Category: VA

Growing up in Overland Park, Kansas, Nick Jones became fascinated with the military after the Twin Towers fell when he was in 5th grade. He graduated early to join the Marine Corps. Jones graduated boot camp as a mortarman in January 2010, joined the the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, and deployed to Afghanistan as a…

When the time comes for a military family to move as a result of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order, military spouses are often confronted with the burden of finding the time necessary to get everything done and keep up with their jobs. “As I faced another PCS move, the second in two years,…

Rose Lopez’s service in the United States Army ended too soon. The Boston native intended to have a long, impactful career in defense, but injuries and health challenges prevented her from completing boot camp. “I broke 11 bones and then was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes,” she explained. That’s when Lopez found herself seeking new…

For Veterans to take advantage of the resources available to them, they need to know the resources exist. That’s why Theresa Gardner, a My HealtheVet coordinator at the Southern Nevada VA, wanted to raise awareness about a lesser-known feature for Veterans: Healthy Teaching Kitchen. To promote the program, Gardner and Josselyne Escalante, a former My…

Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. Are you a Veteran with aspirations of entrepreneurship and business ownership? Do you need guidance to help you put your idea into action? Warrior Rising is positioned…

It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle has many benefits. Being physically active can help reduce risk of disease, improve brain health and lower blood pressure. However, it can be difficult to prioritize your health when life gets busy. Marine Veteran Theo Deuel can attest to that. Deuel had always enjoyed an active lifestyle.…

Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering. What does the American Legion have in common with Regiment Gaming?  Both organizations focus on enhancing the well-being of Veterans and service members. Both…

For Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous peoples, having a home is deeply connected to land and family, even without a physical house. This cultural understanding shapes the language we use when working with these Veterans who often prefer terms such as “houseless” or “unsheltered.”  “Using a term like ‘unhoused’ helps to emphasize that the problem…

I’m a strong believer in habits. When we want to make a change in our lives—become more active, eat more fruits and vegetables, take up woodworking, etc.—setting up a routine for ourselves is often the best way to make it happen. I recently heard about someone who read about an actor who goes to the…

VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is committed to supporting caregivers with empathy and compassion. Recognizing the dedication and effort caregivers provide Veterans, CSP has launched a new initiative, the Virtual Psychotherapy Program for Caregivers (VPPC). For those who spend most of their time caring for a Veteran, the demands can be overwhelming. VPPC is designed…

Natasha White lost 100 pounds with the MOVE! program. Over years, White watched her mother’s health deteriorate due to uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and poor lifestyle habits. A hard look in the mirror made White, a North Texas VA licensed vocational nurse, realize her fate would be the same if she didn’t make life saving…

The Community Living Center (CLC) at Pittsburgh VA is now a five-star facility, VA’s highest rating possible for its nursing homes.   VA evaluates its CLCs quarterly or yearly on three main areas: staffing, quality measures and independent survey results. Internal and external survey results contribute to an overall CLC rating of one to five…