY BENEFITS DIVISION.

WE HAVE 23 VBFR FIELD REPS OR CLAIMS OFFICERS ACROSS THE STATE.

BY STATE LAW, THEY'RE THERE TO WORK WITH A VETERAN TO GET THEIR CLAIMS WITHOUT CHARGING THEM.

THEY'RE CERTIFIED AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEDICAL SYSTEM.

THEY IF THEY DO NOT GET THEIR CLAIM, WE DO AN APPEALS PROCESS.

WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENT THEM TO THE JUDGE TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THEIR BENEFITS.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, WITH THE V.A., AS PARTNERS, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BRIDGING THE GAP AND SHARING INFORMATION AND IN THE LATEST CHANGES IN LAWS THAT BENEFIT VETERANS.

WE WORK WITH THE VFW, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, DISABLED VETERANS, DAV, AMERICAN LEGION AS TEAMMATES AND SHARE THE CHALLENGES OF WORKING OF THOSE CLAIMS FOR THOSE VETERANS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS NOT ONLY GETTING INFORMATION OUT ABOUT IT, WHERE TO GO, BUT WHERE TO GO TO CREDIBLE SOURCES.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

SO WE CAN PROTECT THEM FROM ANYONE-- I DON'T WANT TO SAY VULTURES.

Y'ALL KNOW I USE THAT WORD, BUT THOSE WHO MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR VETERANS.

AND IT'S NOT ONLY ACT ACTIVE DUTY OR FORMER ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIERS, THERE IS NATIONAL GUARDSMAN SERVICE AS WELL.

>> THAT RELATES TO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR AS IT RELATES TO VETERANS BENEFITS IN PARTICULAR THAT I WANTED 20 TOUCH ON WITH THE CAMP LEJUENE SET LEM SETTLEMENT.

I WAS GETTING MULTIPLE EMAILS ASKING ME TO SIGN ON WITH A PRIVATE LAW FIRM AS A PART WHAT HAVE WAS GOING ON THERE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT THAT AND WE TOUCH ON THIS TOPIC DURING OUR VETERANS FORUM LAST YEAR AND MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE TALKED ABOUT, THAT WAS THE THING THAT PERSONALLY I HEARD THE MOST FEEDBACK FROM FROM FOLKS WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHO ARE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THEY EITHER KNEW SOMEONE WHO MAYBE HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS AND FELT THEY NEEDED MORE INFORMATION.

AND Dr. HIGGINS, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU DIRECTLY.

IS THERE A NEED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO FILE A CLAIM IF YOU WERE AT CAMP LEJUENE AND IF YOU SIGN ON WITH A LAW FIRM, HOW CAN THAT POTENTIALLY AFFECT THE VETERANS BENEFITS DOWN THE ROAD?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD SAY IF YOU ARE GOING TO FILE A CLAIM, DON'T GO IT ALONE.

NAVIGATING SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM IS VERY DIFFICULT AND THERE ARE TRAINED VETERANS BENEFITS OFFICERS OUT THERE AND THERE ARE TRAINED NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS TO HELP YOU FILE YOUR CLAIM.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PRESUMMITTISTS-- PRESUMPTIVES LISTED FOR CAMP LEE JUNE AND YOUR SERVICE OFFICER CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR CLAIM AT NO COST TO YOU.

WE DO KNOW THAT SOME OF THE LAW FIRMS AND AGENCIES NOW THAT YOU SEE ALL THE COMMERCIALS FOR CAMP LEJUENE, THEY WILL OFFER FREE CONSULTATIONS.

IF YOU FEEL THERE IS MORE PRESUMPTIVES THAT ARE LISTED UNDER THAT LAWSUIT THAN WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET FROM THE V.A., THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY HARM ON A FREE CONSULTATION BUT WE ALSO KNOW SOME OF THE LAW FIRMS WERE CHARGING UP TO 40% OF THE COMPENSATION YOU WERE GOING TO RECEIVE.

AND I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT AS OF I THINK IT WAS THE 15th OF SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, THERE-- THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CAPPED THAT AT NO MORE THAN 25% OF YOUR COMPENSATION CAN BE PAID TO THE LAW FIRM.

SO THAT'S A GOOD NEWS STORY.

IF YOU DO ELECT TO USE A LAW FIRM, I WOULD ALSO SAY USE ONE OF YOUR VETERAN SERVICE REPS OR GO THROUGH THE V.A.

AS WELL SO YOU CAN BE COMPENSATED FOR THOSE PRESUMMITTIST THROUGH THE V.A.

AND POTENTIALLY COMPENSATED FOR OTHER PRESUMMIT PRESUMPTIVES THROUGH THE LAWSUIT.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, YOU FEEL, TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE V.A.

BEFORE YOU SIGN ON.

>> HAVE THE CONVERSATION BEFORE YOU SIGN UP AND SIGN ON ABSOLUTELY.

>> CHIP, TELL A VETERAN COME SEE KDVA FIRST AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

SEE VA AND HAVE THE CONVERSATION FIRST.

LEAST KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE.

NO UP WITH HAS TO HAVE A LAWYER.

IT IS VERY HARD TO PUT IN CLAIMS AND DO THE WORK, BUT BY LAW, THE COMMONWEALTH HAS PEOPLE THAT CAN SUPPORT YOU.

>> AND COMMISSIONER ALLEN, TALKING ABOUT THESE VETERANS BEN IT INS IN PARTICULAR THERE, WAS A CONVERSATION YOU AND I HAD THAT I WAS AS IF 2345EU9ED BY THAT-- FASCINATED THAT TOLD ME ABOUT THE MIND SET OF VETERANS.

HERE YOU ARE AS THE COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY AND YOU HAVE FAMILY MEMBER WHO YOU HAD TALKED TO FOR SOMETIME ABOUT APPLYING FOR BENEFITS THAT YOU KNEW THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR.

THEY WOULDN'T DO IT AND FINALLY THEY JUST LOOKED AT YOU ONE DAY AND SAID I DON'T DESERVE.

THIS I DON'T DESERVE THIS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO VETERANS WHO FEEL THAT WAY?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE, YOU DESERVE ALL THE ENTITLEMENTS AND BENEFITS YOU EARNED.

YOU WROTE A BLANK CHECK TO OUR COUNTRY TO SERVE OUR NATION.

AND WE PROMISE, AS A NATION TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM TIME ON OUT.

SO YOU DESERVE IT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ROB ANOTHER VETERAN AND YOU TRULY DESERVE IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BECOME OLD AND FRAIL AND YOUR FAMILY WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.

HAVING BENEFITS, YOU KNOW, HAVING A PERCENTAGE OF DISABILITY, APE DISABILITY RATING OF SOME PERCENTAGE HELPS BRING IN SOME INCOME OR OPEN THE DOORS FOR YOUR CAREGIVER.

THE V.A.

PAYS THE CAREGIVER TO TAKE CARE-- A FAMILY MEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF A VETERAN.

CERTAIN PERCENTAGES SUCH AS 10% IF YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, YOU ARE ABLE TO HAVE-- TO HAVE FEDERAL CONTRACTS.

SO WE HAVE INCOME COMING IN.

CERTAIN PERCENTAGES GET YOU IN VETERANS NURSING HOMES.

THERE IS A LOT OUT THERE GETTING THE PERCENTAGE.

AS I TOLD MY COUSIN, IF YOU DON'T NEED IT, DO IT SO YOUR DAUGHTER CAN BE READY TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.

>> YOU ARE PAYING IT FORWARD IN A LOT OF RESPECTS.

>> YES, SIR.

>> TERRIFIC.

>> AND YOU KNOW, ONE SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT THAT IS AFFORDED TO OUR NATION'S VETERANS AS THE COMMISSIONER WAS TALKING ABOUT.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THEM BUT ONE OF THEM IS FREE HEALTHCARE FOR LIFE THROUGH THE V.A.

THIS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO MANY OF OUR STATES VETERANS AS THE V.A.

HOSPITAL IN LOUISVILLE FELL BEHIND THE TIMES AND WAS IN DESPERATE NEED OF AN UPGRADE.

AFTER A YEAR'S LONG AND CONTENTIOUS DEBATE WHERE TO PUT A NEW HEALTHCARE FACILITY FOR VETERANS IN LOUISVILLE, GROUND HAS BEEN BROKEN AND CONSTRUCTION IS WELL UNDER WAY.

I RECENTLY GOT A CHANCE TO SPEND A DAY ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE WITH A KET CREW TO SEE HOW IT IS COMING ALONG.

AND TO SAY THIS REMARKABLE FACILITY WILL BE AN UPGRADE OF CURRENT CONDITIONS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

IT SITS HIGH ON A HILL NEAR THE OHIO RIVER.

WHEN ITS DOORS FIRST OPENED IN 1952, IT WAS CONSIDERED STATE-OF-THE-ART.

BUT MEDICINE AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO PRACTICE IT HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST 70 YEARS SINCE IT OPENED.

THINGS WE NOW TAKE FOR GRANTED, LIKE AIR CONDITIONING, WASN'T AVAILABLE FOR A FACILITY LIKE THIS WHEN IT WAS BUILT.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TRY TO FIT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY INTO AN OLDER HOSPITAL.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COMFORT OF THE PATIENTS AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE SAFE CARE, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT EACH AND EVERY DAY.

WHEN THIS HOSPITAL WAS BUILT, YOU DIDN'T HAVE C.T.

SCANS OR MRIS.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE COMPUTERS.

ALL OF THAT IS VERY INTEGRAL TO HIGH QUALITY CARE AND SAFE CARE FOR THE VETERANS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VETERAN POPULATION IN LOUISVILLE, YOU LOOK AT THE TECHNOLOGY AND WHAT WEEK DO AND CAN'T DO IN THE OLD CAMPUS, THEY DETERMINE FOR THE BEST QUALITY OF CARE AND THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FOR CARE, IT WAS MORE PRUDENT TO BUILD BRAND NEW HOSPITAL.

>> THAT LED TO FINALLY BREAKING GROUND ON THE NEW V.A.

HOSPITAL IN LOUISVILLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2021 AND CONSTRUCTION IS WELL UNDER WAY.

THE 840 MILLION-DOLLAR FACILITY WILL BE NEARLY A MILLION SQUARE FEET, MORE THAN 300,000 SQUARE FEET LARGER THAN THE EXISTING HOSPITAL AND LIT SERVE MORE THAN 150,000 VETERANS IN KENTUCKY AND SOUTHERN INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT INDIANA INDEPENDENT INCORPORATING INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES FOR EXPANDED ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE, SPECIALTY, SURGICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THE FACILITY IS BEING CONSTRUCTED WITH THE NEEDS OF VETERANS IN MIND.

PATIENT ROOMS AT THE NEW HOSPITAL WILL BE ABOUT TWICE AS LARGE FROM THE OLD ONE WITH PULL OUT BEDS FOR VISITORS AND CARETAKERS.

DEPARTMENT IS SUCH AS PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PROSTHETICS WILL BE LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VETERANS TO MOVE AROUND.

AND THERE WILL BE A THOUSAND MORE PARKING SPACES THAN THE OLD FACILITY.

>> SO WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT IS NICE OPEN SPACES THAT ARE VETERAN CENTRIC.

A BRAND NEW WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC WHICH IS FANTASTIC BECAUSE WOMEN'S HEALTH HAS BEEN SLOWLY GROWING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I MEAN A THOUSAND FOLD.

SO TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR WOMEN VETERANS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

>> THE 34-ACRE CAMPUS INCLUDES TWO PARKING STRUCTURES.

THE HOSPITAL ITSELF IS BUILT INTO TWO SECTIONS.

ONE CALLED THE EAST BAR, THE OTHER THE WEST BAR.

>> SO CURRENTLY, COMPLETELY CONSTRUCTED THE SKELETON OF THE WEST SIDE OF THE HOSPITAL AND THEY'RE MOVING TO THE EAST SIDE NOW.

AND THE EAST BAR OF THE HOSPITAL IS ABOUT 50 TO 60% THE SIDES OF THE WEST BAR SO IT WILL BE FULLY ERECTED IN NO TIME.

>> THE OVERALL PROJECT IS ABOUT 25% FINISHED AT THIS POINT, WITH THE NORTH PARKING GARAGE COMPLETED.

ENGINEERS SAY THERE ARE CURRENTLY AROUND 300 PEOPLE WORKING ON THE SITE.

BUT AT THE HEIGHT OF CONSTRUCTION, THAT NUMBER WILL MORE THAN TRIPLE.

AND MANY OF THOSE WORKERS ARE VETERANS THEMSELVES, WITH A CLEAR SENSE OF PRIDE FOR WHAT THEY'RE BUILDING FOR THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS.

>> THE BIG TAKEAWAY FOR ME IS WHAT THIS FACILITY IS GOING TO BRING TO THE COMMUNITY.

I MEAN THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE UPGRADE FOR THE CARE THAT VETERANS GET IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT'S ESTIMATED 45,000 VETERANS WILL BE SERVED BY THIS HOSPITAL.

IT IS REALLY-- WE OWE THAT TO THE VETERANS FOR THE SERVICE THAT THEY GAVE TO US.

>> IT'S NICE TO GO AND DO A JOB AND BE TAKEN CARE OF WHENEVER YOU GET BACK HOME.

AND THEY NEEDED IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS IS GOOD QUALITY WORK FOR A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OUT HERE.

NOT ONLY IS IT GOOD FOR US TO KEEP US BIGSY AND WORKING,-- TBLISI AND WORKING BUT-- TO KEEP US BUSY AND WORKING BUT THE END PRODUCT USING IT.

>> I'M A DISABLED VETERAN MYSELF SERVING IN THE U.S. NAVY.

I'M PROUD TO BE HERE WORKING DOING THE JOB THAT VETERANS WILL COME HERE AND BE ABLE TO GET TREATED.

SO I'M ABLE TO BE A PART OF BUILDING THAT.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY THAT WE CAN USE TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT OUR VETERANS, THAT'S THE BIG PICTURE HERE.

THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS NEW HOSPITAL.

IT'S NICE, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT'S BRAND NEW, IT MAKES YOU FEEL PROUD WALKING THROUGH, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE FACT THAT WE KNOW WE CAN SAFELY PROVIDE CARE AND USE ALL THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE.

>> IT REALLY IS A REMARKABLE FACILITY GOING IN.

THIS IS JO-ANN GINSBURG YOU SAW HER IN OUR PACKAGE A COUPLE MINUTES AGO, MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR OF THE V.A.

HOSPITAL IN LOUISVILLE AND SHE JOINS US TONIGHT IN STUDIO.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR HOSTING US OUT THERE THAT DAY.

AFTER ALL THE DEBATE, THE FUNDING CHALLENGES AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, CONSTRUCTION IS FINALLY GOING.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM VETERANS?

ARE THEY NERVOUS ABOUT MOVING FROM THE OLD FACILITY?

ARE THEY EXCITED ABOUT IT?

>> I KNEW THEY'RE HAPPY FOR THE NEW FACILITY BUT NOSTALGIC ABOUT THE OLD FACILITY.

IT HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

THE OTHER CONCERN IS TIMELINESS THAT WE WORK WITH EACH AND EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE ON TIME, ON SCHEDULE SO WE CAN MOVE IN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO MANY UPGRADES FROM WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW.

ONE SIMPLE THING I HAD NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT YOU POINTED TOUT ME, THE OLD HOSPITAL IS ON A HILL.

OR AN AVENUE AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE FOR THE NEW ONE.

>> IT'S ALL FLAT WE HAVE PARKING LOTS.

ELEVATORS, STRAIGHT WALKING INTO THE FACILITY FOR MANY OF OUR VETERANS.

WE HAVE VALET PARKING AND SHUTTLES BUT YOU ARE STILL GOING UP AND DOWN THE HILLS.

AS SOMEBODY SAID BEFORE, THEY DON'T TAKE TO ASK FOR HELP SO THIS WILL MAKE IT A LOT EASIER FOR THEM.

>> THE DESIGN REALLY IS THOUGHTFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SORT OF THING.

>> IT IS.

>> AND YOU TOUCHED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AS WELL.

WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT NOW?

THIS NEW FACILITY?

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE A SPACE BUILT FOR WOMEN.

EVERYTHING IN THE V.A.

FOR YEARS AND YEARS, WE RETRO FITTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF WOMEN VETERANS.

THIS IS BEING BUILT WITH THE WOMAN VETERAN IN MIND AND THAT'S WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

TO MEET THE NEEDS THAT WE NEED TO MEET FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AND HAVE SERVED.

THEY'RE A FORGOTTEN ENTITY FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW WE ARE AS A RESULTING-- WE ARE STARTING TO RECOGNIZE THEM.

>> IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE RECOGNITION.

FROM THE STAFF, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

ARE THEY EXCITED ABOUT THAT?

IS THERE APPREHENSION?

>> THERE IS BOTH.

EVERYBODY IS EXCITED.

BRAND NEW HOSPITAL, NEW EQUIPMENT, BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME OUR NUMBER ONE DUTY IS TO MAKE STHUR SURE WE MOVE IN THERE SAFELY AND MAINTAIN THE SAFETY OF OUR VETERANS.

SO WE ALSO HAVE THAT APPREHENSION, TOO, OF THINK ABOUT EVERY TIME YOU MOVE INTO A NEW HOME.

EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.

PULLING EVERYTHING TOGETHER BUT THE ENTIRE STAFF IS INVOLVED IN THIS.

WORKING TO LOOK AT PATIENT FLOW THROUGHOUT THE NEW SPACES, LOOKING WHERE EQUIPMENT AND DESIGNS ARE GOING TO BE.

SO EVERYBODY IS EXCITED BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY CAUTIOUS AND APPREHENSIVE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY.

>> I'M SURE THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT BECAUSE BASED ON WHAT WE SAW, IT IS GOING TO BE A REMARKABLE FACILITY.

WE WANT TO COME BACK AND SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

YOU'LL GIVE US AN UPDATE THEN AS WELL.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

>> JO-ANN GINSBURG MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR OF THE EXISTING V.A.

HOSPITAL IN LOUISVILLE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US HERE.

AS WE TOLD EVERYBODY ABOUT THE NEW THINGS THAT WILL BE COMING THEIR WAY HERE SHORTLY.

WE ARE JUST ABOUT TO WRAP THINGS UP, COMMISSIONER ALLEN, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD FROM OUR PANEL THIS EVENING.

WHAT ARE SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE?

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME OF COLLABORATION AND OPPORTUNITIES, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STATE PARTNERS, KDVA, COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE VOA.

VETERANS, PLEASE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING, DO IT FOR YOU.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT FOR YOU, DO IT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COME SEE US AT KDVA.

>> THE KEY, AGAIN, TO REITERATE, HAVE YOU TO ASK FOR THAT HELP AND GET OVER WHATEVER HURDLE YOU MAY HAVE WITH THAT.

JUST ASK FOR IT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> TERRIFIC.

>> THAT'S GOING TO WRAP THINGS UP FOR OUR SHOW.

SUPPORTING KENTUCKY'S VETERANS, A KET FORUM.

IF ANY OF THE HELP AVAILABLE WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT TONIGHT IS OF INTEREST, PLEASE GRAB SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH AS WE ARE GOING TO TELL YOU,000 REACH OUT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

IF YOU ARE A VETERAN, THESE BENEFITS ARE TO-- THESE ARE HELP YOU ARE ENTITLED TO.

TO REACH THE KENTUCKY OF VETERANS AWARES 502-564-9203.

ONLINE AT VETERANS.KY.GOV.

AND IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE A VETERAN AND EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THE NATIONAL VETERANS CRISIS TELEPHONE LINE IS EASILY ACCESSED BY DIALING 988.

AGAIN, JUST DIAL 988 FROM ANY TELEPHONE THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY CONNECT YOU WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP.

AND WE HAVE A SPECIAL WEBSITE HERE AT KET SET UP WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOPICS COVERED TONIGHT.

AND EVEN WATCH THE SHOW AGAIN IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

ket.org/VETERANS.

MANY THANKS TO THIS INCREDIBLY DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF EXPERTS WE HAVE HAD WITH US THIS EVENING.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE VETERANS, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND HOPE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STEER YOU IN THE DIRECTION OF HELP IF YOU NEED IT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE LOVED ONES WHO ARE VETERANS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE RESOURCES WE'VE COVERED IN OUR SHOW.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR SERVICE MEMBER.

MY NAME IS CHIP POLSTON AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO HOST THIS PROGRAM THIS EVENING N. CLOSING, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RECENTLY EMBARKED ON A MISSION TO COLLECT MESSAGES OF THANKS TO OUR NATION'S VETERANS.

AND THIS ONE IS HARD TO TOP.

WHAT WE SHARE IN THIS COUNTRY IS A GIFT BEYOND MEASURE WITH THOSE WHO PROTECT IT, OUR TRUEST TREASURE.

GOOD NIGHT.