Houston VA News Update: New Veterans Crisis Line Number, Mobile check-in & Color of Freedom Display

Veterans Health Administration sent this bulletin at 07/18/2022 05:05 PM EDT

Houston VA Medical Center Update
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Houston VA
Medical Center Update

  
 
 
 
   

Houston VA News Update
 
 
New Veterans Crisis Line phone number

Veterans Crisis Line graphic

Effective July 16, Veterans have the option to Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with caring, qualified responders for 24/7 crisis support.

While Dial 988 then Press 1 is a new option for contacting the Veterans Crisis Line, the original number: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, remains available, and Veterans can continue to reach out via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or by text to 838255.

Houston VA now offers mobile check-in for Appointments

Your overall satisfaction with a health care visit starts with patient check-in. It may be the first time you encounter our staff, or it may be the first time you are welcomed to the facility. Either way, VA understands the importance of  this moment, and now offers you the opportunity to check-in for appointments using your smartphone. The new patient check-in application has two options: pre-check-in and mobile check-in.

Pre-check-in enables you to review your demographic information (contact, next of kin, emergency contact) on a mobile device from anywhere up to seven days before an appointment.

Mobile check-in allows you to skip the line at the check-in desk on the day of your appointment by having you check in for your appointment using your smartphone.

Follow these three simple steps for mobile check-in:

Mobile check-in poster

 

  1. When you arrive in the clinic area, locate the ‘Have an appointment? Check in with your smartphone’ poster and text “check in” to the number on the poster. Click send. You can also scan the QR code.

  2. Tap on the link sent to you. Enter your last name and the last 4 digits of social security number.
  3. Check in to your appointment. You may be asked to review your contact information, emergency contact, and next-of-kin. If correct press “yes” to confirm.

After you’ve finished mobile check-in, you’re all set, have a seat and a VA staff member will come get you.

Don’t have a smartphone or prefer to check-in with a staff member? No problem. You’ll always have the option to check in at the facility in-person with a staff member.

Learn more about VA mobile check-in.

Color of Freedom Display highlights diversity of America’s servicewomen

 exhibit display

Veterans and visitors to the Houston VA Medical Center are invited to stop by the first floor hallway near primary care and the main lobby to view a special exhibit highlighting the history and achievements of women Veterans.

The traveling exhibit, created by the Military Women’s Memorial, is called “Color of Freedom: Honoring the Diversity of America’s Servicewomen” and will be on display at the VA for about eight weeks.

“We are thrilled be able to share this exhibit with our Veteran patients, visitors and staff,” said Frank Vazquez, Medical Center Director. “It sheds light on the sacrifices and contributions of a selection of minority women who served in or alongside the U.S. military throughout history.”

The display includes the stories of 21 servicewomen of color and shines a spotlight on the impact these women made while serving in various branches of the U.S. armed forces. This display is 40 feet long and also features QR codes that enable viewers to access a selection of oral history recordings. 

Virtual Creative Arts Competition: July 25

The Houston VA Medical Center is holding a virtual creative arts competition on July 25, 2022.

Across the country each year, Veterans enrolled at VA health care facilities compete in a local creative arts competition. The competition includes categories in the visual arts division that range from oil painting to leatherwork to paint-by-number kits.

In addition, there are categories in writing as well as the performing arts of dance, drama, and music. Local creative arts competition first place winning entries advance to a national judging process and first, second and third place entries in each category are determined.

Selected gold-medal-winning Veterans are invited to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival hosted by a different VA facility each year.

Entries are due July 25, 2022. 

For more information about the competition, please contact Sheryl Corbit, VA Creative Arts Therapist, at 713-791-1414, ext. 23414.