Tidbits

LVMAC Tidbit: DMVA Announces Veterans Trust Fund NOFA

[Editor’s Note: Considering the holiday season is upon us, the release of the Veterans’ Trust Fund’s “Notice of Funding Availability” with its grant application package yesterday leaves a short turnaround cycle for application.  Please note that the suspense for submission is 18 January at 3 p.m.]

From: MV, Veterans Trust Fund
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 3:54 PM
Subject: 2017-18 Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the availability of another cycle of Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grant opportunities.  The attached 2017-18 VTF Grant Application Package includes the funding announcement as well as the application, combined into one convenient document this year. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tdibit: White House VA Hotline Now Operational and Properly Staffed

On 29 November 2017, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the White House VA Hotline (first launched in June as part of President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to reforming VA but which also had a shaky start) is now fully staffed with live agents working to serve veterans 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The actual facility location is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans ID Card Rolls Out

VA Announces Rollout and Application Process for New Veterans ID Card

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is now available for veterans, an action overdue since 2015 and still causing controversy among some veterans organizations over the implementation of the character of service requirement (unlike the VA, the law excludes practically no one who has served).  Currently only those veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card.  However, this is a change from previous statements by others because it means those who have a general discharge (under honorable conditions) can now also apply, in addition to those with honorable discharges/releases. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — A Useful Program for this Time of Year: Operation Ride Home

Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA Operation Ride Home program helps bring military families together for the holidays. Operation Ride Home sponsors travel for eligible service members and their dependents to travel from their duty station back home to spend time with their families. Reconnecting military families during this special time of year is one small way Operation Ride Home is strengthening military families. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Emergency Mental Health Care Extended to Other-Than-Honorable Dischargees

On 27 June 2017,  the  VA released its final plans laying the framework for providing emergency mental health coverage to former service members with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) administrative discharges.  For the older generations of veterans, the characterization of service was termed Undesirable.

Effective July 5, all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers are to offer emergency stabilization care for former service members who present at the facility with an emergent mental health need. Under this initiative, former service members with an OTH administrative discharge may receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Local Safari Club International Seeks Veterans for a Pheasant Hunt

The Lehigh Valley Chapter of Safari Club International has approached our council to find ten veterans to participate in a pheasant hunt on 4 November 2017, all expenses paid.  As previously reported, the council has initiated work on creating a new coalition called the Social-Recreational Confederation.  Consequently, the effort to support Safari International is being handled by Tom O’Rourke, its chairman and the veterans outreach coordinator for Team RWB (which is coordinating this new program for us).

For more details, click on the flyer below: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center to Conduct Town Hall in Lehigh Valley

The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is returning on 14 June 2017 to conduct its third Community Town Hall in the area since the establishment of the quarterly requirement a couple of years back.  It is part of an attempt by the VA to regain the trust among the veterans it serves.  Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center services 19 counties, to include one in New York.  The service area requires distributing the quarterly meetings over a wide area or we would have more of these useful events.  For details, see: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago