Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Dear Friends - I’m proud of the work our incredible MDVA has done this summer to help make #Maryland a great state to be a #veteran or member of the military-connected community.  Together, we’ve turned a new page at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, established strategic partnerships with innovative nonprofits, heard from many of our state’s 350,000 brave veterans on a state-wide listening tour, advocated for expanded service opportunities for Marylanders, and more. It's an honor to work with these mission-driven patriots to ensure no veteran or member of their family gets left behind. Best, Tony Woods

Secretary Anthony Woods participated in the ceremony celebrating the selection of Ft. George G. Meade as one of the five communities chosen as a 2023 Great American Defense Community.  Secretary Woods also signed the Ft. Meade Community Covenant document, reaffirming MDVA's support of Veterans, Service Members and Military-Connected Families in the Ft. Meade region.

Secretary Woods and the MDVA Communications Team (Dana Burl, Denise Nooe and Roslyn Jones) attended the Maryland Association of Counties conference, providing information and resources to attendees.

MDVA Women Veterans/Inclusion Program

MDVA Website

Veterans who participate in an employment training program at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery recently completed this Maryland Flag as a gift for the lobby area of the administration building.  We appreciate their efforts! 

More Information on the MDVA Cemetery and Memorials Program

Maryland Department of Service & Civic Innovation

The new state Department of Service & Civic Innovation is launching unprecedented opportunities to serve throughout Maryland starting this Fall. These exciting paid year of service programs provide pathways to education and career opportunities for those who have recently completed high school - or people of any age looking to make a pivot in their lives. The priority deadline for applications is September 1. If you know someone interested in giving back to the community as they explore next steps in their professional development, please encourage them to apply as a Service Year Option or Maryland Corps member, and direct them to https://dsci.maryland.gov or text the word “Maryland” to 21000. If you are interested in hosting members, please complete the Host Partner Interest Form by September 1. Send questions to dsci.gov@maryland.gov.

The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs

Are you interested in contracting opportunities with state government agencies?

Join us for the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop on September 14, 2023 for insights on how our small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs work and strategies to identify which agencies and departments buy what you sell. Stick around for the open networking session and meet the buyers.

Governor Wes Moore will deliver the Keynote Address at 10 am.

Register

Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Notice of Meeting

A Federal Register Notice by the Veterans Affairs Department on 08/08/2023. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10, that the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans will conduct a virtual meeting on August 28-29, 2023. The meeting sessions will begin and end as follows: Date Time Location August 28, 2023 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) WEBEX link and call-in information below August 29, 2023 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) WEBEX link and call-in information below               The meeting sessions are open to the public. The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the needs of women Veterans with respect to health care, rehabilitation, compensation, outreach and other programs and activities administered by VA designed to meet such needs. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary regarding such programs and activities. On Monday, August 28, the agenda includes full committee discussion on 2023 report recommendations. On Tuesday, August 29, the agenda includes time allotted for public comment starting at 2:15 p.m. and ending no later than 2:45 p.m. (ET). The comment period may end sooner, if there are no comments presented or they are exhausted before the end time. Individuals interested in providing comments during the meeting are allowed no more than three minutes for their statements. Following the comment period, full committee discussion on the 2023 report will continue. Those who want to submit written statements for the Committee's review should submit them to the Center for Women Veterans at 00W@mail.va.gov no later than August 21, 2023. Any member of the public who wishes to participate virtually may use the following access information: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/​veteransaffairs/​j.php?​MTID=​mc50d2108879e9bb93b4447cfb1a29609;​ meeting number: 2764 568 8392, meeting password: FAmc6wJy*39. Join by phone at 1–404–397–1596 (USA toll number); Access code: 27645688392.

Federal News

Next PACT Act deadline: Health care enrollment for Veterans who deployed to combat zones

Honoring Women's Equality Day at VA

Overcoming the Challenges of Transitioning to Civilian Life

Internal, invisible, intangible: You can't always see the signs of a crisis

VA mental health apps can support Veterans with PTSD

Join the Million Veteran Program to help Veterans from your service area

Live Whole Health #182: Relaxation and learning to let go

Live Whole Health #183: Checking in with yourself through Body Scan Meditation

Together We Served.com provides faster method to find old service friends

US Department of Labor: Five Tips that Employers Can Use to Find Veteran Talent

SBA Launches New Military Spouse Small Business Training Program

VA's national cemeteries to host National Day of Service on 22nd anniversary of 9/11 attacks (Note: Baltimore National Cemetery start time at 9:00 am)

Government institutions across the U.S. are conducting research and collecting data on toxic exposures Veterans may have experienced during their military service. Learn more about this effort, directed by the PACT Act: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposureresearch/index.asp

Social Security Administration:

You can now complete and submit Form SSA-3288-OP1, Disclosure of Records Protected Under the Privacy Act, online. This form allows people over the age of 18 to consent to and authorize SSA to disclose certain types of their Privacy Act protected records to a third party.   

We are committed to expanding our online services and making it easier for you to submit forms and complete other business with us online.  

In addition to the new, limited online option, you can still submit the completed paper Form SSA-3288 to their local Social Security office to consent to and authorize SSA to disclose their Privacy Act protected records to a third party. 

MDVA shared a table with the United States Vet Center at a recent National Night Out event.  Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes stopped by to discuss Veterans services.

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 Calendar

August 25, 2023

Veterans Benefits Workshop, Edgewater

Warriors Anonymous Meeting, Steven A. Cohen Clinic at Easterseals, Silver Spring

August 26, 2023

Family Game Day, Steve A. Cohen Clinic at Easterseals, Silver Spring

August 28, 2023

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: What to expect when you are expecting.

August 31, 2023

Benefit for Baltimore Station: OPS Consulting 9th Annual Golf Event, Ijamsville

Joint Base Andrews Job Fair

September 7, 2023

Howard County Veterans Foundation: Valiant Women, Panel Discussion and Book Signing, Columbia

Gottman Couples Workshop at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals, Silver Spring

September 9, 2023

Out of the Darkness, Carroll County Walk, Woodbine

September 11, 2023

16th Annual Yellow Ribbon Fund Army Navy Country Club Golf Classic, Arlington

September 14, 2023

Veterans and Mental Health: Helping Those Who Have Served, Virtual

Ready, Set, Grow Maryland Procurement Connections Workshop, Hanover

September 15, 2023 

Maryland Department of Labor Job Fair, Woodlawn

Veterans Hiring Veterans Job Fair, Edgewater

September 16, 2023

Blue Star Families Beach Cleanup, Ft. Smallwood Park

September 17, 2023

Elks Lodge # 2332 Veterans Cookout, Camp Springs

September 21, 2023

Ft. Detrick Military Retiree Appreciation Day

Veteran/Military Community Resource & Hiring Event, Baltimore

Mental Health First Aid Training: Military, Veterans and Their Families, Baltimore

September 22 & 23, 2023

Second Annual Veteran Owned Small Business Conference, Linthicum Heights Register

September 23, 2023

American Legion Post 217 Veterans Event, College Park, More Information

September 25, 2023

MDVA Women Veterans Quarterly Chat, Columbia & Virtual

September 30, 2023

Tribute to Our Veterans Motorsports Event, Summit Point, WV

Community News

Did you know that you may record your DD-214 in the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office, in case you ever need a copy?  Here is the flier from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Harford County which explains the program. Contact the Clerk in the county where you reside: Listing of Circuit Court Clerk Offices in Maryland.

The Mission Continues: Volunteer with the Baltimore Platoon

Blue Star Families Announces Upcoming Family Book Clubs

Aberdeen Library

Discoveries Library, Annapolis

Lexington Park Library

The Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative (STRIVE) offers a two week treatment-study for those experiencing symptoms of PTSD with pain.  Read more here

Team River Runner

Sundays  2 - 5PM

Riley's Lock at 13015 Riley's Lock Rd Poolesville MD  

• Family paddling event with boats, gear, and instruction provided
• Kayaks adapted for a variety of physical disabilities
• Sign-up & waiver up Sunday Family Paddling SignUp
• POC: lisa.weed@teamriverrunner.org 301-502-0896

Flier

News from Community Building Art Works:

Military Spouses, Caregivers & Veterans Writing Workshop - September 7th and September 21st (Virtual)

Join author Laura Van Prooyen on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 3:30pm EST to learn how to use writing as a tool to communicate, self-discover, and reflect in our series in partnership with Blue Star Families. Register here.

Creating Joyful Community -  September 7th (Virtual Fundraising Workshop)

oin us for a workshop with author of My Dear Comrades, Sunu P. Chandy, on Thursday, September 7th at 7pm EST to benefit CBAW programs for veterans, service members, military families, and health care workers. Register HERE. 

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientation September 12th!

Our monthly program for Women and Non-Binary Military has begun, but if you are still interested in participating, it's not too late. Interested individuals must attend an upcoming orientation to participate. Visit www.cbaw.org/mtos for more details.

Paint Night with Veteran Artist Natasha Lewis - September 13th (Virtual)

Join Veteran Artist, Natasha Lewis, for a fun paint night as she guides you step-by-step through a classic painting. But if you're feeling inspired, you can customize your painting however you like! No experience necessary. Register for this FREE Workshop HERE, and don't forget to select Wed. September 13th.

Visit www.cbaw.org to learn more about Community Building Art Works. For more information, email info@cbaw.org. 

Howard County is hosting the first Veteran Owned Small Biz Expo on Oct. 28 from 10am-2pm at the Howard County EDA/MD Innovation Center on Columbia Gateway Dr.in Columbia, MD.  We are seeking business to consumer (focusing on products that can be sold at the event including books and art) veteran, active duty and military spouse owned small businesses to participate, but will welcome some service-oriented businesses as well. The event is family friendly, with a veteran owned food truck, veteran/military musicians, games, soccer drone demo, HERO dogs, Blue Star Families, resource tables, giveaways and more. Howard Community College and the Howard County Economic Authority/Maryland Innovation Center will offer tours of their space and share information about their programs and services.

The completion of an Interest Form is required of potential vendors. Space is very limited! Once approved by OVMF, the registration fee is $25 per table space which covers a table, 2 chairs and an online directly with your business listed. Custom sponsorship levels are also available.

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.