News
New Women’s Health Center at West Haven VA ‘Officially’ Open
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Health Care - Connecticut
The new VA Connecticut Women's Health Center officially opened, now serving nearly a thousand women veterans. It's a one-stop shop, meeting female veterans' comprehensive health care needs in a more private, dignified setting for the women served there.
Michelle Obama Urges Mayors to Remove 'Stain' of Veteran Homelessness and Praises L.A. Efforts
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - National
There's been progress, but much is left to be done. First Lady Michelle Obama urged the nation's mayors to continue their efforts to ease homelessness among military veterans. Some cities reached “functional zero,” which means homeless veterans are quickly identified and helped. The effort takes businesses and nonprofit groups helping veterans connect with resources to find jobs, get medical and mental health treatment, and other services to stabilize their lives.
Bill to Update Alaska Military Code of Justice Advances
Friday, January 22, 2016 | Category: Legal/Justice - Alabama
The bill to reform the Alaska Guard's Uniform Code of Military Justice passed through the Judiciary Committee to be scheduled for a full House vote. The impetus for the reform was a "scathing" report documenting actual and perceived favoritism, ethical misconduct, and fear of reprisal all of which were eroding trust and confidence in the Alaskan National Guard leadership. In 2014, past Alaskan Governor Sean Parnell asked the bureau to investigate reports of sexual assault, rape, and fraud amongst its Guard members.
MyVA: Modernizing VA Through Veteran-centered Transformation
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
VA Secretary Bob McDonald briefed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on VA’s transformation strategy, MyVA, specifically addressing its plan to modernize VA. He highlighted 12 priorities designed to improve delivery of timely care and benefits, improving the veteran experience, and reforming internal systems. Briefing attendees expressed hope for lasting change. The MyVA concept has been deployed to states with the intent of generating local MyVA boards. Former president and chief executive officer of USAA, retired Army Major General Joe Robles, serves as the national MyVA committee chairman.
Here Are The Women Who First Joined Each Branch Of The Military
Thursday, January 21, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Columnist James Clark reports on who historical documents report are the first women to join the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Protect Our Defenders Announces First Annual Justice Award Winners
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
On January 20, 2016, two attorneys from the California Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC), Cacilia Kim, Special Counsel, and Elizabeth Kristen, Director of their Gender Equity & LGBT Rights Program, received the "2016 Protect Our Defenders Justice Award." Ms. Kim and Ms. Kristen received the inaugural award for their tireless work on behalf of military sexual assault survivors through Protect Our Defenders (POD) "Pro Bono Network." POD is the only national human rights organization solely dedicated to ending harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. military. Former Chief Prosecutor of the U.S. Air Force and President of Protect Our Defenders, Colonel Don Christensen, will present the awards..
Journal Shares Discoveries on Women Veterans' Long-Term Health Outcomes
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
The "Women Veterans in the Women's Health Initiative" supplemental to "The Gerontologist," published in February 2016, includes 13 articles by Department of Veterans Affairs researchers and colleagues comparing aging and mortality differences between veteran and non-veteran women. Research findings were extracted from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and begun in 1991. Researchers stated that "prior military service identifies a group of women who face special challenges as they grow older."
Advocates: Connecticut working to end veteran homelessness
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - Connecticut
In January 2015, it was estimated that 47,725 veterans were homeless nationwide on a single night with about 34 percent unsheltered. While most were men, 4,338 were women. According to the same study, between 2009 and 2015, there was a 35 percent decrease in the homeless veteran population. "Homes for the Brave" provides transitional housing and support services for veterans. Forgotten Heroes, a partner of Homes for the Brave, is the only facility specifically for female veterans in Connecticut.
Veteran Underemployment Represents Growing Concern
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | Category: Employment - National
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterans continue to have a higher unemployment rate than non-veterans and veterans of the recent Middle East conflicts have a higher rate than other veteran populations. Female veterans with Gulf War-era II experience have greater unemployment rates than male veterans who served during this same time period. And, active duty servicewomen may struggle more finding employment than National Guard and Reserve women.
Air Force Colonel in Colorado Charged With Rape, Assault
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
An Air Force colonel at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado was charged with rape, assault and adultery in late 2014 or early 2015. He was the second in command of the 50th Space Wing communication satellites. A hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a court-martial is scheduled for March 17, 2015.