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VA Suicide Prevention Hotline - If you are a veteran in emotional crisis and need help RIGHT NOW, call this toll-free number, 1-800-273-8255, available 24/7, and tell them you are a veteran. All calls are confidential.
VA Eliminates Copayment for In-Home Video Telehealth Care
WASHINGTON - Beginning May 7, the Department of Veterans Affiars will no longer charge Veterans a copayment when they receive care in their homes from VA health professionals using video conferencing.
“Eliminating the copayment for this service will remove an unnecessary financial burden for Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Veterans have access to the first-class care they have earned with their service to our Nation.”
This change will primarily benefit Veterans with limited mobility, such as spinal cord injury patients. Whenever medically appropriate, VA will make the home the preferred place of care for Veterans to ensure timely and convenient access to VA services.
For more information about telehealth, visit: http://www.telehealth.va.gov/.
Data have shown that expanded use of technology in the home enables patients with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, chronic heart failure and hypertension, to live independently, actively engage in managing their health, and prevents avoidable hospitalization of patients who otherwise may need long-term institutional care.
Home telehealth does not replace the need for nursing home care or for traditional noninstitutional care programs. However, it enhances the ability for many veterans to better understand and manage chronic diseases. This partnership with their care team helps delay the need for institutionalization and enables them to maintain independence for an extended period of time, thus improving their overall quality of life.
VA’s Main Facebook Page Surpasses 200,000 “Fans”
Milestone Marks Continued Growth, Commitment to Engagement
WASHINGTON - The primary Facebook page for the Department of Veterans Affairs has amassed more than 200,000 “fans,” increasing the department’s ability to communicate directly with Veterans across the nation.
“We started our social media program with the vision of getting the right information to the right Veteran at the right time,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This achievement allows us to reach a significant portion of the Veteran population, by sharing information that is important to them.”
The milestone was achieved less than three years after the creation of VA’s office of online communications, which oversees all social media programs. The office has been led by Brandon Friedman since its inception in August 2009, and was launched as part of the President’s directive that agencies should create such organizations in support of the administration’s “Open Government” plan.
“This is a notable milestone for VA,” said Mike Galloucis, VA’s executive director of public and intergovernmental affairs. “It shows we are using all available means to reach Veterans with important information related to the benefits they have earned through their service to our Nation.”
VA has over 150 Facebook pages, most of which belong to individual VA medical centers, with a combined subscribership of more than 440,000 fans. In addition to Facebook, VA maintains an extensive social media presence with 70 Twitter feeds, the VAntage Point blog, a YouTube channel with over 400 videos, and a Flickr page containing over 12,000 photos.
To access and connect to VA’s social media sites, visit VA’s social media directory:http://www.va.gov/opa/socialmedia.asp.
May 10, 2012
Help for Veterans Who Own Businesses, Seek Jobs
WASHINGTON – The National Veterans Small Business Conference, the government’s premier event for Veteran-owned small businesses, is coming to Detroit’s Cobo Center June 26-29, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today.
VA also announced that a “VA for Vets” Hiring Fair will be held June 26-28 during the conference for Veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors. The conference is expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, and bring an estimated $3 million in direct spending to the city.
“VA is committed to bringing more Veteran-owned businesses into the public-private partnership,” said VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich. “In addition to the National Veterans Small Business Conference, our Detroit Hiring Fair will provide Veterans with on-the-spot job opportunities and interviews, while also offering career search classes and one-on-one counseling.”
Last year’s National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 attendees, and more than 6,000 participants are expected this year.
The Detroit Hiring Fair builds upon VA’s success Jan. 18 in Washington at which a partnership of federal agencies and private industry attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers.
“These events are part of Secretary Shinseki’s ongoing efforts to help Veterans find employment in both the public and private sectors,” said Gingrich. “As the President said in yesterday’s State of the Union address, Veterans are crucial to our economy, and we need to find them jobs.”
This year’s conference will include an open house June 26-28 that gives Veterans the chance to learn the wide range of resources available to help them with their own businesses. Also available will be the VetGovPartner online platform, which enables networking, viewing the business profiles of all participants, and identifying business opportunities with more than 400 government procurement decision makers in attendance.
Known historically as the world’s capital for the transportation industry, the Detroit metro area is reinventing itself with six booming industries: medical research, defense, entertainment, green tech, urban farming, and aeronautics. About 330,000 Veterans are served by the city’s VA medical center, and more than 704,000 Veterans live in Michigan.
VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend. More information about the small business conference is available at www.nationalveteransconference.com. Information and registration for the hiring fair is available at www.VAforVets.VA.Gov/Detroit.
May 11, 2012
King Receives Federal Grant for Improvements
WASHINGTON –The Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding more than $300,000 for maintenance and repair of the water tower at the Wisconsin Veterans home in King.
“Our federal-state partnership helps ensure that comfortable and safe housing is provided in a caring community for Wisconsin Veterans who have served their country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
VA’s grant will cover approximately 65 percent of the estimated $500,000 cost of the project.
In fiscal year 2011, VA spent nearly $2.2 billion in Wisconsin to serve the state’s 408,000 Veterans. VA operates three major medical centers in Madison, Milwaukee and Tomah, 18 outpatient clinics and four Vet Centers across the state, and a national cemetery.
Information about the Wisconsin state Veterans homes can be obtained on the Internet at http://dva.state.wi.us/homes.asp or by calling (715) 258-5586.
May 11, 2012
Home in Ivins City to Receive $12.4 Million in VA Funding
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding more than $12.4 million for the state of Utah to construct a new Veterans home in Ivins City.
“Our federal-state partnership helps to provide comfortable and safe housing in a caring community for Utah Veterans who have served their country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
VA’s grant will cover approximately 65 percent of the estimated $19 million cost of the project.
In fiscal year 2011, VA spent $870 million to serve Utah’s more than 150,000 Veterans. VA operates a major medical center in Salt Lake City, with seven outpatient clinics and three Vet Centers across the state.
More information about Utah’s Veterans assistance is available on the Internet at: http://veterans.utah.gov/
May 11, 2012
WASHINGTON – More than 700 Veterans will travel to St. Louis, Mo., May 31 – June 5 to compete in the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games, a national sports and recreation competition sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), and Veterans Canteen Service (VCS).
“We are very pleased to be able to bring the Golden Age Games to St. Louis,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. “Through this rehabilitative athletic event, VA strives to introduce older Veterans to the benefits of sports and recreation. These athletes will showcase their skills, mental toughness and physical fitness at the games.”
Celebrating its 26th year, the games offer the largest sports and recreation competition in the world for military Veterans age 55 and older.
Hosted by the St. Louis VA Medical Center, the competition features sports such as swimming, cycling, golf, track and field, bowling, table tennis and others, totaling 14 competitive events. Events are open to all U.S. military Veterans age 55 or older who are currently receiving care at any VA medical facility.
The Games have grown from 115 participants its first year to more than 700 in 2011. It is the only national multi-event sports and recreational seniors’ competition program designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. It is one of the most progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the world, and is made possible by the support provided by co-sponsors VCS and HHV.
“An active lifestyle is vital to everyone’s health and well-being, and can serve as one of the best tools to health maintenance as well as disease prevention,” Marilyn Iverson, VCS director said. “The Golden Age Games is truly a life saving program for our Nation’s Veterans and life affirming for all those who have attended them. The Veterans Canteen Service is committed and proud to serve as a co-sponsor to the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games.”
“Help Hospitalized Veterans is extremely proud to co-sponsor VA’s National Veterans Golden Age Games,” Mike Lynch, the organization’s president and CEO said. “We sincerely hope that each and every one of this year’s Veteran participants enjoys a memorable event of camaraderie and competition, and will continue their quest to maintain good physical and mental health throughout their lives.”
The 2012 event begins with a gala opening ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 31 at America’s Center, America’s Ballroom. The closing ceremony is on June 5 at 7 p.m. in the same location. Competitive events run from June 1st through the 5th.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games serve as a qualifying event for the National Senior Olympics. The National Senior Olympics is a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee and recognize senior athletes as the best athletes in their respective age groups in the United States.
For more information about the National Veterans Golden Age Games and other VA national rehabilitation programs, visit www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov.
May 14, 2012
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is once again hosting a nationwide 2K “Walk and Roll” event at more than 130 VA facilities on May 16 to coincide with National Employee Health and Fitness Day. The event will also encourage employee and local community support of homeless Veterans.
“Last year, VA’s 2K events were hugely successful with over 16,000 employees participating and VA collecting donated goods estimated at $172,000,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “I am proud of all VA employees who participated in the past and challenge even more individuals to walk or roll in support of homeless Veterans.”
VA’s employee wellness program is known as WIN (Wellness Is Now). WIN empowers employees with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to create a culture of health and wellness. Further, WIN encourages employees to use their appreciation of wellness to inspire Veterans to have healthier lifestyles.
WIN integrates traditional occupational safety and health programs with health promotion activities, addressing both workplace and worker health. Through this program staff find opportunities to embrace healthy and positive lifestyle choices that sustain and improve their own health, reduce preventable injuries and illnesses, reduce absenteeism and enable them to do their important work of serving the nation’s Veterans.
to find out if your VA facility is hosting a 2K event. VA facilities can be located by visiting
VA Seeks Public Comment on Strategies
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is releasing for public comment a draft of its strategic report to address key issues facing women Veterans. The plan outlines steps for improvements to care and services for women Veterans that are sustainable, accountable and a part of the department’s culture and operations.
“Expanding care and services to women Veterans is too important to limit ourselves solely to the views within the department, so we are seeking feedback from all stakeholders, most importantly women Veterans themselves,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The VA must be visionary and agile enough to anticipate and adjust not only to the coming increase in women Veterans, but also to the complexity and longevity of treatment needs.”
Shinseki formed a task force to develop an action plan to address women Veterans’ issues. Since then, the group has conducted a broad survey of department experts to identify those issues and organize them by priority. The draft report is an interim step prior to VA finalizing its overall plan.
The report comes at an important juncture in VA’s history that demands a review of the quality, quantity, and types of services and programs it provides to women Veterans. The number of women Veterans using VA has increased 83 percent in the past decade, from about 160,000 to over 292,000 between fiscal years 2000 and 2009, compared with a 50 percent increase in men.
Women are now the fastest growing cohort within the Veteran community. In 2011, about 1.8 million or 8 percent of the 22.2 million Veterans were women. The male Veteran population is projected to decrease from 20.2 million men in 2010 to 16.7 million by 2020. In contrast, the number of women Veterans will increase from 1.8 million in 2011 to 2 million in 2020, at which time women will make up 10.7 percent of the total Veteran population.
VA is training providers in basic and advanced topics in women’s health through mini-residencies, and over 1200 providers have currently received training. Comprehensive women’s health care can be provided within three different models of care, including comprehensive women’s clinics; separate, but shared, space women’s clinics; or integrated primary care clinics. All of these clinic models ensure that women receive all of their primary health care (prevention, medical, and routine gynecologic care) by a single primary care provider. A network of medical directors and program managers who coordinate care for women Veterans now encompasses all 153 medical centers in the VA Health Care System.
The public notice and instructions for how to submit comments will be posted at www.regulations.gov. The draft written report will be open for comment for 30 days, and responders will have a number of options to provide both electronic and written feedback. Readers will also be able to participate in a public discussion board on the Internet at: http://vawomenvetstratplan.uservoice.com/forums/159415-general.
To view the report without making recommendations, please visit VA’s website at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2012_Women-Veterans_StrategicPlan.pdf.
oint VA/DOL Program Launches to Retrain 99,000 Unemployed Veterans May 16, 2012
Online Site Opens May 15 for Veterans to Apply for Education Benefits
WASHINGTON – Starting May 15, unemployed Veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 can now apply for new benefits to cover education costs for up to one year through a joint Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor (DOL) program that focuses on retraining 99,000 Veterans for high-demand jobs.
“This important tool will help those who served our country receive the education and training they need to find meaningful employment in a high-demand field,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans are disciplined, hardworking, goal-oriented team members who can play a vital role in helping businesses and the economy grow.”
“Our veterans have made this nation stronger through their service, and they deserve our continued support,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This new program will help unemployed veterans expand their skills and compete for good jobs," she added.
As part of a provision of the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) allows qualifying Veterans to receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty rate, currently $1,473 per month.
Veterans can apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for VRAP beginning on May 15, 2012, for programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012. Assistance under this benefit program ends on March 31, 2014.
To complete an application, a Veteran will need to know his or her direct deposit information (bank routing number and account number), the name and location of his or her school, the program the Veteran wishes to pursue, and the applicable high-demand occupation.
To qualify Veterans must:
- Be 35-60 years old, unemployed on the day of application, and not dishonorably discharged;
- Start education or training after July 1, 2012, in a VA-approved program of education offered by a community college or technical school leading to an associate degree, non-college degree or a certificate for a high-demand occupation as defined by the DOL;
- Not be eligible for any other VA education benefit program (e.g. Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment);
- Not be enrolled in a federal or state job training program within the last 180 days;
- Not receive VA compensation at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (IU).
Upon completion, the Labor Department will engage with participants within 30 days after their training to help them find good jobs that utilize their newly learned skills.
“We are working diligently with our partners around the country to ensure our Veterans have access to all the benefits and services to which they are entitled—especially when it comes to those unemployed,” added Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.
“This is a true example of interagency collaboration and we are committed to the full and speedy implementation of this program to ensure the success of our veterans in the civilian labor market,” said Ismael “Junior” Ortiz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Veterans Employment Training Service.
For more information on VOW, VRAP, high demand occupations, and how to apply, Veterans may go to the website at www.benefits.va.gov/VOW, or call VA’s Call Centers toll free at 1-800-827-1000, Veterans may also access the VRAP application online at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA.
Veterans are also encouraged to visit the nearly 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers across the nation for assistance from staff, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERS), and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists. To find the center near you visit www.servicelocator.org.
For more information about the Department of Labor’s Veterans programs, go to http://www.dol.gov/vets/
VA Seeks Public Comment on Strategies
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is releasing for public comment a draft of its strategic report to address key issues facing women Veterans. The plan outlines steps for improvements to care and services for women Veterans that are sustainable, accountable and a part of the department’s culture and operations.
“Expanding care and services to women Veterans is too important to limit ourselves solely to the views within the department, so we are seeking feedback from all stakeholders, most importantly women Veterans themselves,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The VA must be visionary and agile enough to anticipate and adjust not only to the coming increase in women Veterans, but also to the complexity and longevity of treatment needs.”
Shinseki formed a task force to develop an action plan to address women Veterans’ issues. Since then, the group has conducted a broad survey of department experts to identify those issues and organize them by priority. The draft report is an interim step prior to VA finalizing its overall plan.
The report comes at an important juncture in VA’s history that demands a review of the quality, quantity, and types of services and programs it provides to women Veterans. The number of women Veterans using VA has increased 83 percent in the past decade, from about 160,000 to over 292,000 between fiscal years 2000 and 2009, compared with a 50 percent increase in men.
Women are now the fastest growing cohort within the Veteran community. In 2011, about 1.8 million or 8 percent of the 22.2 million Veterans were women. The male Veteran population is projected to decrease from 20.2 million men in 2010 to 16.7 million by 2020. In contrast, the number of women Veterans will increase from 1.8 million in 2011 to 2 million in 2020, at which time women will make up 10.7 percent of the total Veteran population.
VA is training providers in basic and advanced topics in women’s health through mini-residencies, and over 1200 providers have currently received training. Comprehensive women’s health care can be provided within three different models of care, including comprehensive women’s clinics; separate, but shared, space women’s clinics; or integrated primary care clinics. All of these clinic models ensure that women receive all of their primary health care (prevention, medical, and routine gynecologic care) by a single primary care provider. A network of medical directors and program managers who coordinate care for women Veterans now encompasses all 153 medical centers in the VA Health Care System.
The public notice and instructions for how to submit comments will be posted at www.regulations.gov. The draft written report will be open for comment for 30 days, and responders will have a number of options to provide both electronic and written feedback. Readers will also be able to participate in a public discussion board on the Internet at: http://vawomenvetstratplan.uservoice.com/forums/159415-general.
To view the report without making recommendations, please visit VA’s website at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2012_Women-Veterans_StrategicPlan.pdf.