DAV-Wis. Launches New Jobs Blog

The Disabled American Veterans Department of Wisconsin has launched a new Jobs Blog for disabled and other veterans.

Some government and private sector employers specifically seek disabled and other veterans for open job positions and ask for assistance in publicizing their job opportunities.

This new DAV-Wis. Jobs Blog will help spread the word about these opportunities.

See the new DAV-Wis. Jobs Blog at www.davwisjobs.blogspot.com.


--Anthony Hardie
DAV-Wis. State Special Assistant
Madison, Wis.

DAV Battles Budget Attacks on Veterans: Cost of Treating Veterans Will Rise

New York Time: Cost of Treating Veterans Will Rise Long Past Wars

By JAMES DAO

Published: July 27, 2011

WASHINGTON — Though the withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq and Afghanistan will save the nation billions of dollars a year, another cost of war is projected to continue rising for decades to come: caring for the veterans.

Ending the current wars will not lower those veterans costs; indeed, they will rise ever more steeply for decades to come as the population of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan expands, ages and becomes more infirm. To date, more than 2.2 million troops have served in those wars.

Though there is currently strong bipartisan support for veterans programs, some budget proposals, including from Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, and Representative Michele Bachmann, Republican of Minnesota, have called for trimming benefits for veterans and military retirees.

“Those proposals have been batted back so far,” said David Autry of the Disabled American Veterans. “But we’ve got more vigorous budget hawks today. If they are willing to bring the nation to the brink of insolvency, who knows what else they might do?”

...........

Read the full New York Times Article here: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/us/28veterans.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

DAV Reviews Candidates for WDVA Secretary

DAV-Wis. has reviewed the resumes provided by the Governor's office for the eight nominees for Secretary of the State of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.


The nominees provided by the Governor's office to DAV-Wis. for review included:

1. James Duff
2. Jason Johns
3. Kent Koebke
4. James Lewis
5. Paul Lima
6. Russ Peck
7. Andrew Schuster
8. John Scocos

The new, more open public process for selecting the WDVA Secretary was created under AB 96, signed into law earlier this month by Governor Scott Walker as Act 36, with the strong support of DAV.

The resumes were provided to DAV upon request for additional information for review.  Candidate statements regarding their application for the WDVA Secretary position were inexplicably not provided.


After substantial discussion in a scheduled teleconference yesterday, DAV's Executive Committee selected, as DAV's recommendations to the Governor,  Jason Johns, Ken Koebke, and Andrew Schuster.  


DAV Executive Committee members expressed a strong desire for a new direction at WDVA.  According to Al Labelle, DAV-Wis. Legislative Director and one of the Executive Committee members:

"AB 96, which reorganized WDVA, was done to give a fresh new outlook to a dysfunctional government agency with an acrimonious environment."  "We need to be looking forward, not backwards.  Looking backwards will only bring us once again dysfunction and acrimony."

The next stage in the review process is an August 1st teleconference with the Governor's office and DAV leaders, consisting of the DAV State Commander and other DAV-Wis. leaders selected by the Commander.

2011 07 25 - Resumes Up To Date

--Anthony Hardie

Madison, Wis.

FROM THE DESK OF THE DAV-Wis. LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

FROM THE DESK OF THE DAV-Wis. LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

OUR LEGISLATIVE GOALS

It was my honor to have recently been elected DAV Legislative Director for the Department of Wisconsin at the 2011 DAV State Convention.  My goal as Legislative Director will be to advocate for legislation, at both the federal and state level, that will build better lives for disabled veterans and their families.

Disabled American Veterans was founded in 1920 and congressionally chartered in 1932.  Our congressional charter states DAV represents all of our nation’s disabled veterans, even those who are not members.  

The founding principle for DAV is that this nation’s first duty to veterans is the rehabilitation and welfare of its wartime disabled.  This founding principle, as stated in Resolution 001 in the 2011 DAV Legislative Program, envisions:

1. High quality hospital and medical care be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in America’s armed forces.
2. Adequate compensation for the loss resulting from such service-connected disabilities.
3. Vocational rehabilitation and/or education to help disabled veterans prepare for and obtain gainful employment.
4. Enhanced opportunities for employment and preferential job placement so that the remaining ability of disabled veterans is used productively.
5. Adequate compensation for the surviving spouses and dependents of veterans whose death are held to be service-connected under law by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
6. Enhanced outreach to ensure that all disabled veterans receive all benefits they have earned and that the American people understand and respect the needs these veterans encounter as a result of their disabilities.

Our first duty as an organization will always be to assist service-connected disabled veterans, their surviving spouses and dependents.  Only such legislation that espouses the DAV founding principle will be advocated.  We do not represent active duty personnel, military retirees, etc.  We only represent disabled veterans and their families.

Department members, who are interested, will be e-mailed the DAV Legislative Bulletin.  Distributed bi-monthly, the Bulletin tells about pending bills in Congress and enacted legislation that is important to America’s disabled veterans and their families.  It also reaches out to members for any action that might be required to support the DAV legislative activities.   

To know the DAV position on congressional legislation that deals with veterans issues, members may go to www.capwiz.com/dav/issues/bills. Some of the listed legislation we may support; some we may oppose while other legislation we will take no position on, due to our founding principle.  DAV neither supports nor opposes this legislation.

On the state level, our main goal will be the increased hiring and employment for disabled veterans in the private sector and in all government agencies at the state, county and local levels.  Preliminary meetings have already been held at the Department of Workforce Development and at the Governor’s Office with the idea of bringing this goal to fruition.  

Our goal on the national level will be – “Don’t balance the budget on the backs of America’s disabled veterans.”  The upcoming year should be challenging, given the emphasis on reducing government spending and debt reduction.  Your help and support will be essential in seeing the rights and benefits earned by disabled veterans in the service of our great country will be properly funded and implemented.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Al Labelle
Legislative Director
Disabled American Veterans
Department of Wisconsin         

WDVA Statement about Korean War Armistice Day, July 27th

Statement about Korean War Armistice Day

The Korean War, which has come to be known as “the Forgotten War,” began on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953 with an Armistice agreement.  July 27^th marks the 58^th anniversary of Korean War Armistice Day. The governor has proclaimed July 27^th as a day of observance in Wisconsin.  

As we commemorate the end of this war, let us take a moment to remember the service, valor and sacrifice of all those who battled on the Korean Peninsula over 60 years ago.  Of the 132,000 Wisconsinites who fought in the Korean War, less than 50,000 are still alive today.  They are not forgotten.  

The Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial in Plover pays tribute to service members from Wisconsin who fought, died, and those who are still listed as Missing in Action as a result of the Korean War.  We honor our Korean War veterans by remembering them with gratitude.

Donna Williams, Acting Secretary

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

DAV Front and Center at AB 96 Bill Signing

[ Click on photos for larger version ]

Governor signs WDVA Reorganization into law:  Governor Scott Walker speaks directly to the DAV contingent during the signing ceremony of AB 96 into Public Law.  The Governor stated his next priority for veterans will be to increase the hiring and employment of veterans in the private sector and in government agencies, a priority he shares with DAV.  The Department's legislative goal for 2011-2012 is increased hiring and employment of disabled veterans.  Among the many DAV members in attendance were Immediate Past Department Commander John Hoeft, Adjutant Ken Kuehnl, Legislative Director Al Labelle, Past National Commander Dick Marbes, District 3 Vice Commander John Honaker, and members of the DAV Green Bay Honor Guard.   

Governor signs WDVA Reorganization into law:  Governor Scott Walker signs AB 96 into Public Law.  Standing behind the Governor, directly over his head, is Immediate Past Department Commander John Hoeft, who was instrumental in the AB 96 becoming law.  AB 96 reorganizes WDVA.  It makes the Board of Veterans Affairs advisory and places the administration of WDVA in the hands of the Secretary.  The Governor nominates the position of WDVA Secretary subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Governor signs WDVA Reorganization into law:  Legislative Director Al Labelle shakes hands with Governor Scott Walker following his comments on making the hiring and employment of veterans a priority.  Labelle complimented the Governor for having the same priority as DAV and told the Governor DAV looks forward to working with him and his staff to see it comes to fruition.  “Jay Salvo, Legislative Photographer"

Governor signs WDVA Reorganization into law:  State Adjutant Ken Kuehnl confers with Governor Scott Walker about ways to increase the hiring and employment of veterans in the private sector and in government agencies.  On left is John Honaker, District 3 Vice Commander and in between Adjutant Kuehnl and Governor Walker is Legislative Director Al Labelle.  After the ceremony, Kuehnl and Labelle met with the Governor's Staff  and suggested some possible ways to accomplish this goal.  “Jay Salvo, Legislative Photographer”

DAV: Virtual March to Stand Up for Veterans

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS 

807 Maine Ave., SW • Washington, D.C. 20024 • Phone (202) 554-3501 • Fax (202) 863-0233

NE W S   R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2011 

Virtual March to Stand Up for Veterans 

 WASHINGTON – The United States’ largest organization dedicated to advocating for our nation’s
disabled veterans and their families and survivors, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is asking
Americans of all walks of life to join in the “Virtual March on Washington to Protect Veterans’
Compensation and Benefits” this Wednesday, July 27, on the social networking site Facebook.

 With thousands of virtual marchers already registered, veterans and their family members will be
encouraged by DAV to record and publicly post a personal video message, explaining what their
compensation and benefits mean to them. Non-veterans will be asked to create a video telling why they are
“standing up for veterans.” All marchers will also be provided an opportunity to email their elected officials
and to post on the congressional representatives’ and senators’ official Facebook pages as well as on the
White House’s official page.

 “As lawmakers and the White House haggle over how to deal with the national debt and federal
spending, the uncertainty over what actions our government might take is causing unnecessary and harmful
anxiety in the American public at large and veterans and their families, specifically,” said Barry A. Jesinoski,
executive director of the DAV’s Washington Headquarters. “With spending cuts on the table and the
possibility that the government may not be able to meet all its financial obligations in the near future, the
DAV is asking everyone to stand up and ‘virtually march on Washington.’”

 The virtual march will take place primarily on Facebook at http://facebook.com/The.DAV, but the tools
to participate will also be available at http://www.dav.org and on Twitter, using the hashtag #March4Vets.
 “This is not about Congress or the President – this is about veterans and their families and survivors,”
Jesinoski said. “We need to make it clear to the entire federal government and the American public that the
United States can never again turn its back on veterans. This is about standing up for veterans.”

 The virtual march formally begins at 8 a.m. July 27, but participants do not need to log on at any
specific time as the “march” will take place over the entire day and night. The event is online, so travel is not
required.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and
chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single
purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. More information is
available at www.dav.org.

USDOL: Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers

Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers

Download the full Trauma Guide

• HTML version
• PDF version

Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers, also known as the “Trauma Guide,” was created to address the psychological and mental health needs of women veterans. The guide is also a compilation of best practices aimed at improving effectiveness in engaging female veterans. Written for service providers, the guide offers observational knowledge and concrete guidelines for modifying practices with the goal of increasing re-entry outcomes.

Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness includes:

• User's Guide 
  A handbook offering information on the experiences and needs of female veterans, what it means to provide trauma-informed care, and resources for staff training and education.
• Organizational Self-Assessment for Providers Serving Female Veterans 
  A manual of best practices that can be integrated into daily programming for homeless female veterans.
• Resource Lists 
  Compilations of provider-targeted materials, videos, and websites on a variety of topics, including: female veterans, homelessness and trauma, cultural competence, traumainformed services, participant involvement, and self-care.

VA: Special Journal Showcases VA Women’s Health Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 2011

Special Journal Showcases VA Women’s Health Research

WASHINGTON - A special supplement of the journal Women’s Health Issues published July 13 shows the tremendous growth and diversity of VA women’s health research in recent years.  Its publication comes as VA recognizes July as Women Veterans Month, which included  a National Training Summit on Women Veterans held July 15-17 in Washington, D.C.

“VA has had a longstanding commitment to improving women’s health,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, “This supplement shows the tremendous progress we’ve made by making that commitment to women Veterans a top priority across the Department.”

Titled “Health and Health Care of Women Veterans and Women in the Military:  Research Informing Evidence-based Practice and Policy,” the special journal edition, known as a supplement, features commentaries by VA investigators examining the role, history, and future of women’s health research.  For example, in an opening commentary, Elizabeth M. Yano, Ph.D., and Susan M. Frayne, M.D., discuss the heightened focus on health services research, with more articles published between 2004 and 2008—the first four years after VA Office of Research and Development established its women’s health agenda—“than in the previous 25 years combined.”  

The supplement also includes 18 peer-reviewed research articles addressing the changing demographics and demands of VA health care presented by the recent surge of women Veterans into the VA system.  Among the topics addressed are: gender differences and disparities in care; mental health, including military sexual trauma and substance abuse; post deployment health, including posttraumatic stress disorder; quality and delivery of care; and special populations, including homeless women Veterans and those with traumatic brain injuries.  

“With women expected to make up 10 percent of the Veteran population by 2018,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Robert A. Petzel, M.D., “our goal of excellence in health care for all of our Nation’s Veterans makes it imperative that we prepare now to meet future demands.”

VA Chief Research and Development Officer Joel Kupersmith, M.D. noted “VA Research is making a tremendous difference in the lives of women Veterans.  The supplement clearly shows the scope and depth of VA’s research portfolio and the many ways we are working to improve the health of women Veterans.”

Women’s Health Issues is the bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.  The journal focuses on applied research in women’s health care and policy issues.  The special supplement, focused on research related to the health issues of women Veterans and Military women, was sponsored by the Health Services Research and Development Service, VA Office of Research and Development with support from the Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care group.  Free full-text access to the supplement’s articles can be accessed at www.whijournal.com/supplements.

For more information about VA Research, research specifically addressing women’s health, videos, and other women’s health information, visit www.research.va.gov/.

#  #  #

Photos from Governor's AB 96 Bill Signing Ceremony

DAV was front and center at the Governor's bill signing ceremony for AB 96 on Wednesday, July 13th.

DAV-Wis. was a strong supporter of AB 96, which restructures the appointment process for the WDVA Secretary to provide greater transparency in the appointment process and greater public accountability thereafter.

These beautiful photos are by Jay Salvo, State of Wisconsin Legislative Photographer.  Click on them for a larger version.

DWD: DWD Leading Veterans Job Fairs, Jobs for Veterans

Department of Workforce Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Friday, July 15, 2011
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm

BELOIT – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Scott Baumbach said today
Wisconsin’s business climate is improving under Governor Walker’s leadership, creating employment
opportunities for veterans and other job seekers.

“Wisconsin has added over 26,000 private sector jobs since Governor Walker declared Wisconsin open for
business,” Secretary Baumbach said. “Openings on JobCenterofWisconsin.com have exceeded 30,000
statewide. Under Governor Walker, we are working to advance Wisconsin’s economy and business climate,
helping businesses create jobs and empowering individuals to gain employment. It is through these efforts
that we are making Wisconsin the workforce of choice.”

Secretary Baumbach met with employers, veterans and other job seekers during the Veterans and
Community Job Fair at the Army National Guard Armory in Beloit. Nearly 40 employers representing all
sectors took part. They included Birdseye Foods, Regal-Beloit Corporation, Stoughton Trailers, Genencor,
Mercy Health System, and St. Mary’s Hospital.

The Veterans and Community Job Fair is one of 14 DWD and its partners have scheduled this year to reach
out to veterans. While initially intended for veterans, the Beloit event was expanded to include all job
seekers. The Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board joined DWD in sponsoring the event.
While significant economic challenges continue for the Beloit community, Secretary Baumbach noted a
number of positive developments in the Beloit-Janesville area since the first of the year. They include:

 St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital and Dean Clinic due to open January 9, 2012. The new $90 million,
50-bed hospital and the $60 million clinic are expected to provide more than 300 jobs in the
community.

 NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes LLC announcement of plans to build a $194 million production
plant in Beloit that will employ as many as 150 people by 2016.

 FatWallet.com, a company that employs 55 workers and helps Internet shoppers find bargains,
moving from Rockton, Ill, to downtown Beloit, because of Wisconsin’s more favorable tax climate.

 Fairbanks Morse winning a subcontract with Marinette Marine to build two diesel engines for the
U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program, enabling the Beloit company to retain more than 330
employees.

For employment opportunities, visit: https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com.

For a list of all Job Fairs, including those for veterans: www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/jobfairs

For more information about DWD services for veterans: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/veterans

New VA Survivors Video and Outreach

VA pleased to make available to you our new Survivor video to share with you and others that you believe will benefit from it.  We are excited about adding this video to our increasing toolkit of outreach efforts.

We have provided the link for your convenience and you may feel free to link this video to your web site.  This link also makes available a PDF version of our brochure.

http://www.va.gov/SURVIVORS/OUTREACH.asp

WDVA to Host Veterans Benefits Outreach Event Aug. 5-6 in Madison

Scott Walker, Governor Donna Williams, Acting Secretary

* STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

30 West Mifflin Street P.O. Box 7843 Madison, WI  53707-7843 Phone:  (608) 266-1311 Toll-Free: 1-800-947-8387 Fax:  (608) 267-0403 Email:  Headquarters@dva.state.wi.us Website:  www.WisVets.com

Attention Newsroom—News Advisory

July 15, 2011 Contact: Kathleen Scholl 608-267-3582

For Immediate Release

Supermarket of Veterans Benefits to be held in Madison

Two-day outreach event coming up August 5th and 6th

(MADISON) – An outreach event for veterans, their families, and the public will be held in Madison on Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6.
Veterans can learn about an array of state and federal benefits at one convenient location at a two-day Supermarket of Veterans Benefits hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) on Friday, August 5 from noon to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, August 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Madison, located at 1420 Wright Street.

Dozens of service providers will be on hand, including the federal VA, state agencies, County Veterans Service Officers, veterans service organizations, education centers and more.  Veterans along with family members of veterans and deployed service members are encouraged come to the Supermarket to learn about federal VA health care, employment, and other information.

At this “one-stop shop” for benefits, veterans, military service members and family members can:

• Apply for benefits, such as VA health care and prescription drug benefits, disability compensation and pension, home loans and education or job training grants.
• Find out about employment information.
• Learn about education benefits including the Wisconsin GI Bill benefit of tuition remission for eligible veterans and dependents.
• Receive assistance in obtaining military medals and records.
• Learn what the Wisconsin Veterans Homes in Union Grove and King offer:  affordable assisted living, quality long-term care, activities, and a friendly environment.
• Obtain information about nursing care and aging services.

There’s free admission, open to the public.

Learn more about the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits program, including other upcoming outreach events around Wisconsin, on the WDVA website at www.WisVets.com/Supermarkets or by calling 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).

-30-

VA Adds FGIDs to Growing List of Gulf War Presumptives

(91outcomes.com) - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has finalized its formal rulemaking process and added functional gastrointestinal (G-I) disorders (excluding structural 
gastrointestinal diseases) to the growing list of conditions 

VA presumes FGIDs to be related to Gulf War service for the purpose of VA service-connected disability claims.

According to VA:  

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are a group of conditions characterized by chronic or recurrent symptoms that are unexplained by any structural, endoscopic, laboratory, or other objective signs of injury or disease and may be related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Specific functional gastrointestinal disorders include, but are not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating, functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia. These disorders are commonly characterized by symptoms including abdominal pain, substernal burning or pain, nausea, vomiting, altered bowel habits (including diarrhea, constipation), indigestion, bloating, postprandial fullness, and painful or difficult swallowing. Diagnosis of specific functional gastrointestinal disorders is made in accordance with established medical principles, which generally require symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis and the presence of symptoms sufficient to diagnose the specific disorder at least 3 months prior to diagnosis.  [Note to paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B)(3)]

The new ruling does not include Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), as some veterans had hoped.  The ruling also excludes structural G-I disorders 

VA received eight comments in relation to the draft rule.  Five were general in nature.  

A sixth recommended VA include GERD or "bowel inflammatory conditions."  VA responded to the comment but denied including inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) based on the IOM recommendations that cover solely functional, and not structural G-I disorder. GERD was therefore also denied inclusion under the new rule.  

A seventh comment was related to disorders based on vibration experienced by Navy Seabees.  VA clarified that the cause of illness is not needed to approve a Gulf War presumptive claim under the new rule and therefore no change to the rule language was needed.

An eight comment recommended VA backdate the date of claim as was done under a legal case, Nehmer v. United States Veterans' Administration.  Because the Nehmer case applied solely to the specifics of that case, VA made no further changes to the rule language.  

Finally, VA did make several changes to the rule language to add clarity.  The changes are discussed in the Federal Register announcement of the final rule.  

Functional G-I Disorders (FGIDs) are the latest, but by no means the only condition on VA's list of Gulf War "presumptives"-- conditions that VA presumes to be related to service in the Gulf War theater of operations anytime after August 2, 1990.  An end date for the Gulf War period has never been determined and so still applies to troops currently serving in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar,  Bahrain, and the Persian Gulf waters, among others.

Other Gulf War presumptives include:

Undiagnosed or ill defined conditions
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
For Gulf War and Afghanistan War veterans service-connected with any of nine rare endemic diseases, a broad range of symptoms and conditions presumed to be the result of the disease.  The nine diseases include malaria, leishmaniasis, and seven others.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).  The ALS presumptive is broad and applies to any qualifying military service
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), if within seven years of military discharge.  The MS presumptive also applies not just to Gulf War veterans, but to veterans with any qualifying military service. 

In order for VA to  approve a Gulf War veteran's service-connected disability claim for Gulf War presumptives or other service-connected health conditions, the veteran must formally file a claim with VA.  

Veterans who apply should already have documentation that a medical doctor has determined they have the specific presumptive condition or conditions.  

To best support the veteran's VA claim in the case of undiagnosed illness, the medical doctor should have written an opinion in the veteran's medical records detailing the "unexplained" symptoms.  

--Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.