Nevada Department of Veterans Services Newsletter                       April, 2016 
Northern Nevada veterans target crucial issues ahead of 79th Legislative Session, Las Vegas vets meet April 16

(Reno, NV Mar. 21, 2016) - Emphasis on mental health issues, including suicide prevention for veterans and services for families, and greater outreach to Native American and rural  veterans were among concerns identified at last week's Veterans Legislative Symposium. The Northern Nevada event in Sparks Saturday drew nearly 100 veterans, supporters, family, and representatives from national veterans organizations -- VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and others.

The Southern Nevada Veterans Legislative Symposium is set for April 16, 2016, at the Cannery Casino in N. Las Vegas. Email pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov to register.   Click here to read more.

Las Vegas to Become Purple Heart City

On Wednesday, April 20, 2015, the Las Vegas City Council will officially proclaim Las Vegas as a "Purple Heart City" during its morning Council meeting at City Hall, 495 S. Main St., Las Vegas, NV. The Council convenes at 9:00 AM and, after routine business, the proclamation ceremony should occur at 9:45 AM. The public is invited to attend this patriotic ceremony. 

In taking this action, the City of Las Vegas pays special homage to America's sons and daughters, and particularly those from the greater Las Vegas area, who have been killed or wounded in combat against the enemies of the United States or as a result of acts of international terrorism. 

Veterans Coalitions, Collaboratives, Councils, Growing Across Nevada ...

NNVRG Works on Behalf of Elko Veterans

"Like" the NNVRG Facebook page and witness a grass-roots community organization that bring resources to work for Veterans. From Congressman Mark Amodei's town hall meeting in Elko a few weeks ago , to a "Family to Family" course presented by NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill).  And then, a Happy Birthday greeting to Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, the last living Plains Indian War Chief and World War II veteran. He turned 102 years old in November.

Reach Jacob Park, Great Basin College Veterans Resource Center Coordinator, at 775.753.2346 or 775.753.2310 to learn more about the NNVRG outreach efforts to connect to veterans in Elko County and surrounding areas .

Sheriff asks Carson City to mobilize for veterans
by Brett Fisher, Carson NOW

"Founding father Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong has identified a problem in the state capital, and he has proposed a way to solve it, taking Franklin’s advice to heart. “There are a ton of veterans in this town that no one knows they’re here,” Furlong told a panel of community members Thursday afternoon at the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, making specific note of the problem of homelessness among Carson City’s veteran population. "

In the weeks since Sheriff Furlong called out for an organized effort to get Capital City Vets the services they need, veterans organizations, non-profit service providers and volunteers have tapped the 'sea of goodwill' and created the Carson City Veterans Community Council.  Carson City Veterans Support Organizations

TMVCC Connects communities of Sparks, Reno and Surrounding Areas

Since early 2016, the Truckee Meadows Veterans Community Collaborative has embraced a mission of "community-centric" solutions bringing together local, state, and national leaders who find and consolidate efforts to improve resources available to service members veterans, and their families. So TMVCC began with a charter that brings together nearly 40 individuals to address housing, employment, wellness, communications and more. 

Several other organizations are coalescing in communities from Winnemucca and Douglas County to the north to North Las Vegas and Henderson in the south for the same 'community-centric' focus - reaching and supporting veterans, military and families throughout Nevada.

Want to begin a community council in your town? Contact NDVS Community Outreach Director/PIO Liz Watson, 775-825-9755. NDVS can assist.

ROVER Stretches its Reach to Nevada Veterans

Nevada Veterans Service Officers (VSO) who provide vital information about benefits and claims filing for veterans continue to expand their outreach throughout the state. This week, Nevada Department of Veterans Services Director of the Veterans Assistance and Support Team (VAST) and its VSO, Stephen Sitton, announced further outreach onto college campuses and Aging and Disability Resource Centers in both Northern and Southern Nevada.

According to Sitton, the VAST Rural Outreach for Veterans Enrichment and Resources (ROVER) program "continues to expand its reach to student veterans and disabled veterans. It's all part of the bigger outreach plan through NDVS to reach special populations and, in many cases, remote areas."
  Honor Flight Veteran Departure & Homecoming

Three Honor Flight trips are scheduled this spring, with the first veterans returning home from Washington to Reno-Tahoe International Airport Sunday, April 3.

Please help welcome our veterans Sunday at 1:30 pm at the Terminal.

Future flights set:

Depart:  May 18   6:10 AM            Arrive:   May 21   1:55 PM

               June 24   6:20 AM                          June 26   1:20 PM

Join us and show your support for our Vietnam Veterans' service!
Senator Heller holds roundtable to discuss issues facing veterans

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) — Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nevada) met with Nevada veterans and hosted a roundtable discussion on Thursday.

The discussion was closed to media, but Sen. Heller did talk with News 4 after the meeting. He focused on issues facing Nevada's military and veteran communities. Click here for the rest of the story.

VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System Celebrates Women Veterans

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) — The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System celebrated women veterans Friday afternoon at their main campus with a number of events, including a dedication of the Women Veterans Memorial Garden.  Click here to watch the story, aired on Reno News 4.

NDVS/NSVH Leadership Attend NASVH Conference in Washington, D.C.

Linda Gelinger, Administrator of the Nevada State Veterans Home, and Wendy Simons, Deputy Director of Wellness for NDVS, recently attended the National Association of State Veterans Homes Conference in Washington, DC.

While there, they met with members of Nevada's Congressional delegation, including Congresswoman Dina Titus, center, with Gelinger, left, and Simons.  Click here to read more.

Veteran Supporter of the Month Guidelines, Nomination Process Announced

The Veteran Supporter of the Month Award recognizes both active organizations and non-veteran Nevada community members that provide exceptional support to military stationed in Nevada, Nevada veterans, and their families.

This program expands the Nevada Veteran of the Month Award (VOM) by shining a bright light on individuals who, while not serving in uniform, help veterans with no expectation of recognition or award.  It also serves to recognize the contributions of organizations who donate their time and energy to improve the life of our veterans. 

In creating this new award Governor Sandoval stated, “I am very proud of the way our Nevada communities have come together to support our military and our veterans.  The Veteran Supporter of the Month Award gives us the opportunity to recognize those who are dedicated to easing the transition between military and civilian life and who support veterans in need.”

Anyone can nominate candidates for this award.  Submissions are reviewed by the members of the Nevada Veterans Services Commission (VSC) at its quarterly meetings who forward their recommendations to the Governor. The program is administered by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. Read the VSM Guidelines here.


Veteran of the Month Guidelines and Nomination Forms

The Veteran of the Month award recognizes Nevada veterans who contribute their time and energy to support veterans, their communities and/or the military.

"Men and women across Nevada who have made a significant contribution will have achieved excellence by going above and beyond the call of duty," stated Governor Sandoval in his presentation. "It will be an opportunity for all of us to shine a bright light on the work veterans continue to do for our nation."

The program is managed by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) and we continue to ask for your help in nominating possible candidates so we may recognize veterans who contribute time and effort for the betterment of our state and the veteran community. Submissions will be reviewed and chosen by the members of the Veterans Services Commission (VSC) at its quarterly meetings. Click here to read more.

Veterans with Incomplete Healthcare Applications Receive Additional Year

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it will extend the healthcare enrollment application period for one year to approximately 545,000 living Veterans that have pending incomplete enrollment applications. Click here  for the rest of the story.
VA Announces Community Care Call Center to Help with Choice Program Billing Issues

WASHINGTON – Veterans can now work directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to resolve debt collection issues resulting from inappropriate or delayed Choice Program billing. In step with MyVA’s efforts to modernize VA’s customer-focused, Veteran-centered services capabilities, a Community Care Call Center has been set up for Veterans experiencing adverse credit reporting or debt collection resulting from inappropriately billed Choice Program claims. Veterans experiencing these problems can call 1-877-881-7618 for assistance. Click here for the rest of the story.

VA Announces Adapted Home Technology Grant

WASHINGTON – Veterans can now work directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to resolve debt collection issues resulting from inappropriate or delayed Choice Program billing. In step with MyVA’s efforts to modernize VA’s customer-focused, Veteran-centered services capabilities, a Community Care Call Center has been set up for Veterans experiencing adverse credit reporting or debt collection resulting from inappropriately billed Choice Program claims. Veterans experiencing these problems can call 1-877-881-7618 for assistance. Click here for the rest of the story.

Reno Bighorns - Native American Heritage Night, with color guard by Pyramid Lake Veteran and Warrior Organization – April 2, Starting at 7 PM Reno Bighorns

Community Forum-Reno – April 6, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM Reno Forum

DAV 4th Annual Poker Run – April 9, 9 AM – 5 PM Poker

Community Forum – Fallon – April 14, 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM Fallon Forum

TMCC: Student Veterans Professional Development Conference – April 15, 9 AM – 2 PM TMCC

Southern Nevada Legislative Symposium – April 16, 8 AM – 12:30 PM SNVLS

Financial Training: Savvy Seniors – April 20, 8 AM – 4 PM Savvy Seniors

Older Adult Clinic - UNR School of Medicine – April 23, 8 AM – 12 PM UNR

Financial Basic Training: Financial Literacy Conference – April 28, 9 AM – 4 PM Financial Literacy

BINGO at VAMC Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, Reno – April 29, 6 PM – 7 PM BINGO

Full April calendar listing on www.veterans.nv.gov