Federal Annie text message program guides veterans during COVID-19 pandemic
Veterans looking for guidance for staying safe or managing stress can register for the free Annie automated text messaging program. Veterans can subscribe to a number of protocols including Coronavirus Precautions, Coping During COVID-19, Stress Management, and Influenza information. Contact: blog.sva.gov/VAntage/76272/annie-text-messageprogram-guides-veterans-covid-19-pandemic VR&E gets a new name, focuses on readiness
One of VA’s oldest benefits – Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) – is now the Veteran Readiness and Employment Service. The service office will remain abbreviated VR&E, but the new name reemphasizes VBA’s mission to encourage, promote and support transitioning and serviceconnected disabled Veterans’ employment goals. Contact: va.gov/careers-employment/vocationalrehabilitation REACH campaign strives to reduce veteran suicide
The REACH campaign, unveiled July 7, 2020 aims to educate all Americans that suicide is preventable and encourages them to REACH to those in need to provide hope. It also encourages people who are hurting to REACH to provide help. Contact: reach.gov VA’s collaboration with NARA digitizes Vietnam-era deck logs
The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 gave VA an opportunity to consider new and previously submitted Blue Water Navy claims. Now, thanks to collaboration with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), VA and NARA are helping to determine ship locations and to digitize more than 1,800 vessels’ deck logs. VA estimates that there are between 420,000 and 560,000 Vietnam-era Veterans who may be considered Blue Water Navy Veterans. The law also extends benefits to survivors and dependents of those Veterans with confirmed service and whose claims would have been granted as a result of the new law. If Veterans, survivors or dependents have previously filed and were denied a claim, they can file a supplemental claim. VA encourages Veterans to work with an approved claims representative or VSO to determine if they qualify. Contact: benefits.va.gov/benefits/blue-water-navy.asp Caregiver stipend expansion launched
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which offers enhanced clinical support for caregivers of eligible veterans who are seriously injured, launched an expansion of eligibility effective October 1, 2020. Learn more about the expansion and the application process here: caregiver.va.gov. 26
VETERANS NEWS MAGAZINE
The Bend VA Clinic was recently renamed in honor of longtime area resident and Medal of Honor recipient Robert Maxwell, who died in 2019. VA launches new electronic health record system
The federal VA began using its new electronic health record (EHR) system Oct. 24 at select VA facilities in the Pacific Northwest and Las Vegas, marking the beginning of a transformation in how VA delivers care to Veterans. The EHR Modernization program will continue rolling out the new software until it is in place nationwide at all VA facilities by 2028. Veterans, Gold Star Families get free entrance to national parks, refuges, other public lands
As of November 11, 2020, entrance fees for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation sites will be waived for Veterans and Gold Star Families. They will have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestyle, from serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing and climbing. Contact: blogs.va.gov/VAntage/80547/veterans-gold-starfamilies-get-free-entrance-national-parks-refuges-publiclands
