Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Dear Friends, This week, our department extended a warm welcome to American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer to our beloved state of Maryland! On the occasion of Commander Seehafer’s visit, I am reminded of the invaluable role veteran service organizations play in our community. Organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Team Red, White, and Blue, and so many others provide essential support, camaraderie, and resources to our nation's heroes and their families. Finding community among fellow veterans is paramount to our well-being. It is through shared experience, understanding, and support that we can find solace and purpose in this next chapter of our lives.  Please reach out to your local post, chapter, or community organization to get involved! Connect with your fellow veterans and continue to strengthen the bonds of our close-knit community. Best, Tony

Pictured above from left: American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer, MDVA Secretary Tony Woods, and American Legion Department of Maryland Department Commander Ruth Higgins

Above: Mauricio "Mo" Reyes, Maryland Corps Member and Ross Cohen, Deputy Secretary, attended a Maryland Corps/Service Year Option event at the US Naval Academy, Wednesday, March 13.  They wrote letters to veterans and Deputy Secretary Cohen provided remarks. 

Pictured above from left: Denise Bice, Veteran Recruiter-CCBC, Dr. Derrick Little, Director, Veteran and Military Services-CCBC, Roslyn Jones, WVIP Manager-MDVA, MDVA Secretary Tony Woods, and COL (R) Edna Cummings, with a Governor's Proclamation for 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day

Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Notice:

Denise Nowlin, the trust fund’s grant administrator and the leader at the helm of the program, has accepted a role at another state agency. While we are sad to see her leave, we are excited for Denise to continue to serve and make an impact in our state. She has left a real positive impact on this unique program and our veteran community and we will always be grateful to her!

We will use this transition as an opportunity to hire Denise’s replacement, add additional staff, and deploy a new grants management system. 

With this news, the trust fund is currently not taking applications.  We anticipate resuming normal operations later this summer and will notify the veteran community on our website and via this newsletter. 

MDVA Website

Spotlight on Education: Prince Georges County Community College

2024 Session of the Maryland General Assembly has Convened

The Maryland General Assembly is currently meeting in Annapolis for the 2024 Legislative Session.  To see a list of the most recent legislative updates impacting the veteran and military community, please visit our website at:

2024 Legislative Information

You may also check the status of proposed legislation by visiting the:

Maryland General Assembly Website

Federal News

All Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards are now eligible for VA heath care

VA: Help for survivors of sexual harassment and assault

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Health.mil article

Expanding access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment

History of Women in Military Medicine, Health.Mil article

Women Veterans: Trouble sleeping?

Live Whole Health #212: Mindfulness and chronic pain

March 27th: VA Fireside Chat: Transgender Day of Visibility

Veteran Employment Services Office: Personalized Career Planning and Guidance Benefit

Empowering education: Spreading the awareness of the U. S. Department of Education SAVE Plan

Are you looking for your next career as you transition out of the military? Apply for the Career Transition Program now! New local employers have just been added! Career Transition Showcase on April 25th at Live Casino and Hotel.

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VA’s iRest™ Yoga Nidra Meditation phone-based classes help you relax deeply, release stress, increase resiliency, and more. This free class takes place every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. ET and every Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET. It is designed for all Veterans, along with their spouses and caregivers.  Join as many classes as you wish. No registration required. 

Call-in information for classes

Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m. ET                                          

Phone: 404-397-1596 or 833-558-0712 (toll free)

Access code: 433 794 55     

Thursdays, 8:00 p.m. ET

Phone: 404-397-1596 or 833-558-0712 (toll free)

Access code: 199 731 6363

Learn more about this class from VA’s War Related Illness and Injury Study Center at CAMeditationclasses.pdf (va.gov) and CA WRIISC Integrative Health and Wellness Program - War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (va.gov). 

Here are 3 tips to protect yourself from Medicare fraud and scams:

1. If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare Number, don't respond. Don't give your Medicare card or Medicare Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
2. Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully.If you see a charge for a service you didn't get or a product you didn't order, it may be fraud. If you suspect fraud, report it at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
3. Guard your Medicare card like it's a credit card

Report Medicare fraud & abuse

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

March 23, 2024

Women Veterans candle-making workshop sponsored by Second Chance, Hollywood, Register

March 26, 2024

Subcontracting in Maryland's MBE Program, Virtual

March 27, 2024

Base Camp: Veterans Information and Resource Sessions, Women's History Month, Virtual

March 28, 2024

Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), Virtual

March 29, 2024

National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Salisbury

Vietnam War Veterans Day, American Legion Post 39, Bel Air

Vietnam War Veterans Day Program, 11am, Memorial Park, Frederick

March 30, 2024

Lifeline Equine Therapy Services Grief & Loss Workshop, Gaithersburg

April 4, 2024

Military Officer Job Fair, Greenbelt

April 6, 2024

Health & Wellness Fair, Mt. Airy

April 7, 2024

Gilchrist's 6th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, Windsor Mill

April 11, 2024

Baltimore Station Fundraiser - Take a Swing for Recovery, Baltimore

April 12, 2024

Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification Workshop, Cambridge

April 23, 2024

UMGC 2024 Military and Veteran MilVet Networking Event, Adelphi

April 25, 2024

Career Transition Showcase, Hanover

April 30, 2024

Annapolis Vet Center Open House, Annapolis

Register

Blue Star Families has released the results of their 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.  Please take time to review the full report here and share with your networks.

Community News

Mission Beelieve: Beginner beekeeping courses and other events

Free Coaching Certification Seminars

Come join Soldiers To Sidelines for this virtual, dynamic learning experience that includes instruction from some of the top coaches in their specialty areas. These seminars are free to the military, and whether you’ve never coached a day or have been coaching for a long time, there is something for you.

Once you become a certified Soldier Coach and #EarnYourWhistle you become part of the Tribe and have access to workshops, events, and the Membership Development Program.

At ServingTogether we provide local Veteran resources, information and services to Active Duty Service Members, Veterans, Family members and Caregivers in the DMV region Free Of Charge. We do this through Coordinated care, Community education (Mental Health First Aid classes) and our numerous Veterans’ Collaboratives. We also provide mental health assessments as a recipient of the Staff Sergent Fox Grant Program.

Community Resources

ServingTogether, a program of EveryMind, was launched in 2011 to coordinate community-based resources for service members, veterans and their families in the MD/NoVa/DC region. Our mission is to make it easier for all those who have served in the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves, and their families to access the local services they need.  We have hundreds of dedicated Non-Profit/State/Federal partners that can help with needs from A to Z!

To contact the Care Coordinators, please visit www.servingtogetherproject.org and complete the Get Assistance form on the website, or call 1-855-738-7176.

Visit www.ServingTogetherProject.org for upcoming events, information, helpful guides & checklists, and more.  

Community Collaboration

ServingTogether helps to coordinate or is members of various Collaboratives, Committees and Councils related to our military and veteran community. We chair several community collaboratives which provide an opportunity to network, share, learn and interconnect to other area community providers. To learn more about them, visit: https://servingtogetherproject.org/collaboratives/

Future Events: Save the Date

May 5, 2024: 3rd Annual Veterans Celebration of Carroll County, Westminster

May 17, 2024: Armed Forces Day Veterans Salute, Annapolis

May 18, 2024: Women Veterans Paddle, St. Mary's River State Park

July 20, 2024: Frederick County Veterans Appreciation Day, Frederick

August 9 and 11, 2024: Peaceful Warriors: Yoga Practices for Healing Trauma in Military and First Responder Communities, Frederick

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.