Author: Wendy Leonard

I am the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran from WWII, stationed in Japan and The Phillipines during the post-war occupation, and a U.S. Marine Corps Drill Sergeant, stationed at Parris Island during the Korean War. Following that tradition, I married a U.S. Army Military Policeman, stationed in Baumholder Germany in the early '80s. Maintaining the website and writing for Legacy Beyond Valor is my way of giving back to the men and women returning from U.S. military service with a need for help finding their way back into civilian society.

VA and Warrior Care Network Collaboration

The Brain Trust is an annual event bringing the top minds in treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and head trauma together with collaborators from professional sports, private industry, innovators, scientists, caregivers and Veterans.

The areas of focus this year include collaborative research, technological and sports innovations. The group’s aim is to identify solutions in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims of head trauma. The VA and Warrior Care Network will both participate in the 2017 Brain Trust in Boston.

Warrior Care Network and VA Collaboration

The Wounded Warrior Project and the VA have been successfully collaborating on programs, policies, and benefits since WWP began 14 years ago. Their most recent collaboration is designed to enhance a wounded warrior’s journey through the Warrior Care Network and has been much more successful than originally expected.

 

The VA refers warriors needing treatment to the Warrior Care Network. One of the four participating care facilities listed above accepts the warrior for care. When the AMC believes the warrior is ready to cope on his/her own, they are transitioned back to the VA for continuing care. There is no charge to the warrior for any treatment by the Warrior Care Network.

The big elephant in the room is why should we need a Warrior Care Network at all? Why isn’t the VA taking care of our wounded warriors? The answer to that question comes down to sheer numbers.

It is estimated that 500,000 Veterans are currently struggling with PTSD and another 300,000 have suffered at least one traumatic brain injury. Numbers like this add up to a national healthcare crisis that will take cooperation between the VA, DoD, for-profit and nonprofit groups, and philanthropists all working together to heal those affected by war.

Status of the Public-Private Collaboration

Over 15 months, the Warrior Care Network has treated over 1,000 wounded veterans and members of their families.

In addition to treatment at one of the four AMCs, the Warrior Care Network established two- and three-week residential Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) using a cohort structure. During an IOP, warriors are given an average of 77 hours of therapy. They are taught skills for coping at home. The secondary benefit of the cohort format is warriors form bonds with other veterans in their cohort that last beyond the IOP.

Do you know someone you think could benefit from this program? Contact the VA or the Wounded Warrior Project for additional information.

 

Ending Homelessness for Veterans Across America

The end of March 2017 marked one more community that has announced the end of Veteran homelessness in their community. The City of Nashua, New Hampshire joined 40+ communities and three states (Connecticut, Delaware, and Virginia) that have reached the goal of finding permanent housing for all of their homeless veterans.

The VA launched an initiative to end Veteran homelessness in 2010, and to date 480,000+ homeless veterans across the country have been housed under that initiative.

Local Veterans Administration Medical Centers do more than medical care in their communities. They also serve as hubs for the homelessness initiative in their communities. If you know of a veteran who needs assistance with housing, please put them in contact with the local VA center.

In the last six years, the number of homeless veterans across the country has been cut almost in half.

Here are some contacts for people who want to help and people who need help:

  • Individuals and Businesses wishing to help eradicate homeless veterans in their city can visit: va.gov/homeless.
  • Refer homeless Veterans to their local VA Medical Center or urge them to call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
  • To learn about employment initiatives for Veterans exiting homelessness, visit: http://www.va.gov/homeless/

 

VA Women Veterans Hotline 1-855 VA-WOMEN

Women Veterans Eligible for Many Benefits

While female Veterans have access to all of the benefits male Veterans enjoy, including Veterans health care and pharmacy programs, educational benefits, compensation for disabilities, VA home loans, and job assistance.

“Some women Veterans may not know about high-quality VA care and services available to them,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The hotline will allow us to field their questions and provide critical information about the latest enhancements in VA services.”

The hotline for women Veterans (1-855-VA-WOMEN) is the latest in a growing suite of hotlines the VA is hosting to make sure critical information regarding available assistance is quickly available to Veterans. Female Veterans may also visit the Center for Women Veterans for additional information and programs available specifically for women.

Other Available Hotlines

Other hotlines available to both male and female Veterans include a hotline for Veterans in crisis (considering suicide) and another for Veterans facing the possibility or reality of homelessness.  Veterans can receive information and apply for benefits online at VA’s www.eBenefits.va.gov and manage their health care at MyHealtheVet.va.gov.

 

 

New VA Analytics Program to Identify Those At-Risk for Suicide

suicide prevention
suicide prevention

On April 24, 2017, the Department of Veterans Affairs introduced a new computer program designed to help identify veterans at-risk for suicide before an emergency arises. It was tested at two VA medical centers and has now been expanded to all VA hospitals across the country.

The analytics program studies veterans’ electronic health records to identify factors known to contribute to suicide, i.e., chronic illnesses, financial and social stressors, repeat hospitalizations, life and relationship changes, and certain health problems. The goal is for the local VA health center to step in and over help to prevent these issues from escalating to suicide.

The approach will include engagement, building trust, and making sure their financial and emotional needs are met, bringing them back from the edge of disaster.

The program has already identified 6,400 of the most high-risk VA patients across the country and brought them into treatment. The program is being called “Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment” (REACH VET).

Many of the people identified by the program have never thought about suicide; however, the stressors in their life are known to culminate in suicidal thoughts. The VA is aiming to be proactive and help before a healthcare emergency arises.

Click here to review the original article. If you know anyone you think the VA should reach out to, please contact the local VA center responsible for that person’s residential address.