California Veterans Legal Task Force

What it reported doing in 2020

CVLTF 2020 Key AccomplishmentsKey StatisticsVeterans Legal Assistance Referral Clinics (VLARC) Statistics for 2020 (Jan-Dec)23 Veteran Clients Served 68 Total # of Legal Matters Criminal Defense Attorney Consultations for 2020 (Jan-Dec)191 Case Consultations with Appointed Defense Counsel239.9 hours dedicated legal workExpanding Californias Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs)Veterans Legal Assistance and Referral Clinics (VLARC) (San Diego County) San Diego based Veterans Legal Assistance and referral Clinic (VLARC) providing omnibus legal assistance to veterans in San Diego County. Conducted legal assessments, recruited pro bono counsel, completed applications for various benefits to assist veterans removing barriers to housing, employment and benefits. In December 2018, we hosted five law students from USC and California Western law schools who conducted new research to build our brief bank and support our pro bono counsel. VLARC clinics are partners in the Military & Veterans Resource Centers (MVRC) which are part of the San Diego County Live Well Centers in Escondido and National City. MVRC Team includes 23 merit-selected nonprofit organizations providing Veteran services. Our partners in MVRC include Mental Health Services, Inc., Veterans Village of San Diego, Goodwill Industries, San Diego Financial Literacy Foundation, and Interfaith Community Services. With the County Office of Military and Veterans Services, MVRC provides VA/public benefits, housing, jobs, mental health and financial services. CVLTF is the only partner handling Veterans' legal issues. CVLTF Technical Assistance and Recognition CVLTF continues to provide community and statewide technical assistance to public officials and lawmakers on legal issues of concern to military, veterans, and their families. CVLTF consultants provided data, educational information, and testimony to California State Assembly and Senate members and hearings for Federal Congressional Representatives.Upgraded CVLTF.org WebsiteContinue to add to www.CVLTF.org website with research, video and educational information to veterans and their advocates at the intersection of mental health/trauma and the justice system. Increased by 150% the nationwide use of CVLTF VTC Mentor training video program and research to assist criminal justice professionals in understanding the connection between military related mental health conditions and criminal behavior/treatment. This website continues to be cited in legislature publications and opinions by local and state judges and the State Assembly Appropriations Committee as a trusted resource on justice involved veterans.Continued VTC Team and Mentor TrainingProvided training for VTC teams in the (federal) United States Southern District of California, which stood up as the fourth federal Veterans Treatment Court in the U.S.Provided in partnership with Justice4Vets mentor training to Veterans Treatment Court teams in Cook County IL Honolulu, HI and Charleston, NC.Published data reports for San Diego Military Diversion program and CA Veterans Treatment Court Survey and added numerous clinical studies on our websiteCommunity Education and CollaborationPresented training on Military Discharge Upgrades to veteran service representatives from tribes throughout California to equip them in assisting Indian veterans to access their benefits and correct their service recordsEngaged VISTA staff member to develop peer specialist program to enable follow up with our VLARC clients who received community referrals to improve follow up actions by these veteran clientsProvided training regarding legal topics to County and nonprofit staff members of the Military & Veterans Resource Centers and two Criminal Defense Bar associations of San Diego County Recognized by San Diego County Board of Supervisors as an official partner of the County of San Diego Live Well ProgramCo-sponsored Veterans Forum event with the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors to celebrate Veter

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 55.2%; rating input score 55
• Program expense ratio: 73.4%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 0%; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 0 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Fail
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 24.9%; rating input score 74; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.35; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 8.4% per year; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.1% per year; rating input score 100; 42nd percentile among comparable filings