Veterans
VA-led coalition embarks on combined effort to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia in U.S. hospitals
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
The effort, known as National Organization for NV-HAP Prevention, or NOHAP, encourages patients to practice consistent oral hygiene as a simple measure to aid in the prevention of hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Each year, it is estimated that more than 35 million patients in the U.S. are at risk for non-ventilator associated hospital-acquired pneumonia at a cost of roughly $3 billion.
“VA has successfully shown patients who brush their teeth a few times a day can dramatically reduce the risk of pneumonia,” said VA Chief Officer of Health Care Innovation and Learning Ryan Vega, M.D. “The practice may also reduce the severity of a COVID-19 infection by lowering the probability of a secondary bacterial pneumonia — a frequent occurrence seen with the virus.”
Other members of the NOHAP group include representatives from The Joint Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, Patient Safety Movement Foundation and various organizations from the private sector and academia.
“This is a simple solution to a costly problem,” said Director of CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion Denise Cardo, M.D. “The most recent CDC data shows hospitals are succeeding in their efforts to eliminate certain types of health care-associated infections. However, the prevalence of pneumonia in hospitalized patients has not changed and continues to be the most common health care-associated infection.”
With the support of VA’s Diffusion of Excellence, Office of Nursing Services and Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, the practice has spread to 107 VA facilities across the nation, helping make Veterans under VA care safer.
Learn more about NOHAP.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
The current moratorium extensions for evictions and foreclosures were set to end March 31.
“We will do everything in our power to help veterans, their families, survivors and our caregivers get through this pandemic,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “The department’s moratorium and forbearance extensions support President Biden’s Jan. 22 executive order to deliver economic relief to Americans amid the COVID-19 crisis by addressing economic hardships the veteran community faces, through no fault of its own, during the ongoing pandemic.”
VA borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can review VA guidance for borrowers or call 877-827-3702 for additional information.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
The new online resource outlines nine principles for communicating clear expectations on how veteran data is to be managed and viewed by veterans, staff, VA partners and other stakeholders.
These principles reinforce VA’s standards of data privacy and protection maintained during VA’s distribution of nearly 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date, and other critical health care services during the coronavirus pandemic.
“VA’s principle-based ethics framework takes a proactive approach to data management and privacy by setting standards for our partners to follow,” says Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “VA is applying this framework to all data interoperability initiatives, including those tied to our COVID-19 response and modernization efforts.”
Having clearly defined integrities for everyone who accesses or uses veteran data puts VA at the forefront of organizational responsibility for ethical data practices.
Veterans trust VA to promote and respect their privacy, confidentiality and autonomy within the services the department provides and supports.
The department will continue to uphold that trust by remaining consistent with VA’s I-CARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence to promote and ensure responsible practices whenever Veteran data is accessed or used.
The ethics framework was developed by the Data Ethics Work Group established by the VA Interoperability Leadership team and the Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Ethics in Health Care, along with input from veterans.
The department is actively working to ensure all VA directives, policies and standards reflect these principles which the agency anticipates completing by the end of 2022.
Learn more about VA’s COVID-19 vaccination response and how VHA’s National Center for Ethics in Health Care continues to work proactively to build trust in managing access and use of veteran data.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
If you are age 65 years or older and would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please call the Clearlake VA Clinic at 707-995-7200 to schedule your appointment.
No drop-in visits will be accepted.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/.
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- Written by: Department of Veterans Affairs
Each facility will determine its own start date based on site-specific resources, needs and vaccine availability.
“Caregivers play a critical role in caring for some of our most vulnerable Veterans,” said VA Acting Under Secretary for Health Richard A. Stone, M.D. “One of the most important things we can do for caregivers is to help them take care of themselves. The current pandemic has amplified the importance of our caregivers whom we recognize as valuable members of Veterans’ health care teams.”
The testing and vaccines will be administered in line with CDC allocation guidelines. Vaccinations will be offered in accordance with VA’s phased risk stratification framework and will build upon elements outlined in the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the Veterans Health Administration.
Veterans and their caregivers can get the latest information and sign up to receive updates on VA's COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
For more information visit VA’s Caregiver Support Program, contact your local facility’s VA Caregiver Support Coordinator or call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 from Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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- Written by: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Paula Molloy, PhD, assistant secretary, Human Resources and Administration/ Operations, Security and Preparedness: Paula Molloy rejoins VA after serving as chief administrative officer for the U.S. International Development Finance Corp., an independent federal agency since 2017. Molloy served as VA assistant deputy undersecretary for Health for Workforce Services, leading the strategic integration of initiatives to support human capital systems for more than 320,000 Veteran Health Administration employees and over 120,000 health professions trainees.
Kayla M. Williams, assistant secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs: Prior to rejoining VA, Kayla Williams most recently was senior fellow and director of the Military, Veterans and Society Program at Center for a New American Security. Williams previously served as director of the Center for Women Veterans at VA, where she was primary adviser to the secretary on department policies, programs and legislation affecting women Veterans. Williams also served eight years at RAND researching service member and Veteran health needs and benefits, international security and intelligence policy.
Chris Díaz, acting chief of staff, White House Liaison, Office of the Secretary: Chris Diaz is founder and former executive director of the Veteran-led non-profit, Action Tank, whose mission tackles the toughest challenges facing the community. He has sat on numerous boards in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, helping to shape the future of the region. For leading these efforts, Diaz has received national recognition earning the SXSW Community Service Award, Aspen Ideas Fellowship and prestigious Pat Tillman scholarship. Diaz is an entrepreneur whose company, Performa, supported clients focused on implementing positive lifestyle changes, increasing their capacity for self-awareness and actualization.
Meg Kabat, senior advisor, Families, Caregivers and Survivors, Office of the Secretary: Meg Kabat is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years supporting America’s service members, Veterans and their families. Early in her civilian career with the U.S. Navy, Kabat served as a case manager. From 2011-2019, Kabat served in leadership roles with the VA Caregiver Support Program. Most recently, Kabat has been a senior director at Atlas Research, supporting the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention Office, as well as facilitating the COVID-19 Nursing Home Commission in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Kabat is the recipient of multiple awards including a Special Recognition Award from Disabled American Veterans, VA Exemplary Service Award and VA Exceptional Service Award.
Raymond C. Kelley, liaison, Veteran Service Organization, Office of the Secretary: Prior to his appointment to VA, Raymond Kelley was the majority staff director for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. In this role, Kelley worked as the primary day-to-day Veterans’ portfolio legislative and political advisor to Chairman Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and oversaw the daily operations of the Committee staff. Prior to his work on the Committee, Kelley was director of National Legislative Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) where he was responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of VFW’s priorities that were presented to Congress, federal departments and agencies, and other organizations. Kelley also served as the national legislative director for AMVETS before his work with the VFW.
Ya Wei (Jenny) Wang - director of Mission Operations, Office of the Secretary: Jenny Wang recently served on the Biden-Harris transition team. She has worked in various foreign policy and national security positions throughout the government. From 2013-2017, Wang was special assistant and advisor to the White House chief of staff, where she managed executive operations. Wang held different positions on the National Security Council, to include special assistant in the Counterterrorism Directorate.
Tahmika Ruth Jackson, special counsel, Office of General Counsel: Prior to her appointment to VA, Tahmika Jackson served as National Security Agency (NSA) senior representative to the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Virginia. Jackson also served as a counterterrorism senior leader in the Counterterrorism Operations Cell of the National Security Operations Center, acting as NSA’s primary coordinator for real-time counterterrorism situational awareness and crisis response. Jackson formerly represented the DOD as an attorney in the NSA Office of the General Counsel working national security and intelligence law issues.
Terrence L. Hayes, press secretary, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs: Prior to assuming the role of VA press secretary, Terrence Hayes served as national director of Communication and Public Affairs for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has worked in critical executive-level public affairs positions throughout his 24-year civilian and military career. As a public affairs professional in VA’s Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Hayes was responsible for answering national, regional and local media queries on behalf of then Secretaries David Shulkin and Robert Wilkie. He also served as public affairs adviser and spokesperson to the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from November 2011 to January 2016.
John Santos, special assistant, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs: John Santos previously served as Asian American and Pacific Islander outreach director at the Democratic National Committee where he led the DNC’s efforts to mobilize Asian American and Pacific Islander voters through close partnership with the Biden-Harris campaign and community leaders across the country. In addition to his organizing work, Santos has extensive experience in public affairs and communications having served as Western Region press secretary at the DNC and as deputy spokesperson for the international anti-ISIS coalition in Baghdad, Iraq.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
In accordance with VA’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan, the department started vaccination efforts at 37 initial VA medical centers, following the Food and Drug Administration’s Dec. 11 decision to issue an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
The 37 initial sites to first receive the vaccine were selected based on several factors, including having the capacity to store the vaccine at extremely cold temperatures and the ability to offer high-throughput vaccination. Shortly after, VA included 128 additional sites to the original list.
To date, the list of sites has grown to 195 VA facilities spread out across the country with more being added.
“This is a massive undertaking that is happening at rapid pace,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This week, the initial 37 sites that received the first limited Pfizer-BioNTech allocations are beginning to administer the second dose.”
The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be administered 21-days after the first vaccination while the second Moderna dose should be administered 28-days after the first. VA began administering Moderna the week of Dec. 21. Both vaccines require two doses for maximum efficacy.
VA’s ultimate goal is to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to all Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated. As vaccine supplies increase, VA care teams will reach out to eligible Veterans to schedule vaccinations.
Veterans can get up-to-date information and sign up to receive updates on VA’s COVID Vaccine webpage.
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- Written by: Jan Cook
The Lake County Library now has answers, tools for job seekers in Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow, a new free resource for Lake County residents.
All you need are a Lake County Library card and access to the library website at www.library.lakecountyca.gov where JobNow & VetNow is listed under Resources.
Brainfuse takes into account that life is remote now, offering live help at your fingertips with their expert tutors and counselors ready to help you.
Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow features live online assistance, Resume Lab help, and a wide range of academic tools to help job seekers and veterans reach their goals. JobNow & VetNow is easy-to-use and requires no prior training.
With JobNow & VetNow you can get live job coaching, connect with VA experts for live assistance with your VA benefits, or submit a resume to the Resume Lab to receive constructive feedback within 24 hours.
To create a resume you can start by downloading a winning resume template and reviewing resources. Optimal Resume is an award-winning resume creation software that includes job interview preparation, and much more. Once you have completed a draft resume, the Live Resume Coaching offers resume assistance from live experts to fine-tune.
Brainfuse offers carefully-selected resources to help you prepare for your interview. The Live Interview Coaching provides interview coaching from live experts and Interview Tips has helpful tips for interview success.
– To aid with career development, students can use eParachute to discover the college majors and careers that match their skills and interests.
– Among the Brainfuse resources are career credentialing test prep, COVID-19 job seeker resources, and more.
Brainfuse offers numerous Tools for Learners. LearnNow features live skills building and a library of lessons, videos, and tests. The LEAP Learning Platform, a diagnostic test center, offers customized study plans, lessons, and live tutoring. FlashBulb allows students to create and share flashcards, tests and games
With MEET students can schedule sessions with friends in the private virtual study room. Brainwave allows students to create and share movie-like notes and ideas.
Participants can access Live Sessions over Brainfuse with a phone, microphone and/or a camera. Brainfuse experts are available for live chat sessions as well. Those patrons wanting to talk to a live coach can also check out a Chromebook from the library and preferably speak to the coach outside, in their car, or do so from home.
JobNow and VetNow are supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
The library’s website gives information about library programs, services and policies. To speak to a library employee, call 707-263-8817.
The Lake County Library is on the internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov.
Jan Cook is a library technician for the Lake County Library.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“I’m pleased to once again serve as a member of the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee,” Garamendi said.
The Readiness Subcommittee that Garamendi chairs oversees one-third of the Department of Defense’s programs.
“The Readiness Subcommittee took bold steps in its subcommittee mark to address the climate crisis and provide our veterans with better quality of care through the VA,” Garamendi said. “We also provided relief to veterans and service members experiencing health issues from exposure to Agent Orange, PFAS and other toxins.”
Garamendi added, “I will fight to ensure that the strong language we secured in the House-passed NDAA remains in the final bill. I will also ensure that the support I helped secure for the missions at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases in my district are supported in the final version of the legislation that reaches the president’s desk.”
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