Tidbits

LVMAC Tidbit: Don’t forget about the State Veterans’ Commission. Apply now!

As previously reported, Governor Tom Wolf announced just over a week ago that the commonwealth is seeking veterans to apply for two commissioner-at-large positions on the State Veterans’ Commission, state government’s only officially sanctioned, veterans’ advisory body.

One position, this time, must be a Vietnam-era veteran.  The other is open to veterans of any era.  Indeed, the commission is seeking younger veterans.  And for the first time in ages, the opportunity to serve is being offered statewide. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Pennsylvania’s VA Healthcare Network Reports Out

In the latest issue of Vision for Excellence, VISN-4 highlights the work of its front-line staff in caring for veterans and keeping them safe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights several winners of our quarterly “I CARE” Awards and reports on how VISN 4 is improving access to care.

Pages 7 and 12 address VA prescription management, a concern expressed by some veterans (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: VA Promoting “Gerofit”

Apparently, the VA has launched a new initiative called, “Gerofit”, for its elderly veterans — a sizeable portion of the population it serves.   Accordingly, this effort may be of some value to you in improving the quality of your life — something practicable in subject area of preventive healthcare and akin to the idea of “SilverSneakers” available in some Medicare plans but in a more integrated way. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: VA Caregiving Assistance is finally going to expand

Long overdue, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), formerly reserved to only those who served during the “Global War on Terror” for improper reason, will expand sometime in October, with a launch date to be announced in mid-September.

PCAFC expansion will open up the program to eligible WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans. In addition, eligibility will change: veterans must have a single or combined VA service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher. This applies regardless of whether the disability is the result of an injury, illness or disease.

One welcomed addition is that family caregivers will also have access to financial planning,legal services in addition to robust educational and supportive services, such as workshops, self-care courses, a caregiver support line, psycho-educational group calls, and peer support mentoring. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New ID cards being issued for military family members, retirees.

No identity chips to be implanted, yet

WASHINGTON —  The Department of Defense began issuing Next Generation Uniformed Services Identification Cards July 31, the first time since 1993 that changes to the card have been made.The complete transition to the new ID card, is targeted for January 2026, said Michael Sorrento, director of the Defense Manpower Data Center.  In the meantime, the current cards will continue to work.  In an effort to conserve resources and limit the impact on ID card issuance facilities, cards will not be reissued solely for the purpose of obtaining the Next Gen USID card.

(more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: NCC provides free truck driver training to veterans and their families

U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) helps NCC provide free Class A CDL training programs to veterans and their families. 

Click on to enlarge

This August, Northampton Community College (NCC) received a $163,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to provide free Class A truck driving training to 40 current or former members of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses and adult children.  NCC will recruit qualified students, provide them with superior safety-focused training, support them through successful program completion, and provide placement services to assist them in becoming employed in the transportation industry. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

VA closes Northampton County outpatient clinic over workload caused by the pandemic

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has announced it will be temporarily closing the Northampton County Clinic in the vicinity of Bangor as of 4:30 p.m. today.  It was a short notice notification.  Those seeking seeking in-person care will have to travel to the Allentown Outpatient Clinic or Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center,  both over 45 minutes away from the current location.

Their announcement stated that this was being done out of an abundance of caution related to the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus illness.  A little late to think of that. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago