The Faces Behind VA Services – VA Services Showcase

Veterans and Veteran organizations learn about the services available from the VA at the VA Services Showcase in Arlington, Va. (ROBERT TURTIL/ Dept. Veterans Affairs)

Sharing information on services for Veterans was the primary focus of the VA Services Showcase held VHA National Conference Center in Arlington, Va. on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Representatives from VA program offices, support services and Veteran-related organizations participated in the event, which gave attendees a chance to interact and share resources with each other.

VA is working to let Veterans know that there are a wide range of programs and services, and a dedicated workforce –many of whom are Veterans themselves – ready to help them navigate all the possibilities.

Below we highlight some of the programs present at the showcase – just a few of the many services VA offers. If you are looking for a specific VA program or service, please post it in the comments and we will do our best to connect you with the best place to start.

My HealtheVet – www.myhealthevet.va.gov

My HealtheVet

My HealtheVet is VA’s 24/7 online personal health record. It is designed for Veterans, active duty Service members, their dependents and caregivers and helps them partner with their health care team as well as opportunities and tools to make informed decisions and manage their health care.

GI Bill – www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

GI Bill is not just for college. Become a chef, police officer, or pilot. http://t.co/DrYRxf7XMp #VAshowcase pic.twitter.com/FoUQXO8nIS

— Veterans Affairs (@DeptVetAffairs) January 29, 2014

Veterans Crisis Line – www.VeteransCrisisLine.net
VA responders are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide confidential support by phone or online chat. Assistance is only a phone call or click away. You’ve served us. Now let us serve you.

Veterans Crisis Line

Help for Homeless Veterans – www.va.gov/homeless
VA provides individualized care through a wide range of services for Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Veterans of all eras and branches may be eligible for VA services. Make the call and take the first step to access help from VA.

Pension Benefits / VA Benefits for Disabled Veterans- www.va.gov/benefits
VA provides compensation to eligible Veterans who were disabled during or because of their military service. VA also offers compensation to eligible dependents of Veterans, including a surviving spouse, children and/or parents.

Pension Benefits / VA Benefits for Disabled Veterans

eBenefits – www.ebenefits.va.gov
The eBenefits web portal is an online resource for tools and benefits-related information. The portal serves Veterans, Servicemembers, their families and their caregivers.

Blind Rehabilitation Service – www.patientcare.va.gov/rehabilitationservices.asp
The Blind Rehabilitation Service provides lifetime rehabilitation care for Veterans who are visually impaired.

VA for Vets – www.VAforVets.va.gov
VA for Vets is a comprehensive career development program that helps Veterans launch or advance their civilian careers at VA and other federal agencies.

VA for Vets

 VA-Guaranteed Home Loan Benefits – www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans
The objective of the VA Home Loan Guaranty program is to help eligible Veterans, active-duty personnel, surviving spouses and members of the Reserves and National Guard purchase, retain and adapt homes.

 Center for Minority Veterans – www.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/
The Center for Minority Veterans is charged with identifying barriers to service and health care access, as well as increasing local awareness of minority Veteran related issues by developing strategies for improving minority participation in existing VA benefit programs.

VHA Women’s Health Services – www.womenshealth.va.gov
Women’s Health Services works to ensure that timely, equitable, high quality, comprehensive health care services are provided in a sensitive and safe environment at VA facilities nationwide.

Center for Women Veterans – www.va.gov/womenvet
VA’s Center for Women Veterans monitors and coordinates the administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans. The center serves as an advocate for a cultural transformation in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military, and works to raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect.

 Veterans Transportation Service – www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vts/
VA’s Veterans Transportation Service program is used to pick up Veterans and take them to their VA Medical Facility for appointments. Many times, the service staff members are the first and last person Veterans see from the VA on their appointment day.

VetCenter – www.vetcenter.va.gov
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a broad range of services to assist in readjusting to civilian life. There are 300 Vet Centers throughout the U.S. and territories.

VetCenter

Make The Connection- www.MakeTheConnection.net
Powerful personal stories and testimonials from Veterans of all service eras and backgrounds are at the heart of Make the Connection, illustrating how Veterans and their families face and overcome issues and challenges.

Volunteer Service – www.volunteer.va.gov
As VA has expanded its care of Veteran patients into the community, volunteers have become involved. They assist Veteran patients by augmenting staff in such setting as hospital wards, Community Living Centers, outpatient clinics, community-based volunteer programs, end-of-life care programs, adaptive sports, creative arts, Veteran outreach centers, national cemeteries, and Veteran benefits offices.

Healthy Living

Healthy Living – www.prevention.va.gov / www.move.va.gov
Talk with your health care team about your goals. You will be an active player in this journey and your health care team will be your “coaches.”

National Cemetery Administration – www.cem.va.gov
The National Cemetery Administration honors Veterans and their families with final resting places in national shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation.

Veteran Population Projection – www.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp
The Veteran Population Model  provides the latest official Veteran population projection from the VA.

The VA Chaplain Service – www.va.gov/chaplain
The VA Chaplain Service integrates the spiritual dimensions of health care into all aspects of the VHA missions of patient care, research, emergency medical preparedness, and health care education.

Chaplain Services

 VocRehab – www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp
Veterans may receive help with job training, employment accommodations, resume development, and job seeking skills coaching. Other services may be provided to assist Veterans in starting their own businesses or independent living services for those who are severely disabled and unable to work in traditional employment.traditional employment.

Office of Rural Health

VHA- Office of Rural Health – www.ruralhealth.va.gov
VA’s Office of Rural Health supports the unique health care needs of Veterans residing in geographically remote areas. From transportation, telehealth and care coordination to workforce development, mental health, community outreach and innovative models of care delivery, the VHA Office of Rural Health has a diverse portfolio that is structured to bring quality care closer to home.