BREAKING NEWS AND PERTINENT INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NATIONAL OUTREACH OFFICE

These important briefings are provided through AFSAs Veterans Service Organization's Communicators Partnership with the National Veterans Outreach Office, Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Get Started with the VA: ​https://www.va.gov/getstarted/

Two easy-to-read options explaining the Veterans Benefits you have earned.
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
​Comprehensive 70pp booklet - download here
HELLO. Welcome to VA. Let’s get Started
Quick Start 20pp pamphlet - download here
My HealtheVet Sign In Changes: To improve Cybersecurity, a multi-factor authentication is now required. Review the steps below, and download the full instructions to read, print and share.
MAY is Mental Health Awareness Month
VA's annual campaign in May highlights resources and inspirational messages from Veterans.  This year's theme, Veterans Know, encourage help-seeking behavior and focuses on connecting audiences with inspirational messages and helpful advice from Veterans. The campaign aims to reduce barriers surrounding mental health treatment, including: Misconceptions, Stigma, Negative generalizations associated with mental health symptoms, conditions, and treatment,

Veterans Million Veterans Program
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Whole Health Month is the perfect time to download the Live Whole Health App. 
​VA’s Live Whole Health app is a free and easy to use tool created for Veterans and others who are ready to take the next step in their Whole Health journey. With this app, you can fill out your personal health inventory, set goals, and learn more about Whole Health. Download the app today to #LiveWholeHealth: https://mobile.va.gov/app/live-whole-health

​What matters to you? After a devastating cancer diagnosis, Army Veteran Jennifer Yarbrough answered that question for herself through the Whole Health program. Working with her Whole Health coach, who happened to share her passion for motorcycles, she regained hope and started living her best life: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/features/Veteran_finds_support_in_Whole_Health.asp
VOTERS ASSISTANCE | As part of a government-wide effort to tackle barriers to voting that many Americans face, VA announced a new initiative this week to provide voter assistance to Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors at VA facilities across the country. VA is doing this because we recognize that advocating for all Veterans include advocating for their ability to exercise the rights they fought for and to participate in the civic life that they defended in uniform. During his speech at the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, AL, Deputy Secretary Donald Remy said, “For too long, too many Americans have fought too hard around the globe to protect our rights and freedoms only to fight brutal battles here at home for their own rights and freedoms.” This work ensures “Veteran access to that most sacred right they fought for and so many died for.” As part of this effort, our goal this year is to establish a pilot voter assistance program in select facilities in six states where Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors  can go to receive voter assistance information and support.  As we work towards establishing this pilot program, we are asking you to complete this survey which would help us identify the barriers that Veterans face when registering to vote. Additionally, we ask you to disseminate this survey to your networks to ensure that we get as much participation from our Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors, especially from communities that are more likely to be affected by barriers to voting.
 
Finally, we invite you to visit va.gov/vote, which is our new online portal for resources available to Veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors on registering to vote. We encourage you to visit the site and we welcome any feedback you may have on how we can make the site more effective at meeting the needs of our customers. 

Veterans Service Organization Communications Meeting Overview & Materials

Intimate Partner Violence Pilot Program Launch
VA is committed to addressing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Building Healthy Relationships.
Since 2014, VA has provided comprehensive and integrated services to Veterans, their partners and VA staff who experience IPV.

Did you know?
• One in three women and one in four men in the general population report experiencing IPV.
• Veterans may be disproportionally impacted by IPV according to research.

Veteran Resources:
Veterans who have experienced or are experiencing IPV are encouraged to:
1. Contact an IPVAP coordinator at the nearest VA medical center.
2. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233or 1-800-787-3224(TTY).
3. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or online.rainn.org
For more information about VA’s IPVAP program, visit https://www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV/About.asp
Veterans Health Administration - Extended Geriatric Care
The Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care is launching a five-year expansion of the Home-Based Primary Care, Medical Foster Home, and Veteran Directed Care programs to increase Veterans’ access to home and community-based services and improve health outcomes. This five-year expansion will help meet the health care needs of the aging Veteran population while honoring Veterans’ preferences to age safely at home. The expansion will be phased in over 5 years with new teams starting each fiscal year

Who does the VA Serve?
  • 48%of VHA Enrollees are ages >65
  • 59%of VA Expenditures are spent on Veterans age >6
  • 38% increase in Veteran's age >85 by FY39
  • 278% increase in Female Veterans age >85 by FY3
  • 535% increase in Veteran’s age > 85 NH-eligible by FY39

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) will add 75 teams to areas with the highest unmet need. 
HBPC provides primary care for Veterans in their homes who have complex health care needs for ongoing diseases and illnesses that affect their health and daily activities.

Medical Foster Home (MFH) will be expanding to 58 additional VAMCs.
MFHsare private homes in which caregivers provides nursing-home level care to a few individuals. VA inspects and approves all Medical Foster Homes. It may be appropriate for Veterans who require nursing home care but prefer a non-institutional setting with fewer residents.

Veteran Directed Care will expand to 70 additional VAMCs.
VDC is a consumer-directed approach to care for Veterans who need personal care services and help with activities of daily living.
Veterans are given a budget for services and can hire their own workers to meet their daily needs to help them live independently at home or in their community.
Age-friendly health care designed around what matters most to Veterans.

Veterans Service Organization Communications Meeting Overview & Materials
Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)
  • For Veterans who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched the Veteran Rapid Retaining Assistance Program (VRRAP).
  •  Provides up to 12 months of tuition, fee, and monthly housing allowance payments, based on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, to qualifying Veterans seeking training for employment in a high-demand occupation.  

VRRAP Eligibility
✓ At least 22 years old, but not older than 66, and
✓ Unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
✓ Not eligible for GI Bill or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits (or, if eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, you’ve transferred all of your benefits to family members), and
✓ Not rated as totally disabled because you can’t work, and
✓ Not enrolled in a federal or state jobs programs, and
✓ Not receiving unemployment benefits (including CARES Act benefits)

  • The Veteran application for the VRRAP is now available on VA.gov at https:// www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veteran-rapid-retraining-assistance/
VA EMERGENCY MEDICINE 
Did you know the VA has 141 Emergency Department Care Centers in the community providing 2.5 million visits per year with very specialized care for our Veterans?

Visit https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
Search by (City, State - Zip Code is Best) Then by Facility Type (VA Health) Then by Service Type (Emergency Care).

If you are not going there, please tell us why? Are you using virtual care? Do you have or need a emergency room care center near you?
​
VA EMERGENCY CARE OVERVIEW
  • Largest integrated Emergency Medicine healthcare delivery system in the United States
    • 1,384 FTEE Emergency Physicians
      • 45% Board Certified in Emergency Medicine
      • 61% BC Directors (80 in 17; from 37 in 07’)
    • 141 Eds and UCCs and 2.5 M visits in 2019 versus 1.9 M in 2006.
    • Represent 67% if all admissions to VAMCS.
    • Approximately 21% of ED/UCC visits lead to a hospital admission.
    • 50% of emergency care patient population is >65 or older.
    • 47% of emergency care patients have a mental health comorbid diagnosis.
VA UNITED FOR EQUALITY
Pride Month 
New, this year – a full month of education, support, development, resources and more. Bringing together the LGBT+ Community on a national platform for the first time in VA history.

​Learn more at the 
Outreach & Events | Outreach Events | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
Recognizing LGBTQ+ Veterans During Pride Month | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

LGB Veteran Health Chartbook: Read and download here
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CHARACTER OF DISCHARGE
Character of Discharge-Need for Outreach
  • Veterans may not be aware of the process to upgrade their discharge with DoD that would make them eligible for VA benefits.
  • Veterans with other than honorable service more likely to assume no eligibility and not engage VA/DoD websites to apply for benefits or upgrades.
  • DoD is giving special consideration to other than honorable discharges where the Veteran may have been experiencing mental health conditions or traumatic brain injury impacting behavior that leads to the discharge.
  • VA employees, along with internal and external stakeholders, need to be aware of options available for Veterans with other than honorable discharges, especially if they work with them in person.

Type of Military Discharge
Honorable
The highest discharge a military member can receive. It indicates the service member performed duties well, faithfully executed the mission, and was an asset to the branch of the military where the member served.
 
General Under Honorable Conditions
The overall conduct of the military member may have been exemplary in some areas, but other areas of misconduct or failure to adapt to the military environment may have resulted in such a discharge.
 
Other Than Honorable (OTH)
The most severe of the administrative discharges (which do not require a court-martial). Reasons for the OTH discharge may depend on the severity of the offenses, how a particular branch of the military has traditionally handled such issues, and other variables. Security violations, trouble with civilian authorities, assault, drug possession or various degrees of drug violations or other problems could all potentially motivate an Other Than Honorable Discharge.         
 
Bad Conduct Discharge
Result of a court-martial (special or general) and may be followed by prison time depending on the nature and severity of the conduct.
VA may review for eligibility of benefits for discharges due to special court-martial. 

Dishonorable Discharge
The most punitive of all military discharges and is given as the result of a court-martial (general). Desertion, murder, fraud, and other crimes performed in uniform can result in court-martial proceedings that lead to a Dishonorable Discharge.
*No eligibility for VA benefits when dishonorably discharged, unless insanity can be demonstrated.                                                                                                                                  
 
DoD Considerations in Upgrading Discharges
DoD is requesting that DRBs and BCRs consider symptoms of the of mental health and other factors at the time of service that may have caused misconduct leading to Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges:
These include the following:
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Military Sexual Trauma (sexual assault and harassment)
  • Sexual Orientation (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell)
 
IMPORTANT! VA Character of Discharge Upgrade Wizard
VA provides a character of discharge upgrade wizard on its primary website, VA.GOV:
https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/
Link provides information on how to apply for a discharge upgrade with DoD to include:
  • Forms to complete (DD 293 or DD 149).
  • Evidence required.
  • Where to send completed forms and evidence.
  • What to expect once form is sent. 
 
VA Character of Discharge Review Process
  • Begins with an application for VA health or non-health benefit.
  • If applying for health benefits, use VA Form10-10 EZ.
  • VA’s COD process does not change the Veteran’s DD- 214. It only determines eligibility for VA benefits.
  • It is recommended that Veterans with other than honorable discharges apply for VA benefits to initiate VA COD process, AND apply to DoD for upgrade.
 
CONCLUSION
  • Veterans with other than honorable discharges have options to upgrade with DoD and may be eligible for VA benefits.
  • “OTH” Veterans with mental health conditions due to sexual trauma, TBI, or other experience during military service should be encouraged to upgrade their discharges and apply for VA benefits at the same time.
  • Active promotion of VA Discharge Upgrade Wizard is vital.
 
USE THE WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE:

Veterans Service Organization Communications Meeting Overview & Materials

Digital Divide Telehealth
  • Connects Veterans who do not have Internet access or a video-capable device to programs and Telehealth resources and services.
  • Virtual Medical Telehealth appointments: Vets can order blood pressure machines, pulse ox meter, thermometers, digital stethoscopes, etc. that will connect directly from patient to the healthcare provider.
  • 47,000 VA Video Connect (VVC) appointment were provided in a single day!
  • 192,162 VVC appointments/visits were completed during the week 
  • Great increase in Psychotherapy and Medication Management visits and support.
  • COMING SOON: lifeline Program – Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit to help with costs for internet/wireless connection. For more information on eligibility, visit Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)and Emergency Broadband Benefit | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov).Task: Share the links and information to get members enrolled to use Telehealth services.
  • Fact sheet: https://connectedcare.va.gov/sites/default/files/telehealth-digital-divide-fact-sheet.pdf
 
Dependency Verification Tool
  • Creating this now to utilize on smart phones, tablets, internet for ease and access for all. Marketing materials to come to be shared later.
 
National VA Research Week  
Veterans Legacy Memorial Website
  • Has 3.8 million pages on the site right now!
  • NEW LAYOUT AND DESIGN: New features and re-design, submit photos/images, documents, biographies, service timeline/milestones, military awards. Follow your page and comments, images added.
  • Example shared -- Veterans widow using the page to write frequently to “speak” with her deceased husband – very moving!
  • Adding State and Tribal Veteran Cemeteries add 95 Cemeteries with over an additional 400,000 veterans’ pages. Arlington is not in there as it’s run by the Army – just for those Veterans who are in the VA National Cemeteries.
  • Website: www.va.gov.remember
 
Veterans Canteen Services
  • 200 Patriot Stores, 186 Cafes/Food Courts, 174 Coffee Shops, Snacks/Beverages Machine, Concessions, Eye Clinics, Barber Shops, On-line shopping, Food Trucks,
  • NO SALES TAX charged. Name brand items at a discount (serves Starbucks Coffee).
  • Transformed business due to covid to include: bulk groceries, grab-n-go meals, donated $6 million in PPE frontline care workers.
  • Focus: MADE IN USA items, online shopping, getting veterans back to VA health care centers.
  • Has given back 41.2million over the past 5 years – this year first year not able to support due to covid. Help needed: share ShopVCS.com with veterans and VSO members.
  • Website: ShopVCS.com
  • Sign up now to get $15 off your first purchase. Use code: VCS15
 
Opt-In to the VA Modernization Decision Review Process
  • The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA) allows claimants with pending legacy appeals an opportunity to withdraw from the legacy process and enter the modernized system upon receipt of a Statement of the Case or Supplemental Statement of the Case (SOC/SSOC) dated on or after February 19, 2019
  • Claimants have 60 days from the date of SOC/SSOC or within the one-year appeal period to opt-in and request an AMA decision review option
  • Claimants can choose from any of the three available review options
  • 30-day timeframe to respond to SOC/SSOC is separate from 60-day timeframe to opt-in
  • To benefit from this opportunity, claimants simply complete the required application form for the AMA review option he or she would like to participate in and return the form to the address identified on the SOC/SSOC
  • Keep in mind this opportunity is only available while a legacy appeal is still pending
  • Great Tool to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDGhS77B40
  • References: Decision reviews and appeals: www.va.gov/decision-reviews/
  • AMA info including forms, fact sheet, brochure, poster, and more: www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asp
  • FAQs: www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals-faq.asp and www.va.gov/decision-reviews/faq/

Veterans Service Organization Communications Meeting Overview Materials

VA DISCRETIONARY BUDGET REQUEST
Today the President released his FY 2022 Discretionary Budget Request, which includes $113.1 billion in discretionary funding for VA, a $8.5 billion or 8.2 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level (see attached request document and press release).  This funding is in addition to the substantial resources provided in the American Rescue Plan.  As in previous transitions, the budget request released today by the President reflects only one element of the president’s broader agenda.  Additional details will be available with the release of the full budget request, including details of the mandatory budget.  This release is currently panned for mid/late May.  As is our tradition, we will provide a full briefing on the budget request at that time.  Read the Official News Release here now.
WE CAN’T SERVE YOU – IF YOU HAVEN’T ENROLLED
GET CONNECTED AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE ​
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS: We believe you. We are here for you.  
MENTAL HEALTH CARE MONTH IS MAY
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD MODERNIZATION (HRM)
  • ***SIGN UP AT THE PORTAL now….  www.MyVAHealth.gov
  • VA is conducting a Strategic Review of the ongoing electronic health record modernization program to ensure continued success for all future HER deployments.
  • VHA is working with OEHRM to develop additional readiness activities based on lessons learned from Spokane and is restructuring the office of the Functional Champion to assure appropriate VHA governance moving forward.
  •  ***This is the largest, most complex modernization in history… good news – all diagnostic images are live and on the site. Ophthalmology, cardiology, chest x-rays can be pulled up as you are seeing the veteran.  
  • 13,725+ signed up
  • 35,378 Medication refills through the website portal
  • 17,248 secure messages sent to providers.  
BENFICIARY TRAVEL SELF-SERVICE SYSTEM (BTSSS) YouTube Videos for support
OUTREACH EVENTS SUBMISSION AND CHECKLIST
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to helping Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors be aware of all viable resources to them. We invite you to share events committed to doing the same at least 10 days in advance of the event. Only events that are free to attend will be considered. Complete requests can be sent to: [email protected] with the subject line Outreach Event.
If your organization has not previously registered with the National Resource Directory (NRD), please register with NRD (NRD.gov) before submitting your event.
Submission of event does not guarantee inclusion. All approved events will be listed on https://www.va.gov/outreach-and-events/events/
Please use this checklist to ensure all required information is provided.

VIETNAM WAR COMMEMORATION - INFORMATION
  • Public Law 110-181 § 589 (part of 2008 NDAA): Authorizes SecDef to coordinate, support and facilitate efforts of Federal entities, as well as State and local governments and organizations to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families, especially families who lost loved ones in the Vietnam War, on behalf of a grateful Nation.
  • Implementation Guidance (Jun 9, 2014): Outlines Commemoration enactment, as well as assistance expected from Military Services. "Change One” expected in early 2021.
  • Congressional Objectives: Thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families.  Distinct recognition of Gold Star families, former POWs and families of those still listed as MIA
  • Present Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins to recognize, thank and honor United States military veterans who served during the Vietnam War Period. 
  • Eligibility: Living United States veterans who served on active duty in the U/S/ Armed Forces from November 1, 1955 to May, 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin.
HOW WE CAN HELP...
  • Present Lapel Pins via ongoing distribution network (VWC provides free)
  • Public Service Announcements – Every Day is Vietnam Veteran Day
  • Support lead-up to National Vietnam War Veterans Day (29 March)
  • Display posters at key locations the week of March 29
  • Social Media – help spread the word!
  • VA blogs utilizing VWC background info
  • Encourage continual recognition throughout the year not just 29 March
  • Tell us what you have accomplished! 
VA WHOLE HEALTH PROGRAMS
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Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being, and live their life to the fullest.  Mission:  Transform health care to a Whole Health System of care to support the health and well-being of Veterans, VA employees and the nation.

Circle of Health- comprised of the Components of PROACTIVE Health and Well-Being
The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) provides a tool for self-reflection to prioritize health goals. The Circle, or Components of Proactive Health and Well-Being, graphic is a picture to help you think about your whole health. All of the areas in the circle are important and connected. Improving one area can benefit other areas in your life and influence your overall physical, emotional, and mental health and well-being. The human body and mind have tremendous capacity to heal, and these innate healing abilities are strengthened or weakened by many factors that we can influence.   We may not always have total control over all things in our life, but at any given time, what are the things that we might have some influence over?  This is an invitation to consider that.

Download complete Whole Health brochure here now.
SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
This Suicide Prevention Month — and every month — Be There for Veterans and let them know that your organization cares. Simple gestures of support can provide hope during challenging times. As a leading Suicide Prevention Month advocate, VA will amplify the message to Veterans and their networks that support is available, suicide is preventable, and resources exist to help Veterans get back on track. #BeThereForVeterans

No matter how casually or jokingly stated, comments about emotional distress, crisis, or suicide should always be taken seriously. Someone who talks about suicide, or who shares concerning images on social media, provides others with an opportunity to intervene before suicidal behaviors occur.
According to University of Utah research portrayed in BWF Stand SMART for Heroes, Veterans who died by suicide were more likely to:
• Post about stressful events and then immediately talk about emotional distress and negative thoughts.
• Talk about alcohol consumption or post pictures involving alcoholic beverages.
• Post content that rapidly switched back and forth between positive emotional content and negative emotional content.
• Post pictures of personal firearms but not of friends and pets. 

How to Recognize and Respond to Emotional Distress on Social Media The following example language includes signs of emotional distress:
• Hopelessness: “Nothing I do makes a bit of a difference. It’s beyond my control.”
• Direct statements about suicide: “I’m having thoughts of suicide.” “I’m thinking about hurting myself.”
• Feeling trapped: “I can’t see any way out of this mess. Life will never get better.”
• Feeling like a burden: “They’d be better off without me.” “I’d be better off dead.”
• Lack of belonging: “No one cares. I just don’t fit in anywhere.”
• Guilt: “It’s all my fault. I’m to blame.”
• Saying goodbye or desire to escape: “I just wanted to tell everyone thank you for all you’ve done, but I just can’t take this anymore.”
• Feeling alone: “I’m on my own. No one cares about me.”

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:  
Anyone can help prevent Veteran suicide. Your actions can make a lifesaving difference when you reach out to a family member or friend you are concerned about and provide resources that can help. As you scroll on social media, look out for warning signs of suicide risk that are outlined in this toolkit, and follow the steps to provide support for the Veterans in your life and your community. #BeThere
VA is committed to bringing Veterans health care when and where they need it using advanced #telehealth technologies. If you are a #Veteran or #caregiver find out what #VAConnectedCare can offer you: https://www.telehealth.va.gov/​

Video or Telephone Appointments: https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
My HealtheVet: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home
Rx Refill: https://mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill 
Annie App: https://mobile.va.gov/annie
Home Telehealth http://vaww.telehealth.va.gov/pgm/ht/index.asp
The doctor can see you now ... on your computer or mobile device. With VA Video Connect, use your phone, computer or tablet to communicate with your VA provider over a secure video connection.
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/ss04092018-the-doctor-can-see-you-now
​A big “thanks” to our #VA volunteers on the ground who are helping as VA joins other U.S. government agencies in a coordinated response to coronavirus. For the latest updates, visit www.va.gov/coronavirus/.

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