Dr. Betty Moseley Brown Associate Director Center for Women Veterans Washington, DC January 7, 2013 Center for Women Veterans California Outreach Consortium

Center for Women Veterans 2 Once upon a time…

Center for Women Veterans 3 A Parris Island Recruit…

Center for Women Veterans 4 Became a Staff Sergeant

Center for Women Veterans 5 …and the advocate for 1.9 million living Women Veterans!

Center for Women Veterans 6 “… to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan” ~ by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans. Abraham Lincoln VA Motto…

Center for Women Veterans 7 A Look at the Past…  Women served in various capacities beginning with the American Revolution (cooks, seamstresses, and launderers).  During the civil war at least 400 women disguised themselves and assumed combat roles.  Women officially could serve as an auxiliary of the Army in 1901.

Center for Women Veterans 8  WWI saw women in the significant role of nurses and serving in other roles.  Civilian work force also saw women in other roles.  WWII women were first given full military status with Women’s Army Corps (WAC) by Congress in A Look at the Past…(continued )

Center for Women Veterans 9  During the Korean Conflict (in 1951) DACOWITS was established.  P.L in 1967 removed statutorily any obstacles to women becoming high ranking officers.  Trend of gains remains… A Look at the Past…(continued)

Center for Women Veterans 10 Congressional Mandate November 1994 Public Law required VA to create The Center for Women Veterans to oversee VA programs for women

Center for Women Veterans 11  Monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans.  Serve as an advocate for a cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military.  Raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect. Our Mission – What We Do

Center for Women Veterans Objectives of Center for Women Veterans (Center) Partnerships  To improve extended knowledge among partners to enhance outreach to women Veterans.  To describe how joint outreach is marketed to make women Veterans aware of their benefits and services.  To create collaborative partnerships with DoD and other federal, state and local organizations to raise awareness of VA benefits and services to women Veterans. 12

Center for Women Veterans 13 Women Veterans Demographics  One of the fastest growing Veterans subpopulation. Based on active duty and recruiting numbers, the percentage of female Veterans is projected to increase.  By 2020, VA projects that 10.5 percent of Veterans we serve will be women Veterans.  1.9 million living women Veterans of the 22.7 million Veterans (VetPop as of 9/30/11).  20 percent of all military recruits are women.  Median female Veteran’s age is 48.4; male Veteran’s age is 62.4.(as of 9/30/11).

Center for Women Veterans 14 Women Veteran Population Changing Needs at VA  The new woman Veteran is the returning Veteran from Global War on Terror.  She is young, child bearing age, many with children at home.  She is currently physically fit.  Often from the Reserves & Guard.  In 2011, more than half the enlisted women in the DoD services were minority women (53.9 percent) –Hispanic women account for 11.6 percent of military women. The Navy has the highest percent (17.1 percent) and the Air Force the lowest (5.7 percent).

Center for Women Veterans Women Veterans Challenges Women Veterans Challenges  Many women Veterans do not self identify as Veterans.  Many are not aware of and do not apply for VA’s benefits and services (younger women do apply).  In some areas, access to VA’s gender-specific care may be limited – use fee basis and contracts.  Disparities in health care – VHA established the Office of Health Equity 15

Center for Women Veterans Initiatives to Address Challenges  Joint outreach to educate and raise awareness about eligibility.  Enhancement of Center for Women Veterans Website to educate about VA’s programs, on Facebook, VA Blog, etc.  Usage of fee basis and contracts when appropriate. 16

Center for Women Veterans Initiatives to Address Challenges  Work with VA Administrations, and other Federal agencies to address disparities in care and services availability. VHA established the Office of Health Equity to address issues.  Pilot programs (drop-in programs in Northport, NY; Buffalo, NY; and Tacoma, WA) to determine the feasibility of providing child care options for women Veterans.  Implemented newborn care coverage and caregivers. 17

Center for Women Veterans VA Women Veterans-Specific Resources  On September 11, 2012, the Center for Women Veterans received responsibility for the Women Veterans Program to operationalize the Women Veterans Task Force recommendations to fill the gaps on benefits and services for Women Veterans.  Full-time women Veterans program managers (WVPM) at VA health care facilities across the country to outreach to women Veterans and assist them with accessing VA’s health care services. There are over 144 WVPMs.  Designated women Veterans coordinators (WVC) at all 57 VA regional offices (RO). 18

Center for Women Veterans Some Key Themes From The 2011 National Training Summit on Women Veterans 1. Culture Change 2. Gender-Specific Comprehensive Primary Care 3. Role of Women Veterans Program Managers (WVPMs) 4. Outreach and Marketing 5. Proficient Health Care Providers for Women Veterans 6. Agency Collaboration 7. Patient-Centered Care and Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) 8. Homelessness 9. Military Sexual Trauma (MST) 10. Privacy, Safety, and Environment of Care (EOC) 19

Center for Women Veterans VA Priorities ■ Improving women Veterans’ access and utilization of benefits and services: ■ Diversifying outreach materials to include more images of women in receipt of VA care and services with a Communications Plan. ■ Using Post 9/11 GI Bill and Registering for eBenefits ■ Ending Veteran Homelessness: 8 % women Veterans ■ VA continues success on historic 3 year plan (2015). 20

Center for Women Veterans VA Priorities ■ Caregiver Support: ■ Implemented the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of ■ Breaking the Back of the Backlog: ■ Aggressive campaign to attack the claims backlog including using Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs). News Release published March 22,

Center for Women Veterans 22 Taking Care of Veterans from ALL Eras  We don’t lose sight of our “aging women”  Significant numbers over age 55 use VA  Cardiac risk : the number one risk for morbidity and mortality- –-High prevalence diabetes and obesity  Health concerns of peri-menopause and menopause  Cancer screenings –mammograms  Bone health: Osteoporosis risks, fractures  Remember to apply for other VA benefits!

Center for Women Veterans 23 Women Veterans Health – “Future” –Women will be seen in greater numbers in VA and will make up a greater percentage of the population. –There will continue to be a difference in the needs of younger women veterans, particularly in reproductive health, as well as older women veterans health needs. –Women will have a larger role in combat and we will see more war-related wounds, amputations, chemical/environmental exposures, blindness, etc. –Military sexual trauma will continue to impact women Veterans. –Improving care for women improves care for men also.

Center for Women Veterans 24 What Women Veterans Want and Need  Recognition and respect  Employment  Suitable housing  Access to and receipt of high quality health care  Childcare options  Opportunities for social interaction  Want to make a difference

Center for Women Veterans 25 How Women Veterans Can Obtain Local Assistance  Womens Health Services:  WVCs at every VA regional office:  Homeless Veterans coordinators:  Minority Veterans program coordinator at every VA healthcare facility, regional office, and national cemetery:  Other coordinators such as OIF/OEF, mental health, MST, Vet Center, etc.

Center for Women Veterans Did YOU Know?  eBenefits is your one-stop shop for online benefits-related tools and information. or

Center for Women Veterans Did YOU Know? 27

Center for Women Veterans 28

Center for Women Veterans 29 How to Contact the Center Staff Members:  Dr. Betty Moseley Brown  Desiree Long  Shannon Middleton  Michelle Terry  Juanita Mullen (American Indian Liaison) Address: Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (00W) 810 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, DC Phone: Fax: Website: