FogHorn November 10, 2016 - Veterans Day - Joel Rosenthal
Posted by Editor: FDBobko
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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
November 10, 2016
SHOP TALKS: VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION
Joel Rosenthal, National Training Director of Veterans Justice Programs
Article by Susan Kealey
Photos by EP
Bill Johnson introduced his friend, colleague and fellow basketball enthusiast Joel Rosenthal. Joel is the National Training Director of Veterans Justice Programs. His life adventures include college professor, drug treatment faculty director, basketball coach and fierce competitor. He has a PhD in clinical psychology, has lived on the Coastside for 25 years and loves finding solutions for Vets. Joel has been with the VA over 30 years, 25 in Palo Alto and 6 with the Central Office, out of Washington, which serves the entire country.
Vets in the justice system have several issues, including homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, unemployment and suicide. Right now there is a major push to deal with homelessness; another is the ensure that Vets receive the health care benefits they've earned.
The partnership with the Justice System seeks to gain cooperation and support to help Vets, to rescue them. The program has been embraced by the VA and provides services for Vets in jail or prison. There amazing things happening, especially in the local VAs. There are no longer any "bad" VAs.
Two programs were highlighted:
- Health care for re-entry Vets leaving prison.
- Vets' Justice Outreach. Additional cooperating jails and courts have been added since the program's 2008 inception in Santa Clara. There are 461 offices around the country now. Anyone wishing to attend a court session may on Wednesday mornings.
The VA has it's own police force which has been active in training local police in Vet-specific issues like mental issues, verbal de-escalation and communication. While the VA can't provide legal representation to Vets, they can house legal clinics staffed with local attorneys. This point of outreach also provides Vets and Vets in the justice system with mental health issues, drug issues or medical needs with a link to care resources. They can also work to get Vets into housing programs. The current number one goal is to reduce homelessness. Other goals are to provide financial assistance and prevent recidivism.
The VA also cannot provide care or treatment to inmates. They do, however, train prison clinicians on how to treat Vets. Thanks to the VA's prison outreach program there are now Vets' pods in prison, treatment in these pods is tailored for Vets. As part of this outreach, Joel will be celebrating Veterans Day in prison participating in a presentation and a basketball game; rumor has it a former NBA player will be participating.
The Vets' pod/unit is looking for flags representing the various branches of service. Our club's small donation fund has been tapped to contribute five service flags and one POW flag.
Q and A
Does the service experience have any impact on need for treatment and issues? Not necessarily, 911 triggered issues for many across the board.
Are there a lot of people in prison who shouldn't be in prison? Yes, in CA there are people serving life sentences for drug use. Getting Vets more treatment rather than incarceration would reduce overcrowding.
What are the housing options for low income Vets? The VA has a huge initiative for housing, HUD has a program specifically for Vets. There is also a supportive services grant program for short-term housing.
On the web--www.va.gov
November 10, 2016 Meeting Recap
Article by: Dwight Wilson
Photos by EP
THIS WEEK AT OUR MEETING
Liz Schuck asked Warren Barmore to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mitone Griffiths and Michael Arase-Barham were our greeters today. Michael read from the poem September 1, 1939.
Guests
Special Rotary Membership Recognition
David Cresson was honored for being in Rotary for over 30 years by Liz. AND Kevin O’Brien presented Paul McReynolds with his 3rd Harris award. He reminded that Rotary is still combating polio. We rank very high for the overall club contribution to the National Rotary Foundation. He also reported he had been in Texas. His mom also was in the hospital and is doing better.
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Special Veteran's Day Recognition
- Veteran’s Day Acknowledgements
- Liz mentioned her father was a WWII veteran who survived Pearl Harbor in part because he went to church that day. When he was honorably discharged he received $230 including a $100 Pearl Harbor bonus. He had a tattoo on his arm with the Marine Corp emblem.
- Susan Shapiro
- Eric Shapiro, Navy/Army
- Dick Charnock, Air Force/Army
- Don Diaz, former Rotarian who received the Navy Cross in Korea
- Greg Miller, former Rotarian who won the silver star as a helicopter gunner
- Paul Wrubel, Army who was charge of personnel at their headquarters
- Joy Enriquez
- George Desalernos, former Rotarian (deceased)
Happy/Not So Happy News
- Ginger Child-Minoletti announced that her mother-in-law had a blockage and was in the hospital and now is improving.
- Kevin O’Brien presented Joe Brennan with his 3rd Harris award. He reminded that Rotary is still combating polio. We rank very high for the overall club contribution to the National Rotary Foundation. He also reported he had been in Texas. His mom also was in the hospital and is doing better.
- Renee Lewis" niece got married last week. She is hosting a Relay for Life meeting next Tuesday at her office from 5:00 to 8:00pm.
- This is Carolyn’s last day serving us lunch, so she was congratulated for her outstanding work.
- Mitone Griffith has been busy with District Rotary business. A group called Rotary Connecting did a road tour from Honolulu to Seattle to San Diego where they spent whole days doing volunteer work in soup kitchens and related activities.
- Brian Lee stated it is nice to be here. His best friend from 5th grade son got married. He was celebrating about the true friendship he has and how fortunate is to have such a valued friend.
- EP announced that Nevada elected the 1st Latino Senator.
- Caroline Gossart, our exchange student stated she missed the Club the last couple of weeks. She will be talking about her experience next week.
- John Evans talked about exchange student who lives here who is sponsored by the Burlingame Rotary.
Announcements
- Two Interact students are working on sponsoring a festival to fund raise for a Shelter Box project. More information will be coming.
- There will be a Past President board nominating committee meeting on November 30 or December 1. An announcement is forthcoming.
- There is an alumni luncheon coming up on December 15th and Liz was asking for members who would sponsor alumni for this luncheon.
The MARBLE DRAW - no winner this week
and 
COMING EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
NOVEMBER
Nov 24 DARK Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER
Dec 1 Tamale Making 101 with Rosi Fontana
Dec 6 Board Meeting @ Coastside Senior Center in the Rotary media room. 6-7:30pm
Dec 8 Club Assembly - State of the Club Annual meeting
Dec 15 Alumni Luncheon
Dec 22 Winter Celebration at Odd Fellows Lodge (Main Street)
PHOTO GALLERY
