News
Survey to Evaluate VA’s Women Veterans Program Managers
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
Quoted from 'The American Legion" website home page:
"A Marine Corps veteran and American Legion member wants to know how the addition of Women Veterans Program Managers at VA medical centers nationwide is affecting health care for women veterans.
Women veterans who use VA health-care facilities can take the quick survey here.
Kimberly Francois, a University of Phoenix doctoral candidate in industrial organizational psychology and a 26-year veteran of the Marine Corps, is surveying women veterans to gauge VA’s progress. Francois has a bachelor’s degree in biology, Master of Business Administration degree in human resources management, and a Master of Science degree in industrial organizational psychology to go along with her Marine Corps career. She retired as a chief warrant officer – 5, personnel officer.
“The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether or not the Women Veterans Program Manager improves accessibility of health-care services for women veterans,” Francois says. “Numerous government reports revealed the need for organizational and managerial changes in the health-care system within the VA for women veterans. However, academic literature evaluating the Women Veterans Program Manager is non-existent.”
Francois received authorization from Dr. Patricia Hayes, chief consultant for women’s health services at VA, to fulfill that missing research need and will extend findings to Women Veterans Program Managers at VA medical centers throughout the country. She will also share findings with The American Legion."
Dallas VA Hospital’s Wall of Honor Remembers Female Veterans’ Past, Present
Monday, January 25, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - Texas
The Women Veterans' Wall of Honor was the idea of two Dallas medical center employees, Women Veterans Program Manager Leslie Snowden-Crawford and physician assistant Pamela Korzeniowski. They hope that the shadow boxes will "raise the profile of female veterans among the center’s heavily male-dominated artifact exhibits."
One Stop Service Location For Women Veterans
Monday, January 25, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - California
The "Women Veterans Alliance," founded by Melissa Washington a Navy veteran, and "California's Capital's Womens' Business Center" will be hosting "ONE STOP," the fourth Thursday of every one offering women veterans workshops as well as information on benefits and services, legal assistance, financial advice and more.
New Women’s Health Center at West Haven VA ‘Officially’ Open
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Health Care - Connecticut
The new VA Connecticut Women's Health Center officially opened, now serving nearly a thousand women veterans. It's a one-stop shop, meeting female veterans' comprehensive health care needs in a more private, dignified setting for the women served there.
Michelle Obama Urges Mayors to Remove 'Stain' of Veteran Homelessness and Praises L.A. Efforts
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - National
There's been progress, but much is left to be done. First Lady Michelle Obama urged the nation's mayors to continue their efforts to ease homelessness among military veterans. Some cities reached “functional zero,” which means homeless veterans are quickly identified and helped. The effort takes businesses and nonprofit groups helping veterans connect with resources to find jobs, get medical and mental health treatment, and other services to stabilize their lives.
Bill to Update Alaska Military Code of Justice Advances
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Legal/Justice - Alabama
The bill to reform the Alaska Guard's Uniform Code of Military Justice passed through the Judiciary Committee to be scheduled for a full House vote. The impetus for the reform was a "scathing" report documenting actual and perceived favoritism, ethical misconduct, and fear of reprisal all of which were eroding trust and confidence in the Alaskan National Guard leadership. In 2014, past Alaskan Governor Sean Parnell asked the bureau to investigate reports of sexual assault, rape, and fraud amongst its Guard members.
Andrzejczak Bill to Make It Easier for Women Veterans to Access Services Now Law
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - New Jersey
Five New Jersey legislators sponsored law A-3750 tasking "the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create a public webpage with vital information specifically tailored for female veterans." They see a one-step web site as common sense instead of veterans having to gather information in a piecemeal process. They believe it will be a great help to women veterans transitioning to civilian life, many of whom take care of children in addition to their own needs.
1st of 9 Defendants Sentenced in Massive Navy Bribery Case
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Department of Defense - International
A petty officer first class, the first of nine defendants in a far reaching U.S. Navy bribery case, was sentenced. He provided classified information to a Malaysian defense contractor. The defense contractor, Fat Leonard, "admitted to bribing numerous Navy officials with lavish gifts, including prostitutes, luxury hotels, and Cuban cigars." With the bribes Fat Leonard "beat out the competition to get Navy captains to steer ships to Pacific ports where he overcharged the Navy." Three admirals were censured but never charged.
MyVA: Modernizing VA Through Veteran-centered Transformation
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
VA Secretary Bob McDonald briefed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on VA’s transformation strategy, MyVA, specifically addressing its plan to modernize VA. He highlighted 12 priorities designed to improve delivery of timely care and benefits, improving the veteran experience, and reforming internal systems. Briefing attendees expressed hope for lasting change. The MyVA concept has been deployed to states with the intent of generating local MyVA boards. Former president and chief executive officer of USAA, retired Army Major General Joe Robles, serves as the national MyVA committee chairman.
Here Are The Women Who First Joined Each Branch Of The Military
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Columnist James Clark reports on who historical documents report are the first women to join the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.