Veterans Legal Institute’s Post

The #Florida House and Senate declined to allocate $25,000 in funding for the Healthy Widowhood Project as part of their 2024-2025 budget appropriations, a decision that has been met with considerable disappointment. In contrast, initiatives aimed at supporting solo parents and solo fathers, including those in the military, have been granted millions in appropriations. This discrepancy highlights a concerning disparity: while support is available for military and civilian #widowers (male), civilian #widows (female and largest demographic) are left without similar resources. Widows to widowers are 4 to 1 in Florida. Despite being the sole FL #advocacy group pushing for widow support initiatives, our efforts—ranging from in-person meetings to extensive email campaigns directed at legislative representatives—have repeatedly been overlooked, even in the aftermath of a pandemic that has significantly increased the number of #widows. #widowadvocate #widowsupport

Second Chances for Veterans: One-third of military veterans report having an arrest history, compared to just one-fifth of non-veterans. To understand this disparity, the Veterans Justice Commission, founded by the Council on Criminal Justice, is investigating the unique risk factors that drive veterans’ justice-system involvement and offering evidence-based policy solutions to address them. Military service can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, traumatic brain injuries and/or homelessness, raising veterans’ risk of criminal justice system involvement. Notably, veterans with PTSD are 61 percent more likely to become justice involved, and veterans with a traumatic brain injury are 59 percent more likely. It is important for employers to be aware of these unique risk factors, and the intersectional challenges justice-impacted veterans face, so that they can better equip themselves with the tools and resources to help those who served their country transition successfully into the workplace. Learn more about the Commission at https://lnkd.in/ebsf-maE   Check out its latest progress update for an overview of existing work: https://lnkd.in/g2zEkxzJ

Please Sign ⚠️ 🙏 Help support veterans that find themselves in the EMERGENCY ROOM and are restricted by the 72 hour notification that the VA currently has for making sure a veteran has the proper coverage. Let's allow for more flexibility and make this decision ASAP! #DAV #Veterans #VeteransSupportingVeterans #Support #Advocate

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can significantly benefit military spouses by incentivizing employers to hire them. This tax credit reduces an employer's federal tax liability, encouraging companies to consider military spouses, who often face employment challenges due to frequent relocations. Ultimately, WOTC can enhance job opportunities for military spouses, supporting their career continuity and financial stability.

In many ways, the biggest gaps for our work have been a general lack of education around the lack of support for military families, and the lawmakers who are unaware of the issue. In 2025, we're ready to make big waves in advocacy for military families. For education, for awareness, and for policy change. 💪 🔗 https://lnkd.in/esyn42Ei #militaryfamilybuildingcoalition #infertilitysupport #militaryfamily #militaryspouse #militaryfamilylife #militaryfamilysupport #familybuilding #familyplanningjourney #militaryinfertility

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 This morning, Michael Parker and I, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, had a great time delivering a virtual training session on "𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞” for multiple Los Angeles County departments. This session focused on the critical topics of 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 and 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬, aiming to improve how we serve and support veterans who face unique legal and personal challenges. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: > Explore the experiences of justice-involved veterans navigating the criminal justice system. > Understand the complexities surrounding the deportation of veterans and the impact on their lives. > Develop practical strategies for supporting veterans in crisis, with a focus on mental health and reintegration. > Foster a veteran-centered approach within law enforcement, social services, and community engagement. A big thank you to our partners Jim Zenner, Zuleyda S. and Manuel Gomez, MSW, ASW and all the dedicated professionals who joined us today. Together, we're working to ensure that every veteran receives the support they deserve. 🇺🇸 #VeteranExperience #JusticeInvolvedVeterans #DeportedVeterans #MilitaryCulture #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #LosAngelesCounty #Partnership #CommunitySupport #VeteranAffairs

📢 Navigating Military Relocation and Child Custody in Texas! 📢 Does military life impact your child custody arrangements or your future plans after your divorce is finalized? If you or someone you know is a military service member and involved in a child custody case, then this article may be a helpful resource. Addressing head-on the complexities that some military families face when dealing with child custody and relocation, this article helps to explain some of the legal nuances, geographic restrictions, and strategic considerations involved in advocating for parental rights while one or both parents are in the military. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eUUX7PK #Military #Relocation #ChildCustody #FamilyLaw

HOW MILITARY ORDERS IMPACT PARENTING AGREEMENTS Parenting agreements can be complicated to set up, but it is required in Maryland child custody cases. Below are essential aspects of parenting agreements, including how military orders affect them. If you have questions, please speak to our Bethesda child custody lawyers for more information.   https://lnkd.in/dF8yYv9s #childcustody #parenting #marylandchildcustody #militaryorders #bethesdachildcustodylawyer #militaryordersimpact #parentingagreements #complicated #familylaw #familylawattorney #familylawlawyer #Divorcelaw #Divorceattorney #Divorcelawyer 

What about the next generation? We've spoken about Moral Injury before and recently had the opportunity to speak with Leo Quinlan about the impact the siege of Jadotville had on those who experienced it, fought to survive in it and brought it home in the shape of the Moral Injury. A moral injury inflicted by the actions they were forced to take to survive a conflict they didn't want or need to be in, and the subsequent lack of recognition for the bravery, perseverance and actions that brought every member of that regiment home alive. In this episode of our podcast we got to speak with Marty O'Connor. Marty's father survived Jadotville but lived with the impact of it for the rest of his life. This is a raw and very open episode so please be aware that Domestic Violence, and physical abuse are discussed in this episode. The impact of moral injury can impact the generations that come after, the partners, friends and family that live with and support the person who is injured. This is the topic of our conversation. The intergenerational impact of these experiences cannot be underestimated. #whatmakesthedifference #moralinjury #militaryfamilies #cptsd

Divorce is tough, especially for military families. At The Law Office of John Vernon Moore, we understand the unique challenges you face and are here to help. How We Can Help: • Military Benefits: We'll guide you through dividing military pensions and healthcare benefits. • Custody Plans: We'll create custody arrangements that work even with deployment. • Legal Support: Whether you're nearby or deployed, we offer reliable legal representation. You don't have to go through this alone. Contact The Law Office of John Vernon Moore for the support you need. #MilitaryDivorceHelp #JohnVernonMooreLaw #MilitaryFamilySupport #DivorceAssistance #VeteranServices #LegalGuidance #FamilyLaw #CustodySupport