Tidbits

LVMAC Tidbits — New DAV Service Officer in Town

Disabled American Veterans Re-establish Local Service in the Lehigh Valley

Carmen DeSanti, the chairman of the state’s Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Service Officer Program (the national organization separately provides national service officers at the Philadelphia VA Regional Office), is reestablishing direct, face-to-face service for Lehigh Valley veterans who wish to use the DAV for their Power of Attorney on a disability compensation or pension claim, or to seek benefits advice. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — DAV Van Driver Wanted

Wilkes-Barre VA Volunteer Transportation System Seeks Bangor Clinic Driver

The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council needs the help of the community in finding volunteer drivers for the Northampton County (Bangor) Department of Veterans (VA) Affairs Outpatient Clinic.  The use of this free transportation service, manned by volunteers, for medical appointments at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is important to the care of veterans in the upper Northampton County area.

Leonard Croop, the Hospital Service Coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, is seeking at least one driver to continue the van service begun in 2007.  Otherwise, the service must cease. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Resources for the Unemployed

Local AFL-CIO Holds a Resources Fair at the Allentown IBEW Hall.

Unemployment leads to a host of problems.  For that reason, the AFL-CIO is holding a resource fair for those who are unemployed on 12 April at the IBEW Hall located at 12th and Liberty in Allentown.  It is one of the five planned for the state.  This should give you an idea of the seriousness of the problem in the valley, despite the “happy talk” you might hear and see in the media.  View it as a survival fair.  Unemployed veterans might benefit from attending. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Small Games of Chance Law Changed

Bill Increases Prizes for Small Games of Chance

On 2 February, Governor Corbett of Pennsylvania signed House Bill 169 into law as Act 2 of 2012, a bill for which the veterans organizations in this state lobbied long and hard and considered by some necessary for their continued charitable works, in the face of declining memberships.  The thirty day grace period having passed, the law is now in effect. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Older Vets Retraining Assistance

VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 Creates New Benefit for Older, Unemployed Veterans

We have reported previously on the VOW  …. Act.  Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) for unemployed Veterans.  It applies to older, unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Labor (DoL) are working together to roll out this new program on July 1, 2012. The new program will provide retraining for Veterans hardest hit by current economic conditions.  There are a limited number of slots available. Go to the VA’s VRAP website  found in their GI Bill website for details. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidibits — Fly Fishing Event

Register for the Latest Lehigh Valley PHWFFI Event Trout Unlimited Hokendauqua and its partner, LVMAC, are again sponsoring a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Outing.  It is scheduled for May 5th 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bob Saks’ Pond (a private pond).  Donuts and coffee, full picnic Read more…

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — PTSD Help for Families

Veterans and Families’ Guide to Recovering from PTSD is Now Available

We thank the author, Stephanie Laite Lanham, PMH-NP, for granting us permission to publish the 6th edition of this booklet. “The Guide”, as it has come to be called by many, was very well received when nationally distributed for several years by the Military Order of Purple Heart (MOPH) to the Vet Centers in all 50 states. The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) believes it has found a new life for the Veterans and Families’ Guide for Recovering from PTSD.  It has been in the process of distributing it over the last two months. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Job Hunt Training Offer

LVMAC OFFERS FREE, JOB HUNT TRAINING TO RETURNING VETERANS

Training to Commence 7 March in South Bethlehem

In response to the growing concern over the unemployment rate of returning veterans, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) is once again offering its JOVE (Job One:Veterans Employment) program to veterans willing to invest their time to hone their job-seeking skills. Priority will go to those returning from the recent conflicts, for they are less likely to have the job hunting skills needed.

Call 484-602-JOB1 or 610-349-5856, send an email to JOVE@lvmac.org , or use the online application form from our website,  if you are interested in enrolling. Applications are being accepted now. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — VOW … Act, More Details

More on the VOW  to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (H.R. 674)

On 1 December 2011, we reported on  the tax incentives for employers of P.L. 112-56, signed into law on 21 November 2011, as it seemed at the time the most significant part of the act and had grabbed all the attention, but what about the other major provisions?  Below are five of possible individual interest: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago