News Blog

Forward Observer: Bethany Church Launches Effort to Address PTSD and Trauma

LVMAC Poster Art 2005It is in the formative stage, but the Bethany Church located in the Macungie area, will be hosting two workshops to promote a better understanding PTSD — with the intention of starting a peer-to-peer support group afterwards, if successful.  Led by Scotty Coyle, Pastor of Discipleship and also a current war, combat veteran, the approach is non-clinical, for he is not a clinical psychologist.  However, he is an experienced counselor who has studied PTSD treatments.

It is unfortunate that some veterans (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Have You Considered Our Counties’ Departments of Human Services as a Useful Resource for Veterans?

Regarding veterans benefits and services in this valley,we most often think of those provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). The smattering of state veterans benefits are hardly given a thought.  Admittedly, for the average veteran they are nonexistent.

However, veterans and their families sometimes forget that county-level human services resources do exist which might be useful to them. After all, Pennsylvania state government depends upon its counties to deliver the majority of its organized, social services.  Unfortunately counties are generally inexpert at marketing or advertising the value of their Department of Human Services services to veterans and their families

Yet, to know of these resources is important, even for those receiving VA or DoD veterans benefits. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Vet Center Counseling Now Available During Training or Drill Weekends for the Guard– BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 27 August the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had formalized a partnership with the Department of Defense formalized a partnership on 28 June between VA’s Vet Centers and the National Guard Bureau, to provide Vet Center counseling, outreach staff and other services to members during training or drill weekends to decrease their suicide rate — a reputed problem in the Pennsylvania National Guard. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Free Peer-to-Peer Recovery Training Opportunity

Hello LVMAC friends,

I want to share news about a training we are helping to coordinate – specifically for those working with veterans who are suffering with substance use disorders.  Treatment Trends is collaborating with Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance (PRO-A) to offer a Special Training Opportunity:

On Friday, November 1, 2019, “Serving Those who SERVED” training will be offered at Cetronia Ambulance Corps, 4300 Broadway, Allentown, PA 18104. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Veteran and Caregiver “Combined” App

App combines telehealth tools for faster service

By now everyone should know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in love with telehealth; moreover, telehealth apps.  One end result is a multiplicity of them.  On 13 August, the VA announced it had recently launched a new mobile application to save veterans and caregivers time online. It claims the VA Launchpad for Veterans simplifies and organizes several existing tools and resources at one convenient location — to help manage health care needs. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Law Suit Filed Over Delay in Blue Water Navy Claims Processing

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 22 July, the Military-Veterans Advocacy, a nonprofit legal organization which had a major role in overturning the VA’s decision not to process Blue Water Navy veterans’ Agent Orange claims through a remarkable legal action (Procopio vs. Wilkie), is now asking a federal judge to rescind a stay on Blue Water Navy claims processing imposed by Secretary Wilkie, aided and abetted by the U.S. Congress for good or ill. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago