Announcing the New and Improved MDVA Communications, Outreach & Advocacy Program

by Dana Burl, Director, MDVA Communications, Outreach  Advocacy Program The MDVA is excited to launch the new and improved Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy Program (C, O, and A).  Since 2006, when the former Outreach and Advocacy Program was created, the roles and responsibilities of the Director and Deputy Director have expanded to the point where we felt it was time to include ‘Communications’ in the Program title.  The purpose of the change is to ensure the work that we do is appropriately reflected in our name.  We also want to ensure Maryland veterans and families know how we serve them. Don’t fret though, we will continue in our outreach and advocacy roles!  One shining example of the evolution of our program in 2021 was the establishment of the MDVA Women Veterans Inclusion Program.  The newest member of the C,O, and A team, Ms. Roslyn Jones, works to ensure women veterans and other minority veteran populations are advocated for, and educated on, their VA benefits. Since 2014, our Director, Dana Burl, and Deputy Director, Denise Nooe, have taken the C, O, and A Program to an entirely new level.  To help paint a picture of our achievements, see the graphic below:

In addition to the information presented above, we have established a partnership with the Maryland State Library which led to us receiving the VA Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award in 2022 for Innovative State Program.  Our work with the State Library has led to being selected to present at the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Annual Conference, the Families Innovation Conference, next week at the VA/SAMHSA Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, & Families and in August at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.

C, O, and A now supervises the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Veterans Services Specialist Program in State Government.  Our director is the state’s co-lead on Maryland’s participation in the nationwide Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, & Families.  This year we designed and published our first community partner digital communications toolkit and modernized how we welcome home returning veterans to Maryland.  We have co-hosted receptions, conferences, and summits to raise awareness of MDVA and VA benefits and are thankful to the many community organizations and government agencies for their support.

We look forward to the coming months and years and to seeing how our Program evolves in its service to our military connected community.

Roslyn Jones, Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager attend the United States VA Center for Women Veterans Fireside Chat recently.

Unaccompanied Burials Scheduled at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery TODAY

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery Program will be hosting a dignified burial ceremony to honor and pay respects to five unaccompanied veterans. 

The ceremony will take place Friday, July 29, 2022 at 11:00 am.

Location: Crownsville Veterans Cemetery

1122 Sunrise Beach Road

Crownsville, MD 21032

Veterans receiving Final Honors:

Name/Service/Rank/Dates of Service

Mark V Kissal/Army/CPL/5-10-51 - 5-9-53

James H Hansen/Air Force/A1C/10-3-63 - 7-6-67

Bede L Clark/Army/SGT/10-8-1917 - 6-8-1919

Willis A Smutz/Army/SGT/10-7-43 - 8-12-45

Harry A Hinderer/Army/TEC 5/8-28-43 - 12-18-44

All are welcome to attend.  Event will include an Honor Guard and the playing of Taps.  The event will be standing room only with limited parking. 

Questions may be directed to the Cemetery Program at 410-923-6981.         

MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

MDVA Website

A heartfelt welcome is extended to Mr. Roger Barnes, who is the new Inventory Control Specialist at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.  If Roger looks familiar, that is because he previously worked in the MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program.  We are so pleased that Roger decided to rejoin the MDVA team.  Roger enjoys spending time with his family, participating in sports and he is an avid sports fan, including watching his favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens.  Roger says, "I am excited to join the staff at CHVH to continue my career with MDVA, and to have the opportunity to continue serving veterans”.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Robert Reuter on the right in this photo, received an award for 25 years of service to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).  Mr. Charles Brown, national President of the PVA is presenting the award.  Commissioner Reuter also serves as the Treasurer of the PVA Colonial Chapter and is a former PVA Chapter President.

NOTICE: The MDVA Newsletter will not be published on Friday, August 26th.  If you have submissions/events for late August and early September, please submit them by Wednesday, August 10th for the August 12, 2022 edition of the newsletter. Thank you.

Maryland's First Lady Yumi Hogan attended the official dedication ceremony for the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Read More Here.

More photos, Photo Credit, Executive Office of the Governor

News from Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Fishing Mentorship Offered by Maryland DNR Participants Can Get Free Instruction, Gear The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites college students and adults aged 18 and older to free mentored fishing training and practice sessions in August. The program will comprise four sessions in various locations in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, culminating with a fishing tournament August 13. Space is limited, reservations are being taken now. Read more.   Maryland 2022 Black Bear Hunt Lottery Now Open Application Deadline August 31; Drawing Sept. 7 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the 2022 black bear hunt lottery. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the 6-day hunting season from October 24-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Read more.   DNR Awards Outdoor Environmental Education Grants Funding Supports Projects Fostering Science and Stewardship The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced $128,000 in awards for student and youth outdoor science, and watershed education in the state. Outdoor education funding is made possible from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant. Read more.

University of Maryland School of Nursing Announces:

OHEP has started their FY23 program year

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to income-eligible households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. The Office of People's Counsel encourages anyone who is behind on their utility bills to not wait to receive a turn-off notice and apply for assistance.

OHEP has recently started their new program year and released the new application. Visit their website to learn more.

$1.7 Million in Loans Available to Maryland Building Owners for Energy Efficiency Investments

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is pleased to announce the Fiscal Year 23 (FY23) Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Fund to finance energy efficiency improvements in buildings. Eligible recipients are building owners of commercial, institutional, industrial, government, and educational facilities located in Maryland. Program funding of $1.7 million is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Potential applicants should note additional terms of eligibility on the program webpage. 

There’s a new, easy-to-remember way to reach the Veterans Crisis Line—Dial 988 then Press 1. Millions of Veterans have called when they needed crisis support. We’re here if you need us. 

Federal News

U.S. Small Business Administration holds Maryland 2022 Small Business Awards

VA Vet Center now providing counseling services at Ft. Meade

Education & Training for Veterans: Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)

U. S. Department of Labor: Why Hiring America's Veterans Makes Sense

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

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. is collecting donations for the Women Veteran Baby Shower: Flier and  More Information, Donations Needed & Drop-off Locations.

Save the Date: 11/10/22 Disabled Veterans National Foundation Veterans Resource Fair, Silver Spring

Maryland Teaching Artist Hosts Cost-Free Healing Classes for Veterans at Local Libraries

Healing arts classes for Veterans are happening this summer in Maryland libraries. Led by Peter Brooks, he continues the legacy of his grandfather, Cab Calloway, by designing ten classes to help veterans combat PTSD by teaching artforms that induce a state of mindfulness. Despite the focus on veterans, his classes are open and free of charge to all. Read More Here

Flier

The Winter 2023 Dog Tag Fellowship Program application is now open! Please pass this news along to your networks—we are particularly looking for applicants in the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic region of the US, but with our hybrid programming model we are happy to accept applicants nationwide. Program information, eligibility requirements, application instructions, and the application link can all be found at dogtaginc.org/apply.

Project Opportunity provides free entrepreneurship education, training, coaching and a supportive community for veterans in pursuit of owning a successful small business.

Upcoming classes:

Baltimore Fall Class

Spouses of Veterans, Active Duty, and Guard/Reserve Personnel Fall Class, Linthicum

Harford County Fall Class, Havre de Grace

Montgomery County Fall Class, Takoma Park

Prince George's County Fall Class, Largo

Southern Maryland Fall Class, La Plata

News from Community Building Art Works:

We Carry On: A Collective Performance by Caregivers - July 30th, 2pm (FREE)

Join Community Building Art Works and Wounded Warrior Project for an afternoon to honor caregivers of Wounded Warriors as they share their evolving stories. In this performance, military caregivers share a collaborative piece developed in a four-week writing workshop. This free event is open to all. Register to reserve your seats now for this special in-person performance: https://wecarryon.eventbrite.com

Sat, July 30, 2022 at 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT.

Location: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co., 

641 D Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

For more info about CBAW, visit www.cbaw.org or email info@cbaw.org.

ServingTogether offers service members, veterans and their families access to a class-leading continuum of providers that runs the gamut from superior mental health, housing, and emergency service providers to employment, financial capabilities, education, volunteering, recreation and fitness, and more! We are able to track client progress, communicate with providers and ensure the veterans are truly getting what they need all free of charge.  

 Serving Together has been immensely successful in building a dynamic team that is truly devoted to the mission of the organization. This team has tangible, personal connections to our veterans and genuine concern for their best outcomes. ServingTogether provides peer navigation, collaboratives, guides, education, and training. Please visit our Website for more information.  

https://servingtogetherproject.org/

Community Calendar

July 29, 2022 - TONIGHT

Voices of Vets Free Concert, Annapolis

July 30, 2022

Welcome2VA: Veteran Employment & Education, Virtual

Discovery Time for Military Families at Wellspring of Life Farm, Monkton

August 7, 2022

Military Caregivers Bowling Party, Hyattsville

August 9, 2022

Baltimore Military Muster

August 17, 2022

DC Bourbiz at MGM National Harbor for Veteran & Military Spouse Networking

August 18, 2022

The Baltimore Station Fundraiser at Bengies Drive-in, Baltimore

August 23, 2022

Patuxent River Job Fair

August 25, 2022

Joint Base Andrews Job Fair

Message for New Subscribers:

Is this your first edition of the MDVA newsletter?  If so, welcome!  You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up to receive it from our website or you gave permission to an MDVA program, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration or MD Department of Labor to receive information on VA benefits and resources.  We at MDVA respect your privacy and DO NOT share your email address.  We hope you enjoy receiving our bi-weekly newsletter and find it both educational and engaging.  If you have questions about our Department, our Programs, or your VA benefits, please visit veterans.maryland.gov or call 410-260-3838.