Veterans
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WASHINGTON, DC – 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 more than 1,200 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 Web site at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2012_Women-Veterans_StrategicPlan.pdf .
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1), co-chair of the bipartisan Military Veterans Caucus, on Friday secured the passage of his bipartisan amendment with Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) to expedite new and innovative treatments to our nations’ veterans and active duty soldiers suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The TBI treatment expansion initiative was adopted as a House amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013 (H.R. 4310).
“Our troops and veterans have earned the very best treatment and care that we can provide,” said Thompson. “But sometimes the best treatments aren’t available at military and veteran medical facilities. My amendment will make sure that our heroes who return from combat with TBI or PTSD have access to the highest quality care our nation has to offer.”
“I am pleased that our colleagues have joined us in recognizing the importance of providing treatment options not currently available within military and veteran medical facilities to those who return from combat with TBI or PTSD,” said Sessions. “As we approach the Memorial Day holiday, I believe we can best honor our nation’s active duty soldiers and veterans by ensuring that their health is a top priority and that they have access to the most effective treatments available.”
"The bi-partisan Amendment offered by Congressman Thompson and Congressman Sessions will provide additional resources to the VA and DoD to formally collaborate with non-government organizations, such as The Pathway Home in Yountville, to provide timely, cost-effective and quality alternative treatment to veterans who have symptoms of PTSD and TBI," said Fred Gusman, Executive Director of the Pathway Home in Yountville.
Between 2000 an 2011 more than 230,000 service members have been diagnosed with TBI. Up to 18 percent of U.S. military personnel returning from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD symptoms.
Thompson’s and Sessions’ TBI treatment amendment creates a new five-year $10 million pilot program that allows military patients to receive treatment from health care facilities outside of the VA that are utilizing an array of leading-edge, successful therapies to treat TBI and PTSD.
Physicians and residential treatment centers like The Pathway Home may qualify for payment from the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs through a “pay-for-performance” plan, meaning they must prove that a patient has experienced demonstrable improvement.
Treatment and reimbursement safeguards in the amendment ensure access to innovative private treatments while reserving payment only for treatments that work.
To reach the long-term objective of incorporating leading-edge medical practices into military hospitals, Thompson’s and Sessions’ TBI treatment initiative requires an annual report to Congress on the results of the program.
It also requires a report on how each Department Secretary plans to integrate successful methods into their own medical facilities, encouraging a constant flow of new and innovative treatments.
Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded its mental health services to include professionals from two additional health care fields: marriage and family therapists (MFT) and licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC).
“The addition of these two mental health professions is an important part of VA’s mission to expand access to mental health services,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans and their families can face unique challenges. By providing a complete range of services, we can help them address those challenges and help keep more families together.”
The two fields will be included in the hiring of an additional 1,900 mental health staff nationwide that VA announced last month. Recruitment and hiring will be done at the local level.
The new professionals will provide mental health diagnostic and psychosocial treatment services for veterans and their families in coordination with existing mental health professionals at VA’s medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics and vet centers.
VA has developed qualification standards for employment as LPMHCs and MFTs and has announced the appointments of mental health and health science professionals to serve on professional standards boards.
The boards will review applicants for LPMHC and MFT positions in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to determine eligibility for employment and the government grade level appropriate for the individual in the selected position.
The boards also will review promotions in these positions.
For more information about mental health care that VA provides, visit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ .
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Air Force Airman Jacob M. Anderson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.
Anderson is the son of Steve and Eileen Anderson of Middletown, Calif.
He is a 2011 graduate of Middletown High School.
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LAKE COUNTY – April 16 to April 21 is National Volunteer Week. Many citizens contribute their time and talents to make our community a better place to live.
Operation Tango Mike is an example of volunteers coming together and sustaining an effort to serve and support their fellow citizens. The all-volunteer troop support effort is eligible for an opportunity to win a $2,500 grant.
Umpqua Bank is celebrating National Volunteer Week by asking folks to “like” their Facebook page on the Internet.
After doing so, post a message on the Umpqua Bank Facebook page about your efforts to support Operation Tango Mike, or perhaps the support you or a loved one have received from the group.
Ten random posts will be selected and groups represented by those posts will each receive $2,500. The more posts regarding Operation Tango Mike, the better the odds of being selected.
A national proclamation has been issued which in part reads: “Our Nation has been profoundly shaped by ordinary Americans who have volunteered their time and energy to overcome extraordinary challenges. From the American Revolution and the Seneca Falls Convention to the everyday acts of compassion and purpose that move millions to make change in their communities, our Nation has always been at its best when individuals have come together to realize a common vision. Service is a lifelong pursuit that strengthens the civic and economic fabric of our Nation. With every hour and every act, our lives are made richer, our communities are drawn closer, and our country is forged stronger by the dedication and generous spirit of volunteers.”
A minute of your time may be worth $2,500 to Operation Tango Mike, and the troops it serves and supports.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015 in Lakeport will hold its semiannual yard sale the end of this month, on Friday, March 30, through Sunday, April 1.
The event will be held at the National Guard Armory, located at 1431 Hoyt Ave. off of Hill Road by the county jail.
The three-day sale on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature tools, furniture, clothes, kitchen, bed and bath items.
Along with the yard sale the post will be having a raffle drawing for a vintage San Francisco 49ers jacket in pristine condition.
The ladies auxiliary of the post will be having a bake sale and will be helping the post with the raffle drawing and the jewelry items for the sale.
The United Veterans Council of Lake County/Lake County Vet Connect will be running the BBQ again this year.
Last year they made a hit with their burgers and hot dogs and this year they are planning to add polish and sauerkraut dogs to the menu.
The funds raised by each of the groups go to help veterans and their families of Lake County with food and clothing, emergency funding, and scholarships.
If you would like to help our local veterans, stop by and enjoy some food and fun of shopping for that hidden treasure.
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A simple check mark on your state income tax form this year can help veterans living in one of our California Veterans Homes live a more fulfilling life by providing recreational materials like movie and books and social events like trips to ballgames and concerts.
“Donating to this worthwhile fund is an excellent way for the Veterans Homes of California to increase their Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Fund to help improve the quality of life for our deserving veteran residents,” said Major General (Ret.) Peter J. Gravett, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “Please help promote this effort to individuals you may know who are looking for a way to help support veterans and the Veterans Homes of California. It is an easy way to give back to those who have given so much to our country. On behalf of our wonderful veterans, I thank you.
Veterans Home advocates are asking veterans supporters in California to please consider donating to the California Veterans Home Fund when filing their 2011 California Income Tax Returns before April 17, 2012. The Fund is Code No. 417 on Line No. 110 of the California Form 540 for the 2011 tax year.
The total received by the State is divided and distributed among each of the six Veterans Homes of California.
These beautiful homes were built as an expression of gratitude toward California’s veterans, and are located in Yountville (the oldest and largest State Veterans Home in the nation), Chula Vista, Barstow, Ventura, Lancaster, and the newest home in West Los Angeles, built adjacent to the USDVA Hospital.
Two additional veterans homes are currently under construction in Fresno and Redding.
In 2010, Assembly Bill 1088 (Fletcher) established the “California Veterans Home Fund,” allowing taxpayers to donate directly to this fund from their State Income Tax refunds.
To date, from January 2011 through November, 2011, nearly 19,000 California taxpayers have donated $210,720 from their State Income Tax refunds to this new fund to help the residents at the California Veterans Homes.
For more information on this effort, as well as Veterans benefits, employment, educational resources, services, Veterans Homes of California, CalVet Home Loans, veterans license plates, and much more, please log on to the CalVet website at www.calvet.ca.gov .
Visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/mycalvet and follow us on www.twitter.com/mycalvet .
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YOUNTVILLE, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) announced Friday that the Yountville Veterans Home Post Office will remain open despite having been considered last year for closure by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Last July, the post office was included on a list of approximately 3,700 others being considered for closure by the USPS.
Thompson, who represents the Yountville veterans home, led the effort against its closure.
“Today’s announcement says to the veterans here in Yountville and to veterans across our country that we stand by your side,” said Thompson. “The people who live in this home are heroes who put their lives on the line to serve our nation. Because we fought to keep the Yountville Veterans Home Post Office open, many of our aged and disabled veterans will still have access to their mail, packages and prescription drugs.”
“After a long and careful review, I determined that the customer service options that would be left for our veterans and staff would not be sufficient to meet their needs or our obligation to serve them,” said USPS Bay-Valley District Manager Kim Fernandez.
“We are greatly pleased with Congressman Thompson’s efforts for keeping the post office open at the Yountville Veterans Home,” said Peter J. Gravett, secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “Having convenient access to a post office is but one of the many benefits and services our veterans deserve for having worn our nation’s military uniform.”
The Yountville Veterans Home is one of the oldest in the nation and currently houses over 1,000 veterans, representing every era of warrior from World War II to the present conflicts.
The residents range from those who are in the final stages of their lives to those who are trying to adjust from traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Yountville Veterans Home Post Office was the only post office on the USPS’s potential closure list that is located in a veterans home.
The USPS estimated that the closure of the Yountville Veterans Home post office would only save approximately $1,000 per year.
In August 2011 Thompson wrote to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging that he reconsider closing the post office.
Thompson also worked with local town and county officials, the American Legion and the California Department of Veterans Affairs to oppose the closing of the veterans home post office.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Air Force Airman Fernando F. Herrera graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.
Herrera is the grandson of Idine Verdin of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
He is a 2011 graduate of Middletown High School.
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