Returning Soldier and Veteran Health resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2009 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/veterans KULR8 News, (MT) reports that the Senate has unanimously passed the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, sponsored by Senator Jon Tester. http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/70591627.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:58:55 CST http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/70591627.html On Veterans Day, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rolled out the first phase of a large-scale Web renovation, changing the Web sites look, making it easier for Veterans and their families to navigate and to find the information they are looking for. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1817 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:48:01 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1817 To expedite the delivery of benefits to many injured servicemembers who receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department announced the expansion of a program with the Department of Defense (DoD) to streamline the application process for people retiring or exiting the military due to disabilities. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1820 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:45:18 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1820 This web-based education program is designed for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals in Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). It provides information on delivering healthcare for medically complex geriatric patients with information on demographics, assessment, and family and community resources. http://hsc-moodle.health.unm.edu/course/category.php?id=19 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:09:03 CST http://hsc-moodle.health.unm.edu/course/category.php?id=19 Supports new initiatives that work to enhance health care delivery to rural veterans and close gaps in quality and access to care that may result from the geographic isolation faced by rural veterans. http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/visn/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:01:04 CST http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/visn/ KIVI News, (ID) article reports that Congressman Walt Minnick, a freshman Congressman from Idaho, will next week introduce a bill to mandate that any veteran who travels further than 150 miles be reimbursed for lodging and food at the same rate as federal employees. http://www.kivitv.com/global/story.asp?s=11489587 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:04:18 CST http://www.kivitv.com/global/story.asp?s=11489587 Presents data from the 2008 American Community Survey which shows that a higher number of disabled veterans reside in the South and in rural areas. In general, a higher number of veterans live in these areas and face additional challenges such as gaining access to care. -- Carsey Institute http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/FS-Mattingly-Military-Disabilities-2009.pdf Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:59:42 CST http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/FS-Mattingly-Military-Disabilities-2009.pdf Newswise article reports that Veterans Day has a new meaning for a Geisinger team of clinicians and researchers who recently launched the Reaching Rural Veterans Initiative (RRVI). http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/558407/?sc=rsmn Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:49:51 CST http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/558407/?sc=rsmn Today, at the VA National Summit Ending Homelessness among Veterans, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki unveiled the departments comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans by marshaling the resources of government, business and the private sector. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1807 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:57:34 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1807 Navy Times article reports that Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is trying to bring pressure on the Senate to ignore tradition and bring a veterans health care bill up for debate despite the anonymous hold on the bill placed by a senator. http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_delayed_110209w/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:35:29 CST http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veteransbill_delayed_110209w/ The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are hosting a first-of-its-kind national summit to address the mental health care needs of Americas military personnel, families and Veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and expertise of both departments to deal with the aftermath of the battlefield. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1805 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:14:42 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1805 Military Health System article reports that President Barack Obama signed new legislation that creates predictable funding for veterans health care, noting that the administration has invested in mobile clinics to give veterans in rural areas better access. http://www.health.mil/Press/Release.aspx?ID=990 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:02:47 CST http://www.health.mil/Press/Release.aspx?ID=990 Describes a study and medical trial that will work to provide telepsychology services for depressed, elderly veterans living in rural America. -- BioMed Central http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681467/?tool=pubmed Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:26:26 CST http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2681467/?tool=pubmed Serves as a resource on homeless Veterans or those that are at risk of becoming homeless and the programs that assist them. Works as a national forum for exchanging ideas, providing education and consultation, and disseminating information. -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=45 Thu, 21 May 2009 13:50:02 CST http://www1.va.gov/homeless/page.cfm?pg=45 Offers information, support, and services provided by the Veterans Affairs office and other entities for returning soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.oefoif.va.gov/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:34:23 CST http://www.oefoif.va.gov/ Recommends ways in which to close the gaps in health care for rural veterans. Recommendations include: building on current success, collaborating with non-VA facilities, increasing mental health access, targeting care, and strengthening the Office of Rural Veterans. http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/download.cfm?downloadfile=2039B0E3-3048-651A-FEF95E5EDBCCF535&typename=dmFile&fieldname=filename Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:14:23 CST http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/download.cfm?downloadfile=2039B0E3-3048-651A-FEF95E5EDBCCF535&typename=dmFile&fieldname=filename Describes clinical intervention and safety planning that can be used in risk assessment of veterans who have made a suicide attempt, have suicide ideation, psychiatric disorders that increase suicide risk, or who are otherwise at high risk for suicide. -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.sprc.org/library/Veteran_Safety_Plan.pdf Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:27:59 CST http://www.sprc.org/library/Veteran_Safety_Plan.pdf Displays 2008 Army recruit data. Compares total recruits to those from rural, exurban, and urban areas. Ranks each state by its recruitment rate from rural areas and shows the U.S. counties with the fifty highest recruitment rates. http://www.dailyyonder.com/print/1962 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:53:36 CST http://www.dailyyonder.com/print/1962 Works to improve health care delivery for enrolled rural Veterans and supports research and program development to address challenges rural Veterans face. http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/ Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:03:34 CST http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/ Presents research that explores various Veteran suicide prevention strategies and how promising they might be. Strategies include programs for outreach, counseling, and treatment coordination. Addresses the difference in suicide prevalence among Veterans in rural and urban areas. -- VA Health Services Research & Development http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/Suicide-Prevention-2009.pdf Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:48:22 CST http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/Suicide-Prevention-2009.pdf Serves as a directory of programs that address the healthcare needs of homeless veterans. Organized alphabetically by state and includes the District of Columbia. Listings offer the program name, location, full address, and phone number. http://www1.va.gov/homeless/docs/HCHV_Sites_ByState.pdf Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:52:36 CST http://www1.va.gov/homeless/docs/HCHV_Sites_ByState.pdf Offers an overview of the difficulties facing rural veterans once they return home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Explains what rural health care providers will need to know in order to offer better care and services to veterans returning to their communities. -- California State Rural Health Association http://www.csrha.org/advocate/winter09/pointofview_blossom.html Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:02:35 CST http://www.csrha.org/advocate/winter09/pointofview_blossom.html Designed to serve active duty military members, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through medical care, clinical research initiatives and educational programs. Site offers access to educational tools, research reports, points of contact and other related resources. http://www.dvbic.org/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:57:38 CST http://www.dvbic.org/ Strives to ensure that needs of servicemembers and veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are met, primarily their needs regarding psychological traumas and traumatic brain injuries. http://www.veteransforamerica.org/home/vfa/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:51:33 CST http://www.veteransforamerica.org/home/vfa/ Describes problems faced by and services available to veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Discusses future issues and related impending decisions. Written to help the veteran and servicemember understand how variousagencies work and how he or she can get the benefits and services to which they are entitled. -- Veterans for America http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survival-guide/survival-guide-download-2/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:40:28 CST http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survival-guide/survival-guide-download-2/ Exists to communicate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, health care issues affecting veterans living in rural areas throughout the United States. http://www1.va.gov/advisory/page.cfm?pg=50 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:11:58 CST http://www1.va.gov/advisory/page.cfm?pg=50 Dedicated to assist qualified seniors and veterans interested in assisted living and receiving the benefits to help pay for their services and rent. Assists families in gathering knowledge about benefits they may be entitled to. http://www.veterans-express.com/index.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:05:38 CST http://www.veterans-express.com/index.html Examines data from veterans aged 21 to 39 on the prevalence of past year Major Depressive Episode (MDE), levels of impairment resulting from MDE as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), average number of days of the inability to carry out normal activities due to MDE, and past year treatment for MDE. -- SAMHSA Resource Center to Address Discrimination & Stigma Associated with Mental Illness http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.htm Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:26:57 CST http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/veteransDepressed/veteransDepressed.htm Provides links to news, research, and other documents on treatment, conditions, issues, and policy as related to veterans and military health. -- National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/veteransandmilitaryhealth.html Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:08:32 CST http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/veteransandmilitaryhealth.html Seeks to educate the public and affected individuals on the prevalence of cancer among Navy Veterans. Includes information on mesothelioma cancer and informs of legal options, VA benefits, available programs and their eligibility requirements, plus mesothelioma treatment information. A call center (1-800-ASBESTOS) and an e-mail service is available for requesting a packet of information. http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:56:41 CST http://www.asbestos.com/veterans/