News
Need to Know: These New UCMJ Laws Start Jan. 1, 2019
Friday, February 1, 2019 | Category: Military Justice - ME
Amy Bushatz reported the following in her Military.com article:
“A series of sweeping reforms and updates to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) kick in on Jan. 1, 2019, including the addition of some crimes, an expansion of victims' rights and standardizing the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers on some military bases.
Many of the changes, which stemmed in part from Joint Chiefs of Staff recommendations made in 2013, were ordered in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Put into policy early this year through an executive order from President Donald Trump, they bring what Sen. John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee during the 2017 NDAA process, called the "most significant reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice since it was enacted six decades ago."”
Welcome Kit for Department of Veterans Affairs
Friday, January 11, 2019 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) “Welcome Kit” offers veterans, their families and caregivers a step-by-step guide to VA services and benefits, contacts and eligibility information. After becoming familiar with what is available, reach in to the VA contact to gather more information, verify eligibility and move forward with their assistance.
This kit is printable...please share with others who inquire about how the VA may help them or someone they know.
Invitation to Maine VA Listening Session on Wednesday, November 14, 2018: VA Mission Act 2018 & New Veterans Community Care Program
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
Factsheet: VA MISSION Act and New Veterans Community Care Program
(https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/
FactSheet_20-13.pdf)
Invitation to Listening Session below:
Subject: VA MISSION Act of 2018 Listening Session for you!
Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2018 21:07:50 +0000
From: "Kon, Megan A." <Megan.Kon@va.gov>
To: "Kon, Megan A." <Megan.Kon@va.gov>
Dear Veterans and VSO's,
We cordially invite you to attend a listening session on the VA MISSION Act of 2018 on:
Date: November 14, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Location: VA Maine HCS, Togus Theater, Building 210
We are seeking your feedback on VHA implementation of the MISSION Act, which was signed into law by the President on June 6, 2018, and is intended to fundamentally transform elements of the VA health care system. We want to know what you've heard, what your interests and concerns are, as well as get your feedback on a communication campaign.
Our transformed health care system will:
Ensure easy and reliable access to care when Veterans need it.
Provide exceptional care to Veterans anytime, anywhere.
Serve as a trusted, caring partner, helping Veterans and their families be healthy and well.
Your feedback will:
Guide VHA leadership in implementing the MISSION Act.
Help us better understand stakeholders' concerns and priorities.
Assist leadership in communicating how VHA is implementing the Act.
Inform the development of MISSION Act communication products, including toolkits, campaigns, etc.
The 90-minite interactive session agenda is as follows:
Welcome
Setting the Stage: MISSION Act Initial Discussion
MISSION Act Overview: Presentation and Discussion
MISSION Act Umbrella Campaign: Purpose of campaign and review 3 options, each with its own image, text, and logo
Conclusion
We are looking forward to your participation! Please reply to me if you will be able to attend. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you
Megan Kon
Public Affairs Officer
VA Maine Healthcare System Mail Code: 00-PR
1 VA Ctr, Augusta, ME 04330
Office Phone: 207-623-8411 ext. 2200
Cell: 207-480-9220
Website: www.maine.va.gov
Facebook: @VAMaine
2018 Maine Hire-a-Vet Campaign
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 | Category: Employment - ME
The Maine Department of Labor, through its statewide CareerCenter network, launched its 100-day 2018 Hire-a-Vet Campaign on Labor Day. Visit the site below for details...how to register and where to go. This employment effort also assists eligible veteran spouses.
State Vererans’ Bureau Releases New Video on Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Sunday, October 21, 2018 | Category: Suicide - ME
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) released a video to raise awareness of veteran suicides during Suicide Awareness Month and to connect veterans to mental health resources. Acting MBVS Director, Dave Richmond, noted that the Maine veteran suicide rate is higher than the regional, national and general population rates. Nationally, up to 20 veterans take their lives each day of which only 6 are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
MBVS published a brochure posted at:
https://www.maine.gov/veterans/docs/mental-health-care-for-maine-veterans.pdf
Military Women’s Organizations Unite to Form National Coalition
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
On September 7, 2018, an Advisory Group comprised of leading national and regional military women’s organizations began the formation of “a coalition of like-minded groups to battle the continued marginalization women face within the military and after their service. The unprecedented national gathering of military women’s groups will form a coalition with the goal of elevating the voices of the 2.2 million current service women and women veterans to bring about policy and culture change within the military and the veteran communities.
RAND Report: Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Military (Volume 5)
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
RAND released its 2018 “Volume 5. Estimates for Installation- and Command-Level Risk of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment from the 2014 RAND Military Workplace Study.” RAND’s report summary follows:
In early 2014, the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office asked the RAND National Defense Research Institute to conduct an independent assessment of the rates of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination in the military — an assessment last conducted in 2012 by the Department of Defense using the Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members. The resulting RAND Military Workplace Study invited close to 560,000 U.S. service members to participate in a survey fielded in August and September of 2014. This volume presents survey estimates of how risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment varies across military installations and major commands. The researchers find that risk of sexual assault and harassment varies across installations and commands and that these differences are sometimes large. Patterns in these risk estimates offer important insights into the types of environments where service members are most or least likely to be sexually assaulted or harassed. The results may also provide clues about the conditions that contribute to sexual assault risk and about strategies that could be used to prevent sexual assault and harassment.
Director of Maine Bureau of Veterans Services Leaving Post
Friday, September 14, 2018 | Category: Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services - ME
Adria Horn accepted a position at Tilson Technology Management, leaving her position as Director, Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services, on September 14, 2018. David Richmond will serve as the interim director.
Nationwide Baby Shower for Veterans May 7-11, 2018
Friday, April 27, 2018 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting the first-ever “Nationwide Baby Shower for Veterans” in May, 2018. The VA Center for Women Veterans posted the following:
‘This week-long event will take place at 60 VA Medical across the country from May 7-11, 2018, the week leading up to Mother’s Day on May 13. So far, over 2,400 new Veteran parents and new Veteran parents-to-be have signed up to participate! Here’s where we need your help. In order to provide a uniform experience to our new Veteran parents, we developed a sweet and sensible new baby package containing a variety of useful baby products: a diaper bag, new bags by toiletries, hair brush and comb set, bib, layette, blanket, and hat. Just $50 will purchase a new baby kit full of terrific items to be delivered to the Veteran at their local Baby Shower. There are three ways you can help.’
President’s 2018 “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month” Proclamation
Sunday, April 1, 2018 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
President Trump released his 2019 “National Sexual Assault Awareness Month” proclamation.