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Montana Veterans! Do You Have Health and Benefits Questions? Ask Questions Now!
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On January 5th, 11AM - 12PM MT, VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on benefits, claims, and peer support resources. Type your questions now!
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
» Patricia Sweeney - National Director, Peer Support Services, VHA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Sgt Jay Dalrymple - Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, Veterans and Military Families
» PO3 Douglas Webb - Management Analyst, VA
» SFC Bryan Zipp - Veteran Service Officer, Montana
» SGT Blake Fuhriman - Chairman, Veterans Navigation Network
» (Join to see) - Supervisory Veterans Service Representative, VBA
VHA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’s Peer Support Services:
The VHA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’s Peer Support Services Section provides national policy guidance and national trainings for peer specialists and peer support supervisors to support the implementation of the peer specialist health care profession in VHA.
Veteran’s Navigation Network (VNN):
Veteran’s Navigation Network facilitates a smooth transition for our Nation’s Service Members, from military service to civilian life through creating networks that strive to allow Veterans to succeed through job placement, physical and mental health, and linking to other service as needed. VNN also offers Veterans the opportunity to volunteer to support other Veterans.
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA):
Veterans Benefits Administration administers VA benefits such as service-connected disability and non-service connected pension to Veterans, their family members, and other beneficiaries.
You can ask questions to the following people:
» Maj Bonnie Carroll - President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
» Patricia Sweeney - National Director, Peer Support Services, VHA
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA
» Sgt Jay Dalrymple - Director, National Cemetery Scheduling Office
» Jay Gorman - Psychologist, VA
» Coleton Whitaker - Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, Veterans and Military Families
» PO3 Douglas Webb - Management Analyst, VA
» SFC Bryan Zipp - Veteran Service Officer, Montana
» SGT Blake Fuhriman - Chairman, Veterans Navigation Network
» (Join to see) - Supervisory Veterans Service Representative, VBA
VHA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’s Peer Support Services:
The VHA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention’s Peer Support Services Section provides national policy guidance and national trainings for peer specialists and peer support supervisors to support the implementation of the peer specialist health care profession in VHA.
Veteran’s Navigation Network (VNN):
Veteran’s Navigation Network facilitates a smooth transition for our Nation’s Service Members, from military service to civilian life through creating networks that strive to allow Veterans to succeed through job placement, physical and mental health, and linking to other service as needed. VNN also offers Veterans the opportunity to volunteer to support other Veterans.
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA):
Veterans Benefits Administration administers VA benefits such as service-connected disability and non-service connected pension to Veterans, their family members, and other beneficiaries.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Billings
Missoula
Great Falls
Bozeman
Responses: 36
Hi everyone, my name is Marianne Delatorre and I am the Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community Program (HHCC) Coordinator at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We are the preeminent organization empowering, supporting, and honoring our nation’s 5.5 million military caregivers known as “Hidden Heroes”; the spouses, parents, family members, and friends who care for America’s wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs include peer support, critical financial assistance, respite, and much more. You can view our programs here: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/our-programs/. To learn more about our Hidden Heroes Caregiver Community, go to our website here: https://hiddenheroes.org/. We aim to ensure that families of veterans are supported in their caregiving journey and are recognized for their efforts. You can email me at [login to see] for questions. Look forward to chatting and hearing from you all!
Our Programs - The Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The Foundation's programs provide military and veteran caregivers the support they need at the local, state, and national levels.…
PO3 Matthew Campbell
Marianne!!! Thank you for being here and sharing ofyour time and sharing all the amazing programs you offer!
Melissa Comeau
Hello Marianne Delatorre Thank you for all that you do to support caregivers. I love getting to work with you.
Welcome All! My name is Melissa Comeau and I am the spouse and caregiver to my husband who is a combat wounded Marine. I am also the Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at the American Red Cross. We serve caregivers of all eras and Veterans that are also caregivers. To join please visist https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html
Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
The Military Veteran Caregiver Network provides our nation’s pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support.
Check it out!
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VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent)
Are you in crisis? Call our NEW Veterans Crisis Line # 988 Press 1
VA WELCOME KIT! https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Subscribe to VA News! https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent)
Are you in crisis? Call our NEW Veterans Crisis Line # 988 Press 1
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. Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your...
Good afternoon and welcome to the VETXL Montana Veterans Q&A. My name is Zelda Davis with the Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VMSTEP). Our office provides employment assistance and outreach to transitioning service members, Veterans, and military spouses, family members and care givers while advocating use of special hiring authorities, and advertisement of VA employment and training programs to help VA become the employer of choice. Please visit the VA for Vets website currently undergoing changes to provide information to assist you in writing Federal Resumes, Navigating USAJOBS and to better understand the Federal hiring process so you can successfully find employment in VA and other federal and state agencies our office partners with.
1SG Zelda Davis
The web address for the VA for Vets website is http://www.vaforvets.va.gov
VA for Vets: Your Gateway To VA Careers
VA for Vets
Since the pact act was passed one of my other claims will now be service connected and I had an appeal already going when it was denied the first time and it's been over a year for the hearing just wondering if there is a way to get it to go through now or just have to wait
SFC Bryan Zipp
Hi Cody, keep your appeal open. The BVA can still grant service connection to the date you filed your original claim. Under the Pact Act the earliest effective date the VA will give is August 2022.
If you would like to continue working for the Federal government after military service and make a difference in the lives of those who served, ChooseVA as your Employer of Choice! Check out a few open positions below in support of the PACT ACT. These positions can be found on USAJOBS: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is hiring for the following positions: Veterans Service Representatives (VSR), GS-0996-7-10, JOA #DHA-11770942-23-CB, Multiple Locations; Close Date: 2/16/2023. Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR), GS-0996-9-12; JOA #DHA-11770687-23-CB, Multiple Locations; Close Date: 2/16/2023.
For additional information on available jobs in the VA across all career fields (Nursing; Physicians and Dentist; Mental Health; Allied Health Professionals; Pharmacist; Administrative and Technical Professionals (IT); Healthcare Technology Management; and Support Services Internships), please visit VA Careers website at http://www.vacareers.va.gov
Serve those who have served our country
ChooseVA helps you better understand your options by providing comprehensive information in one convenient place. Explore videos, links and firsthand accounts from Veterans and employees explaining the range of benefits, health care and employment...
Why doesn't the Montana VA system send out an outreach mobile trailer to help veterans who live in very rural areas.
Melissa Comeau
Thank you for your question today. While I am not sure about the moile outreach trailer, I did find some information on rural veterans from the VA website. https://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
PO2 Shannon Noble
Hi Jestin - our Mobile Vet Center travels all over Missoula/Bitterroot, Granite & Mineral Counties. I'm not sure what county you're in, but feel free to reach out to our Missoula Vet Center and ask when they'll be in your area: Veterans Outreach Program Specialist 910 Brooks St. Ste 101, Missoula [login to see]
What happens once your “awarded” 50% disability for ptsd? Am I automatically entered for treatment options or do I seek those out on my own? Also I’m interested in the veterans readiness and employment which I applied for before joining here.
SFC Bryan Zipp
Hi Michael, if you havent enrolled in VA healthcare you can [login to see] to enroll. Or you can reach out to your local Vet Center they can help you with your mental health treatment.
SPC Michael Turbyfill
SFC Bryan Zipp
I’ve already applied, and I do have a mental health professional I am working with. I just recently was awarded disability. My treatment currently is for adhd, ptsd was found in the discovery process. I will mention this at my next appointment, I just wasn’t sure if the va would automatically start doing what they do or if I needed to seek what options there are.
Thanks for your reply.
I’ve already applied, and I do have a mental health professional I am working with. I just recently was awarded disability. My treatment currently is for adhd, ptsd was found in the discovery process. I will mention this at my next appointment, I just wasn’t sure if the va would automatically start doing what they do or if I needed to seek what options there are.
Thanks for your reply.
SGT Blake Fuhriman
SPC Michael Turbyfill we are our own best advocates. From my own experience, these are two seperate entities that cover healthcare and benefits, and do not communicate. If you need help navigating you can contact the Veterans Navigation Network program coordinator Mike at [login to see] . We arent associated directly with the VA, but help Veterans navigate the system from our own shared experiences as fellow veterans.
SFC Bryan Zipp
If you need help with filing claims you can contact any one of our State service Officers, we are here to help.
SGT Blake Fuhriman
Hey Armando,
Please feel free to contact our office, Veterans Navigation Network at [login to see] . As we are fielding many calls today, please leave a message if he doesnt answer right away, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are based in Billings Montana, but can direct you to services wherever you reside. Our program coordinator Mike can get you connected with a VSO office closest to where you reside, and discuss other benefits and programs you may be missing out on depending where you live. I hope you connect and thank you for your service from one Veteran to another.
Please feel free to contact our office, Veterans Navigation Network at [login to see] . As we are fielding many calls today, please leave a message if he doesnt answer right away, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are based in Billings Montana, but can direct you to services wherever you reside. Our program coordinator Mike can get you connected with a VSO office closest to where you reside, and discuss other benefits and programs you may be missing out on depending where you live. I hope you connect and thank you for your service from one Veteran to another.
1SG Zelda Davis
Please see a list of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) who can assist you. You can find your local VSO according to your city and state. https://veterans.house.gov/resources-for-veterans/veterans-service-organizations.htm
Veterans Service Organizations | House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Congressionally-Chartered Veterans Service Organizations (By Date of Charter) Navy Mutual Aid Association (Jul. 28, 1879) The American Red Cross (Jan. 5, 1905) The American Legion (Sept. 16, 1919) Disabled American Vete...
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