Yay. It looks like it is yeah, where is that okay? Good? Yup. It looks like we're now live on Facebook. Welcome everybody. this is State Representative Adam Hatter's from House District 50 - nine. Thanks for joining us on our Veterans Town Hall mid mid the The Corona virus pandemic. We have several state representatives state senator with us some people from the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. So we're just gonna Right now, first off, I'd love to ask Secretary Burgess a quick question. What role is the VA playing and making sure that veterans across the state of Florida have access to the care that they need are our telehealth services available for vets right now for for like routine health needs. And hopefully he can hear me. Says he's still on them. Moodily Yeah. Danny Are you on mute or if you wanna take that one? Yes, so I can go ahead beginning in March. this question really goes to the VA health care system, which is we call it? visit eight Veterans Integrated Support Network, eight and beginning in March all of the facilities across Florida transferred our transition to virtual appointments to the fullest extent to allow the veterans to be able to stay home since it is an aging population in Florida has the largest population over the age of 60 - five of all So we're trying to avoid their sponged reduce your risk so veterans with appointments are contacted several days in advance to discuss our virtual appointment and basically if they have an iPhone, they just do face time so they are and the mental health piece we found out is being used extensively. So that's good news. Great can I ask you a question there I represent please do thanks Roy. Thanks for that information. Do you have any idea or data that shows how much usage is being utilize for mental health. Obviously, we know that and I'm finding this in my own family members people that are having to be cooped up isolated lack of interaction or ability to go do things it bothers them even more. so people close traumatic stress disorder different things. So do you have any idea of how much it's being utilized? Sir I don't, but I can get you that information, but let me see if Jeff Obo has got on the call. Jeff is our public information research administrator and he's been digging into a lot of this stuff. Jeff Are you available? Yeah? yes, sir. Right here. Jeff here did you hear a representative Killebrew's question I did on looking at their pressure lease the that US. she sent me today they the the Telehealth group has conducted more than 20 - 700 visits in March and it was a. Increase Consultation rose by more than a hundred and 50000 appointments and that was up by 200 8280 percent from February. then there was a 40 - 7000 virtual appointments in March, as well as April data. that's not available yet. so there's been a all over doubling of an increase and tell health mental telehealth utilization hope to answer Yes, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. Okay. We can get a quick question for mister Rodriguez from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. What kind of questions has your Department been getting from Florida's veterans? So I know we're getting a lot of questions from very farmers and like other farmers in our state. They're very right now with the covid- 19 prices the supply chains for a lot of these farmers have been seriously disrupted a lot of them. They've felt exclusively with hotels, restaurants and whatnot and out those are gone. so we're trying to redirect them to new supply chains and on my end I'm dealing with the event farmers one on one trying to help them out. see if we can steer them toward. A new customers, so we established a order form to your Web page that helps these farmers find new businesses and consumers and also helps to consumers and businesses go directly to the farmers if they want to buy their products can today we've actually established a key part of growing Web page, and with that that's going to House all of our cover 19 resources as they pertain to our culture and small business. So yeah we're. we're continuing to help our farmers a lot of the non veterans that I know they've been reaching out to me on small business administration information because a lot of them are small business owners. so yeah, we're trying to help them out any way we can. Great and what are some of the other issues that you've you've seen with veterans related to the food insecurity or just send some other other food-related issues that that you've seen with veterans. Yeah. food security is like a vacation prevents even before all of this was a big issue because a lot of veterans, particularly the lower income once they don't have access to nutritious food and plus you've got a lot of bad habits that we've established what kind of military alcohol years. Food energy trainings I myself, I used to use energy drinks for a long time before I put them so with everyone indoors, cooped up and under a lot of stress. you're seeing a lot of that coming back for a lot of these veterans and we're trying to keep an eye on it and see if there's anything we can do to address it. but that is an issue because of course everyone is endorsed by they're supposed to and that may be an issue that we have. we would have to address after all this is over. Okay, great one quick question for Secretary Burgess. I think you're you're back in if a veteran is experiencing some Corona virus symptoms would you encourage them to add to be seen at the VA who should they be reaching out to thank you can you hear me Representative Patterson Lee there. We go. We got you back. Hey hey everybody sorry about the technical issues with our landline here at the office, but I'm on my cell now and glad I could be participating so veterans. 19 symptoms should they be seen at the VA is that that's what I understand the question to be and what the VA has asked of us and helping to put out the word is is to put out the information that veterans who are concerned that they may have symptoms that are coded 19, like or flu or cold like they ask that they first contact the visit eight clinical contact Center before presenting themselves to a VA facility. so the answer is yes, you absolutely Can be seen at the VA, but they would like you to call first that way they could prescreen that number if everybody is prepared to copy is 18 7774134 zero zero the toll free number 18 7774130 -. So the clinical staff are available 20 -, 47, for virtual care and support and they'll triage and provide some advice and it's available at no cost to veterans enrolled in care for the VA through the visit, Sunshine Health Care network which is the so the VA is broken down into visine regionally visit one of the largest if not the largest and it pretty much covers almost all of the state of Florida, except for a sliver of the panhandle. as you get towards Panama City and further Okay, and then are there other specific options in place for veterans? you know, maybe if they if they are not showing symptoms, but they do typically get their medications from a VA facility. are there some some options for them to safely be able to access the those those medications absolutely veterans can still obtain their prescription medications through their normal means they're they're actually the VA is also implemented drive up services and certain facilities, and there's always the consolidated male outpatient pharmacy the seam up and that's where. Are mailed directly to the veteran, which honestly is if that can be done you know and it's it should be available to everyone. that is probably the most effective and safest method of receiving your medication. So to answer your question, he asked the VA has worked through those contingencies to ensure that those prescriptions would remain available and there's several different methods in which they'll be the veteran could still be prescribed that medication that great, I'd love to open it up to the other representatives and senators on on the call for if they have questions for us Secretary urges or Roy or or Ed from Agriculture. I do a play more questions, but I don't wanna monopolize the time what kind of questions are better off for a qualified Center. Brandon. I haven't really gotten any type of veterans questions as far as my constituents are concerned, most of them have been regarding access to resources and as far as unemployment and you know small business loans. we've got a lot of struggling businesses in our area and some of them maybe veterans, but they're not coming to me as a veteran. So at this point, I don't really have any questions. On a a follow up with that Secretary Virgil's is you are you encouraging veterans if they're struggling with with the unemployment website or unemployment to to to contact the VA What services are available for unemployed veterans. Thank you Representative one thing that I would recommend and wanna make sure to highlight both in this realm as well as in general with with benefits and assistance through the VA is one of the key highlights that I think one of the signature services that the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs provides is first class top notch advocacy in assistance through. Our veterans claims examiners, we have a team of veterans claims examiners both here in in at the Bay Pines facility, where the the benefits office is is housed but also embedded in the Sea box in the the hospitals the VA hospitals throughout the state and what they are is a lawyer that to me, they operate a lot like a lawyer does, but they're not lawyers necessarily, but they advocate for the veteran and help them in submitting their VA claim and seeking what Benet. Assistance may be available to them in a time like this, I think it would be immensely critical of a veteran is wondering if they're eligible for more or if maybe they just have never gone down this road before that, maybe one Avenue that I think would be fruitful at least should be tried and I also saw I'll keep giving everybody homework in terms of writing some things down, but I do have a number in an email address that I would like to provide everyone that way as you are are contact. By veteran constituents or for anyone who may be listening out there on Facebook Live you can reach out to FDA today our missions you and we wanna help you any way we can and if we can't help you, we're gonna help connect you to the right sources so the phone number I'd like to give you is 727319744 zero again. That's 727319744 zero and an Email. That would also go to the same folks and that you know you could equally respond to the SOS so Victor Sierra Oscar at. DVA Foxtrot, Delta Victor Alpha Dot State dot SL Foxtrot Lima dot US. so that's VSO at FDA dot State dot FL dot US both of those bits of contact information have VSO standing at the ready to assist you in your time of need. Hey director of Virgin This is Senator Jeff Brandis. How are you? Senator Good to hear you doing well, Sir. Hey, are there any specific provisions in the cares acts that was recently packed by Congress that veterans should be aware of. That's a great question sir and the The short answer is yes in the long answer is we are digesting that as that comes out but you know they're they're certainly are some some provisions that veterans should be aware of and and I'm just gonna take this opportunity to highlight actually a question. I don't know if it's coming or not but related to stimulus checks and stimulus payments getting a lot of questions on our answer. related to what veterans who may not be submitting you know that. A filing a tax return so obviously that's how the stimulus checks there are pretty much processed in the past and and in the present so for any veteran who's wondering how they can ensure that a stimulus check will be coming their way of say they live off a VA benefit. You know they're the disabled veteran with VA benefits. They don't file a tax return. the IRS is recommending that the tax payers go to the IRS dot Gov tool that is do I need to file a tax return and that should help them identify whether or not they have a filing requirement. we received several inquiries on that. We're still digging in on that You know, and so I know that there's a lot of talk in DC that that should that be automatic should not you know Cannot be made automatic and so there's there's a lot of conversation that's out there happening, but I think in the short term to ensure that you are eligible or to ensure your compliance to be able to receive one. you know and get that release. I would recommend that they go to the IRS dot Gov tool. Beyond the The Cares Act are there gonna be any potential other. I don't know Flack or anything on some of the current programs like the GI Bill benefits or other service service services available to veterans. You think there's gonna be any effect on some of those those things that that would have to worry about so so the GI Bill benefits will not be affected because President Trump recently signed into law on March 20, -first a provision that enables the US Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide the same level of education benefits to student veterans who. Are taking courses online due to the Corona virus outbreak. This will ensure that they continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that they received prior to this outbreak and this should last until December 20, -first or until schools Reserve excuse me resume in person classes. So yeah, the the GI Bill was preserved. It was a great bipartisan initiative and and very thankful to Congress for taking that bipartisan action in a very quick fashion. And for the President for signing that in the laws have there been any stipulations to help vets kind of adjust to the the distance learning that's that's the norm now uncollected campuses. I think the best resource in those circumstances is is directing any veteran utilizing those benefits or transitioning to distance learning that each Florida College and University they do have an. For student veterans and they are helping student veterans in that transition phase the Florida Department of Education also has a good information link on their Web page. if you go to their website, it's under the EM response to the emergency management response related to Covid- 19 and a lot of colleges also have collegiate veterans associations so I think I think each each College and University really has some great built-in resources through their student veteran groups. I'm a USF Bull so University of South Florida Googles the office Success would be where we would go at USF and in each College and University in the state. has has great resources available so I would direct them to their particular school site, first and foremost. So for for both Secretary Burgess 10 mister Rodriguez how about have your Department has been engaging with any any nonprofits. this just kind of informational that you know to help serve any or to you know to help serve any under served veterans. I know there's several groups out there specifically for for vets that that groups are you know state departments reach out to. I'll defer to mister Rodriguez first if he wants to to go ahead or or so we're engaging a lot with team Rubicon. They're doing disaster relief here in the state. they're primarily doing a food Bank operations in Jacksonville, Tampa in a couple other places but they're ramping up so they're going to they're working on doubling that this week and that we're engaged with them trying to link them up with food banks and volunteers. so we're working with them on that the Michigan team. We're talking with them their their stands right now. It's a shelter in place and let the first responders and do the necessary leaf about portion of this work and with all that is done they're going to go into the recovery phase. so once we actually bend that curve they're going to local strength trying to help Florian recover actually Americans recurring character throughout the country. so those are the two. Organizations that where primarily active one, we've also reached out to a lot of the the Assoc the region VA if they have a lot of veterans. so wanna make sure they're okay cuz they're uniquely susceptible to cover 19 in a way that love of the younger veterans. so but they're doing pretty well. They're all sheltered in place and taking situation seriously like every other Florida. And Representative Hatters lead that this is Danny I'd like to circle back in in Senator Brandon. I wanted to just kinda zero in a little bit on some of the more of the cares money as we break that down. one thing that I was. I did not mention I fail to mention and I think this goes into this question of the vulnerable veteran population and I wanna direct that towards our homeless veterans and and the Department of Veterans Affairs, They're distributing about 200 million dollars in new funding to all of these supportive services for veterans families grantees based on some of the care. Money that will go directly to that initiative. the plan will boost all renewable grants by I think over 50 percent in this new funding, it's intended to expand the housing capacity in order to protect homeless veterans from the threat of the Corona virus. the funds they're gonna be distributed. in the next few weeks is what we're being told and grantees will use these grants to work with hotels and motels to expand capacity in order to fill kind of the urgent and immediate need of that emergency housing so that's that's a good a good bit of money that's gonna go directly to helping veterans. Who are vulnerable and and you know, obviously extremely susceptible to the Corona virus because they're homeless. I said, ask a couple of questions please do does does anyone know if any of the VA hospitals are are housing or treating positive cases of coded 19 the veterans or they referring them out to other hospitals. Hi, this is this is Danny they they are indeed treating Kobe in 19 positive patients and my understanding is that you know they do have them and we do get those numbers. We are in constant communication with vision and through you know, obviously their network of of hospitals that are out there. you know something that we're proud of as a state agency is having a really dynamic and tremendously positive relationship with our vision. Counterparts all the medical centers that fall under their umbrella really work well together with our agency and collaborating sharing information sharing best practices asking us what we need to care for our population of veterans within say our state network of veterans nursing homes but yes they they are treating and caring for Kobe in 19 positive patients and we do get a breakdown of of some of that information. weekly. we have a weekly follow on call with them. Just to follow up on a question director obviously, I'm hoping that they're falling under any supplies or needs a federal government is making sure they're all supportive with everything they need or they rely on any kind of locals to help support them with with needs. You know that in and as we all obviously struggling, we can so I can speak for our seven veterans nursing homes. You know we are all hands on deck and and PPC is limited in supply everywhere. I think around the world, but you know, especially in in in some of our long-term. The facilities, but they are getting their supplies primarily from the federal government. you know and and I've been in contact with them and they're in contact with us and we're trying to assist each other where needed but you know, PPC is is is a challenge that at times, but we feel like we're in a good place. now we're trying to be proactive and stay ahead of the curve as as we anticipate this being more of a marathon and not a sprint and I know that the VA is doing the same and they're ensuring that all their facilities have the appropriate PPE. at the federal level, thank you and just another question. If you don't mind you know, I don't mean to sound like we're getting to that point, but it does happen a friend of mine on Friday. he was a Marine he he passed away. what is the veterans what's happening with veterans, funerals and burials because of a lack of attendance, and are they still getting honors and how are they being buried at this point and obviously to honor them or support the family as well as anyone know any answers to that cuz I have a spa. Here in my district again, the Marine just died on Friday, I'm very sorry to hear that about your loss representative will hike and to answer your question that the USDA National Cemeteries are open and they continue to provide in tournaments for veterans that are eligible immediate family members and I believe that number is limited to 10 of a deceased veteran are able to witness an interment if they request it Choose to continue with the attorney that they can schedule for a Committee at a later date. you know, obviously the rendering of military funeral honors or discontinued until further notice with everything going on. So if if that's the preference, the VA is is being very accommodative in trying to work with the family members during an extremely difficult time dealing with Covid- 19, as well as with what they're personally going through with the loss of their loved one and and so you can move forward with an internal with some restrictions to date or if you obviously want to wait for a you Rendering of military honors and you know the the recognition that they would deserve like that, and then they can they'll work with you to try to schedule that at a later date. Thank you. Hey, Danny, a follow up on the the assisted living facilities. We've got one of my district here is there any way you know, you said, you're doing weekly calls or any way you could send out that information as far as what's going on with them after the call or or have us be a part of it if we have one of our district. Hey, Representative Peter Hall absolutely I would love to try to find and I think that's a great idea. so we do have so I have daily calls with my nursing home administrators. We have seven veterans nursing homes and and one domicile Lia's. We're actually opening up two as you know when in Orlando one in Port Saint Lucie, those the construction phase of everything is actually still going along. well, There's there's been no delays that we're aware of and and we still hope to be able to open mid summer. You know if everything can pass through and we can get through this but yes our art. Are obviously they've been restricted screening everyone staff visitors everyone from the beginning of March and as of March eleventh, we're very proactively restricted access to all visitors to our homes and and went to virtual visits with family members. The only exception to that is with family members of loved ones who are undergoing end-of-life care but they must go directly to that patient's room and a resident's room and and directly out they can't visit any other portion of the home. so we've been. Proactive and trying to ensure the safety of our residents and of course our health care providers as they provide that that skilled nursing care but this is an invisible enemy and you know we're we're doing everything we can to try to keep it keep it out of our homes. we have had some positives in our Pembroke Pines home in Broward County, so it's been all hands on deck there, but I'm very proud of our team. I do think it's important that we relay that information to you all and be more than willing to try to think of how we could have sort of a routine Call provide you with that information you know, especially representatives and senators that have a nursing home within their district. We just got a question on the the Facebook live and I think you already answered it mister director, but they missed the the answer if we just go over again, real quickly What resources are available. the housing you know home homeless veterans who need a safe place to quarantine during during the pandemic. Becky representative so there are several different resources available. there was the expansion of the the supportive services for veterans families grants moneys, which an extra 200 million dollars is going towards providing veterans in need of emergency relief their through the Cares Act that just passed, but one thing that I neglected to mention, which I think really could assist veterans with who are in need of that emergency relief or or housing assistance. it is a. That has been undertaken by the Florida Veterans Foundation in partnership with the Florida American Legion and that's through their project vet relief. So it's the covid- 19 project that relief the Florida Veterans Foundation, which is the FDA Direct support Organization, our nonprofit arm, they can do a lot more in helping individuals with their direct relief as opposed to what we can do as a state agency with taxpayer dollars. so what this can do is help with emergency assistance for veterans who are affected by the pandemic around the state of Florida. if you're in need of There's an application form and you can find that form at WWW dot Help NFL Vets dot org do a limited personnel access that we're not taking phone calls through that line but they're able to get your application through email applications and they will respond to those and and so that is one key way that we I believe as a state entity through our foundation are able to help support and provide some direct relief assistance to veterans. obviously if you. Individuals of course, to be able to do this, it does take the ability to raise funds so if there are individuals who wanna help us be able to accommodate the increase needs of the veteran community, there are ways to donate to that cause through that same website that I just provided. Okay, we can have a quick. Kinda wrap up question I guess I do appreciate everybody everybody everybody joining in but mister director and and mister Rodriguez just wanna give a quick summation on what what some of the things that that your departments have been doing to help safeguard our state's veterans? you know that's relatively new to to the code crisis. just what information do you wanna put out for our state's veterans. Thank you so what what something I didn't mention while we're taking some questions was obviously you know during this time of this global pandemic. there there are veterans who who are you know? struggled you know outside of the pandemic who may have post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. you know as we look into mental health resources that are out there. I wanna be sure to highlife. Something in the Bay area that is actually a statewide hotline that could be utilized and and representative I want to also thank you. I I know that you've sponsored this legislation was a Co Prime sponsor this year with Representative Zika the the crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a a hotline at 18 44. My NFL vet, and this is a veteran's hotline design to provide peer support so veteran the veteran that's that that is. Critical pure support 20 - 47 if a veteran calls or family member of a veteran that number anytime a day any day of the week, they'll be connected to a veteran and they will be then having that care coordination take place and and try to get them into the right hands as their getting through what they're struggling with and so I think we need to be even more sensitive to that during this time and I wanna highlight that critical number that I think we should share everywhere again through the crisis Center of Tampa Bay as their veterans crisis hotline, and that number My SNL vet Now that's really great and yeah, and I know those are a big team effort on on that bill and I think we saw a little more work to do, but it's a fantastic program. mister Rodriguez anything from Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that you like to to put out for some of the things that that you guys been doing specifically for veterans since since this all started, yeah so and trying to help out our farmers whether the storm a lot of which are veterans themselves and also when all this is over support initiatives that That help veterans get into agriculture. We work a lot with sport on their culture internship. that's good program not support as much as it should, and there's a lot of potential there for veterans to start a business start their own farms. we just have to provide them a little bit of support but with that, there's a lot of potential for our state's economy to be strengthened through their work because they have more to offer even after Dave taken off the uniform. Great and I think represent of Wilhite has another question. thank you everyone and obviously to general question that there was some discussion out there about veterans was specific skills that could be used during this pantene pandemic. Do we know if at this point we've utilized or any veterans have come out of retirement or stepped up to try and assist during this and again in those probably most likely those medical fields at all in Florida. I this is Danny, so I don't know the numbers, but obviously I know that there have been calls put out to recruit those who may have already discharged from the military who have specific MLS areas of specialty, especially within the health care related fields to be able to support the mission. I don't have a breakdown of what that looks like at this point, but knowing knowing veterans and knowing our nation and how we rally together in times of crisis, I wouldn't be surprised if if a lot of individuals are answering the call, I think. I think a few more just concerned about the fit testing on going or or a few worried about that, but I'm sure we could work on it because we certainly could use the skills that they have and and ask that to to our country and continue to be an asset to our country and our communities that are are needed it right now. So thank you. Okay, well unless any of the other reps or Center Brandon. If you have any other other questions, I'd love to give Miss Rodriguez and director Burgess a quick minute to to some up and then we can we can call this one a successful town Hall. I appreciate everybody's time but mister Rodriguez any closing comments. Now, right now anything that any of you can help especially if there's a special session. I heard some rumors on that to help our farmers by all means especially keep a veteran farmers in mind just lot of potential there so as bad as this place has been maybe we can get some good out of that by really helping our veterans become farmers and help fill in those gaps in our state because even before all this happened we did have Pharma shortage not just in our state but across the country, so we definitely need to address that sooner rather than later. Okay, Great. Thank you Director bridges any any closing comments. Yeah. I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you for helping make this possible. thank you for your service to the state and our nation. you know we're in this together. FDA stands ready to support each of you as you serve your constituency. Florida has one point five million veterans you know we're we're one of the largest veteran population in the nation over 780000 of our veterans are over the age of 60 - five which as we Very susceptible population to the Corona virus and Covid- 19, so we have a big mission and I think information is power and I think what we discovered through our traveling at the state before the travel restrictions were put into places that you know, probably the biggest issue facing veterans today is a lack of awareness as to what resources our they are available and now more than ever. These resources are needed with no matter what category or bucket they may fall in and so I think together if we can work together to try to disseminate that information. Within our respective communities and just getting it across the entire state that's mission critical. That's probably one of the best things we could possibly do and so I would just ask for your help in that regard and we we can do we can get these these resources into the hands of those they are intended to serve. Great well, I appreciate everybody joining and participating. Thank you all so much this has been on Facebook Live so it will be able to go back and watch watch ourselves again and hopefully be able to post this for for others to watch. Thank you all again for joining us and we'll be putting this out. if we're we're gonna do another one of these and some other teletown halls that are gonna be planned here in the future. Thank you for participating everybody and everyone stay safe and healthy out there. Thanks for having us, thank you. thanks for what you're doing. Yes sir. Thanks for making this happen.