#VA COMMITMENT TO WOMEN VETERANS

[terrakan]

Supporting Our Heroes: Programs and Services for Veterans in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city committed to honoring and supporting its veteran community. Transitioning from military to civilian life can bring unique challenges, whether it’s finding stable housing, accessing specialized healthcare, or seeking new job opportunities. Fortunately, LA offers a range of programs tailored to help veterans and their families navigate these transitions with dignity and support.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most impactful resources available to veterans in Los Angeles. From homeownership assistance and healthcare services to job placement programs, these resources aim to make a meaningful difference in veterans' lives.

VA Healthcare Services Medical Centers and Specialized Care Los Angeles is home to multiple VA medical centers, including the expansive West LA VA Medical Center. These facilities offer veterans comprehensive healthcare services, from primary care to specialized treatments like chronic pain management and rehabilitation. Locations like the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center and Long Beach VA Medical Center further ensure that veterans have access to the care they deserve.

The VA’s Telehealth Program, mental health counseling, and women’s health programs provide additional specialized services. For veterans struggling with mental health, PTSD treatment programs and counseling support are also available, helping them achieve wellness and resilience in civilian life.

Housing Assistance and Homeownership Support VA Home Loans and Affordable Housing Veterans looking to buy a home in Los Angeles can benefit from the VA Home Loan Program, which offers zero-down financing and competitive rates. For those facing housing instability, programs like HUD-VASH combine rental assistance with case management to help veterans secure stable housing.

Additionally, organizations like New Directions for Veterans and U.S.VETS provide supportive housing options and temporary shelters, guiding veterans from transitional living to stable housing.

Educational and Career Services GI Bill Benefits and Job Training The GI Bill is a major asset for veterans in Los Angeles, covering tuition, books, and housing allowances for those pursuing higher education. Veterans have access to esteemed institutions like UCLA and CSULA, plus vocational training opportunities in tech and entertainment. Organizations like Work for Warriors and the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offer resume-building workshops and job placement programs to help veterans transition into civilian careers.

Mental Health and Wellness Programs Counseling, Substance Recovery, and Community Support With services like counseling, therapy, and substance recovery programs, Los Angeles prioritizes veterans' mental health. The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic offer trauma-focused therapy, PTSD treatment, and family counseling. These resources help veterans build a supportive network and feel connected to their community as they navigate the challenges of post-military life.

Financial Assistance and Support Pensions, Disability Benefits, and Financial Planning Financial assistance is available through VA pension programs, disability benefits, and aid for daily living needs. The VA’s Aid and Attendance program, Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), and grants from organizations like VeteransPlus offer veterans financial stability and planning resources, especially for those facing service-connected disabilities.

Community Support and Networking Veteran Organizations and Networking Events Community groups like the American Legion and VFW provide veterans with camaraderie, advocacy, and networking opportunities. Events organized by groups like The Mission Continues help veterans connect with other service members and integrate into the community. Career-focused networking programs, like Hire Heroes USA, provide veterans with mentorship and professional growth resources.

Legal and Advocacy Services Free Legal Aid and Advocacy for Veterans Veterans in Los Angeles can find free or low-cost legal support through Public Counsel and Neighborhood Legal Services of LA County. These organizations assist with VA claims, disability benefits, and employment rights, ensuring veterans receive the support they deserve. Additionally, advocacy groups like the American Legion and VFW push for veteran-friendly policies, helping improve access to resources across the city.

Continuing Our Commitment to Veterans Los Angeles stands as a city that recognizes the service and sacrifices of its veteran community. From healthcare to housing and legal aid, the resources available make a tangible difference in the lives of veterans and their families. However, the work doesn't stop here—continued support from local organizations, businesses, and community members is essential to expanding these programs.

At platforms like Terrakan, we’re here to provide valuable insights and resources to help veterans find neighborhoods and support systems that best meet their needs. Together, we can ensure that every veteran in Los Angeles feels valued, respected, and supported in the place they call home.

[careworksblog]

Honoring Our Heroes: Veteran Home Care Services in Houston, TX

Introduction: Houston, Texas, a city pulsating with diversity and vitality, is home to a significant population of military veterans who have served our nation with courage and honor. For these brave men and women, transitioning back to civilian life can present unique challenges, especially when it comes to healthcare and support services. In recognition of their sacrifices, veteran home care services in Houston stand ready to offer tailored assistance, ensuring that our heroes receive the respect and care they deserve.

Understanding Veteran Home Care Services: Veteran home care services in Houston are designed to meet the specific needs of former military personnel, taking into account their service-related injuries, disabilities, and other health concerns. These services encompass a wide range of support, including personal care, medical assistance, companionship, and more, all delivered in the comfort and familiarity of the veteran's own home.

Comprehensive Support for Veterans: One of the hallmarks of veteran home care services in Houston is their comprehensive approach to care. These services are not limited solely to medical assistance but also extend to addressing the unique challenges faced by veterans as they transition to civilian life. From assistance with activities of daily living to emotional support and companionship, veteran home care providers strive to create a nurturing and respectful environment that honors the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.

Tailored Care Plans: Recognizing that every veteran's needs are unique, home care services in Houston take a personalized approach to care. Caregivers work closely with each veteran and their family to develop customized care plans that address specific health concerns, preferences, and goals. Whether it's managing medications, providing physical therapy, or simply lending a compassionate ear, these care plans are designed to promote independence, dignity, and overall well-being.

Access to Specialized Services: Veterans often face health challenges that are directly related to their military service, such as injuries sustained in combat or service-related illnesses. In Houston, veteran home care services offer access to specialized healthcare professionals who understand these unique needs and are trained to provide targeted support. From VA-accredited caregivers to specialized therapists and nurses, veterans can rest assured knowing that they are receiving the highest quality of care tailored to their military service history.

Conclusion: As we reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation's veterans, it is imperative that we honor their service not only with words of gratitude but also with tangible support and care. In Houston, TX, veteran home care services stand as a testament to our commitment to ensuring that our heroes receive the respect, dignity, and assistance they rightfully deserve. By providing tailored support that addresses their unique needs, we can repay the debt of gratitude owed to those who have selflessly served our country.

[pashterlengkap]

Transgender veterans sue the VA for promised health care coverage

The Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the agency to cover gender-affirming health care for transgender veterans. The lawsuit says that the VA isn’t even responding to a petition TAVA filed in 2016 and that the Biden administration has been making vague promises about the healthcare coverage for years without following through. Currently, veterans can get hormone replacement therapy, talk therapy, and some other gender-affirming health services covered, but not surgery. Surgery is explicitly excluded from coverage by the VA. Related: Dept of Veterans Affairs updates mission statement to include all genders & caregivers The new mission statement does away with gendered language to include women and non-binary veterans. TAVA said that they sent a petition to the VA in 2016 that still hasn’t been responded to. They claim in their lawsuit that the eight-year delay violates federal law that governs agencies. They argue that the delay is “egregious” in part because it’s denying “critical and lifesaving care for those who live with gender dysphoria.” Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. “Thorough treatment of gender dysphoria is particularly essential because veterans are already at a unique risk of suicide compared to their civilian counterparts,” the lawsuit states. “Gender-confirmation surgery is therefore a critical bulwark against exacerbation of that risk.” The lawsuit discusses Natalie Kastner, a TAVA member who was denied gender-affirming surgery by the VA. “Desperate and unable to access gender-confirmation surgery via the VA or alternative means, she removed her right testicle at home on March 5, 2022, without anesthesia or formal medical training,” the lawsuit states. “In doing so, she accidentally severed an artery.” She still managed to drive herself to an ER and survived. She is still “anxiously awaiting the VA’s response to TAVA’s petition.” “What am I supposed to tell my transgender veterans that are trying to commit suicide because they can’t see themselves in their body?” TAVA president Bekky Eshler told Military.com. “We’ve been trying to be friendly with the VA. We’ve worked with them really well. But at the end of the day, you got to keep your promises.” In June 2021, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced that VA healthcare would soon cover gender confirmation surgery for transgender veterans. It is “unacceptable,” he said at the time, that LGBTQ+ veterans have more negative healthcare experiences and less access to the lifesaving care they need. “Due in part to minority stress, LGBTQ+ veterans experience mental illness and suicidal thoughts at far higher rates than those outside their community, but they are significantly less likely to seek routine care, largely because they fear discrimination.” He also said that it was President Joe Biden’s decision to have the VA cover gender-affirming surgery. McDonough said that he expected the rule-making process to take about two years, but the VA still hasn’t even offered a timeline for the rule to be passed. This past November, TAVA sent a letter asking the VA to respond to their 2016 petition, but only got a vague letter back from the VA. “It’s really, really low-hanging fruit for the VA, and it just goes to show how egregious it is that they have not said yes or no, either way,” Sonora Taffa, a law student intern, told Military.com. “They’re just delaying, delaying, delaying, and this [legal action] is just asking for clarity and for a response.” “It’s our mission at VA to provide transgender veterans – and all veterans – with the world-class care and benefits they deserve,” the VA said in a statement. “We thank each and every one of these heroes for their service and sacrifice, and we will continue to… http://dlvr.it/T1tJQy

[kenneledwards3]

Champions for Veterans Services

Champions for Veterans Services dedicate their efforts to supporting those who served. Through advocacy, resources, and unwavering commitment, these champions ensure veterans receive the care and recognition they deserve, embodying the spirit of gratitude and honor for our brave servicemen and women.

[nikographyart]

The Significance of Veterans Day: Honoring Our Military Heroes

Design by NikoGraphy ART

Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed in the United States on November 11th each year. It serves as a special occasion to honor and express gratitude towards the men and women who have bravely served in the military, defending our nation's freedom and safeguarding our values.

This esteemed day holds immense significance as it provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate these courageous individuals for their selfless sacrifices, unwavering dedication, and commitment to protecting our liberty. On Veterans Day, we come together as a nation to pay tribute to those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces, highlighting their invaluable contributions throughout history.

Commemorative Products: A Symbolic Gesture

As a means of commemorating Veterans Day, numerous products have emerged over time, symbolizing respect for veterans while serving as reminders of their remarkable service. These products not only allow us to demonstrate our appreciation but also help raise awareness about the importance of supporting those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.

Commemorative Flags: One iconic product associated with honoring veterans is the commemorative flag. The American flag represents unity, valor, and sacrifice - qualities epitomized by all those who serve or have served in the military. Displaying such flags allows individuals to showcase their patriotism while simultaneously recognizing veterans' significant contributions.

Patriotic Apparel: Another popular way people choose to show support for veterans is through patriotic apparel. From t-shirts adorned with inspiring slogans or images related to military service to accessories like pins or hats featuring symbols representing different branches of service – these items provide individuals with tangible ways to display solidarity with veterans.

Wristbands & Bracelets: Many organizations promote wristbands or bracelets imprinted with messages like "Remember Our Heroes" or "Support Our Troops." These simple yet powerful accessories serve as physical reminders of the sacrifices made by veterans and the ongoing need to support them.

Military-themed Books: Literature has long been a medium through which people gain insight into the experiences of those who have served in the military. Military-themed books, whether based on historical events or personal accounts, enable readers to deepen their understanding of veterans' challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs.

Charity Products: Various charitable organizations offer products such as pins, patches, or stickers with proceeds going towards supporting veterans and their families. These items provide a dual benefit - raising awareness about veterans' needs while also contributing to essential programs and services for those who have served.

A Time for Reflection

While these commemorative products serve as tangible symbols of appreciation during Veterans Day celebrations, it is crucial to recognize the deeper meaning behind our expressions of gratitude. The true essence lies in taking time to reflect on the profound impact veterans have had on our lives – both individually and collectively – and acknowledging their role in preserving freedom, safeguarding democracy, and promoting peace globally.

Veterans Day offers us a solemn reminder not only to honor those who served but also to actively engage in acts of service ourselves. By volunteering at local VA hospitals or participating in community initiatives catering specifically to veterans' needs, we can demonstrate our commitment beyond symbolic gestures.

Ultimately, Veterans Day provides us with a unique opportunity every year: a chance to express heartfelt gratitude towards military heroes while fostering greater awareness about veteran-related issues within society. Through commemorative products and sincere reflection upon their significance, we can ensure that our collective memory remains forever indebted to those brave men and women who answered the call of duty so selflessly.

Design and Image by NikoGraphy ART, Products are available in the author's shop on etsy.com

[tallmantall]

#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – The Fight To Stop #Veteran #Suicides in Montana

By: Ryan Gamboa GREAT FALLS — In Montana’s #VeteransAffairs 2020 Biennial Report, 92,244 Montanans served in the #UnitedStates Military. Of those 92,000, 9,000 are #women and 83,000 are #male, 45,000 of those #veterans are 65 years of age or older. Nationwide, 40% of the #veteran population is struggling with some sort of #mentalhealthissue. “Montana in particular, it's known that Montana has a high rate of #suicide,” explained Dr. Robert Connell, Associate Chief of Staff for #MentalHealth for Montana Veterans Affairs Division. A major point of emphasis for the Montana #VeteransAffairs #MentalHealth Team is to diminish the rate of completed #suicides in the Treasure State. Montana has a population of nearly 100,000 #veterans. “We had a spike in 2022 of #veteran #suicides (death by #suicide) in Montana… we expect to see a continued decline over time.” Dr. Connell says that the first way to eliminate #suicide #stigma in Montana is the begin talking about #suicide. “We want our #healthcareproviders, our friends, and our family to ask about #suicide. There is a misconception out there, that if I ask someone if they’re having thoughts of #suicide, that it might put the thought of #suicide in their minds, and that is not true.” Dr. Connell went on to add, “If we ask about it then we can direct the individual where to get treatment for that.” Last summer, Montana and national #healthcareproviders implemented a universal #suicideprevention hotline, 9-8-8. The #988 #SuicideHotline is a free service to those in crisis and each certified provider on the other end is stationed at service centers throughout the state. The service is anonymous, the providers on the other line keep track of the phone numbers, take notes, and implement in a database so if there is a call from an individual in the future, their past crises are available to the specialist. “They can then provide the information with the Montana VA, and we can provide them with the proper care they need.” Connell shared. Dial #988 for immediate crisis care. Anonymous. Compassionate. Life-saving. In 2016, the State of Montana reported that 47,000 of the state #veteran population are VA members. As Montanans are aware, health care can be few and far between in #ruralareas, sometimes an hour's drive to and from. With the new virtual work #patients live in access to virtual healthcare has become a reality. That’s where the USAA comes into play. “We serve 13 million military families every single day. We help build military family resilience. We work on their financial security, and we hear from our members about how else we can help. This problem has been one they've said to us like there's something we need to lean in and go try to make a difference with,” explained President and CEO of USAA, Wayne Peacock. Peacock has been with USAA since 1988 and was named CEO in 2020, he’s been a strong advocate for military families in more ways than one. A new collaborative effort of corporations, foundations, and non-profit and #veteran-focused organizations is raising awareness of #veteran #suicide. The national initiative is called, Face The Fight, founded by the USAA, in partnership with The Humana Foundation and Reach Resilience, and Endeavors Foundation, which has committed an initial $40 million dollars to the #mentalhealth initiative. The funds are going to support programs that align with public health best practices for #suicideprevention and data from the #DepartmentofVeteransAffairs. Face the Fight will join alongside, amplify, and complement the substantial efforts of the VA, Department of Defense, White House, and other departments. “Through some of the work that we're doing, extend the care, through a virtual setting or through, physical, I think that can make a really big difference,” said Peacock. When #mentalhealth becomes a problem for an individual, they tend to feel alone and lack the hope to carry on. The most important thing for someone to remember is that you’re not alone. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com You are not alone, #veteran or not. Andre Rush, a former Master Sergeant in the US Army, is a former White House Chef, serving during the Clinton and Trump administrations. He is a longtime advocate for #veteran #mentalhealth and acknowledges that he too struggles with #PTSD. Rush is not the typical face of #mentalhealthstruggles. He is a #man that appears strong on the cover but remains human beneath. Large biceps and a bench press don’t outweigh the burden the mind can impose on an individual. Recognizing that even for himself, tomorrow may never come. “It is a #pandemic on an astronomical account then we must take accountability for, and it starts with us. We must take accountability for ourselves and not just think we're okay or look at a person and shun them. Because how many times have you had a call where you just say, ‘You know what, you'll be all right. Don't worry about it until tomorrow.’ Sometimes tomorrow never comes and that's one thing we’ve got to always remember.” If you or someone is struggling with the thought of #suicide, the #NationalCrisisHotline is available to you at no cost. Dial 9-8-8 and an operator will be with you in 90 seconds. For more information regarding Face the Fight, visit the We Face The Fight website. Read the full article

[gillis77]

66. President Trump ordered a halt to U.S. tax money going to international organizations that fund or perform abortions.

67. Trump imposed sanctions on the socialists in Venezuela who have killed their citizens.

68. Finalized new trade agreement with South Korea.

69. Made a deal with the European Union to increase U.S. energy exports to Europe.👀👀

70. Withdrew the U.S. from the job killing TPP deal.

71. Secured $250 billion in new trade and investment deals in China and $12 billion in Vietnam.

72. Okay’ d up to $12 billion in aid for farmers affected by unfair trade retaliation.👀👀

73. Has had over a dozen US hostages freed, including those Obama could not get freed.

74. Trump signed the Music Modernization Act, the biggest change to copyright law in decades.

75. Trump secured Billions that will fund the building of a wall at our southern border.

76. The Trump Administration is promoting second chance hiring to give former inmates the opportunity to live crime-free lives and find meaningful employment.

77. Trump’s DOJ and the Board Of Prisons launched a new “Ready to Work Initiative” to help connect employers directly with former prisoners.👀👀

78. President Trump’s historic tax cut legislation included new Opportunity Zone Incentives to promote investment in low-income communities across the country.

79. 8,764 communities across the country have been designated as Opportunity Zones.

80. Opportunity Zones are expected to spur $100 billion in long-term private capital investment in economically distressed communities across the country.

81. Trump directed the Education Secretary to end Common Core.👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

82. Trump signed the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund into law.

83. Trump signed measure funding prevention programs for Veteran suicide.👀👀

84. Companies have brought back over a TRILLION dollars from overseas because of the TCJA bill that Trump signed.

85. Manufacturing jobs are growing at the fastest rate in more than 30 years.

86. Stock Market has reached record highs.

87. Median household income has hit highest level ever recorded.

88. African-American unemployment is at an all-time low.(was until Covid bullshit)

89. Hispanic-American unemployment is at an all-time low.

90. Asian-American unemployment is at an all-time low.

91. Women’s unemployment rate is at a 65-year low.

92. Youth unemployment is at a 50-year low.

93. We have the lowest unemployment rate ever recorded.

94. The Pledge to America’s Workers has resulted in employers committing to train more than 4 million Americans.

95. 95 percent of U.S. manufacturers are optimistic about the future— the highest ever.

96. As a result of the Republican tax bill, small businesses will have the lowest top marginal tax rate in more than 80 years.👀👀

97. Record number of regulations eliminated that hurt small businesses.

98. Signed welfare reform requiring able-bodied adults who don’t have children to work or look for work if they’re on welfare.🙌🙌

99. Under Trump, the FDA approved more affordable generic drugs than ever before in history.

100. Reformed Medicare program to stop hospitals from overcharging low-income seniors on their drugs—saving seniors 100’s of millions of $$$ this year alone.👀👀

101. Signed Right-To-Try legislation allowing terminally ill patients to try experimental treatment that wasn’t allowed before.

102. Secured $6 billion in new funding to fight the opioid epidemic.❤️❤️

103. Signed VA Choice Act and VA Accountability Act, expanded VA telehealth services, walk-in-clinics, and same-day urgent primary and mental health care.👀👀

104. U.S. oil production recently reached all-time high so we are less dependent on oil from the Middle East.

105. The U.S. is a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957.

106. NATO allies increased their defense spending because of his pressure campaign.

107. Withdrew the United States from the job-killing Paris Climate Accord in 2017 and that same year the U.S. still led the world by having the largest reduction in Carbon emissions.👀👀

108. Has his circuit court judge nominees being confirmed faster than any other new administration.

109. Had his Supreme Court Justice’s Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh confirmed.

110. Moved U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.👀👀

111. Agreed to a new trade deal with Mexico & Canada that will increase jobs here and $$$ coming in.

112. Reached a breakthrough agreement with the E.U. to increase U.S. exports.

113. Imposed tariffs on China in response to China’s forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and their chronically abusive trade practices, has agreed to a Part One trade deal with China.

114. Signed legislation to improve the National Suicide Hotline.👀👀

115. Signed the most comprehensive childhood cancer legislation ever into law, which will advance childhood cancer research and improve treatments.

116. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by Trump doubled the maximum amount of the child tax credit available to parents and lifted the income limits so more people could claim it.

117. It also created a new tax credit for other dependents.

118. In 2018, President Trump signed into law a $2.4 billion funding increase for the Child Care and Development Fund, providing a total of $8.1 billion to States to fund child care for low-income families.

119. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) signed into law by Trump provides a tax credit equal to 20-35% of child care expenses, $3,000 per child & $6,000 per family + Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow you to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax $ to use for child care.

120. In 2019 President Donald Trump signed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (CARES) into law which allocates $1.8 billion in funding over the next five years to help people with autism spectrum disorder and to help their families.👀👀

121. In 2019 President Trump signed into law two funding packages providing nearly $19 million in new funding for Lupus specific research and education programs, as well an additional $41.7 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the most Lupus funding EVER.

122. Another upcoming accomplishment to add: In the next week or two Trump will be signing the first major anti-robocall law in decades called the TRACED Act (Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence.) Once it’s the law, the TRACED Act will extend the period of time the FCC has to catch & punish those who intentionally break telemarketing restrictions. The bill also requires voice service providers to develop a framework to verify calls are legitimate before they reach your phone.

123. US stock market continually hits all-time record highs.

v Because so many people asked for a document with all of this listed in one place, here it is. No links provided to remove bias — as Google search is easy. Print this out for family, friends, neighbors, etc. I encourage you to drop this list off to voters before the 2020 election, too!

v Trump did all of this while fighting flagrant abuse and impeachment charges.

[bestmilitarycounselor]

Becoming a Mental Health Counselor for Military Personnel

If you have an interest in helping the military, you may be interested in becoming a mental health counselor for military personnel. Mental health counseling is often needed in the military, and veterans can have a difficult time adjusting to civilian life after their service. Find more resourceful information about mental health counselor linked here.

Many combat veterans have experienced significant pain and hardships during their service, and many are struggling to rebuild their lives after the war. Counselors in this field have the unique opportunity to help these men and women find the healing they need. Aside from helping them with psychological issues, counselors can also provide other services, including family counseling, parenting education, and addressing stress management.

Counselors who wish to work in this field must meet certain requirements. They must first be licensed by the state in which they reside. This is usually done by passing a state's preferred licensing examination. Some states also allow counselors to add additional certifications. You will need to check with your state's website for more information.

If you are interested in becoming a mental health counselor for the military, you will want to have a master's degree in psychology, social work, or a similar field. These degree programs include supervised graduate-level counseling experience and will prepare you for licensure. There are several accredited universities that offer graduate-level programs in mental health counseling for military populations.

Although there is no shortage of employment opportunities in the mental health field, you will have to decide if you are interested in helping the military. Most of these positions are paid, although employment can vary. Your salary will be influenced by your state of residence, your level of expertise, and the amount of time you spend working. However, you can expect to earn between $48,520 and $50,390 per year. Visit this website to learn more about mental health counseling.

As you can see, being a mental health counselor for the military can be rewarding. The United States has a strong commitment to serving its military members, and a variety of government initiatives exist to address this need. From Military OneSource to TRICARE Value Options, these programs offer various resources to support military families and service members.

You can also pursue a career in the field through private practice. Counselors can work with a wide range of clients, including active duty and retired military members, as well as other populations. In addition, a number of national and regional agencies have been established to assist counselors with licensing and certification.

You can gain experience in the field by volunteering at veteran's groups. Internships at VA clinics or local military bases can give you a taste of the work and can help you identify common traits of military members.

When it comes to becoming a mental health counselor for the military, it is important to remember that the profession is a demanding one. It requires patience, emotional stability, and a firm set of boundaries. To ensure that you are qualified to become a military counselor, you must first receive licensure in your state. Find out more details in relation to this topic here: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/counseling.

[3liza]

the thing that makes the trauma that civilian women (and some men) experience at home and in their personal relationships (usually with men but not exclusively) so much more insidious than war trauma, even though the stakes of the experiences differ in severity generally, with watching and risking violent death and experiencing the conditions of war being, materially, louder and bloodier and from some perspectives "worse" than domestic violence or menacing or stalking or, again from some perspectives, SA, is that domestic violence and SA is committed by normal people, a class of people, you will never be able to get away from for the rest of your life.

PTSD treatment is currently focused on convincing or teaching the patient that they are home now, and there are no more missiles, no more IEDs, no more enemy combatants, no more guns and snipers and terror. and this works well for war veterans because it's true. they are home. it would be very unusual for those same conditions to ever occur to them again. the Viet Cong are not sneaking up the stairs of your apartment. there are no suicide bombers approaching you in the bank, your neighbor's friend's truck parked on your street does not have an IED in it. this worked very well for my Vietnam veteran father, he is so so so much better now, after lots of VA therapy, than he was when I was a kid and learning my first PTSD symptoms from him, not because of abuse but because of the syndrome of Secondary PTSD, which is when friends and family of ptsd patients pick up trauma symptoms from the patient and adjust their behavior to avoid triggering the sensitive ptsd sufferer (walking quietly but never sneaking up on the person, leaving them alone for longer than a normal person would need, never raising their voice, never slamming doors, etc)

this is not true for the traumatized patient who was lured into a domestic partnership by someone who appeared to be normal until the conditions occurred that allowed the trauma to occur. we cannot get away. any normal person we meet, or that sees us in any normal mundane place like the grocery store or the street or school or work, has very real potential to end up reenacting the trauma or simply triggering it with careless or malicious behavior. in most cases the PTSD perpetrator is men, it is for me, so that's what I'll mostly be addressing in my discussion of the topic but I'm conscious that all kinds of people are capable of traumatizing others.

every single time I have explained this to a therapist who was trying to CBT or DBT or talk therapize me into being normal again, they had nothing to say about it. because every single bit of research about PTSD recovery states very clearly that the very first thing the patient needs before any recovery can occur, is absolute and total safety. and this is impossible for the home-traumatized or stranger-victimized person to acquire except by absolute isolation from all other people. the isolation itself causes additional problems. and it isn't possible anyway, because we still have to go to the grocery store and work and school and walk the dog and talk to people to renew our driver's license etc. and every time we do normal life tasks, we can be, and often are, treated weirdly by men. this is partially because men just act like that normally most of the time even if they will never and have never traumatized anyone or abuse anyone, and partially because actual intentional predators look for the mark of Cain that all traumatized women and girls people express subconsciously in our physiology and movement. there's a very good episode of Kimmy Schmitt about this, where she meets a very nice Afghanistan veteran who assumes she is also a veteran based on her weird behavior. this exact same thing has happened to be multiple times.

I'm not pulling this out of my ass, there's research on how trauma changes how a person walks, speaks, looks around, and makes facial expressions. we know the most noticeable ones, like the Thousand Yard Stare common in pictures of shellshock victims in war photos, but a lot of them are more subtle, like having an uneven gait.

I can never go "home" from the war.

so I ask the therapist who is trying to help me, what do I do about 50% of the people I meet being a potential source of new trauma? every man I pass on the sidewalk is an IED.

and they don't know, they don't have an answer for that, because they are trying to achieve a magic trick with their trauma patients, the magic trick of convincing someone who actually is still in constant danger to think and act as if they are not. but I can't cooperate with their efforts. I can't meditate and intentionalize that I Am Safe, the Trauma is Over, Men Will Not Attack or Violate My Bodily Autonomy Ever Again, because it is self evidently not true. this is probably the difference between people who recover from PTSD and people who don't.

my ex partner who is moving out kept doing things that were, at worst, HR violations in their level of "violence" towards my body and peace of mind. I explained this to him over and over while retreating deeper and deeper into whatever isolation i could create in my house, I kept getting sicker from the traumagenic crippling and disease that bodies get when they're keeping the score. and he just didn't get it. he would back off a bit if I really got mad about it in a visible way, but only temporarily and self-evidently without any actual understanding of the core issue. this wasn't sustainable and also demonstrated that he didn't actually care, even though he thought he did and appeared to be "trying" to cooperate. this is very very common with men, even Good Men. thinking you care about something, and believing you are respecting someone, is different from actually doing so. many many men do not perceive or believe there is a difference, because there is a fundamental lack of empathy and awareness in them that is very difficult to overcome. and you won't be able to find out about this until after you have moved in together and you, as the PTSD patient, have been able to observe and test their awareness, often for many years. that is simply the lot of the traumatized woman.

ex partner is moving out and I'm simultaneously absolutely enthused about cleaning and decorating and also very very seriously concerned about rent. scheming about how to get that rent

[mariacallous]

Veterans Affairs leaders aren’t planning any changes in their abortion access rules in the wake of warnings from 15 Republican attorneys general that they plan to fight those policies in court.

Last week, the coalition of state officials sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough blasting the administration’s “lawless and hasty executive actions taken at the behest of its political base” concerning abortion.

“We will not allow you to use this rule to erect a regime of elective abortions that defy state laws,” the group wrote. “And we will enforce our duly enacted state laws and hold you accountable for violations of federal law. Those who perform abortions based on the [new] rule — and in defiance of state or federal laws — do so at their own risk.”

The letter was sent from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch but also includes signers from Texas and Florida, two states with the largest veteran populations in America. Officials from Arizona, Ohio, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia also signed on.

In September, VA officials announced that department physicians would offer abortion access to veterans and eligible dependents in cases of rape, incest and pregnancies that endanger the life or health of an individual.

That move came in response to the June Supreme Court ruling overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Since then, multiple states have banned or limited the procedure.

VA officials said the new rule means that staff can help veterans get an abortion at an outside health care facility or perform abortions on federal property, even in states where the procedure has been outlawed.

The department has conducted several abortions since the decision, although officials did not provide specific numbers or locations.

In a statement in response to the attorneys general letter, VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said the department remains “committed to providing veterans the full range of reproductive health services to ensure their health and well-being.”

Those services include not only abortion procedures but also fertility services, contraceptives and menopause care, he said.

“VA provides access to abortion counseling and abortions when the life or health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest,” he said.

“As VA Secretary Denis McDonough has said, ‘pregnant veterans and VA beneficiaries deserve to have access to world-class reproductive care when they need it most..’”

VA officials have said the new rule will not allow “elective” abortions, but the language allows abortion procedures to be considered when a veteran’s health is endangered.

Multiple Republican lawmakers have threatened to impose financial sanctions against the department when they take control of the House majority next year. Democratic leaders meanwhile have vowed to fight any such attacks.

VA officials have said about 300,000 women veterans currently enrolled in department health care services are of child-bearing age.

[typingtess]

A few thoughts on "Sundown"

After watching this series for years, it is a nice reminder that while they can set up an episode that looks like "Speed" without the 55-mph stuff, it was really all about the characters.  This was a terrific episode that used the characters so well.  

Great performances from the guest cast - Charles Malik Whitfield and Deidre Henry were amazing as the grieving parents who didn't know how to help their daughter work through what happened to her, didn't know how to grieve her loss.  The line delivered so well – where Gary DeMayo would do it all again and Sam thinking would he do the same for Aiden and Kam – perfect.  

Callen and Deeks – a rare pairing – were able to use Callen's character history with Deeks's (and Kensi's) current situation.  The adoption storyline is still getting attention.  The woman running the information session gave what I think was a tip off – this is going to take some time.  The conversation at the end of the episode revisited a lot of the conversations of the "let's have a kid" plans.  It also went back to Kensi's "more being, less doing" issues.  Kensi is looking to make this perfect – scoping out the other parents, sitting in the back as if to watch the competition.  While she wants it to be perfect, Deeks just wants it to happen and then they'll figure it out.

Also getting some attention – Katya – so sooner or later they'll revisit that.  The Admiral Kilbride family storyline also picked up some steam talking about why Kira committed suicide in a public park.  Also thought it was good to have Sam talk about veterans, especially women vets, committing suicide.  That tragic situation needs as much public attention as possible so the VA can get the funds to help.

It was good to see Rountree perform well in the field.  He got to be smart and not just the fastest guy in the room this week.  

A terrific (if terribly sad) hour.  

[mojave-pete]

STUNNING: List of Trump Administration Accomplishments

Almost 4 million jobs created since election.

More Americans are now employed than ever recorded before in our history.

We have created more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs since my election.

Manufacturing jobs growing at the fastest rate in more than THREE DECADES.

Economic growth last quarter hit 4.2 percent.

New unemployment claims recently hit a 49-year low.

Median household income has hit highest level ever recorded.

African-American unemployment has recently achieved the lowest rate ever recorded.

Hispanic-American unemployment is at the lowest rate ever recorded.

Asian-American unemployment recently achieved the lowest rate ever recorded.

Women’s unemployment recently reached the lowest rate in 65 years.

Youth unemployment has recently hit the lowest rate in nearly half a century.

Lowest unemployment rate ever recorded for Americans without a high school diploma.

Under my Administration, veterans’ unemployment recently reached its lowest rate in nearly 20 years.

Almost 3.9 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps since the election.

The Pledge to America’s Workers has resulted in employers committing to train more than 4 million Americans. We are committed to VOCATIONAL education.

95 percent of U.S. manufacturers are optimistic about the future—the highest ever.

Retail sales surged last month, up another 6 percent over last year.

Signed the biggest package of tax cuts and reforms in history. After tax cuts, over $300 billion poured back in to the U.S. in the first quarter alone.

As a result of our tax bill, small businesses will have the lowest top marginal tax rate in more than 80 years.

Helped win U.S. bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Helped win U.S.-Mexico-Canada’s united bid for 2026 World Cup.

Opened ANWR and approved Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines.

Record number of regulations eliminated.

Enacted regulatory relief for community banks and credit unions.

Obamacare individual mandate penalty GONE.

My Administration is providing more affordable healthcare options for Americans through association health plans and short-term duration plans.

Last month, the FDA approved more affordable generic drugs than ever before in history. And thanks to our efforts, many drug companies are freezing or reversing planned price increases.

We reformed the Medicare program to stop hospitals from overcharging low-income seniors on their drugs—saving seniors hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone.

Signed Right-To-Try legislation.

Secured $6 billion in NEW funding to fight the opioid epidemic.

We have reduced high-dose opioid prescriptions by 16 percent during my first year in office.

Signed VA Choice Act and VA Accountability Act, expanded VA telehealth services, walk-in-clinics, and same-day urgent primary and mental health care.

Increased our coal exports by 60 percent; U.S. oil production recently reached all-time high.

United States is a net natural gas exporter for the first time since 1957.

Withdrew the United States from the job-killing Paris Climate Accord.

Cancelled the illegal, anti-coal, so-called Clean Power Plan.

Secured record $700 billion in military funding; $716 billion next year.

NATO allies are spending $69 billion more on defense since 2016.

Process has begun to make the Space Force the 6th branch of the Armed Forces.

Confirmed more circuit court judges than any other new administration.

Confirmed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Withdrew from the horrible, one-sided Iran Deal.

Moved U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

Protecting Americans from terrorists with the Travel Ban, upheld by Supreme Court.

Issued Executive Order to keep open Guantanamo Bay.

Concluded a historic U.S.-Mexico Trade Deal to replace NAFTA. And negotiations with Canada are underway as we speak.

Reached a breakthrough agreement with the E.U. to increase U.S. exports.

Imposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to protect our national security.

Imposed tariffs on China in response to China’s forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and their chronically abusive trade practices.

Net exports are on track to increase by $59 billion this year.

Improved vetting and screening for refugees, and switched focus to overseas resettlement.

We have begun BUILDING THE WALL. Republicans want STRONG BORDERS and NO CRIME. Democrats want OPEN BORDERS which equals MASSIVE CRIME.