Women Veterans

VVA CSC Women Veterans Committee Report From 2010 Cal Vet Womens Conference
October 7-8th, 2010. Clovis, California.
By Kate O’hare-Palmer

Barbara ward, Deputy Secretary For Women And Minority Veterans Affairs, headed up the conference committee within the california department of veteran affairs. This was the third annual conference and the theme was “a legacy and story: women serving with honor.” this was another forum to celebrate the accomplishments, expand networks, provide updates on issues of women veterans, and share stories.
It was great to see that our own vva csc was included as one of the sponsors.
Mr. Rocky chavez, Undersecretary Of California Veteran Affairs was included in opening remarks. He reminded us that over 30,000 veterans are returning to california each year. We are the state with the largest active duty percentage of the u.s. and have the largest returning veterans each year. Transition needs, jobs, education, and needs of the returning female veterans are priority to the ca dept of va.
Brigadier General Mary Kight, The Adjutant General, CA National Guard, reviewed the history of women in the military from the time of the civil war. Kight highlighted the current outreach “operation welcome home.”
Dr. Bettye Moselly - Brown, Assistant Director, Center For Women Veterans.
- Female veterans are the fasted growing veteran sub-population.
- Median age of female veteran= 46.
- 1.8 mil. Of the vet population (23 mil) is female.
- 20% of new military recruits are women.
Dr. Moselly – Brown reviewed some of the new/little known legislation regarding female veterans.
A. The children of female vn vets have medical coverage for 19 presumed illnesses related to Agent Orange.
B. Those with cancer of the breast and uterus related to service are eligible for special compensation.
C. Military Sexual Trauma – women don’t have to file a claim but can receive treatment at a va. Hospital.
D. There are grants available for veterans in small business.
E. Veteran mental health and other care improvement act. Public law 10-387.

What do female veterans want??
recognition and respect, empl0yment, suitable housing, access to and receipt of high quality health care and childcare, opportunities for social interaction, and they want to make a difference.

1-877-4aid = the veteran hotline = 1-800 273-talk (8255)

F. www.sapr.mil - dod policy on prevention and response to sexual assault.
1. Restricted: you receive immediate care and it is not reported.
2. Non-restricted: it is reported and you receive care.
G. Recent legislation s.1963 “may or shall”:
- Provide family caregivers with training and support.
- Rural veterans with better access to health care
- Authorize va to provide health care to a newborn for 7 days.
- Require va to train its mental health care providers in military sexual trauma.
- Provide childcare at va hospitals.
- Enhance services for female homeless vets.
H. You can reopen your claim by phone 1-800-827-1000.
I. New e benefits site allows you to track the status of your claim.
J. VA female vet posters are available at VA.
To reach dr. Moseley-brown: (202) 461-6198

Dr. Lori Katz, Long Beach Va Mental Health And Womens MST Treatment.
- A female in the military is more likely to be raped than killed.
- Prevalence of sexual trauma:
Women Men
Civilian 24% 10%
Military 55% 14% (DoD 1996)
- Those women vets who have experienced mst (and torture) are more likely to develop ptsd.
- Every veteran who has symptoms of mst is eligible for treatment at the va. No matter the length of service.
- The focus of treatment: managing the symptoms and healing the cause.
- There is an increased risk of suicide for female vets between ages of 18-34.
- Homelessness:
- 40% are female.
- -number one cause is history of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Renew program -- Long Beach, CA.

This is a 12 week women vet program for history of mst. It takes a holistic approach to increase self esteem and decrease symptoms. There is a wholistic reappraisal
A. To see self and others in a new way
B. To understand context
C. To release self blame; shame
D. To offer self compassion, safety
Attention women
The United States Veterans Initiative is here to help you advance:
Advancement
Direct job referrals
Vocational assistance
Achievement
Needs assessment
Competence
Empowerment
The Advance women's program at the villages at Cabrillo provides housing and employment services to veteran and non-veteran women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Supportive services include:
• Vocational assistance
• Individual case management
• Self-help groups
• Sober environment
• 3 meals a day
Requirements:
• Homeless documentation
• TB test (within the last 6 months)
• California state identification card
• Social security card
• Proof of service or DD214 (for veterans)
• Minimum 60 days clean and sober if referred from a substance abuse treatment program, or 90 days if self-referred.
For further information:
Advance women's program
Outreach coordinator
(562) 388-8126
(310) 261-9872
Advance Women's Program
Program Assistant
(562) 388-8120
Advance Women's Program
Resident Assistant Office
(562) 388-8119
U.S. Vets Villages At Cabrillo Web Page (http://www.usvetsinc.org/locations/location.asp?ID=3)

Dr. Samina Iqbal - Palo Alto Va Director Of Womens Health Program.
- There is a full time womens veteran coordinator at each va. Women are not getting the same care as men in some of the basic health care ie: b/p control, cholesterol, diabetes.
- 15% of active duty are female
- 18% guard/reserves are female
- 12% oef/oif “ “
- 15% are enrolling in va
- 161,400 of women veterans are in ca. That is 9.1% of total female vet population.
- In california there are: 10 vamc, 55 cbocs (sat. Clinics)
- Oef/oif: > 230,000 served between 2001-2010, over 128,000 separated and 64,000 have been seen at a va.
- The deployment issues on female healthcare:
A. 50# backpack, ceramic vest=30#, 45# extra gear.
B. Illnesses:
1. Musculoskelatal - 50%
2. Mental issues - 47%
3. Neurological and headaches - 39%
4. Genital urinary
5. Gastrointestinal - 37%
6. Respiratory - 31%
7. Gum and dental problems
8. TBI
9. Embedded fragments
10. Exposures to dust toxic chemicals
11. Reproductive health concerns
12. Reintegration issues.

Major General Angela Salinas - Command Of Marine Corp Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region In San Diego, CA.
This was a refreshing talk of her personal career and rise through the ranks of the womens marine corp. She is the only general in the womens marine corp. She began her career in 1974 as an enlisted legal services clerk and then went through the enlisted commissioning program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in december, 1977.
In 1992, she became the first woman assigned as a combat service support ground monitor responsible for the assignments of over 1000 senior officers. She feels proud to have been able to accomplish this in her 37 year career and she was gracious to extend the thanks to all those women veterans that went before her. She gave a special thanks to the women of wwii.

The Sacramento Veterans Resource Center
Is Proud To Announce Expanded Services For Women Veterans
The center has purchased a large duplex that will provide transitional housing for eight women veterans. This fulfills a long-standing dream of providing equity in services to our military women.
This new facility is part of the continuum of care model that assists in providing a supportive environment.
Features of the program include:
• Clean and sober housing
• Case management services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Career development
• Training programs
• Employment search assistance
• Life skills classes
• Access to drug and alcohol treatment
• Community support groups and meetings
• Links to community service providers
• Organized recreational activities
A transition program for employable clients
How do i qualify?
In order to be eligible, you must be:
• Discharged (all except dishonorable) from active duty
• A single female
• Homeless
• Employable
Please direct inquiries to:
Housing Specialist, (916) 393-8387, e-mail: vvcsac@aol.com the Sacramento Veterans Resources Center is a division of Vietnam Veterans Of California, inc., a nonprofit corporation.

During the afternoon session, attendees were welcome to choose seminars from a variety of women’s issues. These will be discussed next session.
Representatives from several of the Assemblypersons
The Sacramento Veterans Resource Center
Is Proud To Announce Expanded Services For Women Veterans
The center has purchased a large duplex that will provide transitional housing for eight women veterans. This fulfills a long-standing dream of providing equity in services to our military women.
This new facility is part of the continuum of care model that assists in providing a supportive environment.
Features of the program include:
• Clean and sober housing
• Case management services
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Career development
• Training programs
• Employment search assistance
• Life skills classes
• Access to drug and alcohol treatment
• Community support groups and meetings
• Links to community service providers
• Organized recreational activities
A transition program for employable clients
How do i qualify?
In order to be eligible, you must be:
• Discharged (all except dishonorable) from active duty
• A single female
• Homeless
• Employable
Please direct inquiries to:
housing specialist, (916) 393-8387, e-mail: vvcsac@aol.com the sacramento veterans resources center is a division of vietnam veterans of california, inc., a nonprofit corporation.

Military Women In Need
(Formerly California Soldiers Widows Home Association)
Military women in need, formerly California Soldiers Widows Home Association, is an organization dedicated to preventing homelessness and encouraging independence among female veterans and the widows of veterans. Our programs include:
• In-home visits
• Housing subsidies
• Access to food (through local food banks and pantries)
• In-kind gifts, including computers
• Resource and referrals
• Advocacy
Please call monday through friday -- (310) 967-3956
Military women in need
http://www.militarywomeninneed.org/
Several of the aides for the Assembly Persons from Sacramento were present on Friday afternoon for an open forum to hear the personal stories of women’s veterans need here in California. It was an informative and moving discussion. Mary Wiberg, Executive Director, CA Commission On The Status Of Women chaired this forum and documented the topics discussed for further followup.
ca.gov is the California Dept Of Veterans Affairs website that lists all the WOMEN VETERAN RESOURCES WITHIN OUR STATE.