Veterans
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a number of changes to make participation in the Veterans Choice Program easier and more convenient for Veterans who need to use it.
The move, which streamlines eligibility requirements, follows feedback from veterans along with organizations working on their behalf.
“As we implement the Veterans Choice Program, we are learning from our stakeholders what works and what needs to be refined,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “It is our goal to do all that we can to remove barriers that separate veterans from the care they deserve.”
To date, more than 400,000 medical appointments have been scheduled since the Veterans Choice Program went into effect on Nov. 5, 2014.
Under the old policy, a veteran was eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she met the following criteria:
– Enrolled in VA health care by 8/1/14 or able to enroll as a combat veteran to be eligible for the Veterans Choice Program;
– Experienced unusual or excessive burden eligibility determined by geographical challenges, environmental factors or a medical condition impacting the Veteran’s ability to travel;
– Determined eligible based on the veteran’s current residence being more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility.
Under the updated eligibility requirements, a veteran is eligible for the Veterans Choice Program if he or she is enrolled in the VA health care system and meets at least one of the following criteria:
– Told by his or her local VA medical facility that they will not be able to schedule an appointment for care within 30 days of the date the veteran’s physician determines he/she needs to be seen or within 30 days of the date the veteran wishes to be seen if there is no specific date from his or her physician;
– Lives more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician;
– Needs to travel by air, boat or ferry to the VA medical facility closest to his/her home;
– Faces an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to the closest VA medical facility based on geographic challenges, environmental factors, a medical condition, the nature or simplicity or frequency of the care needed and whether an attendant is needed. Staff at the veteran’s local VA medical facility will work with him or her to determine if the veteran is eligible for any of these reasons; or
– Lives in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility which includes: Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire (Note: this excludes New Hampshire Veterans who live within 20 miles of the White River Junction VAMC) and the United States Territories (excluding Puerto Rico, which has a full service VA medical facility).
Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program or wanting to know more about it, can call1-866-606-8198 to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment.
For more details about the Veterans Choice Program and VA’s progress, visit www.va.gov/opa/choiceact .
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California Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner announced a new outreach effort to California veterans in his district, including free tax help, a customized resource Webpage, and a new publication that provides veterans with information on tax exemptions and credits.
"As the proud father of a veteran, I'm very grateful for the sacrifices these courageous men and women have made," said Runner. "I encourage veterans to take advantage of these new resources, and I hope they find this service to be useful."
Veterans who are looking for assistance or have more questions may contact Vice Chair Runner's office at 916-445-2181 or by visiting www.boe.ca.gov/veterans .
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YOUNTVILLE, Calif. – The Pathway Home, a nonprofit residential center on the grounds of the Veterans Home in Yountville, has announced a significant step forward in developing a partnership agreement with the Veterans Home of California-Yountville and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.
The partnership would set forth a shared understanding of each agency’s respective roles and responsibilities in meeting the mental health needs and overall well-being of California veterans.
“The physical and mental health issues our veterans are facing when they come home from deployment are a national public health crisis that affects not only our veterans, but also their families and communities they live in,” said Pathway Home Board Chair Dorothy Salmon. “We are excited to move forward in building a partnership with the VHC and SFVAHCS to enhance TPH’s operations as a supportive residential program for our veterans. Collaborating with veteran serving organizations is a win-win for all, as we share talent and resources to stretch far beyond what we can do alone.”
The Pathway Home treats Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other post-combat challenges.
The innovative one-of-a-kind program involving the three entities will address the mental and physical health needs of California veterans and facilitate the academic achievement and community re-integration of those enrolled in local community colleges, universities and vocational training programs.
This next phase of the program is right in line with The Pathway Home’s mission to provide the respect, guidance, and support our military veterans deserve and need to successfully complete educational programs, obtain employment, and build and maintain healthy personal relationships with family and community.
“The Veterans Home of California, Yountville has been faithfully serving veterans since 1884,” said Don Veverka, administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. “The complexities of defending our country are changing and so are treatment modalities to care for our wounded warriors. Pathway Home has been a pioneer in meeting these needs. Working collectively with a distinguished committee of specialists in the field of post-traumatic stress and student veteran health, positions Pathway Home to be a preeminent state of the art provider. The future is now and Yountville is eager to support the mission to heal the wounds of our warriors who make it possible to fly the flag of freedom.”
The leadership at The Pathway Home and VHC-Yountville, combined with the research and clinical expertise of the SFVAHCS in the provision of services to student veterans, has the potential to produce a state-of-the-art program, possibly impacting how best to deliver best-practice services across the nation.
The Pathway Home National Advisory Committee includes:
· Keith Armstrong, LCSW-SFVA clinical professor of psychiatry at UCSF;
· Mike Brown, recovery care coordinator at Armed Forces Services Corp.;
· Jennifer Brusstar, CEO and co-founder of The Tug McGraw Foundation;
· Anthony Collins, Pathway Home graduate, veteran advocate;
· Jessica Gundy Cuneo, PhD research health science specialist and clinical psychologist, VA San Diego;
· Kim Mitchell, president, Easter Seals Dixon Center;
· John McQuaid, PhD, professor of clinical psychology UCSF; associate chief, mental health, SFVAHCS;
· Dr. Carie Rodgers, PhD, ABPP associate director, education and dissemination, VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, and TPH National Advisory Committee Chair;
· Diane Vanderpot, under secretary (Ret) of CDVA;
· Donald Veverka, administrator, California Veterans Home, Yountville;
· Mary Winnefeld, military advocate.
“I'm proud of the role the Napa Valley community has played in The Pathway Home since 2008,” said John Dunbar, mayor of Yountville and a Pathway Board member. “Partnering with national experts in the veteran services world, as well as our State and Federal legislators, will allow Pathway to extend its reach and continue to provide support for our veterans and their families through this life-saving treatment program.”
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SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Air Force Airman Angela M. Wilkinson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Wilkinson is the daughter of Earl F. Wilkinson of Lucerne, Calif.
She is a 2015 graduate of Prospect High School, San Jose, Calif.
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is teaming up with the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation (PenFed Foundation) to strengthen efforts to prevent veteran homelessness.
This new partnership will expand the PenFed Foundation’s existing Military Heroes Fund Emergency Assistance Program to include all Veterans. Previously, the program was available only to veterans of the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) conflicts.
Through this partnership, the PenFed Foundation and VA will work together to provide emergency financial assistance for veterans who are experiencing unexpected financial setbacks and are at risk of becoming homeless.
The foundation will be able to provide emergency financial assistance for veterans in need of one-time payments for back utilities, creditors, security deposits, and rental deposits.
To date, the PenFed Foundation’s Military Heroes Fund has already provided more than $4 million in assistance to veterans.
As a part of the partnership, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Program staff will connect veterans who are facing overdue or arrearage payments to the PenFed Foundation for emergency financial assistance.
This partnership and pledge embodies the mission of MyVA, launched last year to reorient VA around the needs of veterans by collaborating with veterans, employees, private industry, nonprofits, and other stakeholders.
“VA’s new partnership with the PenFed Foundation will greatly benefit Veterans who are facing overdue bills and are at risk for homelessness,” said VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald. “As we work with local communities throughout the nation to help them end veteran homelessness, partnerships like these are critical to ensuring we are doing everything possible to support veterans who may be facing financial hardship and are at risk of losing their homes. Whether through their Military Heroes Fund or their support of the Defenders Lodge, the PenFed Foundation has shown they are dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and we are proud to call them a partner.”
“We are absolutely right to hold up our military service members as American heroes,” said PenFed Foundation President and CEO James Schenck. “Anyone, who at one time or another, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America – for an amount of up to and including their own life has paid their citizenship dues in full, as far as I’m concerned. It’s up to the rest of us to ensure that when these heroes need heroes, someone is there to answer the call.”
For more information about VA’s homeless initiatives, visit http://www.va.gov/homeless/ . For more information about the PenFed Foundation’s programs supporting veterans, visit http://www.pentagonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=heroes_index .
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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) announce a new program honoring veterans by allowing them to apply for a "Veteran" designation on California driver licenses and identification (ID) cards.
“California’s new driver license and identification card program honors and recognizes the military service of our veterans,” said Dr. Vito Imbasciani, CalVet’s Secretary. “I encourage our veterans to contact a local CVSO and start the process and learn about their earned benefits, just as I have. As an added bonus, the new ‘Veteran’ designation means businesses can easily confirm veteran status when offering discounts.”
Obtaining your “Veteran” designation for a driver license or ID card is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Get records. Find your military discharge certificate (DD214). If you need assistance obtaining your military records, then contact any County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO).
2. Visit Any CVSO. Take your DD214 and government identification to any CVSO to obtain your Veteran Status Verification Form. For faster CVSO service, you can make an appointment with any CVSO by calling 844-737-8838 or finding your local CVSO at www.calvet.ca.gov .
3. Visit Any DMV. Go online or call DMV for an appointment. Then bring your Veteran Status Verification Form to any DMV field office. Pay any application fees in addition to a $5 veteran designation fee, and complete all application and testing requirements. To schedule an appointment at any DMV field office, visit www.dmv.ca.gov or call 800-777-0133.
“The DMV is prepared to start helping veterans apply for the ‘Veteran’ designation on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015,” said Frank Alvarez, DMV investigations deputy director and veteran. “To make sure veterans are prepared when they visit any of our 174 field offices, we set up a Web page specifically designed for veterans, active military, and their families to help them in this process and with other military services at DMV.”
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Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Secretary Robert A. McDonald has announced a partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to further advance VA’s outreach to veterans through deeper and more innovative local and community partnerships.
VA will capitalize on BWF’s strength and contacts to find unique ways to connect veterans, transitioning servicemembers and their families with resources right where they live.
The partnership with BWF is one of many strategic alliances VA is forming and is an integral goal of the MyVA initiative, the largest reorganization in VA’s history which reorients VA around the needs of veterans.
“We believe that by working together we can create a ‘single front door,’ or a convenient community point of entry, to help veterans gain access to the benefits they have earned in addition to the resources unique to their local communities,” said Secretary McDonald. “This partnership creates a more robust integration of federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and other local partners at the community level. By combining and sharing our efforts and expertise, I believe this partnership can help us better serve our nation’s veterans – together.”
“Our nation’s transitioning servicemembers, veterans and their families each have unique needs, making the resources and services dedicated to overcoming their challenges all the more necessary,” said BWF Executive Director Anne Marie Dougherty. “We are excited by this opportunity to work in partnership with VA to reach veterans and their families where they live and to deliver high-impact programs to support sustainable success.”
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring injured servicemembers, veterans and their families are thriving.
Since 2006, BWF has invested nearly $30 million in programs reaching more than 2 million injured servicemembers, veterans and their families in three key areas: education and employment, rehabilitation and recovery, and quality of life.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.bobwoodrufffoundation.org . For more information about VA including the MyVA initiative, visit www.va.gov .
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WASHINGTON, DC – The secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Thursday he is convening a commission, which will serve to make recommendations to the president for the appointment of VA's next under secretary for benefits.
Suitable candidates to serve as members of the important commission will be selected based upon criteria outlined in the law and their skills, knowledge and attributes as leaders, managers and educators.
VA is required by law to convene a commission to seek the next under secretary for benefits.
Position announcements will appear on USAJOBS on Friday, Nov. 6.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a variety of benefits and services to servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
VBA has been undergoing a major transformation that is people-centric, results-oriented, and a forward-looking integration of solutions that will ensure total lifelong engagement with servicemembers, veterans and their families.
To learn more please go to http://www.benefits.va.gov .
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NORTH COAST, Calif. – A special event meant to raise awareness of the problem of suicide of among veterans will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The 10k “Ruck March” will be held at Sunrise Park, 5301 Snyder Lane in Rohnert Park.
The march will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until about 11:30 a.m.
According to the Veterans Affairs 2012 suicide data report, 22 veterans die by suicide every day.
Participants will march in memory of the heroes gone too soon and raise awareness of the epidemic that is plaguing American veterans.
The cost to register is $22 per participant, which includes a t-shirt for the event. Please email your size to
Register online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/veteran-suicide-awareness-10k-walk-tickets-18985863228?aff=es2 .
Volunteers are needed. Contact event organizers at
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