Message from Acting Secretary Ross Cohen:

Dear Friends, June marks PTSD Awareness Month, a time to reaffirm our commitment to the mental health and well-being of Maryland’s Military-Connected Community.  Through our ongoing partnership with the Department of Health’s Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans, DVMF is proud to lead suicide prevention efforts that prioritize connection, cultural competency, and care.  As part of the Governor’s Challenge, we’ve trained over 400 providers across the state on PTSD, TBI, and other key mental health issues, and seen more than 4,700 enrollments in Maryland’s customized training through PsychArmor.  Just last month, we convened more than 50 federal, state, and community leaders with our partners at VA and SAMHSA to share best practices and advance strategies that identify at-risk individuals, promote safer transitions in care, and enhance lethal means safety.  Together, we are building a stronger, more supportive Maryland for those who have served. Sincerely, Ross

DVMF Website

The 2nd Annual Military Thriving Change Forum was held on June 11th & 12th. Nearly 150 senior leaders from across public, private, and nonprofit sectors convened to create community based solutions that empower Veterans to lead, thrive, and inspire the next generation to serve. 

DVMF Acting Secretary Ross Cohen (center) and North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette on the right, participated in in the Fireside Chat portion of the program.  The moderator on the left is Kevin Schmiegel, CEO of ZeroMils.

Acting Secretary Ross Cohen attended the Jewish War Veterans Department of Maryland Annual Convention and Installation of Officers and spoke to the members.  In this photo, Department Commander Scott Schlesinger presents a JWV Department mug to Acting Secretary Cohen.

Commander Schlesinger also serves on the Maryland Veterans Commission.

Maryland Veterans Trust Fund Executive Director Heather Geraldes (left) and Promise Landing Farm Executive Director Katie Muldoon are shown with Teddy and June Bug, the Farm’s mascot canine.

Promise Landing Farm is located in Upper Marlboro and received a DVMF Service Animal Program grant. The grant supports their Patriot's Promise program designed to improve mental health and overall well-being of veterans in southern Maryland. Veterans may choose to participate in day programs, short-term sessions, or longer term multi-week sessions of unmounted or mounted lessons or a combination of horsemanship lessons. For more information go to promiselandingfarm.org.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Robert Hartman represented DVMF Acting Secretary Ross Cohen and presented a Governor's Proclamation for the Ft. Detrick Garrison's Army 250 Birthday cake cutting ceremony.

News from the Maryland Insurance Administration:

Severe Storm Weather is Here

Hurricane season hadn’t officially begun, yet Maryland has already been hit hard by several storms. These weather events have caused significant property damage, leaving many residents to pick up the pieces. Now is the time for Marylanders to prepare for hurricane season. It’s a good idea to review your current insurance policy and make sure you have adequate coverage to protect your homes and vehicles. You can also visit our website to learn more about flood insurance. We have compiled resources to help you prepare.

If you were impacted by the recent severe storms, you can find resources on what to do "After the Storm" on our website.

Disaster Preparedness Tips

Read More About Insurance Fraud

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

New MD Outdoors Licensing System Now Online

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, is now available for residents and visitors to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses as well as associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services. Read more.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Ft. Meade Garrison Commander Yolanda Gore participated in the Army 250th Birthday Run at Fort George G. Meade.

Ft. Meade Public Affairs Article

Federal News

VA Research Wrap UP: New findings on suicide risk and dementia

Women Veterans deserve respect

Never too late to sign up for VA benefits

Live Whole Health #277: Go with the (Tai Chi) Flow

Live Whole Health #278: Don't hold a grudge

VA's remote temperature monitoring prevents diabetic limb loss

Why VA Caregivers should know CPR

VA Clothing Allowance form deadline is August 1st

Life Insurance premiums discounted for service members, spouses and Veterans

VA Home Loan basics: An earned benefits with unique advantages

Continuing to serve: How Veterans lead the nation through sports coaching

Free franchise matchmaking for Veterans

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth held a roundtable event to discuss childcare, including the challenges military-connected families face.  DVMF was invited to discuss how frequent moves, deployments and long child-care wait lists impact military families. In this photo are: Jeslyn Hunter, DVMF Intern, Kaitlyn Medeiros, DVMF Intern, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth and Lindsay Livingston, DVMF Director, Veteran and Military Family Programs.

Register

Getting Care in a disaster or emergency - News from Medicare

Being prepared for a natural disaster is crucial to protecting your safety and well-being. Visit Medicare.gov/emergency to learn how to get the care you may need if an emergency is declared and you have to evacuate to a safe area.

Get Care in an Emergency

For Your Information

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families 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 DVMF.  The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a DVMF community outreach effort.

Caroline County observes PTSD Awareness Month

Caroline County declares June 2025 PTSD awareness month for Veterans treatment court, Citizen Portal article

Community Calendar

June 27, 2025

Serving Together offering Mental Health First Aid training, Frederick, Flier

Start your next career- employment workshop for Veterans and spouses, Silver Spring

June 28, 2025

CRAB: Military Sailing Days, Annapolis

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Fireworks Paddle, Hallowing Point Boat Ramp, Prince Frederick, Register

July 4, 2025

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Fireworks Paddle, Marshall Hall, Bryans Road, Register

July 8, 2025

Prime Contracting in Maryland's Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program, Virtual

July 10, 2025

Vet Reset Foundation Workshop, Brooklyn Park Library

Career workshop for Veterans, those serving in the National Guard and Reserves and their spouses, Brooklyn Park Library, Register

Military Reboot - 12 weeks focused on healing from service-related trauma, Frederick

July 11, 2025

Boots to Business Veteran Entrepreneur Summit, Oxon Hill, flier

July 12, 2025

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Lotus Festival Paddle, Anacostia Park Boat Ramp, Washington DC, Register

July 18, 2025

Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic, Platoon 22, Frederick, Call 240-651-8897 to make your appointment

July 19, 2025

2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day, Frederick, Watch video

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Family Paddle, Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown, Register

July 24, 2025

National Hire a Veteran Day event, Arundel Mills, Flier, Register

VetReset Foundation Workshop, Brooklyn Park Library

Serving Together Women's Community Veterans Engagement Board, Rockville

July 26, 2025

LETS Wellness Series - Build Strength & Mobility and Reduce Chronic Pain, Gaithersburg

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Family Paddle, Mattingly Avenue Park, Indian Head, Register

July 30, 2025

CRAB: Military Sailing Days, Annapolis

Community News

Women Veteran's Community Engagement Board

Howard County Executive Breaks Ground on County's First Monument honoring Veterans & Military Families

Carroll County June 2025 PTSD Awareness Campaign

Project Opportunity has started enrolling for free entrepreneurship classes for the Fall:

Baltimore Class, Orientation on Tuesday, September 2nd, Registration

Southern Maryland Class - Waldorf, Orientation on Monday, August 25th, Registration

Harford County Class - Aberdeen, Orientation on Wednesday, September 3rd, Registration

News from Serving Together:

At ServingTogether, we provide local veteran resources, information and services to active duty service members, veterans,  family National Gurard/Reserves, family members and caregivers in the DMV region free of charge. We do this through coordinated care, community education (Mental Health First Aid, QPR and other 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 and federal partners that can help with needs from A to Z!

To contact the Care Coordinators, please visit website  https://www.everymind.org/servingtogether/ and complete the Get Assistance Now form on the website, or call 1-855-738-7176.

Community Collaboration

ServingTogether helps to coordinate or is a member of various collaboratives, committees and councils related to our military and veteran community. We chair several community collaboratives that provide an opportunity to network, share, learn and interconnect to other area community providers. To learn more about them, visit:  website  https://www.everymind.org/servingtogether/

News from Mission Belonging:

Military Voices - July 3rd & 17th, August 7th & 21st at 3:30pm EST (Virtual) Join Veteran & author Kevin Basl on the first and third Thursdays 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. This program is open to Active Duty, Veterans, Military Spouses & Caregivers. Register at https://bsfcbaw_writing.eventbrite.com.

Nature Journaling - July 9th at 7pm EST (VIRTUAL)

Join Scientific Illustrator, Liz Lockett, on Wednesday, July 9th at 7pm EST for Nature Journaling to use a sketchbook/journal to record and explore the natural world around us. No experience necessary. Register HERE. For a full list of visual art programs,  check out our website.

A Day of Belonging - In Person Event - September 13th

Join us for our third annual Day of Belonging scheduled for Saturday, September 13th, 2025. This event will provide Veterans, Active Duty Military, their spouses and caregivers, and community members with a day of professionally-facilitated expressive arts workshops, as well as performances and readings. Please join us to connect authentically and explore your own voice through creative writing, improv, visual art and music. Registration is open! There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee for this event. This event is open to all. Donations are accepted and will go towards offsetting travel costs for facilitators and Veteran participants. Check out https://missionbelonging.org/dayofbelonging/ for more details.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientations - July 8th (Virtual)

Join Mission Belonging in a virtual orientation session to learn more about our program for women and non-binary military (Active Duty and Veterans), More Than One Story. This monthly program uses live, interactive online art and creative writing workshops to create a “Virtual Community Center” where women and non-binary military members gather and experience belonging in a healthy, safe, and connected environment. Individuals interested in participating in MTOS are required to attend one Orientation Session. Additional Orientation dates are forthcoming. Visit www.missionbelonging.org/mtos for more details. This program is partially funded by the SSG Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program through the VA.

See the full list of programs at https://missionbelonging.org/events/. For more information, email info@missionbelonging.org.

Future Events: Save the Date

August 1, 2025: Veterans Resource Fair, War Memorial Building, Baltimore

Aug 2, 2025:  Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Jug Bay Paddle/Picnic, Selby's Landing, Upper Marlboro, Register

August 7, 2025: Ft. Meade Back to School Resource Fair, Club Meade

September 15, 2025: Golf Tournament supporting Platoon 22, Myersville

September 17, 2025: Ft. Meade Community Job Fair, Ft. Meade

September 27, 2025: A Day at Ease, Union Bridge

September 27, 2025: Veteran Owned Small Business Expo, Columbia

October 24, 2025: Ft. Meade Retiree Appreciation Day, McGill Training Center, Ft. Meade

November 8, 2025: Baltimore County 3rd Annual Veterans Day Celebration & Resource Fair, Towson University

Message for New Subscribers:

Is this your first edition of the DVMF 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 DVMF program, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration or MD Department of Labor to receive information on VA benefits and resources.  We at DVMF 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.