LVMAC News — Our Healthcare Task Force Makes Progress

Newspaper Logo 70%We are late in posting this.  So much has been happening since …  For the video of the Press Conference, to hear more of what was said, click here.

VALLEY’S VETERAN HEALTH CARE PROJECT RECOGNIZED AS MODEL MILITARY/VETERAN HEALTH CARE COALITION AND LAUNCHED AS STATEWIDE HOSPITAL INITIATIVE FOR VETS

Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council to Update on “Health Care in Our Community” Initiative

 LEHIGH VALLEY, PA; November 11, 2014 – The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council’s (LVMAC’s) Health Care in our Community Task Force announced its readiness for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) purchased care programs outlined in H.R. 3230, Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (as passed July 30, 2014). The LVMAC project is cited by regional, state and federal agencies along with private sector organizations and academic institutions as a coalition model worthy of replication. (more…)

Forward Observer — “Go Southeast, Young Man.” (PhillyVet 2015 Job Challenge)

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Although we in the Lehigh Valley do not consider ourselves part of Greater Philadelphia, many of us seek employment wherever we can find it — finding good jobs is always an issue.  Recently Veterans Recruiting (an organization that had worked with USAA in the past using its virtual job fair technology) has teamed up the with Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network and MedVeteran in an effort to help at least 2,015 veterans find meaningful jobs in 2015.  The effort is called the Philly Veterans 2015 Challenge. (more…)

Forward Observer — LVCIL to Conduct Allentown Stand Down

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Mini-Stand Downs are becoming increasingly popular in the Lehigh Valley as a means of finding and assisting the homeless.  Various social work agencies, contracting with and responsible to the Department of Veterans Affairs in assisting in eliminating veterans homelessness, are beginning to work together in a more integrated fashion.  It’s about time.

The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living is lead agency for the 24 January event in Allentown. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — New VA Policy on Military Sexual Trauma Is in Place

va_sealWhile little mention of it has occurred locally, it is important for some veterans to know, as of 1 December 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under the authority from the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (aka VACAA or Public Law 113-146; and the same authority which introduced Veterans Choice Cards) has expanded eligibility for military veterans, male or female, in need of mental health care due to sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during their military service, now commonly referred to as military sexual trauma (MST).  Dr. Adelman, the new Director of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center Network, assures us the program is fully operating in his network.

The change in policy primarily affects Reservists and National Guard members participating in weekend drills, (more…)