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Michigan Veterans! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Questions Now!
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On October 7th, 1-2 PM ET, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer-to-peer support services. Type your questions in now!
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» Capt Ryan Engle - Partnership Coordinator, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» Mike Wilson - Region 8, Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT)
» Lamont Solomon - Assistant Coach, Public Contact Supervisor, VBA
» Patricia Sweeney - National Director, Peer Support Services, VA Central Office, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
» Jessica Wheeler - Regional Director, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services, Michigan Region
American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces:
The American Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service, worldwide – for life. Our Hero Care Network provides 24/7 connection to emergency communication and critical community services; care and comfort in veteran and military health care facilities; and family resiliency training.
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency:
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy, and service to veterans and their families.
MVAA - MVAA (michigan.gov)
800-MICH-VET
Veterans Community Action Teams (VCATs):
VCAT membership is comprised of federal, state, local and faith-based organizations that support veterans in the communities where they live and work. VCATs focus on identifying solutions for gaps in veteran services, reducing duplication of efforts and simplifying connections with local resources. This community-based system of care allows networks of service providers to employ best practices, share information and tools and connect more quickly with veterans. The Southwest Michigan Region 8 Veteran Community Action Team is a holistic approach to the community veteran systems of care. The SWMR8VCAT is a stand-alone organization that collaborates support and services for veterans through an integrated network of individuals, organizations and agencies in the 7-county region of Southwest Michigan, and the State of Michigan overall.
» BG Mike Eastman - Advisor, ETS Sponsorship
» Coleton Whitaker - Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Staci H. - Senior Manager of Volunteers and Partnerships, Blue Star Families
» Melissa Comeau - Director, American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network
» Jeanette Gilles - Deputy Director of Community Integration, Americas Warrior Partnership
» Capt Ryan Engle - Partnership Coordinator, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
» Justin Monk - VP of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
» Mike Wilson - Region 8, Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT)
» Lamont Solomon - Assistant Coach, Public Contact Supervisor, VBA
» Patricia Sweeney - National Director, Peer Support Services, VA Central Office, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
» Jessica Wheeler - Regional Director, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services, Michigan Region
American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces:
The American Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service, worldwide – for life. Our Hero Care Network provides 24/7 connection to emergency communication and critical community services; care and comfort in veteran and military health care facilities; and family resiliency training.
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency:
The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy, and service to veterans and their families.
MVAA - MVAA (michigan.gov)
800-MICH-VET
Veterans Community Action Teams (VCATs):
VCAT membership is comprised of federal, state, local and faith-based organizations that support veterans in the communities where they live and work. VCATs focus on identifying solutions for gaps in veteran services, reducing duplication of efforts and simplifying connections with local resources. This community-based system of care allows networks of service providers to employ best practices, share information and tools and connect more quickly with veterans. The Southwest Michigan Region 8 Veteran Community Action Team is a holistic approach to the community veteran systems of care. The SWMR8VCAT is a stand-alone organization that collaborates support and services for veterans through an integrated network of individuals, organizations and agencies in the 7-county region of Southwest Michigan, and the State of Michigan overall.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Detroit
Grand Rapids
Warren
Responses: 28
So grateful to Rally Point and the VA for hosting this event for Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors in Michigan. I am looking forward to participating.
VA WELCOME KIT! https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Subscribe to VA News! https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
VA.gov makes it easy for Veterans to schedule an appointment, update contact info, file a claim, apply for healthcare and much more!
Subscribe to VA News! https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
VA.gov makes it easy for Veterans to schedule an appointment, update contact info, file a claim, apply for healthcare and much more!
Print out your VA Welcome Kit | Veterans Affairs
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Melissa Comeau
These Welcome Kits are so great! Thank you Andi Martinez
Look forward to participating today on behalf of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF). EDF is the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s military caregivers; the spouses, parents, family members and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill or injured veterans. The Foundation’s programs provide military and veteran caregivers the support they need at the local, state, and national levels. These programs engage individuals, organizations, and communities. Find out more at hiddenheroes.org.
Capt Ryan Engle
If you're a veteran caregiver reading this, or know one, and you're not aware of the resources of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, or your county or city isn't a "Hidden Heroes" community, pledged to support those veteran and military caregivers, you definitely need to check them out at the link Coleton provided.
At ETS Sponsorship, we work to support Servicemembers from all branches in their transition out of uniform and into civilian life. Almost everyone going through this process has important questions about housing, jobs, schools, healthcare. Finding accurate information isn't always easy. We have found that the most effective way to get answers is to pair up with a sponsor from the community you are moving to. Much like the military provides sponsors for PCS moves, we connect new Veterans with trained sponsors from their destination community to facilitate a smooth transition. Moving to Michigan after you ETS? Interested in becoming a sponsor for a Servicemember leaving active duty and returning to Michigan? Please check out our program at http://www.etssponsorship.com.
Melissa Comeau
Hello BG Mike Eastman Glad to see ETS Sponsorship is supporting Veterans in Michigan.
I am grateful to all those participating and answering questions presented by Michigan veterans. Thank you for sharing your time and resources with our 567,000 plus state veterans.
Melissa Comeau
Thank you PFC Zaneta Adams, Director MVAA If you are ever looking for specific resources in your area please visit our Hero Care Resource Directory with 800+ resources for every zip code in America. https://www.redcross.org/herocareresources
Find social services that serve your area, anywhere in the US
Looking for ways to continue your service? Join the American Red Cross Hero Care Network.
The American Red Cross Hero Care Network provides emergency communications and critical services to military members, veterans and their families all over the world 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every eight minutes, volunteers help the American Red Cross bring help and hope to people in need. Join us and make a difference in your community.
https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/hero-care-network.html
The American Red Cross Hero Care Network provides emergency communications and critical services to military members, veterans and their families all over the world 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every eight minutes, volunteers help the American Red Cross bring help and hope to people in need. Join us and make a difference in your community.
https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/hero-care-network.html
Many questions, legitimately and rightly so, are about a "need" at a point in time, life, etc. Those are of incredible importance. I also think for any veteran reading this, without a specific "need" at this juncture, a statement and commitment you should make to yourself is, "I will seek out the benefits I earned in service." You might be 22 now, with minor hearing loss and getting by just fine. Maybe you're 30 with a good job, some nightmares and difficulty sleeping, but you feel ok. Whatever the excuse is, I encourage each veteran to overcome it and seek out the benefits earned in service. This should include VA healthcare enrollment for eligible veterans - maybe you don't need it now, but maybe you will. This should include pursuing other benefits that you earned - maybe you don't "need" it now, and that's fine, but you may later. Doing so NOW is the right option.
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