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Virginia Citizen-Soldier Support Council - Accomplishments

In K-12 Education . . .

The Council wished to alert school guidance counselors and other staff to the implications of reserve component personnel being mobilized for active duty, and implemented the following initiatives:

• The Virginia Department of Education (DOE) developed a Web page that provides educators with easy access to resources on children of mobilized military personnel:  http://wayback.archive-it.org/190/20060113214216/http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/military/.
• Virginia National Guard staff will attend educational workshops, provided by DOE, on deployment issues. In addition, DOE will include information on its public affairs broadcast on Virginia public television; National Guard staff are also slated to appear in these broadcasts.

In Higher Education . . .

A letter was sent to Virginia's college and university presidents encouraging their institutions to use the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to give Guard and Reserve component personnel credit for their service during active duty.

In Employment . . .

• In November 2003 Governor Warner issued the National Guard and Reserve Declaration of Support proclamation, declaring that enlistment in any Reserve unit would not in any way limit the job opportunities or access to benefits for component personnel.
• Reservists returning to their former jobs are covered by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994; and the Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (VaCESGR) processes any problems associated with re-employment. In situations where returning personnel find their former employer no longer in business, the Citizen-soldier Council will provide information on the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), which has approximately 40 field offices located throughout the Commonwealth and that are prepared to assist returnees in finding employment.
• To support family members of the Virginia National Guard and Reserve, the Council recommended that Virginia expedite the approval of professional license applications. In January 2005, Governor Warner announced the creation of an expedited professional licensure process for military spouses and dependents moving into the Commonwealth of Virginia (see news release).

In Health and Human Resources . . .

Access to counseling for family members (including spouses) of mobilized reserve component personnel is also important. Counseling for spouses and other family members is potentially needed before, during and after mobilization.  The Secretary of Health and Human Resources has taken the lead in developing a plan to provide local health department information to Guard and Reserve family members. The Citizen-Soldier Council also continues to help address counseling issues for spouse and family members during deployments and return to civilian status.

In Local Government . . .

Executive Order 44 (2003), issued by Governor Warner in 2003, provides that the Commonwealth pay the difference in pay to state employees who are activated and who earn less as a result.  The Council has recommended that local governments be encouraged to also follow this policy.

In Legal Matters . . .

The Council is satisfied with the current network of attorneys providing legal services:  The American Bar Association (ABA) and the Virginia State Bar established and maintain the Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP) program. Furthermore, the Virginia Supreme Court has recently allowed out-of-state and foreign attorneys to provide legal services for military personnel under certain circumstances.

In Legislation . . .

2004 General Assembly Legislation: 

• HJR 278
• SB 573
• Other 2004 legislation relating to military affairs:  See the LIS listing.

2005 General Assembly Legislation: See LIS listing

2006 General Assembly Legislation: See LIS listing

2007 General Assembly Legislation: See LIS listing