March 28: Silverdale - Military Appreciation Day

Silverdale hosts its annual Military Appreciation Day And Information Fair Saturday, March 28, 2015, 11am - 4pm at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
 This yearly event is brought to the community by the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Each year, there are over 100 organizations that attend to serve the military, veterans and their families by providing services and resources.
The event also offers a wider variety of features, such as fun, games and entertainment for military children, and assistance for veterans.
More information (Printable Poster PDF).

Yakima County Veterans Program

Most Counties in Washington State have their a program for supporting veterans. This week we look at Yakima County.

Yakima County Veterans Program has a long tradition of helping veterans and their families. It has three main programs:

The Veteran’s Relief Fund  assists qualified indigent Veterans and their family with temporary emergency assistance for:

• Food 
• Utilities 
• Transportation 
• Rental assistance 
• Eviction prevention 
• Burial expenses 

The fund is not an entitlement and is used in conjunction with other available resources in the community. Participants must have:

• Veteran verification 
• Yakima County residency 
• Low income status 
• Emergent need.

The Yakima County Veterans Incarcerated Program helps incarcerated Veterans in the Yakima County Department of Corrections facilities and other municipal jails within the county reduce recidivism and successfully reintegrate into the community. Services that may be provided:

• Case management 
• Reentry planning 
• Legal advocacy 
• Essential needs 
• Medical treatment 
• Mental health treatment 
• Chemical addiction treatment 
• Veteran administration benefits 
• Housing 
• Employment and other identifiable needs 

Homeless Outreach and Services seeks to end to homelessness among Veterans in our county,  and also works to prevent homelessness as well as advocate for affordable housing for Veterans and their families

For More help and information, see their web page.

There is also a nongovernmental Yakima County Veterans Coalition, which is not formally related but worth checking out.

Military Commercial Drivers License Skills Test Waiver in Washington State

Are you a recent veteran thinking of becoming a commercial driver?
In Washington State, you can waive the Commercial Driver License (CDL) skills test if you were employed within the last 90 days in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).
This waiver allows a qualified service member to apply for a CDL without skills testing. CDL knowledge (written) test(s) cannot be waived.
There is, of course, paperwork to fill out. Why not start now?

The Million Veteran Program (MVP) Needs You!

Call (866) 441-6075 to Join!

Everybody knows your health and illness is connected your genetic heritage - but we don't know enough about how. Why does a drug work on one veteran and not on another? Why does the same physical trauma affect the brain of one veteran differently than another? How can we prevent some illnesses in the first place?
We need a huge database of veterans - one million volunteers - to figure this out.  That's the Million Veteran Program (MVP)!
If you join the Million Veteran Program, it won't help you right away, and maybe you personally will never get a direct benefit. But you will be a part of an army of one million, and everyone adds something!
MVP needs you!
When you volunteer for MVP, you will

• Fill out surveys about health and health-related behaviors; 
• Provide a blood sample, containing DNA and other substances that will be stored for future genomic analyses
• Allow secure access to VA and VA-linked medical and health information, including past and future health records
• Agree to future contact.

That's it - that's all! Volunteering for the MVP army does not change your Veterans' access to health care or benefits. But when MVP starts solving medical problems for your fellow veterans, you will be a part of it.

To join, (866) 441-6075 or stop by the MVP Clinic at your VA Hospital.
Learn More.

Track Your VA Mail Order Prescriptions Online

Most of the prescriptions you get from the VA can be sent to you by the VA Mail Order Pharmacy so you don't have to go pick them up yourself. Now there is a "Track Delivery" feature  to let you see when your VA prescriptions were shipped. It also shows which Service (UPS, US Postal Service, etc.) handling your VA prescription.

By using Track Delivery, you can track anything sent from the VA Mail Order Pharmacy, such as:

• VA medicine that was refilled or renewed 
• Wound care supplies 
• Diabetic supplies 
• Other products/supplies processed by the VA Mail Order Pharmacy. 

Some medicine requiring close patient follow-up are not sent through the VA Mail Order Pharmacy and so can not be tracked, but most can.

To use the Track Delivery feature, you need to sign up for a free Advanced or Premium My HealtheVet account. Why not Sign Up Today?

"Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" Wins Oscar.

Each month, the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255) receives over 22,000 calls from military veterans, who account for 20% of all suicides in the U.S. each year.
An HBO Documentary on the Veterans Crisis Line was awarded the 2014 Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Short Documentary.
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If you are a veteran, or concerned about one, call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. See the website at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Funds

Most Counties in Washington State have their a program for supporting veterans. This week we look at Kitsap County.

Kitsap Community Resources provides direct emergency assistance to qualified veterans. Funds are provided with Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Funds.
Temporary emergency assistance is available for: 

• Rent/mortgage assistance 
• Energy assistance 
• Assistance for food, transportation, medical and prescription costs, burial costs, and other approved needs 

Eligibility: Participants must:

• Income eligibility rules apply. 
• Have resided in Washington State for 12 consecutive months and in Kitsap County at the time of application. 
• Have served 120 days active duty and have an honorable discharge
• Sign up through local VFW or American Legion posts (see list here). 
• Bremerton/Silverdale VFW Post 239
  190 S. Dora Avenue
  360-377-6739 
• American Legion Post 68
  1240 Sheridan Road
  360-373-0233 
• Port Orchard VFW Post 2669
  736 Bay Street
  360-876-2669 
• Poulsbo American Legion Post 245
   (at theNational Guard Armory)
  19133 Jensen Way
  360-779-5456 
• Kitsap Community Resources
  845 8th Street
  Bremerton, WA 98337
  360.478.2301

More Information: 

• Kitsap County Veterans Assistance Program 
• Kitsap County Application Process (PDF)

For More help and information, see their web page.

Growing Veterans

"Growing Veterans"  is a veterans group with a different approach. From its website:
Our Mission: To empower military veterans to grow food, communities, and each other.
We combine veteran reintegration with sustainable agriculture- creating a holistic solution to fighting the multitude of issues the veteran population faces and simultaneously empowering our fellow vets to strengthen the incredibly important sustainable agriculture movement.
 Acknowledging the many issues that veterans face: unemployment, homelessness, suicide, divorce and depression – we believe that in most cases the root cause of these issues is isolation. Isolated from the peers they served with, from family and friends, from the community as a whole, it can be difficult for a veteran to remain resilient and get the proper support they need. Growing Veterans provides a place where veterans can get together in support of a positive and worthy cause, allowing them to experience an informal peer-support setting, while also encouraging them to use skills gained in the military or school to support the broader community.
While working in the fields we talk about our wartime experience, issues we’re having gaining access to the VA, struggles we face in school using the GI Bill, suicide, politics, medications… we even laugh and poke fun at each other, sometimes ruthlessly, because that’s what camaraderie is all about. After all, most of us are vets.

Not far from Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands, our Main Farm serves as the cornerstone for all things Growing Veterans. Using our farm as the platform, we engage local veterans and community members- bridging the gap and providing an example of the amazing things we can accomplish when we work together.
At the beginning of 2014 we began piloting an innovative Outpost concept. By partnering with sustainable agriculture groups that are already doing great work in other areas, we are able to harness local veteran leadership and recreate the same type of opportunities for vets and community members that we provide on our Main Farm. Led primarily by volunteer leadership, our Outpost partners host Growing Veterans so we can use their site as a platform to engage local veterans and community volunteers and help strengthen their operations through our organizing leadership and volunteerism. Through this model, Growing Veterans is able to help strengthen local, sustainable agriculture and in turn, strengthen local economies. Look for these Outposts next season:

•  21 Acres- King County
• Seattle Tilth- King County
• Good GRuB- Thurston County
• Conversations being had with a few more!

Learn More at http://growingveterans.org/

NW Outdoor Vets

NW WA Outdoor Vets is a social network of NW Washington State military veterans who are passionate about the outdoors: this org is for fellow vets to connect up & enjoy NW WA!
It's a twitter feed - free of course - so if you're into the outdoors, check out https://twitter.com/NW_WA_OV

"Have You Ever Served in the Military" - Did Your Doctor Ask?

From Military.com:

"The American Medical Association has urged health care providers to ask patients if they have served in the military and to include that experience in their records.

"Military history will usually not be volunteered by patients if not specifically asked for," said former APA president Dr. Prudence Gourguechon. "However, serving in the military poses several additional challenges and stressors that can impact the overall health and mental well-being of military personnel and their families. This makes asking key questions about military experience vital to better serving their health needs."

"The VA treats over six million veterans ... but the majority of our veteran population does not go to the VA," said Joy Ilem, assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans. "They end up going to the private sector, maybe they have their own insurance." But private sector doctors may not ask about military service and dig into what they veteran was exposed to, Ilem said.

So they may never know about injuries from Korean War service, chemical exposures from chemical warfare experiments, exposure to dioxins like Agent Orange in Vietnam, or to burn pit exposure during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Read the whole article here.
But more importantly, tell your doctor about your military experience! You may have been exposed to chemicals or other things affecting your health today. Speaking up now might help you find solutions to your health problems.

Student Veterans: Take Survey, Get Starbucks Card

Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Training Support Center  is surveying Veteran Students. The first 200 to take this survey will get a Starbucks card. Why not you? Take the survey now!

More Information:

"It is very likely that student Veterans can be better served by higher education in WA State. For purposes of this survey, "veteran" refers to anyone who has served in the armed forces, National Guard, or Reserves. However, at this time neither the Veterans Training Support Center nor higher education institutions have the data to help understand the experiences, perceptions, and needs of veterans. Input from veterans is needed to help make the case for more and better-targeted resources and support.

The goal of this project is to gather data that can better inform college officials of the baseline characteristics of their veterans, the process of transition to college, impacts of military experience on college performance, and to identify programs and services that can serve those who have been in the armed forces, guard, and reserves.

Completion of the following survey is entirely voluntary and your responses will be used only for the purposes stated above. Your survey responses will be kept confidential; only the research team will have access to your data and only aggregated results will be reported. Once the data set is completed, all individual identifiers will be removed. This study is being developed and sponsored by the Veterans Training Support Center and Columbia Basin College. You will be able to receive copies of the study results when it is completed.

At the end of February a coffee card will be mailed to you in a CBC envelope as a token of our appreciation for your participation. Thank you again for participating."

If you're a Washington State Veteran Student - take the survey now!

Pierce County Veterans Bureau

Most Counties in Washington State have their own programs for supporting veterans. This week we look at Pierce County.

The Pierce County Veterans Bureau provides emergency assistance with food, rent and utilities to qualified indigent veterans and family members. Limited assistance with medical and other miscellaneous services is also available on a emergency need basis. The Pierce County Veterans Bureau also offers the Incarcerated Veterans Reintegration program.
When: 
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m.  - 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where:
925 Tacoma Ave S, Ste B
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone (253)798-7449
Toll Free (800)992-2456
For More help and information, see their web page.

February 26: American Lake - Veterans Resource Fair

It's the 1st Building
On the Left

Title:
Veterans Resource Fair 
When/Where:
Thursday, February 26, 2015
13:00 to 15:00
American Lake
9600 Veterans Drive
Building 9 Auditorium
First building to the left when you arrive on campus.
Parking: 
To the right of Veterans Drive, behind the bus stop.
Parking Map
By:
Community Housing & Outreach Services

March 10: Seattle - Regional Contracting Forum

Are you a veteran who owns a contracting business?
Introduce your business to the Region’s largest government entities: King County, Port of Seattle, University of Washington, Sound Transit, Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Owned Business Enterprises, Port of Tacoma, City of Seattle and others.
Attendees have the opportunity to meet government contracting representatives and network with contractors, consultants, and suppliers all at one event.
This is not a veterans-only event, but it's a free chance to present your business to some big buyers!
Title:
Regional Contracting Forum 
When/Where: 
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
08:00 to 15:00
Register:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/BusinessDev/contractforum.aspx
It's free, but to get a table you MUST sign up in advance!
More Information And Registration

American Lake Veterans Golf Course: Volunteer Opportunities!

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is made possible by a small army of volunteers who believe in the power of golf to heal, to create new possibilities, and to provide the fellowship and camaraderie of warriors.

As veterans learn that playing golf is possible, no matter what their disability, they regain their personal pride of accomplishment, of control, of success—even if it’s just a putt.

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course would not exist without its nearly 200 volunteers. No government funding exists for operation and maintenance of the course, and there is not one single paid employee. Volunteers, ranging in age from 23 to 92, give selflessly of their time to support our servicemen and women regaining hope and strength while playing the great game of golf.

Bound by one common purpose, former privates, retired generals and committed civilians— some with their own disabilities— come together to serve and assist America’s veterans.

Volunteer positions range from management to cutting grass and picking up range balls:

• Administrative / finance / clerical
• Barbeque cooks and helpers
• Check-in counter personnel
• Club repair
• Computer troubleshooting
• Course marshals
• Course starters
• Data entry
• General workman (range balls, etc)
• Grounds maintenance crew (includes grass cutting, sprinkler system, etc)
• Handyman / carpenter
• Janitorial
• Trainers / coaches / assistants
• Vehicle maintenance (mechanics).

Volunteers are eligible to join the golf course (otherwise only open to veterans) and will receive free membership after their first year, if they work at least 160 hours during that period (prorated amounts for interim hours). Grounds maintenance crew receives immediate free golf as an incentive to join a crew.

Interested volunteers may apply in person at the Volunteer Services office in building 9 at the American Lake VA Hospital in Lakewood or can go to http://www.volunteer.va.gov/index.asp and apply on-line. Learn More Here.

There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the VA hospital. All interested parties must fill out an application, be able to pass a federal government background security check and attend a short training session.

OIF/OEF/OND Veterans Needed for Study at VA Hospital. Get paid!

Male OFI/OEF/ONE veterans aged 21-40 are needed for a research study at that VA Puget Sound hospital, for which you will receive compensation.

That is: they will pay you to ask some personal questions, give you some memory tests, and take blood samples.

If you're interested, call the Study Coordinator at 206-277-1272.

This study is about hormones in your blood that affect sleep, mood, sex, learning and memory. If you're going to be visiting the VA Hospital anyway, why not get paid for it?

Veterans Choice Program - How It Works

Many Veterans will now have the option to receive non-VA health care rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility, according to the Official VA Website.

Veterans are eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You have been told by your local VA medical facility that you will need to wait more than 30 days from your preferred date or the date medically determined by your physician
• Your current residence is more than 40 miles from the closest VA health care facility
• You need to travel by plane or boat to the VA medical facility closest to your home
• You face a geographic challenge, such as extensive distances around water or other geologic formations, such as mountains, which presents a significant travel hardship. 

Important Notes:

• The Choice Program is completely optional on your part. If you are satisfied with your wait time at a VA facility, there is nothing you need to do at this time; you can change your mind later.
• Non-VA care is only covered by VA for medical needs which have been approved by your VA physician. VA may help you schedule appointments for other medical needs, but by law can cover only the cost of care related to your VA-approved health needs. 

Every Veteran is supposed to receive a letter and a Choice Card in the mail with details about the program. If you have not gotten this letter and Card, call  call the VA at 866-606-8198.

Veterans will be eligible for the program and receive cards in three phases:

• Veterans who may live more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
• Veterans who are currently waiting for an appointment longer than 30 days from their preferred date or the date determined to be medically necessary by their physician.
• All remaining Veterans enrolled for VA healthcare who may be eligible for the Choice Program in the future. 

To set up an appointment with a non-VA provider, call the VA at 866-606-8198.
This is a new program. There are always bumps in the implementation of anything new. If you advocate for yourself and for your fellow veterans by speaking up calmly and persistently when there is a problem - and also when you are happy with the way things are going - everyone will benefit.

Spokane County Veteran Services

Most Counties in Washington State have their own programs for supporting veterans. This week we look at Spokane County.

Spokane County Veteran Services Veteran Services provides counseling and emergency financial aid to honorably discharged indigent veterans and their families for rent, utilities, food, gas, and limited prescription assistance.
When:
Monday through Friday
8am - 11:45am and 12:45pm - 4 pm
Note: New Clients are 8am-10am. If you are new to the agency, it is a very very good idea to call first: (509) 477-3690. You'll want to talk over the Eligibility Requirements too.
Where:
Veteran Services
1101 West College Ave
Spokane Regional Health District, Suite 401
Spokane, WA 99201

Phone: (509) 477-3690
Fax: (509) 477-2299

For More help and information, see their web page.

Is There A VA Community Clinic Near You? (CBOC)

Are you unsure where the nearest VA Community Clinic is? If you are eligible for care at a VA Hospital, then you're eligible for care at these, and they are often closer to where you live.
The official Community Clinic Directory for the Puget Sound area is at http://www.pugetsound.va.gov/locations/. As of February 2015, it lists the following:

Bellevue CBOC (Valor Healthcare)

13033 Bel-Red Road Suite 210
Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: 425-214-1055 Or 425-214-1055
Fax: Not Available
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

Bremerton CBOC

925 Adele Avenue
Bremerton, WA 98312
Phone: 360-782-0129
Fax: 360-377-8029
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

Federal Way CBOC (Valor Healthcare)

34617 11th Place South Suite 301
Federal Way, WA 98003
Phone: 253-336-4142
Fax: Not Available
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

Mount Vernon CBOC

307 S. 13th St., Suite 200
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
Phone: 360-848-8500
Fax: Not Available
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

North Olympic Peninsula CBOC

1114 Georgiana St
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-565-7420
Fax: Not Available

North Seattle CBOC (Valor Healthcare)

12360 Lake City Way NE, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: 206-384-4382
Fax: Not Available
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

South Sound CBOC (Sterling Medical)

151 NE Hampe Way
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: 360-748-3049
Fax: 360-748-3006
View Map: Bing | MapQuest | Google

Request Your Military Service Records Online, by Mail, or by Fax (includes DD-214)

You can now request your DD-214, and other military service records, from the National Personnel Records Center using a handy online form, or by mail/fax using for SF-180.
Tips:

• If you just need your separation document, then just ask for that. Your request can be processed faster if they don't have to scan everything on file.
• If you ask for everything, their policy is to send key documents only; read the full explanation here. 
• If those key documents do not satisfy your needs, then you can contact them again and ask for everything. Keep in mind that most of it is still a pile of paper, and it takes time to scan it.

Learn More At http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

February 22: Tacoma - Massing of the Colors (Unit Application Deadline Feb.12)

MASSING OF THE COLORS is a patriotic ceremony honoring those who have served the United States of America and honoring the youth of today who carry on the patriotic tradition. MASSING OF THE COLORS adds this patriotic theme to the celebration of George Washington's Birthday.
Participants in the ceremony will be one bearer each for the unit's American Flag and organizational color or banner. Other unit members will be spectators seated in the bleachers. No host refreshments available at Stadium High School.
Deadline for Application: February 12. Anyone can come watch, but if your unit wants to be in the ceremony, apply ASAP and in any event before the deadline.
Title:
Massing of the Colors
When: 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015
1500 HRS. (3:00PM)
Participating units assemble 1400 hrs. (2:00pm) at designated area.
Where:
STADIUM HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
Tacoma, WA
Parking on street or in Stadium High School parking garage
More Information And Application
Contact COL Carroll Dickson, 253-566-5870 or carrolldickson@comcast.net.
Groups who wish to participate must apply by 12 February.