VA helps women Veterans at recent regional event

VA hosted its second virtual, regional Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) June 11-13 as part of a series targeting recently separated Veterans and military members nearing transition out of the armed services.

While the first event focused on the Northeast United States, the most recent event served the Southeast. Both events served a combined 980 participants and over 2,000 services were provided. Participants register for a call time and services that match their needs and are then connected to additional services that will benefit them, all completed in the context of a single virtual appointment.

The Southeast Virtual Region VEAC occurred the same week as Women Veterans Recognition Day, June 12. This day is not a separate Veterans Day for women, but honors the signing of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act, allowing women the right to permanently serve in the regular armed forces. The history of this recognition day and women’s contributions to America’s wars and conflicts is best summed up by this article from VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV). For the Southeast event, an impressive 27% of registrants were women, which is well over current women Veteran numbers and women currently serving.

Per VA’s most recent population data, women Veterans comprise 11% of the Veteran population. And according to the Defense Department’s most recent report, women represented 17.2% of the active-duty force and 21.1% of the selected Reserve.

During VEAC registration, women Veterans were asked, “Do you want to be connected to a Women Veteran Care Coordinator?” Before the Southeast Regional Event, this information was sent to local VA health care teams to make introductions and provide resources and assistance. Why is this important?

At each VA medical center nationwide, a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) advises and advocates for exceptional health care outcomes for women Veterans. They help coordinate all the services a woman Veteran may need, from primary care to specialized care for chronic medical or reproductive health conditions. Many women Veterans are shocked to learn VA may offer post-mastectomy items, wigs for alopecia, maternity coordination & breast pumps, infertility assistance and menopause care, along with regular women-specific screenings.

VA also has special services available to help women who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), including free, confidential counseling and treatment for mental and physical conditions resulting from this type of trauma. Services are available for all trauma survivors even if they aren’t service-connected for any other VA disabilities or eligible for VA care. Services are offered by VA without incident documentation in military records to ensure “no woman is left behind” and to assist with the aftermath of trauma, including mental health and substance abuse treatment. Each VA health care facility has a designated MST coordinator, and every VA regional office has a Women Veteran Coordinator, all highly trained to compassionately work with Veterans on their MST and other personal trauma claims and connect them with VA medical professionals.

VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV) advocates for a cultural transformation that recognizes the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military. Beyond specialized VA claim and health care support, the office offers comprehensive support programs and opportunities for women Veterans. During a week that celebrated the anniversary of women’s rights to permanently serve in the armed forces, the Southeast Regional VEAC proudly served 133 women Veterans. In the two regional VEACs, more than 100 women Veterans were introduced to VA health care for the first time.

Only 44% of women Veterans are enrolled in VA health care. A majority of women Veterans are not utilizing their earned benefits. As a result, they do not have access to the VA health care system or the low-cost or free care available. If you are a woman Veteran who has questions or can’t find what you’re looking for, you can call, text, or chat online with the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at 855-829-6636 to get help and find available resources and services in your area.

After the highly successful events in the Northeast & Southeast Regions, VA is hosting two more regional events.

Continental Region VEAC: July 16-18, 2024, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. MST, exclusively for Veterans who reside or are stationed in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas or Wyoming.

Coming in August 2024 will be the Pacific Region VEAC, open to Veterans in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Philippines, Utah, Washington state or Veterans residing in the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI).