The Voice of Texas Veterans

Over the past few weeks we have introduced you to all the Program Managers in our Veterans Mental Health Department. Of course all these Managers work together for the benefit of veterans, their families and community providers. Here they are all on one show! Listen and share! Click Here for Mental Health Resources and Contacts

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance Big Check Tour is underway as Texas Veterans Commission travels across the state meeting our latest grantees. On this show we hear about services offered by current grantees and we have info on how to apply for FVA grants. The next grant application cycle is coming soon. FVA Grant Info is Here

Don't forget to get your steps in for the Operation Hope Resilient Warrior 22K. Our Women Veterans Program wants your videos/pictures of your journey during Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. You can take 22 steps, walk 2.2 miles or finish a 22K. Proof of participation could mean a prize! Get all the details here and listen as Sharron Stewart, Women Veterans Coordinator explains how to join in. Operation Hope Info Here

Veterans Mental Health Department Info Here

Our Veterans Mental Health Department maintains a steady stream of training aimed at suicide prevention all year long. These classes are free and can be scheduled for organizations across the state. Listen to learn about suicide prevention, our Mental Health Department and how to take part in Operation H.O.P.E. Resilient Warrior 22K and Virtual Town Hall. Click Here to Register. Contact the Veterans Mental Health Department Here.

Veterans who deployed to a combat zone but never enrolled in VA health care, you may be eligible if you left active duty between September 11, 2001, and October 1, 2013, even if you never filed a disability claim. Our Health Care Advocates can help you apply. But act fast—the open enrollment deadline is September 30, 2023. Apply for VA Health Care and Who is Your Health Care Advocate?

The Veterans Mental Health Department here at Texas Veterans Commission works with communities and agencies across the state to insure veteran access to vital mental health services. We also work with Justice Involved Veterans and their families, veterans behind bars and those who are adjusting to life on the outside. Mangers of our Justice Involved Veterans Program explain how TVC helps. Connect with our Veterans Mental Health Program here.

The Public is invited to the Virtual VA Veteran Mental Health Summit, August 16, 2023, from 9 am - 1 pm, Central. Listen as Dr Emilia Brown talks about the importance of community support for veteran mental health recovery. Register for the summit here. Click here for Texas Veterans Commission Services.

Did you know Texas Veterans Commission Claims Benefits Advisors have filed over 80 thousand PACT Act Claims? If you still have to file yours, do this first. Submit your “Intent to File” to the VA on or before August 9, 2023. That way if your claim is approved, compensation is backdated to August 2022. You get a years’ worth of retroactive pay! But only if you file the claim or the “Intent to File” on or before August 9, 2023. No need to complete the claim yet, you’ll have a year from your intent.  Mike Jaeger our Southwest Claims Supervisor explains it all, plus sheds some light on who benefits from the PACT ACT.  Intent to file info here

1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411)—available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—Press 8 for Pact Act phone tree, then 0 to speak to a human and norify of "Intent to File".

Learn more about the Veterans Mental Health Department here.

Register for the Virtual VA Mental Health Summit here.

Our Veterans Mental Health department provides excellent services to veterans, their families and mental health providers and supporters.. We offer a justice-involved veteran’s program, collaborate with local communities to prevent veteran suicide and combat veteran homelessness. We provide training in military cultural competency and educate law enforcement and first responders on deescalating veteran interactions. Additionally, we have a Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) led by a manager who was once helped by the network. Listen to Arlene’s story and find out how the MVPN helps veterans connect with valuable resources. Find Your Peer Service Coordinator Here

Our Veterans Mental Health Department offers a number of services to help veterans and their families. The Homeless Veterans Program works within local communities to improve access to resources and services to military veterans and their loved ones who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of becoming homeless. Amber Morson and A.B. Bustos are the managers of that program. Listen as they talk about goals, cooperation and their motives for working with homeless veterans. Find out more about the fight to end Veteran Homelessness

He hasn't been on the job for very long, but the Veteran County Service Officer for Young County never stops working for veterans, their families and survivors. Meet Adam LaVine, a Marine Corps veteran who loves helping out the veteran community. Find your Veteran County Service Officer Here.

In addition to connecting veterans in need directly to local services, our Veterans Mental Health Department also works with partners at the national, state, and local level to address veteran-specific issues including suicide prevention/intervention, veteran homelessness, peer support services, military-related trauma, and justice involvement. On this program you will learn about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, how it is diagnosed and what treatments are available. Click here to learn about the free Military Cultural Competency training we provide. Register here for Buddy Check Day - Call to Action

Women Veterans Day is June 12, celebrating the day President Truman signed the bill allowing women to join the regular US Armed Forces. It has been 75 years since that law was signed. In 2017, Governor Greg Abbott designated June 12 Women Veterans Day in Texas. Celebrations are happening all over Texas including San Antonio where TVC dropped in. The Texas Veterans Commission Women Veterans Program is ready to help women veterans get their benefits and meet their sister veterans. In this show you will meet our Women Veteran Program Director and our Women Veteran Coordinators. Click here to connect with a coordinator.

Texas Veterans Commission assists survivors, dependent children and parents in accessing survivor's benefits. Our help is free. Please make an appointment: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/compensation/.

Making it through a tough transition meant making it easier for the military families that followed Rey and Samantha Domingo. Sharron Stewart from our Women Veterans Program talks with Samantha about her family's journey into civilian life and how that journey led to the Key Mentor Group. Listen to Learn about the Key Mentor Community and how it helps active duty, veterans, spouses, and the entire family.

May is Military Appreciation Month! From active duty, to reserve, veterans and spouses, the Nation salutes you. A FREE tasty salute is coming up on May 20th from 10 am to 3 pm from Heroes Night Out in Cedar Park. Family members and First responders are invited too. Enjoy FREE Food and Fun at Reunion Park in Georgetown, courtesy of the non profit Heroes Night Out and their generous sponsors. Heroes Night Out is more than Free BBQ, they offer a number of weekly meetings and FREE resources for veterans and their families. Listen to find out just how helpful Heroes Night Out can be. Eat Free BBQ and get info about loads of veteran resources across Central Texas ! Register for the BBQ Here.

San Antonio Area Job Seekers are encouraged to attend the Raising the Flag Job Fair on May 25th from 10-1. But first get ready with some Pitch Practice on May 10 from 10-2 pm Register and get the details here. Pitch Practice. Job Fair Info. Listen as some of our Employment folks explain what is happening and why transitioning service members, veterans and family members should attend. .

The Texas Veterans Network is now available in all 254 Texas Counties. That means easy access to resources and services available for active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans and family members. Texas is the first state in the union to develop such an interconnected network. Listen to find out how you can connect. Register at texasveterans.network. Visit Texas Veterans Commission Here

The Wall That Heals Tour Schedule Get Your Veteran ID Card The Fund For Veterans' Assistance

The Wall That Heals 2023 Tour Schedule

Fund for Veterans' Assistance Communities in Schools

Have questions about VA medical care? Are you eligible? How do you enroll? Those are just some of the questions our Health Care Advocates can answer. They can also help sort out issues you may have with VA appointments or prescriptions, even treatment. Texas Veterans Commission Health Care Advocates are there for you Texas Veterans. We have them all over the state and this show will introduce you to two of them. Find the Advocate closest to you and make that connection. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/health-care-advocacy/.

Visit with the Vietnam Veterans in your life as we recognize their service on March 29. Right now, listen in to get info on filing claims for conditions related to Agent Orange from the VA, and from TVC Claims Benefits Advisor Robert Macias. We'll also introduce you to Vietnam Veteran, and Purple Heart recipient, Commissioner Mike Hernandez. Make a Claims appointment here.

Register here and get a free Proudly Served Button.  Invite your veteran sisters to join the discussion. Learn more about the Women Veterans Program Here. 

Three million women have served with the U.S. Armed Forces since the American Revolution.  You probably know a woman who served. The Military Women’s Memorial is giving those women and their families a place to tell their stories. The Memorial was created “to record and preserve stories that will otherwise be lost to history and unknown to future generations”. Featuring interactive exhibits, an education center and a collection of stories from women, the Memorial is in Arlington, Virginia but you can also visit virtually. Listen as retired Brigadier General Robin Akin shares her story and urges women vets to contribute to the Memorial. Connect with Texas Veterans Commission Here. 

The Veteran Spouse Network is a safe place where active duty, and veteran spouses and partners can rally round each other to help ease the transition process. Support groups are many, meetups can be in person or virtual. Participants can connect with the groups that best fit their needs. Whether the family is about to transition, just getting out, or been out for a while, the Veteran Spouse Network is here. Listen to learn about the various programs and how to connect. 

We love it when employers take the phrase “Hire a Vet”, seriously! The Federal HIRE Vet Medallion Award is made for exceptional veteran friendly businesses. Apply for the award here: https://www.hirevets.gov/.  Listen as TVC employment folks talk about the award and how TVC helps veterans find new careers! Get more info about TVC Employment services here: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/veteransemploymentservices/

February is American Heart Month. The Women Veterans Program urges you to take time to learn about the risk factors for heart disease and learn what you can do to keep your heart healthy and strong. American Heart Association Info. https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/

Texas Veterans Commission: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/

The Fund for Veterans' Assistance awards grants to non profits and local government agencies all over Texas. We checked in with city officials in Laredo, to see how their grants are helping veterans with home repairs and financial assistance. Could you use a helping hand in your community? Search the Grants Directory here for services near you.

Our Fund for Veterans' Assistance awards grants to nonprofits who in turn assist veterans. LiftFund is using its FVA grant to teach veteran entrepreners about showcasing their business in the digital world. It is not as scary as some might think, listen and learn. Find out more from LiftFund Here.  Texas Veterans Commission Business Consultants work one on one with veterans and spouses who want to start or grow their own business. Make an appointment here. 

Baylor Scott and White and their Warrior Research Institute is one of our Fund for Veterans' Assistance grantees. Thanks to that grant, they can provide free mental health services to veterans and eligible family members across the state via Telehealth. Without the Telehealth option, some veterans would not have access to the therapy they need. Listen as Dr Elizabeth Coe explains how veterans benefit and what treatment is available.   Get More Information and Enroll Here.

Texas Veterans Commission has so many free services for veterans, family members and survivors, it takes a while to explain them all! That is one reason we have a virtual TVC Question and Answer session every month. Anyone can attend. We brief you on our services and then you can ask questions and get answers right then and there, LIVE!  The virtual Q and A is held on the second Tuesday, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm (Central Time). Register here . You will get a brief overview of everything we do and then representatives from each department will be online to answer any questions. Listen in now to get an idea about our free services. You can always visit the website to find out more, make a claims appointment, or contact us.  https://www.tvc.texas.gov/. Tell all your friends about the TVC Virtual Monthly Q and A!

Yes! Texas Veterans Commission is still here for veterans. We continue to fullfill our mission of advocating and providing services that will significantly improve the quality of life for all Texas veterans, their families, and survivors.   Listen to find out what TVC can do for You! All the services we talk about can be found right here.  https://www.tvc.texas.gov/

Whether it's the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023, Texas Veterans Commission is here for veterans, family members and survivors. We talk about our free services with emphasis on Claims, the PACT Act and the Hazlewood education benefit. Learn more about Texas Veterans Commission here.

Click here to get started on your path to business ownership. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/entrepreneurs/

VetGigs: https://vetgigs.com/

Veteran Entrepreneur Program https://www.tvc.texas.gov/entrepreneurs/

VetGigs: https://vetgigs.com/

Fund for Veteran’s Assistance Directory: https://www.tvc.texas.gov/directory/directory-category/grants/

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Respite Care: https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/hidden-heroes/

VA pensions provide monthly payments to qualified veterans, surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children. Recipients must meet eligibility requirements and certain income limits set by Congress. Listen to find out if you qualify, and set up an appointment here with a TVC Claims Benefits Advisor ,( https://www.tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/ ), who can help you file and provide more information. 

Read all about it here: https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/

Caring for ill and wounded veterans often falls on the shoulders of unprepared family members. The VA offers training, support and pay for family caregivers while the Elizabeth Dole Foundation offers Free respite care through their Hidden Heroes Program. Listen to find out more and how to apply. Find Hidden Heroes Here.   Find VA Caregiver Support Here.

As we continue celebrating Veterans Day this weekend, get in touch with your veteran friends to find out what they've been up to. Maybe you can connect them with a Texas Veterans Commission service they can really use, like a Hazlewood expert, Career Advisor, or Claims Benefit Advisor. Find our Services Here. On this show we have kids explaining Veterans Day, some satified TVC claims customers, and the Fund for Veterans' Assistance application deadline is December 5. Apply Here NOW!  It takes a while to fill out that paperwork. The application is all online. We award grants to nonprofits who then directly assist the veterans.  We talked with a couple of our granteees, Goodwill of Central Texas and Meals for Vets. 

AYUDA, a nonprofit that helps El Paso area veterans with home repairs and modifications, was awared a $100,000 Fund for Veterans' Assistance grant this year. This grant will enable disabled veterans and their family members to stay in their homes.  Do you know of a nonprofit anywhere in Texas, that could use grant money to help the veterans they serve? Tell them, "NOW is the time to apply for next year's grants".   The deadline to turn in all the paperwork is Dec 5, 2022! Get started with your application before it's too late. It is all done online.  Apply Here!  

Texas Veterans Commission gives away millions every year! Don't miss this chance to apply. Listen as AYUDA project manager Juan Garcia explains how they are helping veterans and families with much needed repairs.    Find the grants in your area here.

Hiring Red White and You (HRWY), is happening in November. Instead of a one day appearance in different locations across the state,  multiple hiring events may be happening in your area, check with the Texas Workforce Commission website to find out where yours is. It is easy to join any VIRTUAL HRWY in Texas. You must register for those.  https://www.twc.texas.gov/hiring-red-white-you.  

Some areas are still offering Preparation Workshops into November. Check the Texas Veterans Commission Events Calendar.  Hiring Red White and You invites veterans, transitioning services members and spouses to meet employers with job openings who are ready to hire. Nov 1 - 18, 2022.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, learn what you can about screening, diagnosis and treatment.  Support groups are there for patients and survivors to meet and share their experiences. Virtual support  groups allow individuals to share from wherever they are. Dianna Petrick, of the Breast Cancer Resource Center talks with, Sharron Stewart, Texas Veterans Commission Women Veterans Coordinator for South Texas about the support group offered by the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Women veterans, active duty and family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are invited to join the monthly support meetings, the second Tuesday of the month at seven pm. Register here.

Hiring Red White and You! (HRWY)  is the biggest statewide hiring event of the year, taking place November 1-18 in venues all over Texas. Virtual and in person. Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses are invited. Which ones will you attend?  Texas Workforce Commission has listed them all. Dates, times and places along with contact information. Find your HRWY here.  You may also attend a preparation workshop or two before the event. Search the calendar here, find the workshops you want, then register! Listen to find out how this hiring event can be a career gamechanger!

It's time for nonprofits and local government agencies to put those grant writing skills to good use. Texas Veterans Commission is now taking applications for next year's Fund for Veterans' Assistance Grants.  Applications must be submitted by Dec 5, 2022. Listen in as one of our grantees, VETRIDE talks about their grant and how it helps, get some inspiration for your nonprofit, then go the website and get started applying for an FVA grant!  

https://www.tvc.texas.gov/grants/apply/

The Austin Veteran Arts Festival, (AVAFEST), 2022 begins October 12 and runs through November 12. We talk with festival founder Glenn Towery about his "Art Healing Journey" and what to expect at the festival. We also talked with two Festival volunteers about their parts in AVAFEST, Words Unite Bookstore and Help Heal Veterans.