News
VA Selects New Director of the Center for Women Veterans
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
Kayla M. Williams was appointed as Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans. She will be the VA Secretary's primary advisor on Department policies, programs and legislation that affect women veterans. Ms. Williams is a post-9/11 veteran, a former member of the VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an author of two books, a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change, and a 2015 Lincoln Award recipient. She was a RAND Corporation researcher for eight years, focusing on service member and veteran health needs and benefits, international security, and intelligence policy.
After Decades Avoiding the Water, Amputee Invents His Way to Dive Back In
Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
Randy and Lori Lord of Danforth, Maine dedicated decades to developing a prosthetic to aid amputees to swim in their home kitchen. At one point they thought about giving up, but veterans returning from Iraq sparked their interest to continue. Today, they ship their "AMP FIN" worldwide. It is manufactured in Maine, they have a U.S. patent and are applying for country patents. They hope to open nationwide stores, managed exclusively by veterans.
Army’s First Female Infantry Officer is Capt. Kristen Griest, Ranger School Graduate
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Captain Kristen M. Griest, a West Point graduate from Connecticut, is again making military history. She will be the first female U.S. Army infantry officer. In summer 2015, she graduated from the Army's Ranger school with 1st Lieutenant Shaye Haver.
More Must Be Done to Help Female Vets
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Legislation - Colorado
Christina Dieters,spouse of a veteran, shares her interest and concern for challenges women veterans may experience. She notes that most health-related issues are not gender-specific, but the care and treatment may be beneficially tailored. She makes a plea for citizens to reach out to their legislators to support veteran legislation.
Making A Difference: Non-Profit Helping Homeless Female Veterans Almost Done With House
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - Kentucky
Sheppard's Hands is opening a Deporres Avenue home for women veterans at risk of homelessness or homeless. They will offer services for three women who will take part in a one-year program including counseling, financial planning, nutritional classes, and job training skills. The home is still being renovated. Donations are welcomed.
UCLA Study Finds Majority Of California Veterans Who Need Mental Health Care Receive Inadequate Or No Treatment
Wednesday, April 27, 2016 | Category: Mental Health - California
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study found that "76% of California veterans in need of mental health care from 2011 to 2013 either didn’t receive treatment or received inadequate care." Researchers noted that 90,000 veterans with at least one year of military service, or 3.5% of California's veterans, needed mental health care compared to 3.9% of nonveterans. This finding is contrary to perceptions that veterans are more likely to need mental health care.
Retired General's New Mission is Restoring Trust in Wounded Warrior
Saturday, April 23, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
In light of news reports criticizing how "Wounded Warriors" spent donors' money, retired Maj. Gen. Charles Fletcher was selected by the "Wounded Warrior Project’s" board as interim chief operations officer to “restore trust” in the Jacksonville-based charity.
Sexual Assault in Military Tied to Veterans' Homelessness
Thursday, April 21, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
JAMA Psychiatry published new study results finding that military service members who are sexually assaulted are at a higher risk for homelessness. Males were found to be in greater jeopardy than females. In earlier Department of Veterans Affairs research, more servicemen than servicewomen who were sexually assaulted on active duty more frequently expressed suicidal thoughts and behavior. Department of Defense officials shared that ""Men are less apt to engage in care for sexual assault. And in therapy, it's something you address way down stream. It's not an initial presenting problem." Experts emphasized it is imperative to eradicate sexual assault in the military and that reporting sexual assault be "facilitated, supported and encouraged.”
Senators Call on Obama to Investigate Sexual Assault Cases
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
Two U.S. senators, Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., are urging President Barack Barack Obama to investigate whether or not "the Pentagon misled Congress with information about sexual assault cases in an effort to undercut support for a Senate bill that senior military officials steadfastly oppose." Both the Associated Press investigation and a "Protect Our Defenders" report "found inaccuracies and omissions in military records that summarized the outcomes of cases prosecuted in military courts."
Center for Women Veterans Partners on eMentoring for Women Veterans
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 | Category: Employment - National
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Women Veterans is partnering with the AcademyWomen’s eMentoring program to empower women veterans the opportunity to reach their full personal and professional potential. Women veterans now have access to online, web-based mentorship support from veteran and non-veteran mentors.
Why is this so important? Women veterans represent one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population, but they often do not self-identify as a military veteran and others do not ask ask if they served in the military. They could lose out on seeking available veteran employment preferences, which could adversely impact their competitiveness in the job market. The eMentor program could give them "an edge" by building confidence and knowledge.