MORE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HIRED BY VETERANS AFFAIRS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
VA Hires More Mental Health Professionals to Expand Access for Veterans
February 11, 2013
Part of Comprehensive Effort to Boost Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it has made significant progress in providing increased access to mental health care services for our Nation’s Veterans by hiring new mental health professionals. Last year, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced a goal to hire 1,600 new mental health clinical providers and 300 administrative support staff. The President’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order requires the positions to be filled by June 30, 2013. As of Jan. 29, VA has hired 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff in support of this specific goal.

"We aren’t slowing down our efforts even after these initial positive results," said Shinseki. "We still need to hire more mental health professionals in order to reach our goal, but each new hire means we can treat more Veterans and provide greater access to our mental health services."

Overall, VA has set aggressive goals to fill these new positions as well as existing and projected mental health vacancies within the VA system. As of Jan. 29, VA has hired a total of 3,262 mental health professionals and administrative support staff to serve Veterans since the goal was announced, which includes the new 1,058 mental health clinical providers and 223 administrative support staff. The mental health professionals hired include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, mental health nurses, licensed professional mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and addictions therapists.

VA provides a comprehensive system of high-quality mental health treatments and services to Veterans. The department is utilizing many tools to recruit and retain one of the largest mental health care workforces in the nation to serve Veterans better by providing enhanced services, expanded access, longer clinic hours, and increased telemental health capability to deliver services.

"Today, as Veterans return home from missions in Afghanistan and those who previously returned from Iraq, it is imperative that we ensure they have access to timely, high-quality mental health care," said Undersecretary for Health Dr. Robert A. Petzel. "The invisible scars of war follow them as they return from theater. It is our responsibility to identify these wounds, treat them and prevent the long-term physical, mental and social consequences of them."

In accordance with the President’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order, VA has also completed hiring and training of additional staff to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) and phone lines have been increased by 50 percent. As of Dec. 31, 2012, the Veterans Crisis Line has received over 747,000 calls, over 83,000 chats, as well as over 5,000 texts, and has saved more than 26,000 Veterans in imminent danger.

There are many Veterans who are willing to seek treatment and to share their experiences with mental health issues when they share a common bond of duty, honor, and service with the provider. VA is in the process of hiring and training 800 Peer Specialists in the coming year. Additionally, VA has awarded a contract to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to provide certification training for Peer Specialists. This peer staff is expected to all be hired by Dec. 31, 2013, and will work as members of mental health teams.

The number of Veterans receiving specialized mental health treatment from VA has risen each year, from 927,052 in fiscal year (FY) 2006 to more than 1.3 million in FY 2012. One major reason for this increase is VA’s proactive screening of all Veterans to identify those who may have symptoms of depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), problem use of alcohol or who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST).

SERVICE WOMEN HONORED BY MEMORIAL

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Memorial Honors the Service of Women Veterans Through the Years
November 9, 2012 by Jennifer Sardam

When she first joined the military in the mid-1960s, Irene Trowell-Harris never imagined the creation of a national memorial to honor the hard-won service achievements of so many servicewomen like herself.

The now retired Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Trowell-Harris was the first female African-American to be promoted to general officer in the National Guard.

But even after 38 years of military service, Trowell-Harris is deeply humbled whenever she enters the Women In Military Service For America (WIMSA) Memorial.

"To me, personally, words cannot adequately explain or describe what it feels like walking in this memorial," said Trowell-Harris, who is now director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans. "This memorial recognizes (and) honors me for my service to this country and all the women Veterans out there…the 1.9 million…they put their [lives] on the line to serve their country…now they are getting just and fair recognition and honor for their service to this nation."

The memorial, situated at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, is the only one of its kind.

"What is really unique about this memorial is that it is for all women, all services, and all eras," said Trowell-Harris.

WIMSA, often called the Women’s Memorial, marked its 15th anniversary October 20.

But the journey to get there wasn’t easy.

Just as it took time for women to progress through the ranks, so did the efforts to establish the memorial for women Veterans.

"It took about 15 years to really look at the planning process, the fundraising, and getting support from everybody," said Trowell-Harris. "The women Veterans, the professional members, the White House, the Veterans Service Organizations, [and] everybody really worked together."

The memorial now spans 4.2 acres, but the weight and depth of its stories cover so much more ground.

The heart of WIMSA is a computerized database of information known as the Register, which houses approximately 250,000 women Veterans’ stories, an ever-changing tribute to sacrifice.

"I am so touched as they tell some of the experiences that happened to them, and you see the kind of barriers and obstacles they were confronted with and overcame," said Vaught, "or you see those moments which just challenged them so much. You read those stories, and it gives you strength to go on."

Vaught hopes that the memorial will continue to educate and inspire generations to come.

"I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done for women, because it tells a total story," she said. "It tells the history. It speaks to the accomplishments. It speaks to the future. It speaks of what’s going on now…those who come here leave with a sense of pride."

Vaught invites women Veterans to help her continue to build the memorial with their own unique stories.

"We achieved half of my goal for dedication, which was to have 500,000 people registered," she said. "We’re within about 200 of being at 250,000."

For more information about the Women’s Memorial, visit their website, or register online or download a registration form here.

Jennifer Sardam is a VA public affairs specialist and a U.S. Army Veteran who served as an Army journalist during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

VA EMPLOYEE AND OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL WINNER SHARES STORY

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The Olympics are filled with inspirational stories that bring the country together in celebration of exceptional accomplishment and national pride. And we at VA are very proud to share an inspiring story from one of our own, Natalie Dell—a Bronze Medal winner at the Summer Olympics.
Natalie conducts mental health research at the VA Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts. Every day, she studies how to help Veterans with depression and mental health issues. “I came in contact with Veterans every day,” she said in a VA interview this week. “Part of my job would be…to get a little more in-depth information on how exactly VA can help them.”

Beyond caring for Veterans, her other passion is rowing, a passion so developed that it led Natalie to compete in the 30^th Olympiad in London, winning bronze for Team USA this week with her team in women’s quadruple sculls, which ended a 28 year medal drought in the sport.

And this is where Natalie’s success story gets truly inspiring. Growing up in a working class family, Natalie did not start rowing until her undergraduate years at Penn State University in an unfunded rowing club. Unlike her Ivy-league counterparts, she said, “I was not fast enough. I wasn’t even close to being fast enough to make the national team,” after graduation. Natalie realized that to make the team she would have to put in long hours of training, while also balancing a professional career. A professor suggested she try applying at VA as a research scientist, where she eventually landed a job caring for Veterans.

As a VA employee, Natalie attributes part of her rowing successes to the flexibility VA provided her. “I had to find a job that would allow me to have a really fulfilling professional career,” she said, “but also be flexible enough that I could train.” During her first year at the VA Medical Center, Natalie would wake up at 4:30 each morning to train, commute to her nine-to-five job, and then continue training in the evenings. Her work at VA taught her the importance of detail, which she brings to her rowing. “I try to be thorough with every stroke I take and I try to approach [rowing] with the same mindset I [use in my research].”After a year of intense training, the support of co-workers, and the will to keep going, Natalie was invited to the national team in 2010.

Natalie told us she draws inspiration every day from the Veterans she works with whose sacrifices for country humble and motivate us all. She has dedicated her career to helping America’s Veterans get their lives back when they return home from war. And her training has reaffirmed the importance of teamwork and community.

“I know that a lot of our Veterans face challenges in and out of the line of duty, where things just seem like they’re not going to happen, it does not seem possible,” Natalie said. But regardless of the situation, Natalie advises Veterans to never underestimate the power of support from those around you. “You may not realize it, but it can take you a really long way.”

HOMELESS VETERANS AND PROJECT REACH

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
For Homeless Veterans, a REACHable Goal
June 5, 2012 by Jonah Czerwinski and Peter Levin
In March, the VA Innovation Initiative (VAi2) launched Project REACHwith Jon Bon Jovi and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to put information about local homelessness resources into the hands of people who can help others in need.  We’re excited to announce the finalists today. They come from across the country, from Forest Hills, New York, to Kihei, Hawaii.  Their prototype mobile apps will compete for the $25,000 grand prize. Throughout the first round of competition, the REACH community moved us with their passion, creativity, and hard work on behalf of Veterans.
The finalists competed hard against a high bar and a tight timeline. They pulled all-nighters and all-weekenders; one finalized their submission while on vacation in the mountains of West Virginia.  Another finalist is donating the prize award to the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation and the EOD Memorial Foundation.  We have another whose son, an already skilled coder, will join the next phase of this contest as a service project.

During phase two of Project REACH, finalists compete for the grand prize by piloting their mobile applications atJBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant in Monmouth County, New Jersey, where diners can cover the cost of their meals either through donation or volunteering.  The apps currently focus on Monmouth County, but REACH’s ultimate goal is a mobile app that allows anybody to locate points of service such as health clinics, food kitchens, or shelters with automatically updated availability, regardless of which city they’re in.

VA Deputy Secretary W. Scott Gould, Mr. Bon Jovi, and HUD Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones announced the finalists today at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Data Initiative Forum in Washington D.C.

EPA, VA WORK TO CONNECT VETERANS TO JOBS

FROM:  DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 
VA, EPA Program Connects Disabled Vets with Jobs
From a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency News Release
WASHINGTON, May 30, 2012 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program yesterday announced a memorandum of understanding to connect veterans with disabilities to career opportunities in the water and wastewater sectors as part of the EPA's Water Sector Workforce Initiative.

The agreement allows EPA and VA to connect qualified veterans with staffing needs at water and wastewater utilities. EPA and the VA will work with water utilities and state and local VA counselors to promote water sector careers and resources for finding water jobs for veterans as well as educational programs to help veterans transition into careers in water industries.

"This agreement comes at the perfect time to address the predicted workforce shortages in the water and wastewater industries and the need for transitioning veterans into civilian jobs," said Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water. "EPA believes that well-trained and experienced water sector professionals are vital to ensuring sustainable, properly operated systems."

"VA has cultivated relationships with both public and private industry to ensure disabled veterans have opportunities to find and maintain meaningful employment," said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey. "We are thrilled to forge this relationship with EPA to assist them with hiring veterans through our Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program."

More than one-third of all current water operators are eligible to retire within seven years and, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for water and wastewater operators is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the national average for all other occupations.

Each year, VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program assists more than 100,000 disabled veterans prepare for, find, and maintain meaningful careers. Veterans are an important target group for water and wastewater utility jobs because many veterans already possess training and technical skills that are directly transferable to careers in the water sector.

There is a wide spectrum of water sector careers that veterans could be qualified for, including engineering, laboratory and water science, operations and maintenance, management and administration, communications, and public education.
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program further supports veterans for the water workforce by providing necessary accommodations and additional training as needed.

THE NATIONAL VETERANS GOLDEN AGE GAMES

FROM:  U.S. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
The National Veterans Golden Age Games
Last year at the National Veterans Golden Age Games, Jack Faust met a fellow competitor who was 98 and thought he was the oldest Veteran there.
Jack, 100 at the time, had to tell him he was two years short.

This year, more than 900 Veterans will travel to St. Louis, Mo. to compete in the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games.
Jack Faust was born in 1911. Last year at the games, he won two gold medals and said: “To the youngsters competing, I say: better get practicing for St. Louis, because I intend to see you there.”

The Games are a national sports and recreation competition sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), and Veterans Canteen Service (VCS).

Through this rehabilitative athletic event, VA strives to introduce older Veterans to the benefits of sports and recreation. These athletes will showcase their skills, mental toughness and physical fitness at the games.

Celebrating its 26th year, the games offer the largest sports and recreation competition in the world for military Veterans age 55 and older.

Hosted this year by the St. Louis VA Medical Center, the competition features sports such as swimming, cycling, golf, bowling, table tennis and others, totaling 14 competitive events.

Events are open to all U.S. military Veterans age 55 or older who are currently receiving care at any VA medical facility.

The Games have grown from 115 participants its first year to more than 700 in 2011.
It is designed to improve the quality of life for all older Veterans, including those with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.

The National Golden Age Games is one of the most progressive and adaptive rehabilitative senior sports programs in the world and is made possible by the support provided by co-sponsors VCS and HHV.

The Golden Age Games is truly a life saving program for our nation’s Veterans and life affirming for all those who have attended them.

Competitive events run from June 1-5, 2012.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games serve as a qualifying event for the National Senior Olympics. The National Senior Olympics is a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee and recognizes the best senior athletes in their respective age groups in the United States.

For more information about the National Veterans Golden Age Games and other VA national rehabilitation programs, visitwww.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov.

FEMALE VETS AND AGRICULTURE

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VANTAGE POINT BLOG
Female Veterans in Agriculture: A Rising Opportunity
May 11, 2012 by Tia Christopher
When I first heard about the Farmer Veteran Coalition, a non-profit that connects military Veterans with farming, I thought, “Wow – how random and specific.” Then I found out about the rural nature of today’s military and Veteran population. Many people from small farming communities join the military, leaving their family farms to serve their country and see the world. After their service, many of these Veterans return home to the rural communities they know and love. In addition to returning to rural farms, the Veterans are starting their own farming operations on the borders of big cities and even starting urban gardens in the heart of our greatest metropolises. I also learned that a lot of these Veterans are women…like me.

Female Veterans comprise 15% of today’s military and make up a rapidly growing segment of the US veteran population. More than ever, they are pursuing careers and independent business ventures, often utilizing their diverse skills from military service. Many of these women are starting careers in food and farming – as chefs, ranchers, organic vegetable producers, and even mentors for inner city kids at community gardens. In all honesty, I can’t even keep my tomato plants alive, but I can proudly say that I am joining the effort by working at the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC).

This summer we are organizing a conference for women Veterans about business and agriculture. This event is the first of its kind, and it seeks to bring our often dispersed women Veteran population together. With the help of the USDA Risk Management Agency, Annie’s Project and Oxfam America, FVC is hosting the “Empowering Women Veterans: Business, Agriculture & Well-Being” conference in Davis, Ca on July 7-8, 2012. We are hoping to draw a diverse crowd, from both rural and urban communities and from all branches and service eras. At this conference, women leaders in business and agriculture will speak to female Veteran participants about the challenges faced by women, tools to mitigate risk in their agricultural ventures, and available programs to help women farmers succeed. Educational topics will include the RMA five areas of risk (production, price (market), financial, legal, and personal); business structure and farm contracts; an introduction to Quicken Software (with free software); loans, debt & credit; direct marketing; and farm labor. This conference will raise awareness of the attendees’ national and local benefits and resources, and will address their needs both as Veterans and as farmers.

They say there is strength in numbers, so how great would it be to stay connected and to support one another with farming and agriculture advice? It is my hope that this conference will act as a catalyst for that support system.

DEPLETED URANIUM, SHRAPNEL AND WAR VETERANS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Dr. Jose Centeno, director of the Joint Pathology Center's Biophysical Toxicology and Depleted Uranium/Embedded Metal Fragment Laboratories, demonstrates the variety of shrapnel pieces removed from service members and veterans. DOD photo by Terri Moon Cronk
Laboratory Analyzes Shrapnel to Look for Uranium
By Terri Moon Cronk
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md., April 19, 2012 - Military doctors here are examining shrapnel taken from service members and veterans, looking for depleted uranium and other metals.

Biophysical Toxicology and Depleted Uranium/Embedded Metal Fragment Laboratories branch is analyzing the embedded fragments and providing second opinions at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers to treat those who had retained shrapnel.

"Our goal is to improve the care of wounded warriors," said Army Col. (Dr.) Thomas Baker, interim director of the Joint Pathology Center, the umbrella organization for the lab.

"We advise [doctors] how to follow up and what treatment is needed" to mitigate the potential effects of uranium and other metals, he said.
The lab analyzes all combat-associated metal fragments taken from DOD personnel that might pose a long-term health risk, such as depleted uranium, which can contribute to kidney damage over time, Baker explained. The lab also develops laboratory capabilities in metal toxicology to support the Defense Department, The Pathology Center and VA and Army programs that require exposure assessment to depleted uranium, embedded fragment analysis and analysis of certain metal alloys, officials said.

The only one of its kind in the United States, Baker said, the lab keeps a registry of the fragments for future re-evaluation. The register now includes 600 specimens.
The lab also has the only diagnostic equipment in the nation that can detect where the uranium originates in the body, noted Dr. Jose Centeno, the lab's director.

A wide range of materials are packed in improvised explosive devices, the doctors said.
The metal fragments and alloys the labs analyze comprise common metals and alloys of steel, aluminum, copper and brass. Depleted uranium is contained in some fragments, the doctors said, noting that shrapnel specimens are tested in triplicate for accuracy.
Concerns about tainted fragments began in 1993 following the Gulf War, when evidence arose of kidney damage from uranium, the doctors said.

For 18 years, 75 volunteers have participated in a study as part of the depleted uranium program, Baker said. All but one, an Iraq War veteran, served in the Gulf War, said Centeno, a physical chemist with a background in the toxicology of metals.
While many service members and veterans have retained fragments because of high risks removing them would pose, Baker said, some alloys such as depleted uranium are not safe to leave in the body. Because of that potential risk, DOD and VA have comprehensive programs to reach troops and veterans for testing, he added.

Baker said service members and veterans who carry shrapnel but haven't sought medical care should seek advice from a doctor or call the Baltimore VA Medical Center, which works with the laboratories here.

"Anybody with an embedded fragment who hasn't been followed up or hasn't seen a physician should [do so] ... and talk to them to discuss their risks," he said.

AGENT ORANGE STUDY OF POSSIBLE LINKS TO HYPERTENSION AND COPD

FROM: U .S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The Army Chemical Corps Vietnam-Era Veterans Health Study is designed to learn if high blood pressure (hypertension) and some chronic respiratory diseases are related to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War.

Background
This study follows a request by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki for VA to conduct research on the association between herbicide exposure and high blood pressure (hypertension), as a basis for understanding if hypertension is related to military service in Vietnam.  VA is also interested in learning more about the relationship between herbicide exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This study is a follow-up of a similar study conducted between 1999-2000. We have examined the health status of individuals who served in the Army Chemical Corps since the 1990s.

Goals
Researchers have two questions:
Is the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) related to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam?
Is the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, related to Agent Orange exposure during service in Vietnam?

Participants
Researchers are asking approximately 4,000 Veterans who served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps sometime during the Vietnam era (1965-1973) to participate in this study.  Army Chemical Corps personnel were responsible for the maintenance and distribution or application of chemicals for military operations. Army Chemical Corps personnel who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War constitute the largest group of Army Vietnam Veterans who were thought to have had the greatest potential exposure to herbicides.

We have already selected participants from earlier Army Chemical Corps study rosters, and researchers cannot accept volunteers for this study. Each Veteran selected for this study represents other Veterans with similar characteristics.

Methods
We are conducting telephone interviews, reviewing medical records, and measuring the blood pressure and lung function of these Veterans.

Investigators
Han Kang, Dr.P.H.
Aaron Schneiderman, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N.
Yasmin Cypel, Ph.D.
Amii Kress, M.P.H.
Stephanie Eber, M.P.H.

VA INCREASES MENTAL HEALTH STAFF

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VANTAGE POINT
VA to Increase Mental Health Staff by Nearly 10 Percent
April 19, 2012 by Brandon Friedman
In an effort to decrease wait times for Veterans in need of mental health care, VA will soon increase its mental health staff by 1,900. This will represent nearly a 10 percent increase in mental health staff across the Department.
As you read the full announcement below, one thing to note is that this increase is not necessarily final. VA will continue to evaluate the needs of our Veterans on an ongoing basis and the Department will add staff as needed.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced that the department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians – to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff as part of an ongoing review of mental health operations.

“As the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the operational missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have ended. As more Veterans return home, we must ensure that all Veterans have access to quality mental health care.”

VA’s ongoing comprehensive review of mental health operations has indicated that some VA facilities require more mental health staff to serve the growing needs of Veterans. VA is moving quickly to address this top priority. Based on this model for team delivery of outpatient mental health services, plus growth needs for the Veterans Crisis Line and anticipated increase in Compensation and Pension/Integrated Disability Evaluation System exams, VA projected the additional need for 1,900 clinical and clerical mental health staff at this time. As these increases are implemented, VA will continue to assess staffing levels.
“Mental health services must be closely aligned with Veterans’ needs and fully integrated with health care facility operations,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel. “Improving access to mental health services will help support the current and future Veterans who depend on VA for these vital services.”

VA will allocate funds from the current budget to all 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) across the country this month to begin recruitment immediately. Under the leadership of President Obama and Secretary Shinseki, VA has devoted more people, programs, and resources toward mental health services to serve the growing number of Veterans seeking mental health care from VA. Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to 1.3 million Veterans. Since 2009, VA has increased the mental health care budget by 39 percent. Since 2007, VA has seen a 35 percent increase in the number of Veterans receiving mental health services, and a 41 percent increase in mental health staff.

VA has enhanced services by integrating mental health care into the primary care setting, developed an extensive suicide prevention program, and increased the number of Veterans Readjustment Counseling Centers (Vet Centers). VA’s Veteran Crisis Line has received more than 600,000 calls resulting in over 21,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.“The mental health of America’s Veterans not only touches those of us at VA and the Department of Defense, but also families, friends, co-workers, and people in our communities,” said Petzel. “We ask that you urge Veterans in your communities to reach out and connect with VA services.”