Returning Soldier and Veteran Health resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2010 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/veterans The Department of Veterans Affairs is allocating $39 million to fund about 2,200 new transitional housing beds through grants to local providers. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1865 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:53:25 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1865 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today an aggressive new initiative to solicit private-sector input on a proposed fast track Veterans claims process for service-connected presumptive illnesses due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1862 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:48:09 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1862 WCCO News, (MN) tells of the problems rural Minnesota veterans will face in finding mental health counseling from the Veterans Administration (VA), where rather than contracting with private providers, the VA wants to offer the service itself, even if it means a longer drive for veterans. http://wcco.com/health/va.veterans.hitting.2.1524911.html Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:06:42 CST http://wcco.com/health/va.veterans.hitting.2.1524911.html The federal departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor and Defense unveiled today an improved Web site for wounded warriors. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1856 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:28:18 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1856 The Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on March 2-3, 2010, in Johnson City, Tennessee. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3752.htm Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:38:29 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3752.htm The purpose of the Best Practices Registry (BPR) is to identify, review, and disseminate information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. -- Suicide Prevention Resource Center http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr//index.asp Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:18:48 CST http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/bpr//index.asp Dr. Robert A. Petzel has taken the oath of office as the Under Secretary for Health within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), stepping up to lead the nation's largest integrated health care system. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1850 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:48:52 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1850 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki launched the Veterans Health IT Innovation Initiative, an employee-based Health Information Technology (HIT) competition to spur VAs transformation into a 21st Century organization that is Veteran-centric, results-oriented, and forward-looking. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1851 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:46:21 CST http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1851 Medline Plus article reports on research that shows that young, male and rural veterans are most likely to face obstacles as they seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_95333.html Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:57:06 CST http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_95333.html Comments are being requested on a proposed rule to update the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical regulations concerning the payment methodology used to calculate VA payments for inpatient and outpatient health care professional services and other medical services associated with non-VA outpatient care. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3042.htm Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:41:03 CST http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3042.htm Minnesota Public Radio article tells how mental health providers are frustrated by a shift in strategy for the Veterans Administration, where rather than contracting with private providers, the VA wants to offer mental health counseling itself, even if it means a longer drive for veterans. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/02/05/trying-reach-rural-vets/?refid=0 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:21:58 CST http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/02/05/trying-reach-rural-vets/?refid=0 Portland ME May 5, 2010 -- Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/2010-rural-health.pdf Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:59:52 CST http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/2010-rural-health.pdf The VA Midwest Health Care Network, or VISN 23, serves the health care needs of veterans residing in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming. -- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs http://www.visn23.va.gov/index.asp Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:33:10 CST http://www.visn23.va.gov/index.asp Designed to help returning veterans reestablish their lives in the civilian sector. Website includes resources aimed at veterans, their friends and families, health care providers, and the general public. http://www.welcomebackveterans.org/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:38:03 CST http://www.welcomebackveterans.org/ Veteran volunteers are trained to help fellow veterans find resources for readjustment issues, including financial and educational issues, emotional challenges, substance problems, legal or job issues. Free and confidential, call 1-888-82-BUDDY. Website includes a directory of resources for the general public and for health care providers. -- University of Michigan Depression Center http://www.buddytobuddy.org/ Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:34:01 CST http://www.buddytobuddy.org/ Offers support and advice on how to help veterans acclimate to life on a college campus-particularly to ensure their emotional well-being. http://www.halfofus.com/veterans/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:41:57 CST http://www.halfofus.com/veterans/ Provides resources for veterans and active duty military members, as well as their families, friends, and advocates on topics related to mental health, such as: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), health benefits and eligibility, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). -- National Alliance on Mental Illness http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Veterans_Resources&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53242&lstid=877 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:36:13 CST http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Veterans_Resources&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53242&lstid=877 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/ 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 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.mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/College/docs/VA_Safety_planning_manual.doc Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:27:59 CST http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/College/docs/VA_Safety_planning_manual.doc 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