Posted on Sep 1, 2020
VetXL: Women Together - Q&A with Acting Deputy Secretary Pamela Powers and VA Leadership. What are your questions?
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Supporting the Whole Woman Veteran - Leadership and Resiliency through COVID and Beyond.
Please join the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on RallyPoint, September 30th from 3-4PM EST, for a one of a kind Woman Veteran Q&A with Deputy Secretary Col Pamela Powers.
You can ask questions to the following people in advance or during the live event by typing your questions into the "Respond to original question..." box below:
Patty Hayes, Ph.D., Chief Officer, Women's Health Service
Maj Jaquie Hayes-Byrd, Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans
Sara Eichstaedt, Clinical Social Worker, Military National Sexual Trauma Program
LtCol Brad Lanto, Director of Partnerships for Suicide Prevention Program
SGT Bryce Carpenter, Office of Engagement and Memorial Innovations (OEMI)
CPT Cheryl Rawls, VBA, ADUS Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement
The Honorable Cheryl Mason, Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Col Dennis May, Deputy, Center for Minority Veterans
SGT Bryce Carpenter, NCA, Educational Outreach Programs Officer
RDML Ann Duff, Executive Director, Office of Survivors Assistance
Jennifer Strauss, National Women's Mental Health Program Manager
Kathy Hedrick, PhD, Lead, Field Implementation Team, Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation
Amanda Johnson, MD, Director of Reproductive Health, Women’s Health Services
Kavitha Reddy, Associate Director, VHA OPCC & CT
Susan McCutcheon, National MH Director, Family/Women’s MH/MST
Col Michelle Gardner-Ince, Director, Women Veterans Small Business Initiative
Susan McCutcheon, National Mental Health Director
LTC Elizabeth Brill, Office of Community Care, Chief Medical Officer OCC VHA
Gayle Iwamasa, National Mental Health Quality Improvement and Implementation Consultant
Women Veterans Health Care-
https://rly.pt/WomensHealth
Center for Women Veterans-
https://rly.pt/CenterForWomenVeterans
The CWV advises VA Secretary and leadership on issues impacting women Veterans to empower you, to ensure that you are aware of and have access to the benefits and services that Women Veterans deserve because we have earned them. We work hand in hand with VHA, VBA and NCA and staff offices to create the environment where women Veterans’ needs are recognized and met. We are the portal for all things women Veterans – to help create a positive Veterans experience. We integrate, advocate, and connect with open exchange of information and to serve as a resource hub to connect with local, state, and federal resources.
Women’s Mental Health, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention-
https://rly.pt/MentalHealth
VA offers a full continuum of gender-sensitive, evidence-informed mental health services for women Veterans, including general and specialty outpatient services, residential and inpatient care. VA mental health providers have the knowledge, skills and expertise to address women Veterans’ diverse treatment needs and preferences across the course of their lives. Reproductive mental health is an area of focus, including premenstrual mood problems, depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, depression during the transition to menopause, and mental health challenges faced by women with chronic pelvic pain, breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
VBA-
https://rly.pt/VAbenefits
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) delivers a wide array of benefits and services to eligible Veterans, Servicemembers, their families, and survivors. Our benefits can include; providing compensation for an injury or loss sustained or aggravated while serving in the military, assisting Veterans with home purchase or educational needs, and providing access to career training, to name a few. VBA has Women Veteran Coordinators assigned to every regional office and they assist women Veterans with connecting to their benefits.
Appeals-
https://rly.pt/VAdecisionreviews
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) is an agency within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its mission is to conduct hearings and issue timely decisions for Veterans and other appellants in compliance with the law, 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 7101(a). The Board is responsible for making final decisions on behalf of the Secretary regarding appeals for Veterans’ benefits and services from all three administrations - Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA)—as well as the Office of General Counsel (OGC)that are presented to the Board for appellate review. The Board’s jurisdiction extends to all questions in a matter involving a decision by the Secretary under the law that affects a provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans, their dependents, or their survivors. 38 U.S.C. §§ 511(a); 7104(a). Final decisions on appeals are made by the Board based on the entire record in the proceeding and all applicable provisions of law and regulation. 38 U.S.C. § 7104(a).
Center for Minority Veterans-
https://rly.pt/VAcmv
The Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) was established by Public Law 103-446, in 1994. CMV serves as an advocate for minority Veterans by conducting outreach activities to promote the awareness and use of VA benefits and services. The Center’s activities include:
Promote the use of benefits authorized by this title by Veterans who are minorities and the conduct of outreach activities to Veterans who are minorities;
Disseminate information and serve as a resource center for the exchange of information regarding innovative and successful programs which improve the services available to Veterans who are minorities
For more information, contact the CMV Staff at [login to see] or visit the CMV website:https://rly.pt/VAcmv
MST-
Unfortunately, some Veterans experience sexual assault or sexual harassment during their service, and these experiences can have a lasting impact on health, even many years later. Recovery from military sexual trauma (MST) is possible, however, and VA is here to help. VA provides free care for both mental and physical health conditions related to Veterans’ experiences of MST and Veterans may be able to receive this care, even if they are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported your experiences at the time or have any documentation they occurred, and do not need to have a VA disability rating. Visit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp to learn more.
NCA-
https://rly.pt/VAnca
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9 in all but two VA national cemeteries. VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July. Veterans Legacy Memorial will allows online visitors to leave a “tribute” text at http://www.va.gov/remember
Caregiver-
https://rly.pt/VACaregiver
Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers a wide array of services to family members and friends who care for Veterans, including on-line courses, face-to-face classes, telephone support, and peer support. These services are offered in addition to the support provided to families and caregivers across VA by clinicians as part of a Veteran’s care. Every VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC) who assists with information and referrals to these programs. For help, contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator using the Caregiver Support Program CSC Locator Page or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] (toll free 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET). You can also visit http://www.caregiver.va.gov.
Survivors Assistance-
https://rly.pt/SurvivorsAssistance
The Office of Survivors Assistance serves as an expert resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the VA to Survivors and Dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. We can help you navigate the myriad of benefits and services available, and direct you to your best options. Additionally, we work closely with veteran service organizations, other departments, state and local veteran groups and community leaders to educate everyone about available services and benefits.
Whole Health-
https://rly.pt/WholeHealth
Whole Health is VA’s cutting-edge holistic approach to care that supports your health and well-being. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their life to the fullest. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means your health team will get to know you as a person, before working with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals. The Whole Health System includes conventional treatment, but also focuses on self-empowerment, self-healing, and self-care. The Whole Health System moves VA forward from focusing on episodic care to a more continuous engagement with you through your life. The Whole Health System is the current vision for complementary and integrative health (CIH) integration in VA and includes three components:
The Pathway: Veteran peers partnering with you and your family, exploring your mission/purpose/aspirations and beginning your overarching personal health plan.
Well-being Programs: Skill building and support; proactive, integrative health approaches such as stress reduction, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, nutrition, acupuncture, health coaching
Whole Health Clinical Care: VA or community providers, or both, trained in Whole Health; focusing on relationships, complementary and integrative health approaches, and personal health planning
Women’s Health Services-
Women’s Health is responsible for the policy development and implementation of health care to women Veterans. The mission of Women’s Health is to ensure that all women Veterans receive equitable, high-quality, and comprehensive health care services in a sensitive and safe environment at all VA facilities.
OSDBU-
OSDBU advocates for Veterans to gain access to economic opportunities by developing policies and programs, improve market research, increase direct access and maximize the participation of procurement ready SDVOSBs and VOSBs in federal contracting.
RallyPoint Rules and Conduct: https://rallypoint.force.com/Support/s/article/rallypoint-answers-and-discussion-conduct-2020-03-13-10-21-35
Please join the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on RallyPoint, September 30th from 3-4PM EST, for a one of a kind Woman Veteran Q&A with Deputy Secretary Col Pamela Powers.
You can ask questions to the following people in advance or during the live event by typing your questions into the "Respond to original question..." box below:
Patty Hayes, Ph.D., Chief Officer, Women's Health Service
Maj Jaquie Hayes-Byrd, Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans
Sara Eichstaedt, Clinical Social Worker, Military National Sexual Trauma Program
LtCol Brad Lanto, Director of Partnerships for Suicide Prevention Program
SGT Bryce Carpenter, Office of Engagement and Memorial Innovations (OEMI)
CPT Cheryl Rawls, VBA, ADUS Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement
The Honorable Cheryl Mason, Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Col Dennis May, Deputy, Center for Minority Veterans
SGT Bryce Carpenter, NCA, Educational Outreach Programs Officer
RDML Ann Duff, Executive Director, Office of Survivors Assistance
Jennifer Strauss, National Women's Mental Health Program Manager
Kathy Hedrick, PhD, Lead, Field Implementation Team, Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation
Amanda Johnson, MD, Director of Reproductive Health, Women’s Health Services
Kavitha Reddy, Associate Director, VHA OPCC & CT
Susan McCutcheon, National MH Director, Family/Women’s MH/MST
Col Michelle Gardner-Ince, Director, Women Veterans Small Business Initiative
Susan McCutcheon, National Mental Health Director
LTC Elizabeth Brill, Office of Community Care, Chief Medical Officer OCC VHA
Gayle Iwamasa, National Mental Health Quality Improvement and Implementation Consultant
Women Veterans Health Care-
https://rly.pt/WomensHealth
Center for Women Veterans-
https://rly.pt/CenterForWomenVeterans
The CWV advises VA Secretary and leadership on issues impacting women Veterans to empower you, to ensure that you are aware of and have access to the benefits and services that Women Veterans deserve because we have earned them. We work hand in hand with VHA, VBA and NCA and staff offices to create the environment where women Veterans’ needs are recognized and met. We are the portal for all things women Veterans – to help create a positive Veterans experience. We integrate, advocate, and connect with open exchange of information and to serve as a resource hub to connect with local, state, and federal resources.
Women’s Mental Health, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention-
https://rly.pt/MentalHealth
VA offers a full continuum of gender-sensitive, evidence-informed mental health services for women Veterans, including general and specialty outpatient services, residential and inpatient care. VA mental health providers have the knowledge, skills and expertise to address women Veterans’ diverse treatment needs and preferences across the course of their lives. Reproductive mental health is an area of focus, including premenstrual mood problems, depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum, depression during the transition to menopause, and mental health challenges faced by women with chronic pelvic pain, breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
VBA-
https://rly.pt/VAbenefits
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) delivers a wide array of benefits and services to eligible Veterans, Servicemembers, their families, and survivors. Our benefits can include; providing compensation for an injury or loss sustained or aggravated while serving in the military, assisting Veterans with home purchase or educational needs, and providing access to career training, to name a few. VBA has Women Veteran Coordinators assigned to every regional office and they assist women Veterans with connecting to their benefits.
Appeals-
https://rly.pt/VAdecisionreviews
The Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) is an agency within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its mission is to conduct hearings and issue timely decisions for Veterans and other appellants in compliance with the law, 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 7101(a). The Board is responsible for making final decisions on behalf of the Secretary regarding appeals for Veterans’ benefits and services from all three administrations - Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA)—as well as the Office of General Counsel (OGC)that are presented to the Board for appellate review. The Board’s jurisdiction extends to all questions in a matter involving a decision by the Secretary under the law that affects a provision of benefits by the Secretary to Veterans, their dependents, or their survivors. 38 U.S.C. §§ 511(a); 7104(a). Final decisions on appeals are made by the Board based on the entire record in the proceeding and all applicable provisions of law and regulation. 38 U.S.C. § 7104(a).
Center for Minority Veterans-
https://rly.pt/VAcmv
The Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) was established by Public Law 103-446, in 1994. CMV serves as an advocate for minority Veterans by conducting outreach activities to promote the awareness and use of VA benefits and services. The Center’s activities include:
Promote the use of benefits authorized by this title by Veterans who are minorities and the conduct of outreach activities to Veterans who are minorities;
Disseminate information and serve as a resource center for the exchange of information regarding innovative and successful programs which improve the services available to Veterans who are minorities
For more information, contact the CMV Staff at [login to see] or visit the CMV website:https://rly.pt/VAcmv
MST-
Unfortunately, some Veterans experience sexual assault or sexual harassment during their service, and these experiences can have a lasting impact on health, even many years later. Recovery from military sexual trauma (MST) is possible, however, and VA is here to help. VA provides free care for both mental and physical health conditions related to Veterans’ experiences of MST and Veterans may be able to receive this care, even if they are not eligible for other VA care. You do not need to have reported your experiences at the time or have any documentation they occurred, and do not need to have a VA disability rating. Visit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp to learn more.
NCA-
https://rly.pt/VAnca
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9 in all but two VA national cemeteries. VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July. Veterans Legacy Memorial will allows online visitors to leave a “tribute” text at http://www.va.gov/remember
Caregiver-
https://rly.pt/VACaregiver
Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers a wide array of services to family members and friends who care for Veterans, including on-line courses, face-to-face classes, telephone support, and peer support. These services are offered in addition to the support provided to families and caregivers across VA by clinicians as part of a Veteran’s care. Every VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC) who assists with information and referrals to these programs. For help, contact your local Caregiver Support Coordinator using the Caregiver Support Program CSC Locator Page or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] (toll free 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET). You can also visit http://www.caregiver.va.gov.
Survivors Assistance-
https://rly.pt/SurvivorsAssistance
The Office of Survivors Assistance serves as an expert resource regarding all benefits and services furnished by the VA to Survivors and Dependents of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. We can help you navigate the myriad of benefits and services available, and direct you to your best options. Additionally, we work closely with veteran service organizations, other departments, state and local veteran groups and community leaders to educate everyone about available services and benefits.
Whole Health-
https://rly.pt/WholeHealth
Whole Health is VA’s cutting-edge holistic approach to care that supports your health and well-being. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their life to the fullest. Whole Health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means your health team will get to know you as a person, before working with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals. The Whole Health System includes conventional treatment, but also focuses on self-empowerment, self-healing, and self-care. The Whole Health System moves VA forward from focusing on episodic care to a more continuous engagement with you through your life. The Whole Health System is the current vision for complementary and integrative health (CIH) integration in VA and includes three components:
The Pathway: Veteran peers partnering with you and your family, exploring your mission/purpose/aspirations and beginning your overarching personal health plan.
Well-being Programs: Skill building and support; proactive, integrative health approaches such as stress reduction, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, nutrition, acupuncture, health coaching
Whole Health Clinical Care: VA or community providers, or both, trained in Whole Health; focusing on relationships, complementary and integrative health approaches, and personal health planning
Women’s Health Services-
Women’s Health is responsible for the policy development and implementation of health care to women Veterans. The mission of Women’s Health is to ensure that all women Veterans receive equitable, high-quality, and comprehensive health care services in a sensitive and safe environment at all VA facilities.
OSDBU-
OSDBU advocates for Veterans to gain access to economic opportunities by developing policies and programs, improve market research, increase direct access and maximize the participation of procurement ready SDVOSBs and VOSBs in federal contracting.
RallyPoint Rules and Conduct: https://rallypoint.force.com/Support/s/article/rallypoint-answers-and-discussion-conduct-2020-03-13-10-21-35
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Women in the Military
Lean In
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 126
This is not women veteran specific but I am wondering why community care chiropractic and acupuncture has been changed to only allow 12 initial treatments then 8 and 8? Many of us suffer from chronic pain and the current medications are of little to no help. However; acupuncture and chiropractic treatments really help a lot. We are not allowed the opiods that once helped us (only 5% of patients became addicted) yet, when we find treatments that do help, we are denied effective treatment.
To make matters worse, the practitioners are now being asked to do an unusual amount of paperwork and being treated as if they are VA employees instead of those contracted by the VA. My current acupuncturist who sees 12 veterans is gong to finish with us and then no longer take VA insurance because of this. I'm sure she is not the only one.
To make matters worse, the practitioners are now being asked to do an unusual amount of paperwork and being treated as if they are VA employees instead of those contracted by the VA. My current acupuncturist who sees 12 veterans is gong to finish with us and then no longer take VA insurance because of this. I'm sure she is not the only one.
What is the best route to start talking about military sexual trauma in order to heal from it?
SPC Amber McGee
Exactly what you're doing! Find someone, anyone who will listen with an ear that's QUALIFIED to give you advice on how to heal, then decide for yourself if it is advice you can live with.
Capt Dr. Pat Engelhardt
The VA Healthcare Psychological Services has MST Couselors, as well as your local VET Center. Seek a licensed Psychologist and Counselor. There are also Women's MST groups available through VA and VET Centers for added supports. I've used these services and like them very much!
PO2 Gennail Clark-Owens
Why did it take so long for me to get matched with treatment for MST? It is going on two years and I am just now getting a treatment plan for 12 weeks starting this week.
Sara Eichstaedt
A) Speaking about experiences of military sexual trauma (MST) can be an important part of recovery for some survivors. There are many ways in which to do this and not everyone needs mental health treatment but for many, therapy can be a safe environment to talk about and work through your experiences. The focus of mental health treatment will vary based on your needs and preferences and there are many different types of treatment possible; for example, if a survivor is not yet ready to speak about their experiences, there are other directions treatment can go. If you are not currently in mental health treatment, consider reaching out to the MST Coordinator at your local VA facility (http://www.va.gov/directory). He or she can help you connect with services and answer any questions about services that you may have. You can also contact one of VA’s Vet Centers (http://www.vetcenter.va.gov) and ask about options for MST-related mental health counseling there. As a reminder, VA provides all MST-related care free of charge and eligibility is expansive: some individuals may be able to receive MST-related care even if they are not eligible for other VA care. I hope this is helpful, and best wishes in your continued recovery.
The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
How do we connect the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces resiliency workshops (free to veterans) to our women vets who need it? We have virtual versions available as well. Who would be the POC for this?
Andi Martinez
Visit here to find out more about the Resiliency program. To learn more about other Red Cross SAF programs to support members of the military and our veterans, contact your local Red Cross chapter. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/deployment-services/register-reconnection-workshops.html
Register for Reconnection Workshops
Whether you or a family member have recently entered the military or you are a long-time veteran, navigating the many transitions connected with military and veteran service can be hard. Reconnection Workshops aim to ease the stress that comes with these changes.
SrA Heather Luesing
Very interested in what this program does, could you elaborate? I would be able to research more in my area, I have many resources I am using, to include CWT (a work program for vets in the VA system, the American Legion who gave me emergency housing and hooked me up with the CWT people, and I was just approved for HUD-VASH)
MSG Aurea Franklin
My name is Aurea Franklin. Please let me know if you have any question or questions regarding VA Procurement. I am here to assist, Thanks.
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A friend of mine sees the same acupuncturist. He is still on a bit of oxycodone. But his PCP and the acupuncturist have explained that he has gone from 3 pills a day to 1 or 2 a week with treatment. They just recently denied him his next round of treatments. This man has had his entire back rebuilt and has been in chronic pain for years.