News Blog

LVMAC Tidbit — DMVA Announces Funding Availability for 2017 Veterans Trust Fund Grants

DMVA LogoOn 19 September the Office of Veterans Affairs, Department of Miltiary and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) announced it was seeking grant applicants for 2017.  Suspense for submissions is 18 November.  Note that those who submit electronically have a time edge on those who submit by paper, if mailing time is considered.

Once again up to $500,000 in grants to nonprofits (defined this year as 501(c)(19) Veterans’ service organizations or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania Veterans); and up to $150,000 in grants to County Directors of Veterans Affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Wilkes-Barre VA Is Suddenly Interested in How Women Dress

Women Veterans Program partners with Dress for Success

va_sealA little short on the notice, the information below being released yesterday,  but women veterans in our area ought be aware that Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has a women’s program.  This is one of its latest offerings:

What:  The Women Veterans Program at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is inviting all Women Veterans to a presentation by Linda Armstrong of Dress for Success.  Dress for Success is an organization aimed at enhancing the professional development of women.  The program offers a variety of resources, including no cost professional attire and skills based development activities, necessary to build and enhance a successful career.

VA Eligibility and Human Resource Staff will also be available to answer your questions regarding enrollment for VA Services and VA employment.

For more information, contact Pat Conroy, Women Veterans Program Manager, at 824- 3521 ext. 7517 or Patricia.Conroy2@va.gov.

Attendees are asked to RSVP to Pat Conroy by close of business Wednesday, September 21, 2016. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Regulation on Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Drinking Water Presumptive Conditions Under Review.

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Finally on 9 September, after waiting nine months since the announcement it would do so and after announcing in August it was extending the period of consideration, the VA announced it has published proposed regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases affecting military members [and others] exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Honoring POW/MIA Day Locally

LVMAC Poster Art 2005POW/MIA Day fast approaches and will likely be buried under a blitz of other days and month of this and that announcements, to include Suicide Prevention Month.  Yet for some, this day is not forgotten and it is deeply felt, for the loss is still deeply felt.

While also it is to deny history to believe that we as a nation have always supported our troops or have been actively concerned about the missing, Governor Wolf nevertheless properly expresses the sentiment of the day in his proclamation below.  It would be appropriate that we, as individuals, pause and reflect some time during that day on his words. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Lehigh Valley VA Homelessness Summit Needs More Community Involvement

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 28 September, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC) is holding a Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) Meeting and Summit at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township (Gym II).

While there has been a long history of annual CHALENG meetings, holding one in the Lehigh Valley has been a rarity.  Considering the recent efforts of the Lehigh Valley Regional Homelessness Advisory Board (LVRHAB), the time has come to encourage such meetings locally if the VA is to be a true partner in this region’s homeless efforts – and not off to the side.

Because a summit implies the meeting of leaders, LVMAC is reaching out to various organizations (police departments, school districts, public housing authorities, special social work agencies, county and city governments, for example) to have a key officer or “mover and shaker” attend. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans Retention Survey | Center for a New American Security

CNAS LogoEditors Note:  We thought we would bring this ongoing survey to your attention for the purpose of encouraging your participation.  Over time and among its other efforts, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) has produced useful studies which have provided fresh insights to the issues of the current war generation of veterans and has undoubtedly influenced both public agency and private corporate policies consequently. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago