Statute authority: Regulations will define

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MODERNIZATION
of Services & Benefits
for CF Veterans & their Families
Information Sessions presented at
Canadian Forces Bases and Wings
1
Overview of Session
 Introduction by the Deputy
 Review of Programs and Eligibility
 Presentation and discussion on implementation
considerations
 Presentation and discussion of the Statute and
the Regulations
 Presentation and discussion on the
consultations in moving forward
 Presentation by Veteran organization
participants on key considerations
2
VAC’s New Programs
 Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and
Compensation Act - Bill C-45 passed on May 13, 2005
 The “New Veterans Charter” will:
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Provide a one-stop, client-centred service with VAC case managers to
ensure that the needs of CF Veterans and families are properly
identified, addressed, monitored, and followed-up, and to ensure that
there is coordination of service providers
Focus on rehabilitation & reintegration to civilian life through a suite of
new needs-based programs that support “wellness”
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Rehabilitation Program
Economic Loss Program
Health Benefits Program
Job Placement Program
Modernize how CF Veterans are “compensated” for pain and suffering
by replacing disability pensions with disability awards
Grandfathering provisions will mean that monthly disability pensions already in pay will not
be affected, but applications for new conditions will be processed under the new scheme
3
New program access
CF Member
Release
Screening
(Transition Interview)
CF Veteran
Routine
Transitional Needs or
Non-Service Related
Rehabilitation
Needs ?
Medically
Releasing ?
yes
yes
Case Management Services,
Counselling (Including cultural
transition), Training
Referrals, and Job Placement
Service related
disability?
Service Related
Rehabilitation
Need?
yes
Case Management Services,
Rehabilitation, Loss of Earnings,
Income Support, Permanent
Impairment Allowance,
and Health Benefits
yes
Disability
Award and Related
Benefits
Rehabilitation Program
 Purpose
To restore to the fullest extent possible the capability and
functioning of a CF Veterans and their families; and, to remove
barriers to successful re-establishment
 Content
 Phases:
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Medical Rehabilitation – stabilize physical and psychiatric
conditions and restore basic function
Psycho-social Rehabilitation – restore independence and adapt to
disability
Vocational Rehabilitation – identify and achieve vocational goals
Features:
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Expanded eligibility and more flexible program access
No need to first obtain a VAC disability award
Both individual and family counselling provided
When Veteran unable to benefit from program, spouse may receive
vocational assistance and other rehabilitation services if required
Integrated with SISIP program
5
Economic Loss Program
 Purpose
 To recognize and compensate for the impacts on “earnings”
after release as the result of a service-related or career-ending
disability
 Content
 Earnings Loss (Taxable)
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Temporary Earnings Loss - income replacement benefits during
rehabilitation, payable up to 75% of salary
Extended Earnings Loss - income replacement to age 65 if unable
to work after rehabilitation
Supplementary Retirement Benefit - payable at age 65, 2% of total
Earnings Loss paid
Permanent Impairment Allowance – payable for life as a result of
severe and permanent service related impairment in recognition of
diminished employment potential and lost career advancement
opportunities.
Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit (Non-Taxable)
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For CF Veterans after rehabilitation who are not employed or
employed in low-paying jobs (eligibility for life based on need)
6
Disability Award Program
 Purpose
Compensation for the personal impact of a service-related
disability including, for example, “pain and suffering”
 Content
 Tax-free cash payment for service-related conditions
 Payable in 5% increments, up to a maximum of $250,000
 No offset from Economic Loss payments, as is currently the
case
 Conditions that worsen may be reassessed
 In the case of service related death during service, survivor
benefits up to $250,000 maximum
 VAC will provide reimbursement for clients who wish to
access independent financial advice
7
 Current CF disability pensioners will be grandfathered
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Health Benefits Program
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Purpose
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To provide health benefits coverage to CF Veterans and their
families
Content
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VAC will continue to provide treatment , Veterans
Independence Program, and Long Term Care for Service
Related conditions
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Supplementary health benefits coverage from VAC after
release for CF Veterans and their families and for families of
serving members
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Supplementary coverage will be similar to Public Service Health
Care Plan but tailored to needs of CF
First, to those releasing CF members who are medically releasing
or have service-related re-establishment needs but are not eligible
for the Public Service Health Care Plan
Then, to all medically-releasing CF Veterans, and all voluntarily
releasing with 20 years service; and to families of serving CF
members
8
Job Placement Program
 Purpose
 To help CF Veterans enter the civilian workforce
 Approach
 Delivered in partnership with DND and others (e.g., Human Resources
and Skills Development Canada)
 Content
In cooperation with DND, transition and job search training to
include
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Skills assessment, interest and aptitude
Job-search training
Return to work plan, to include training offered by HRSDC and the
provinces
Housing seminars
Counselling and coaching through to job placement
 Active job finding assistance
 All categories of release, except releases relating to misconduct,
entitled to this service
9
Service & Program Modernization
Organizational Readiness and
National Implementation Approach
Presentation to Veterans’ Associations
June 29, 2005
10
Organizational Readiness
Update
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Access to New Suite of Programs (diagram)
Scope of Implementation Planning
National Implementation Approach
Governance Structure
Roles and Responsibilities
Progress to Date
Discussion
11
CF Member
Release
Screening
(Transition Interview)
CF Veteran
Routine
Transitional Needs or
Non-Service Related
Rehabilitation
Needs ?
Medically
Releasing ?
yes
yes
Case Management Services,
Counselling (Including cultural
transition), Training
Referrals, and Job Placement
Service related
disability?
Service Related
Rehabilitation
Need?
yes
Case Management Services,
Rehabilitation, Loss of Earnings,
Income Support, Permanent
Impairment Allowance,
and Health Benefits
yes
Disability
Award and Related
Benefits
Scope of Implementation Planning
Legislation: Royal Assent May 13, 2005
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Consultation with Stakeholders
Regulations
Policies
Business Processes Development & Harmonization
Internal IT Systems/Linkages
Staff Training
Statements of Work and Contracting for Outside
Service Providers (Job Placement – Health –
Rehab)
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Scope of Implementation Planning
(cont.)
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HR Planning
Outcomes-Based Case Management
Financial Framework/RMAF
Privacy Impact Assessment
Performance Management
Transition Measures (advice to clients)
Communications
DND/HRSD Readiness
Workload Back Log Reduction
14
National Implementation
Approach
What are we going to do?
 use existing resources and expertise for all
implementation-readiness tasks
 involve all affected stakeholders to obtain
expertise and support
 involve key departments and agencies (DND,
HRSDC, PWGSC,PSC)
 use these resources on an ‘as required’ basis,
reducing operational impacts
15
Program-Based Implementation Groups
Implementation Groups
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Disability Award Program
Economic Loss Program
Rehabilitation Program
Client Services
 Case Management, Service-Related Rehabilitation Need
 Contracted Programs
 Job Placement, Health Care Benefits
Working Groups
 Training / Change Management
 Communications
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Advantages to this Approach
• Allows for an environment in which all necessary implementation
readiness tasks are identified by departmental stakeholders in a
structured, organized manner
• Establishes formal connections between stakeholder groups, at regional
and HO levels for cross-divisional work and information sharing, and
ensures operational awareness and preparedness
 Ensures comprehensive, holistic approach to key areas such as
communications and training
 Reporting structure allows for two-way communications on
input/consultation
 Ensures that post-implementation, expert resources will exist within
each region/ division involved in the implementation planning
17
Governance Structure
Deputy Minister
Executive Director
SPMTF
Assistant Deputy
Minister
Veterans Services
National
Implementation
Manager
VAC/ DND
Steering Committee
(Ferguson/ Jarvis)
Partners (HRSDC, DND)
National
Implementation
Team
Working Group Leads
Organizational Readiness
Steering Committee
(Ferguson/ Hillier/
Executive Director SPMTF)
Divisional Leads
Roles & Responsibilities
 Task Force (Led by Darragh Mogan)
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External Consultations Lead
Communications Lead
Regulations
Policy Framework
Contracting Strategy and SoW
Training Strategy
Outcomes-Based Case Management
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Roles & Responsibilities (cont.)
 National Implementation Team (Led by Diane Huard)
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Overall coordination, facilitation, and issue resolution of
tasks to be completed
Tracking of organizational readiness progress including
linkages between Regulations, Policies, SOW, Contracting
and Business Process Mapping
Functional direction and support to individual program-based
implementation teams and regional implementation groups
Monitoring expenditures
20
Roles & Responsibilities (cont.)
 Regional Implementation Teams
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Develop Regional Implementation Strategy and Plan
Participate in Implementation Activities (Testing)
Lead Consultations and Communications in their
Region
Implement CCSA and Outcomes-Based Business
Model
Manage Change within their Region
Reduce Workloads
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Progress to Date
 Implementation Leads appointed at national and regional levels
 Regions and Divisions are engaged in first wave of training
 DoJ Drafters have started drafting of regulations in collaboration with
TF Program Experts & Departmental Legislative Unit
 Treasury Board Submission approved for operating expenditures for
FY 05-06
 Discussions with PWGSC underway to obtain their support for the
development of Statements of Work and for contractual phase
 Phase 1 of Consultation with Veterans Associations started today
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Progress to Date (cont.)
 DND appointed Chief of Staff to ADM HR-Mil to
ORSC and DND Liaison Officer to National
Implementation Team
 Implementation Groups participated in Work
Breakdown Structure Session mid-May
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Work Breakdown Structure submitted for each
program area
 include all tasking, areas/individuals assigned
to tasks, anticipated effort/duration of task,
interdependencies
 Project Manager will soon be selected – RFP closed 23
end of June
Discussion
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Bill C-45
Canadian Forces Members and
Veterans Re-establishment/
Compensation Act.
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Objective
To provide an overview of statute authority and
supporting regulatory content.
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Part 1
Job Placement
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Job Placement
Statute authority
 Provide job placement services
 Perform needs assessment and develop
plan
 Refuse service if entitled via another
organization
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Job Placement
Regulations will define:
 Eligible groups
 Program principles
 Application requirements.
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Part 2
Rehabilitation Services, Vocational
Assistance, and Financial Benefits.
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Rehabilitation Services and
Vocational Assistance
Statute authority
 Provision of rehabilitation services/vocational assistance to
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medical releases, Veterans with service related rehabilitation
needs, spouses, and survivors
Assessment of needs
Development/implementation of rehabilitation/ vocational
assistance plans
Evaluation and modification of plans
Refusal/cancellation of services
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Rehabilitation Services and
Vocational Assistance
Regulations will define:
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Exceptions to medical release eligibility
Application requirements
Barrier to re-establishment
Total and permanent incapacity
Program principles and factors
Authority for payments of expenses
Circumstances for suspension or cancellation
Redress
Circumstances where duplication will be avoided
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Financial Benefits
 Earnings Loss
 Supplementary Retirement Benefit
 Canadian Forces Income Support Benefit
 Permanent Impairment Allowance
33
Earnings Loss
Statute authority:
 Eligibility
 Basic formula
 Division of payment for survivor and
orphans
 Cancellation provision
34
Earnings Loss
Regulations will define:
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Application requirements
Time and manner of payment
Formula details
Suitable gainful employment
Circumstances for cancellation
Redress
35
Supplementary Retirement
Benefit
Statute authority:
 Eligibility
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Time, manner, and amount of payment
 Redress
36
Canadian Forces Income
Support Benefit
Statute authority:
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Eligibility
Commencement and duration of benefit
Formula for determining the amount payable
Provisions for suspension or cancellation
Residency requirement
Requirement to participate in job placement
Rates
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Canadian Forces Income
Support Benefit
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Time and manner of payment
 Employment related criteria
 Circumstances for suspension or cancellation
 Formula definitions
 Residency parameters
 Redress
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Permanent Impairment Allowance
Statute authority:
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Eligibility
Rates
Authority to exam/assess
Cancellation provision
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Permanent Impairment Allowance
Regulations will define:
 Permanent and severe impairment
 Application requirements
 Time and manner of payment
 Circumstances for cancellation
 Redress
40
Part 3
Disability, Death and Detention:
Disability Award
Death Benefit
Clothing Allowance
Detention Benefit
41
Disability Award
Statute authority
 Eligibility
 Assessment of disability
 Maximum disability assessment
 Division of payment for survivors
 Redress
 Rates
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Disability Award
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Rules of evidence; evidentiary presumptions
 Circumstances for reduction of award
43
Death Benefit
Statute authority
 Eligibility
 Amount of benefit
 Redress
44
Death Benefit
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Rules of evidence/ evidentiary presumptions
 Circumstances for reduction of benefit
45
Clothing Allowance
Statute authority
 Eligibility
 Amount and timing of benefit
 Redress
46
Clothing Allowance
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Time, manner, and amount of payment
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Detention Benefit
Statute authority
 Eligibility
 Redress
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Detention Benefit
Regulations will define:
 Application requirements
 Time, manner, and amount of payment
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Part 4
Health Benefits
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Health Benefits
Statute authority
 Authorization to enter into a contract and set
terms and conditions for a group insurance
program
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Health Benefits
Regulations will define:
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Eligibility
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Other Regulatory Context
 Indexing
 Payment or re-imbursement of fees for financial
advice
 Processes and procedures to be followed by
the Minister in making decisions under this Act.
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Regulations
The “Consultation” road ahead
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Consultation Plan with
Veterans Organizations
 4 phases (beginning and ending with
multilaterals; bilaterals in between)
 Time frames
 Target to conclude by mid to late September
 1st bilateral likely mid-July; 2nd likely mid to late
August
 Final session with Minister late September
 Schedule of topics included in plan
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Key Considerations
 Flexibility in both timing and subject of
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discussion during each phase.
Consultations by topic as soon as material is
ready for preliminary discussion
Constantly close the loop on all suggestions or
concerns
 Demonstrate that action has been taken; or if
not possible, why not
Keeping focussed on topic and level
Keeping eye on the ball – the “ball” is
“implementation” as soon as 1 April 2006
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The “Process”
 Series of bilaterals, with multilaterals to start
and finish (DM starts; Minister concludes)
 First multilateral to set the process in motion
and lay out the task at hand
 Stage setting exercise
 Review of statute
 Overview of regulations
 Discussion of process
 Vets orgs outline any key considerations in
moving forward
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The “Process”, continued
 First bilateral consultations
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Briefing on status and proposed direction
Initial feedback from Vets orgs
Followed by internal consultation and study
within each organization
Detailed feedback from Vets orgs in advance
of next bilateral session
All input shared with Design Team for
consideration, analysis, etc
Follow-up discussion by phone or in writing as
necessary between sessions
Material prepared to present back to Vets orgs
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The “Process”, continued
 Second bilateral consultations
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Presentation and discussion as follow-up from
first session
Briefing on status and proposed direction for
additional topics (not yet addressed)
Initial feedback from Vets orgs, followed by
other steps as in first round of bilaterals
A subsequent, or third bilateral may be
required
Finalization of input and proposed response
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The “Process”, continued
 Final multilateral consultation
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All Veterans organizations with the Minister
Will occur at point when draft regulations are
“near” final form
Content will be shared in advance
The goal will be to ensure that collectively the
Vets orgs are supportive of the proposed
regulations
Session will, however, represent final
opportunity for change before regulations are
submitted for approval
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