For Your Information
The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse the organizations sponsoring these events, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of MDVA. The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a MDVA community outreach effort.
Community News
Travis Manion Foundation - Registration now open for 9/11 Heroes Run
Bob Feller Act of Valor Scholarship Program
Donations for the Maryland Center for Veteran Education & Training (MCVET)
The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc. (MCVET) will once again begin accepting your much needed donations on 22 June 2020.
Donations can be dropped off at our 300 N. Exeter St. location; where some of our veterans will accept and help unload all items.
Tax Donations forms will also be issued at that time.
COVID-19 Screening protocols will be followed prior to entering our facility.
Please note that we ARE NOT going to off-site locations for donation pickup; but anticipate this service will be available in the very near future.
Contact Ms. Cereta Spencer (cspencer@mcvet.org) or Mr. Laurie Fragier (lfragier@mcvet.org) – (410) 576-9626 for further information.
We appreciate your continued support.
MDVA has received questions from Veterans Service Organizations and the public regarding opening of individual Posts. Guidance provided by Governor Hogan in Order No. 20-06-10-01:
https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Gatherings-NINTH-AMENDED-June-10.pdf
"ii. Subject to applicable Local Orders and Secretary’s Directives, the
following establishments in Maryland (“Indoor Recreation
Establishments”) may open to the general public, effective as of 5:00 p.m.
on June 19, 2020:
5. social and fraternal clubs (including without limitation, American
Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs) (“Social Clubs”);"
Please contact your local Post for more information if you are planning to visit.
Update from Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic
at Easterseals
We invite you to join us at our upcoming virtual workshops for veterans, military families and caregivers!
Date: Every Wednesdays
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
*These classes are open to everyone and poses can be modified for people of all abilities.
Dates: Saturday, June 27, 2020
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
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Melwood Veterans Services
Melwood Veterans Services (MVS) helps veterans begin their healing journey. One of our most successful programs, Operation Tohidu®, is a series of intensive five-day retreat programs, led by veterans for veterans, offered free of cost, with specialized options for male and female veterans and couples.
But what happens when a pandemic hits and social distancing makes retreat programs impossible? MVS quickly adapted by providing an innovative virtual Operation Tohidu® retreat and a series of videos teaching stress management techniques. It has already helped our veterans so we hope to scale this program up. We need your input and help.
Join us in our first virtual Catalyst for Inclusion event to learn how Operation Tohidu® virtual programs are helping veterans already suffering from PTS cope with the anxiety and isolation in these troubled times. If you are a veteran, know a veteran or employ veterans, this session may help you access resources you need during these troubled times.
EVENT: Supporting for our Veterans during COVID-19 (FREE online event)
DATE: Thursday, June 25, 2020
TIME: 1:00 to 2:00 PM
LOCATION: RSVP to our Office Administrator, Kirsten Dillon at kdillon@melwood.org by Monday, June 22 to receive the weblink. This event will be hosted on GoTo Webinar. Please note: this event has a maximum capacity of 25 participants to allow for a dialogue so please RSVP early.
Looking forward to hearing from you! In the meantime, here is more info on Melwood. Community Calendar
June 21, 2020
Veterans N Transition Virtual Father's Day Celebration
June 23, 2020
Women's Entrepreneur Conference
Additional Memorial Day Observance Photo
 Complying with the Governor’s COVID-19 guidance to follow social distancing and wear masks, officers and members of Jewish War Veterans Post 692 held a brief wreath - laying ceremony at its American Jewish Veterans Memorial at the Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville on Memorial Day.
Photo credit: Bender JCC CEO Michael Feinstein
VA Maryland Health Care System Update
We are happy to introduce our Moving Forward Plan to safely expand the availability of health care services in a phased approach, while maintaining a safe environment for all Veteran patients and employees. As we move forward, the safety of our patients and employees will remain our top priority.
Effective June 22, we will begin Phase 1 of the Moving Forward Plan by offering the following limited face-to-face services:
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Baltimore VA Medical Center: Dermatology, Imaging, Medical Specialty Care, Mental Health (Telehealth Focused), Pharmacy (Mail Only), Phlebotomy, Primary Care, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Care and Women’s Health
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Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic: Mental Health (Telehealth & Face-to-Face), Primary Care and Women’s Health
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Perry Point VA Medical Center: Imaging, Mental Health (Telehealth Focused) and Pharmacy (Mail Only)
When scheduling clinic appointments, patients will be instructed if it will be a virtual or face-to-face visit.
For the safety of our Veteran patients, we encourage them to continue using our virtual care options (telehealth and video appointments) for specialty care, primary care and mental health services. As a reminder, Veterans needing medical advice can contact the Telephone Care Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-865-2441, and Veterans in crisis can speak with a specially trained responder 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-273-8255, press 1. Additionally, the Emergency Department at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Urgent Care Clinic at the Perry Point VA Medical Center are open and are safe options for receiving urgent health care during the pandemic.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 as we move forward, the following safety measures have been implemented at all of our facilities until further notice:
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Screenings: Screenings are occurring using COVID-19-related questions at all sites. You can use your smartphone to answer the screening questions before visiting the VA by texting the word ‘Screen’ to 53079 or visiting va.gov/covid19screen. When you arrive, show your phone to the screener.
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Universal Masking: Patients are required to wear a mask at all times when visiting a VA facility. Patients with a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment will be issued a mask if they do not have one when they arrive.
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Centralized Check-in: The centralized check-in and waiting area for outpatient specialty care clinics at the Baltimore VA Medical Center is now located in the Canteen dining area on the 2nd floor.
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Restricted Access: Only patients with a scheduled, onsite clinic appointment will be granted access to VA facilities, except for the Emergency Care Department at Baltimore and the Urgent Care Clinic at Perry Point.
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Visitor Guidelines: Visitors are not authorized, except for the following:
- Two visitors for end-of-life care and decision making;
- One escort for patients being discharged from inpatient care;
- One escort for medically compromised outpatients with an onsite, scheduled appointment;
- One visitor who has been asked by the inpatient care team to be part of the treatment and discharge planning process.
REMINDERS
Outpatient Clinics Closed: Other than the clinics and service that will be part of Phase 1 of the Moving Forward Plan, all other VA Maryland Health Care System outpatient clinics remain closed until further notice to protect against the spread of COVID-19. All routine outpatient clinic visits are being conducted via a telephone or video visit or rescheduled as appropriate, except for oncology, radiation oncology and other specialty care clinic visits that are medically necessary. Additionally, the Emergency Department at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Urgent Care Clinic at the Perry Point VA Medical Center remain open.
Mail-Order Prescriptions: To limit the exposure of COVID-19, Pharmacy is continuing with the successful use of mailing new and renewal prescriptions, including express and overnight delivery. The Outpatient Pharmacies at the Baltimore and Perry Point VA Medical Centers will only honor emergent prescription needs for in-person pick up. All other medications and supplies will be mailed. Veterans have the following options to refill their prescriptions:
- Call the Prescription Refill Line at 410-605-7395. After hearing the greeting, enter your full nine-digit Social Security number followed by the “#” sign. Next, press option “2” for Pharmacy Information, and then press option “1” to order prescription refills.
- Complete and sign the refill request slip you received with your prescription and use the mailing label that was included to send it in to one of our two pharmacies.
- Submit a refill request through My HealtheVet at www.myhealth.va.gov.
- If you have no remaining refills, call the Prescription Refill Line at 410-605-7395. After hearing the greeting, enter your full nine-digit Social Security number followed by the “#” sign. Next, press option “2” for Pharmacy Information, and then press option “8” to talk to a pharmacy representative.
Perry Point Campus Closed to the Public: For the protection of our veteran patients and employees against the spread of COVID-19, the campus of the Perry Point VA Medical Center is closed to the public until further notice. This closure applies to the entire campus, including non-patient areas like the shoreline and walking trails. Only VA employees, outpatients with scheduled clinic appointments, residential care patients, residents of the HELP Veterans Village, and authorized deliveries will be granted access to the campus. The Urgent Care Clinic at the Perry Point VA Medical Center remains open.
Remember, help is a phone call away:
Medical Emergencies: If you are having a medical or mental health emergency, dial 911 immediately.
Telephone Care Line: If you need medical advice, call the Telephone Care Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-865-2441 and press 1.
Veterans Crisis Line: If you are a Veteran in crisis, there are specially trained responders ready to help you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 800-273-8255, press 1.
Primary Care: If you would like to speak with a primary care team member, please call 410-605-7777 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Flu-Like Symptom: If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, call the Telephone Care Line at 800-865-2441, and press 1.
Please be safe, continue to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene, and contact our Telephone Care Line if you need medical advice.
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