MINUTES OF THE
VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 • 10:00 a.m. • 445 State Capitol


Members Present:
Sen. Todd Weiler, Chair
Rep. Paul Ray, Chair
Sen. Karen Mayne
Rep. Val L. Peterson
Rep. Marie H. Poulson
Mr. Steven Allen, PhD
Mr. Clay Anstead
Mr. Blair K. Carruth
Mr. Tim M. Cosgrove
Ms. Nancy Espinosa
Mr. Tage Flint
Mr. Ross Ford
Mr. Jared A. Haines
Mr. Gary Harter
Mr. Dennis Howland
Mr. Michael Isom
Mr. Randy Knight
Mr. Robert Pagnani
Mr. Paul Patrick
Mr. Jon S. Pierpont
Mr. Terry D. Schow
Brig. Gen. Michael J. Turley

Members Absent:
Mr. Brent Kelsey

Staff Present:
Samantha D. Brucker, Policy Analyst
Esther D. Chelsea-McCarty, Associate General Counsel
Tracey Fredman, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

1. Committee Business
Rep. Ray called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and excused Brent Kelsey from the meeting.
Motion
MOTION: Sen. Weiler moved to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2019, meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 22-0-1.
Yeas - 22Nays-0Abs-1
S. Allen, PhD
C. Anstead
B. Carruth
T. Cosgrove
N. Espinosa
T. Flint
R. Ford
J. Haines
G. Harter
D. Howland
M. Isom
R. Knight
Sen. K. Mayne
R. Pagnani
P. Patrick
Rep. V. Peterson
J. Pierpont
Rep. M. Poulson
Rep. P. Ray
T. Schow
Brig. Gen. M. Turley
Sen. T. Weiler
B. Kelsey
Chair Ray noted that Terry Schow's term as a commission member under Section 36-28-102(3)(c) is due to expire on July 1, 2020, and that the chairs have asked Frank Maughan to take his place.
MOTION: Paul Patrick moved to appoint Frank Maughan as a member of the commission under Section 36-28-102(3)(c). The motion passed with a vote of 22-0-1.
Yeas - 22Nays-0Abs-1
S. Allen, PhD
C. Anstead
B. Carruth
T. Cosgrove
N. Espinosa
T. Flint
R. Ford
J. Haines
G. Harter
D. Howland
M. Isom
R. Knight
Sen. K. Mayne
R. Pagnani
P. Patrick
Rep. V. Peterson
J. Pierpont
Rep. M. Poulson
Rep. P. Ray
T. Schow
Brig. Gen. M. Turley
Sen. T. Weiler
B. Kelsey
Chair Ray welcomed Michael Isom who is replacing Brian Garrett as the representative appointed by the Utah Chamber of Commerce.
MOTION: Gary Harter moved to accept the appointment of Michael Isom as a commission member representing the Utah Chamber of Commerce. The motion passed with a vote of 22-0-1.
Yeas - 22Nays-0Abs-1
S. Allen, PhD
C. Anstead
B. Carruth
T. Cosgrove
N. Espinosa
T. Flint
R. Ford
J. Haines
G. Harter
D. Howland
M. Isom
R. Knight
Sen. K. Mayne
R. Pagnani
P. Patrick
Rep. V. Peterson
J. Pierpont
Rep. M. Poulson
Rep. P. Ray
T. Schow
Brig. Gen. M. Turley
Sen. T. Weiler
B. Kelsey
Chair Ray introduced Clay Anstead, Assistant Transition Advisor, Utah National Guard, who is replacing Bart Davis, who recently retired.
2. COVID-19: Impacts on Military and Veteran Services
2a - Update Infographic from UDVMA
Gary Harter, Executive Director, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, highlighted some of the impacts of COVID-19 and the work that has been done by the department to assist servicemembers and veterans.
Shella Stovall, Medical Center Director, Veterans Administration Salt Lake City Health Care Systems, discussed what the medical center has done to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jack Kammerer, Director, Veterans Administration Salt Lake City Regional Office, reported on the success and continuation of virtual services being offered by the nearly 99% of teleworking employees.
Dr. Steven Allen, Coordinator, PTSD Clinical Team, Veterans Administration Salt Lake City Health Care Systems, noted how recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple earthquakes, civil unrest, and economic difficulties, have had a significant impact on veterans' mental health issues. Dr. Allen reported on the level of care provided through Telehealth and residential services.
2b - Presentation, USHE COVID-19 Impacts and Response
Spencer Jenkins, Chief of Staff, Utah System of Higher Education, briefed the commission on the transition of the veteran service centers on campuses to a virtual online format.
2c - Veteran Employment Services
Mike Miller, Chief of Veteran Services, Department of Workforce Services, addressed veteran and military employment in the state specific to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brigadier General Tyler Smith, Assistant Adjutant General, Utah National Guard, discussed the work of service members in response to the pandemic, including testing, contact tracing, and other support services and the impact of COVID-19 on the operations of the Utah National Guard.
Brian Garrett, Deputy Director for Military Affairs, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, provided an overview of military efforts during the pandemic.
Terry Schow addressed the need to increase capacity at the Salt Lake Veterans Home.
3. SafeUT App
3a - Presentation, Protecting the Vulnerable
Rachel Lucynski, Business and Operations Manager, University Neuropsychiatric Institute Community Crisis and Diversion Services, University of Utah, gave an overview of services, which covers multiple statewide crisis prevention and intervention programs.
Denia-Marie Olerton, Clinical Supervisor, SafeUT, University Neuropsychiatric Institute Community Crisis and Diversion Services, University of Utah, briefed the commission on the development and availability of services through SafeUT, which is a crisis chat and school safety tip line developed for Utah students, parents, and educators.
Major David Wood, PhD, clinical psychologist, Utah National Guard, explained that his participation with SafeUT is to help evaluate attitudes and willingness of servicemembers of the Utah National Guard to use the SafeUT App.
William J. Leavitt, Project Facilitator, SafeUTNG, discussed the expansion of the SafeUT App to the Utah National Guard.
4. Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION: Gary Harter moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 22-0-1.
Yeas - 22Nays-0Abs-1
S. Allen, PhD
C. Anstead
B. Carruth
T. Cosgrove
N. Espinosa
T. Flint
R. Ford
J. Haines
G. Harter
D. Howland
M. Isom
R. Knight
Sen. K. Mayne
R. Pagnani
P. Patrick
Rep. V. Peterson
J. Pierpont
Rep. M. Poulson
Rep. P. Ray
T. Schow
Brig. Gen. M. Turley
Sen. T. Weiler
B. Kelsey
Chair Ray adjourned the meeting at 12:04 p.m.