MVAA 2022 annual report: Our best year yet

Fellow veteran,

As we march into 2023 — and celebrate 10 years of service to veteran families — we close the books on 2022. By just about every measure, it was our best year yet.

As we highlight in this year’s annual report, the MVAA reached new heights in connecting veterans to the benefits and resources they earned for their service.

In fiscal year 2022, we handled 28,444 veteran cases through our Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center (1-800-MICH-VET), the most ever for a single year. Our expert technicians averaged a whopping 2,370 cases a month while achieving a “highly satisfied” rate of 91.5% from our veterans.

In FY22, the MVRSC also made a single-year record 2,757 referrals to accredited Veteran Service Officers, who assist our veterans in filing claims for VA benefits.

On the grants front, the MVAA administered nearly $13 million in grant funding to organizations and county offices that serve veterans. That included $10.9 million in state-appropriated grant funding — a nearly $4 million increase over FY21.

Expanding outreach

As COVID restrictions eased further in 2022, we amplified our direct outreach to veteran and veteran stakeholders across the state.

In September 2022, we hosted our second annual conferences for both veteran employment and higher education. Some 200 employers and educators gathered in Grand Rapids to discuss ways to improve services to veteran families.

Our inaugural Women Veterans Conference attracted 144 women veterans to downtown Lansing to learn about advocacy and resources, make new connections and share their stories. The June conference reinforced our commitment to serving veterans of all backgrounds and eras.

In another first, we brought together dozens of veteran stakeholders in May for the Michigan Veterans Leadership Summit. The Lansing event broke down silos to focus on partnerships and integrative ways we can help serve veterans together.

Speaking of partnerships, in July the MVAA entered into an agreement with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) to provide free legal representation to Michigan veterans and their families in appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Attacking veteran suicide

We also continued addressing the most critical issue of all: veteran suicide, and the factors behind it. We’re increasing resources and direct engagement with veterans, as well as with business and organizations so they can help us reach more veterans and get them connected to benefits. These efforts are bolstered by a $1.2 million investment from the state and $750,000 a year for up to three years from the VA.

Nothing is more important than removing the barriers that can lead veterans to crisis, whether that’s housing, mental health, employment or other challenges. At the MVAA, we’ve attacked these issues head-on during our first decade and will continue to attack them in the years to come. Our veteran families deserve nothing less.

Farewell

Finally, I’d like to welcome the new director of the MVAA, Adam Hollier, a former state senator and captain in the Army Reserves. I am stepping down Dec. 31 after three and a half years at the helm of the agency. We’ve accomplished so much together to expand outreach and improve services for Michigan veterans, and I am hopeful that Director Hollier and the MVAA will continue that unyielding advocacy for the men and women who have served our state and nation.

It has been an honor to serve all of you, my fellow veterans.

Zaneta Adams
MVAA Director, 2019–2022