U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CWV - News Update

MilSpeak Books will reopen its sumbissions reading period, January 15 to March 15!  Read more » [From Facebook]

Lorine Vines’ downward spiral began in the Navy when, she says, a higher-up sexually assaulted her.  She didn’t report the incident, she says, but every day faced her rapist.  She turned to alcohol and drugs to cope. [From The Baltimore Sun]

Today VA announced that it will use two innovative treatments to ease the everyday challenges associated with living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [From VAntage Point]

Research shows women Veterans don’t use VA health care at the same rate as men, and many report delayed or unmet health needs.  A group of nonprofits is testing a new program in Los Angeles meant to overcome the barriers that keep female Veterans from seeking help. [From WBUR 90.9]

Noticing the signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) early and finding the right treatment option can help people recover.  That’s why Google called on VA when it was looking to use a tool that helps visitors determine if they might be experiencing PTSD. [From VAntage Point]

When mobile users perform a Google search for PTSD or a related query on their mobile device, the search engine will now automatically offer them resources and a validated screening questionnaire for the condition. [From Mobi Health News]

Remains believed to be of a Revolutionary War hero buried at West Point don’t belong to a woman known as Captain Molly after all but to an unknown man.  The U.S. Military Academy said Tuesday the discovery stems from a study of skeletal remains conducted after Margaret Corbin’s grave was accidentally disturbed last year by excavators building a retaining wall by her monument in the West Point Cemetery. [From Military Times]

The director of the women’s program in Boston said the Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress addressing female Vets’ issues, but still must do more to reach those looking for counseling, support and medical treatment. [From Boston Herald]

The three Easter sisters, like many young people with a family history of military service, each decided to answer their nation’s call.  Saturday, sibling rivalry and service rivalry will intersect when the youngest sister, Madeleine, joins fellow Army cadets in the stands opposite middle sister Adrienne and her fellow midshipmen. [From Military Times]

More than 200 women who work on national security for the U.S. signed an open letter saying that they have survived sexual harassment and assault or know someone who has experienced it. [From Time]

Having a baby can be a blessing, and the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System wants to make the arrival even more special for Veterans.  A Veterans Baby Shower will be 1-3p.m. Tuesday in the social activities room in Building 104 for expectant and new moms who are Veterans or spouses/partners of Veterans. [From Commercial News]

Soldier On, a Leeds, Mass.-based charity aiming to end Veteran homelessness, constructed 16 units of transitional housing specifically for women in December 2015 – and they were immediately fully occupied. [From Boston Herald]

Women are the fastest growing demographic among Veterans, but the hospitals that treat them don’t have enough female doctors, perform enough outreach or offer sufficient counseling and addiction recovery services for them, women Vets told the Herald. [From Boston Herald]

Another week, and another explosive headline that cements the #MeToo conversation as relevant, worthy, and necessary.  I continue to be in awe of the brave individuals who have come forward. [From The Washington Post]

We were LIVE on Facebook answering questions about our upcoming Women Veterans Leadership Summit.  We walked through the process, what inspired us from last year as well as what’s different this year, and doing a bit of Q&A. [From Facebook]