VETERANS CRISIS LINE
1-800-273-8255 PRESS 1
OR
TEXT TO 838255
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RGH IS A VETERAN INIATIVE OF
THE FVHD
95 River Rd., Suite C, Canton, CT 860-352-2333
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COVID-19 & RGH
Dear Friends and Supporters of Resilience Grows Here,
As life is placed on hold and many functions cancelled, we want you to know that RGH remains committed to our motto: Veterans & Community. Together we thrive!
Being an initiative of the Farmington Valley Health District enables us to provide you with the most current and most dependable information regarding the COVID19 virus.
FVHD is working tirelessly to ensure that our community is taking all the necessary precautions to battle this pandemic. Please visit the FVHD website
http://www.fvhd.org/
or Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/info.fvhd.95/
for updates. You will also find practical ways of dealing with social situations, additional safety guidelines and tips on dealing with the inconveniences this illness is causing.
For our veterans and their families, the Veterans Administration does provide guidelines for those who access the VA for healthcare. This link will help guide you in seeking help from your VA provider should you be concerned that you may be experiencing the symptoms of COVID19.
If you’re a patient seeking medical care, call
866-808-7921
before visiting—
even if you already have an appointment.
Or you can sign in to
My HealtheVet
and send a secure message. You may be able to get diagnosed and receive care through
VA telehealth
without having to come in at all.
The most common symptoms include the following and are similar to the common cold and flu:
·
Fever
·
Dry Cough
·
Shortness of breath
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Fatigue
·
Sputum Production (thick mucus coughed up from the lungs)
Most people infected with COVID-19 have mild disease and recover.
However, it is very important that we all take responsibility to prevent the spread of this illness to our most vulnerable population who are age 60 and over and any individuals whose health is already compromised.
Per the CT DVA Office of Advocacy and Assistance the following information has been provided regarding Veteran Service Officers:
For the health, safety and welfare of the veterans of CT and DVA staff, all of CT DVA VSO’s are available by email and telephone for the next two weeks, longer if necessary. There are no in-person appointments and outreach events have been postponed. Our staff still stands ready to assist the CT’s veterans and their contact info is located at:
Should you have any questions or need clarification please feel free to call us at 860-352-2333.
Together, we will be stronger and thrive!
At the release of this newsletter, the following chart was published to give guidance on the precautions that should be taken at this time regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:
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Veterans & Community.
Together we thrive!
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Suicide risk for veterans could grow as coronavirus crisis winds down.
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Click
HERE
to read article about suicide concerns.
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Click
HERE
to read article about Coronavirus Updates.
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The History of the
Fourth of July
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Click
HERE
to read article!
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August 7, 2020 is National Purple Heart Day. Click on the image above to be directed to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Plans are underway to expand and improve this facility located in New York. You are able to find recipients of the Purple Heart or you can submit a name to be included in this most honorable registry.
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August 14th is Navajo Talkers Day. Please click on the image below to watch a video about these incredible heroes and those who have chosen to follow in their footsteps.
Never Forget!
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September is National Service Dog Month
Service dogs
help those with debilitating medical conditions, from autism to blindness, seizure disorders and hearing impairments, diabetes and those who need physical assistance, and they also serve our wounded warriors suffering from conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and mobility issues.
Service dogs provide companionship while inspiring confidence, and they live to serve, protect, and assist their handlers. They help their humans perform tasks, overcome disabilities, and live fuller lives.
All of these animals dedicate and often risk their lives to help their humans.
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Are you a caregiver of a service member or a veteran?
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Kim Brown of Granby, Connecticut is a caregiver for her husband, Chris, an Army veteran who sustained injuries during his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2019, she became a fellow with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, through their program Hidden Heroes, works to help identify caregivers and provide them with support and resources. Kim works on a local and national level to advocate for families just like hers.
Kim can be reached at Kimberly.l.brownct@gmail.com She can also be found on Facebook on
The Military Family Connection. Click
HERE.
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Click on the image below to learn more about Hidden Heroes and information regarding COVID-19
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A new weekly podcast from Military Times examines the alarming rate of military and veterans suicide, offering new insights based on research and effective clinical and peer support practices in suicide prevention. Hosted by Duane France, a retired Army combat veteran and mental health counselor, and Shauna Springer, a psychologist, author and nationally recognized expert on initiatives to benefit the military community, the podcast aims to move beyond awareness to actionable strategies that can impact the rising suicide rate among service members, veterans, and their families. Click
HERE
to listen to podcasts.
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At the time of this newsletter publication, all activities continue to be limited across the state due to the COVID-19 virus. Future activities will be located on our website or Facebook page.
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BEWARE OF SCAMS AND OTHERS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF VETERAN NEEDS DURING THIS CURRENT CRISIS.
"Charging veterans to access benefits they served and sacrificed for is not only morally abhorrent, it's illegal. There are accredited entities available to assist for free throughout Connecticut. If you are aware of anyone attempting to take advantage of veterans and their families by charging bogus fees, I want to know," said Attorney General William Tong.
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Click on the image below to read an article with resources from the Marine Corps Community Services:
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Active coronavirus cases at VA have doubled in June
Senate passes bill to give millions more veterans free lifetime entry to national parks
Pentagon to Retirees: Plan Now for Tricare Select Enrollment Fees in 2021
The VA Is Now Offering Remote Hearing Aid Adjustments
Veterans Transition Survival Guide
For veterans seeking home loans, the coronavirus economy is making things harder
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How to apply for VA health care
Click image below for details on benefits and to check your eligibility online!
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ATTENTION CAREGIVERS!
Click on image below to access the podcasts:
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Wreaths Across America
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO Think ABOUT HONORING!
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Click on image below to sponsor a wreath.
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The following are just a few of our joint Veteran and Civilian Operation Task Forces. Please contact us if you would like assistance in finding services near you.
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255
Press 1
Confidential Chat at
VeteranCrisisLine.net
or
Text
838255
Military Support Program
866-251-2913
Serving the
behavioral health
needs of Connecticut Veterans, including National Guard and Reserve members and their families in communities where they live. MSP servcies are local and confidential.
Semper Fi Fund
(Serving All Branches)
Jay Braca V2V Lead
jay.braca@semperfifund.org
760-450-4126
Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern CT
860-270-0600
Medical and Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans and
Military Families
.
Hartford Vet Center
860-563-8800
25 Elm St., Suite A, Rocky Hill, CT
CT Soldiers, Sailors and Marine Fund
Find your representative
here.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
VA Regional Office
P.O. Box 310909
Newington, CT 06131-0909
(860) 594-6612
and Family Care
Please click
here
for more information.
ESGR - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve DOD
860-584-3295
esgrct.mil@gmail.com
Veteran Strong Community Center
860-584-6258
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The American Red Cross is dedicated to supporting service members, veterans and their families to manage the stresses of military life. Through the creation of Mind-Body Workshops, the Red Cross teaches easy-to-use skills that connect the body with the mind to help participants cope with stress and trauma. Workshops are free and offered in small groups by licensed mental health professionals.
Click
HERE
to read more and register.
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July 2020
July 4 - Indepenence Day
July 27
-
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
July 29 - Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary
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August 2020
August is Antiterrorism Awareness Month
August 1 – Air Force Day
August 4 –
Coast Guard Day
August 7 - Purple Heart Day
August 10 - US Dept. Of Defense Birthday
August 14
- Navajo Talkers Day
August 16
- National Airborne Day
August 29
- Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
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September 2020
National Suicide Prevention Month
September 7 - Labor Day
September 2 - VJ Day
September 11 - Patriot Day
September 17 - 23- Constitution Week
September 17 - Citizenship Day / Constitution Day
September 18 - Air Force Birthday
September 18 - Air National Guard Birthday
September 18 - National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 27 - Gold Star Family Day
Mail Call for our next newsletter will be in October!
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To learn more about RGH, volunteer opportunities, trainings and events, please visit our website at:
or visit our Facebook page at:
Justine Ginsberg, RN
RGH Director
Community Health Coordinator at FVHD
Leesa Philippon
Communication & Outreach Coordinator
Gold Star Mom / Blue Star Mom
US Army Veteran
We can be reached at
860-352-2333
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