News
How VA and Tricare Users Can Get Tested for Coronavirus
Monday, March 23, 2020 | Category: Health Care - ME
Some of your questions regarding who can be tested, where testing might be available, fees for testing, if any, and additional information is included in this article written by Dorothy Mills-Gregg.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What Veterans Need to Know
Sunday, March 22, 2020 | Category: Health Care - ME
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published general guidance regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). VA call centers and some VA health facilities are currently experiencing very high numbers of calls. To help address the most urgent needs first, the VA asks that you use their online tools and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for routine or non-urgent questions. The VA will continue to update this page as the situation changes.
33 Fallen Service Members June 2018-May 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Thirty-three volunteer service members lost their lives in overseas conflicts June 2018-May 2019. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) invite all to join them in a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. local time every Memorial Day. The IAVA “#GoSilent” campaign began in 2011.
New Congressional Caucus to Focus on Servicewomen, Female Vets
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
A new Congressional initiative, the House Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus, was launched on Capitol Hill to address long-standing issues impacting the fastest growing military cohort. They plan to focus on “growing issues facing female servicemembers and veterans today, from concerns of reports of increased sexual assaults in the ranks to more women serving in combat to health care.”
The caucus is chaired and co-chaired by women veterans.
ALS News Today (Higher Rates of ALS Amongst Military Servicemembers & Veterans)/Maine Contacts
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 | Category: Health Care - ME
This site offers past and current Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS) news, inclusive of military veteran-specific news.
Research indicates that there is a higher rate of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS) amongst individuals who served in the military. In 2008, laws passed making ALS a presumptive compensable illness. Through the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans are rated at a minimum of 100% with access to other supportive benefits to assist them and their families/caregivers with the veteran’s daily care. Veteran families should expect ALS claims to be processed expeditiously. Families can benefit from assistance from veteran service organizations, particularly the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) who have extensive training in working claims for complicated illnesses.
The Maine Care Services Coordinator for the ALS Northern New England Chapter is:
Laurie McFarren
Maine Office: 207-494-8000
E-mail: lmcfarren@alsanne.org
NNE Chapter office 603-226-8855 | fax 603-226-8890
The first-ever Maine ALS Multi-disciplinary Clinic opened in December 2017. It is located in Brunswick, Maine and coordinated by neurologist Dr. John A. Taylor’s office. Ask for the ALS Clinic Coordinator at:
Phone: 207-373-6099
Web Site: https://www.midcoasthealth.com/mcmg/specialty-care/neurology/
New Maine Veterans’ Homes Facility in Augusta That’ll Feel Like Home Gets Ceremonial Groundbreaking
Thursday, April 18, 2019 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
Maine Veterans’ Homes host their groundbreaking ceremony for the new Augusta, Maine home. The 44-acre facility will have 138 private rooms with private baths.
Conference Sparks Dialogue on Preventing Sexual Violence at Service Academies, Colleges
Thursday, April 4, 2019 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
Military service secretaries and service academy superintendents along with other higher education academic leaders and experts met at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland this week. The intent of the conference was “to find ways to prevent sexual violence and to share initiatives that have shown promise.” This “National Discussion on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at America’s Colleges, Universities, and Service Academies” is the first-ever national meeting addressing this subject. Over 300 attended, about 10 percent of the 1200 invited universities were represented.
In January 2019, the results of a survey showed a 50 percent rise in claims of sexual assault and harassment at the military service academies.
Examining the Role of the Commander in Sexual Assault
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
On April 2, 2019, the House Armed Services Committee hosted two panels composed of military justice reform advocates, military sexual assault survivors and military Judge Advocates. Congresswoman Jackie Spier made opening remarks, noting that the number of reported sexual assaults in the military continues to rise significantly while prosecutions and convictions have decreased. The American Bar Association along with Protect Our Defenders reinforced their position that until the decision to prosecute is made by independent attorneys and not military commanders with convening authority, there will not be an impartial military justice system free of retaliation and wrongful discharges for military personnel.
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (April 2019)
Monday, April 1, 2019 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
The month of April is “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.” It is a campaign to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. In addition to the resources posted in “WomenVetsUSA Maine Events,” there are other national resources linked on the “WomenVetsUSA National Home Page News Ticker.”
Financial Guide for Maine Veterans
Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
Maine law student, Mike Adams, coauthored a financial guide for veterans. A veteran himself, his goal was to produce an easy-to-understand guide to financial resources available to eligible Maine veterans. The guide includes information on veterans' benefit agencies and organizations, employment, education, health, establishing and maintaining credit, and personal finance.
Mainebiz notes that:
"The Downeaster Financial Guide for Maine Veterans, by Michael Adams and David Leach, is available free of charge to Maine residents by contacting the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 207-624-8527 or 1-800-332-8529. Non-Maine residents may purchase the publication for $6 a copy, or at a volume discount of $4 a copy on orders or 50 or more. Shipping fees are included in the prices listed. It is also available online here.”