(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that they will travel to Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Friday, March 6, 2015 to recognize five new Home Base Iowa Communities and three new Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMPs).
The following communities will be announced as Home Base Iowa Communities Friday: Webster County, Hancock County, Humboldt County, Carroll County and Clay County. The communities will join Union County, Mitchell County, Dubuque County, Greene County, Howard County, Clarke County, Floyd County and the City of Marion as current Home Base Iowa Communities.
The following academic institutions will become Home Base Iowa CHAMPs on Friday: Mercy College of Health Sciences, Iowa Central Community College and Eastern Iowa Community College. These institutions will join The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, University of Dubuque, Upper Iowa University, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and Mount Mercy University as Home Base Iowa CHAMPs.
"The Home Base Iowa initiative aims to ensure that members of the military leaving the service are met with an abundance of career and academic opportunities right here in Iowa," said Branstad. "Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I continue to be impressed by the outpouring of support for the Home Base Iowa initiative through the Home Base Iowa Community and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs programs."
"With thirteen Home Base Iowa Communities and twelve Home Base Iowa CHAMPs institutions, it is clear that Iowans are ready to welcome veterans and their families to our great state," said Reynolds. "I encourage all Iowa communities and higher education institutions to consider joining our Home Base Iowa initiative."
The following event is open to credentialed members of the press:
Friday, March 6, 2015
11 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds announce additional Home Base Iowa Communities and Home Base Iowa CHAMPs
Heartland Communications - Fort Dodge
1003 Central Avenue
Fort Dodge, IA
Learn more about Home Base Iowa at www.HomeBaseIowa.org.
Background:
Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.
The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:
- Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
- Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
- Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
- Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
- Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
- Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.
In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.
Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.
HOME BASE IOWA COMMUNITY criteria
- Ten percent of the businesses with potential to hire in the designated area become Home Base Iowa Businesses.
- The community develops its own welcome/incentive package for veterans.
- The community prominently displays the Home Base Iowa Community designation.
- The community obtains a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body.
HOME BASE IOWA CHAMPs criteria
To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP campus, education institutions must meet three of the four criteria in each of the three categories below:
1. On-Campus Veteran Resources
a. Full Time Veterans Services Coordinator or Veterans' Representative and office.
b. Veterans Center/study space dedicated to veteran student population with possibility of computers to sign up for benefits or meeting area for Vet Club.
c. Veterans' Services Support Group (made up of Veterans' Representative, Advisors, Faculty, Staff) to address issues veterans face and encourage veterans clubs and meetings.
d. Career placement assistance
2. Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions
a. Consistent credit honored for all of the established military training and schools (Joint Services Transcript, Community College of the Air Force credit, ACE recommended credit, CLEP, DSST).
b. Advanced/Preferential registration dates for student veteran population.
c. Offer veterans sections for new student orientation.
d. College President Signature on Principles of Excellence laid out in Executive Order 13607
3. Financial Considerations
a. Automatic in-state tuition for former active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, spouses and children domiciled in Iowa, regardless of residency requirements.
b. Deferred billing options to ensure timing of VA benefit payments does not hinder academic success.
c. Deferred billing or options to assist student veterans in purchasing books, tools and supplies required for vocational programs.
d. Specific scholarship for transitioning service members and/or their dependents.
Those interested in becoming Home Base Iowa Communities or Home Base Iowa CHAMPS should contact Kathy Anderson, Home Base Iowa Program Manager at 515.725.3149 or kathy.anderson@iowa.gov.
###
