Important Veteran Newsletter, April 2023 Edition

Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020

The COMPACT Act expands mental health care services to any Veteran who is experiencing an emergent suicidal crisis. This means Veterans –enrolled or not enrolled in VA health care – can go to their nearest VA or non-VA emergency room to seek emergent care. During a medical or mental health emergency, you and your family should immediately:

1. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911
2. Let staff know you’re a Veteran and experiencing a medical or mental health emergency
3. Staff will immediately take you back and provide care

We strongly recommend you go to a VA or non-VA emergency department since they are open 24/7. You may choose to go to a Wilmington VA outpatient clinic; however, our clinics are open Monday – Friday during normal business hours. We are deeply committed to ending Veteran suicide and want to ensure you and your loved ones know what to do and expect in a time of crisis. Don’t forget the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and press 1.

[[Read More]]

Ongoing COVID-19 Procedures

Our medical center and community outpatient clinics will operate at a MEDIUM protection level as of March 20. This means there are moderate COVID-19 transmission levels in our areas and certain protocols are set in place to help reduce the spread of infection.

We ask Veterans and visitors do the following:

1. Wear a mask in high-risk patient areas
2. Attend their appointment alone (if possible) or bring 1 caregiver/visitor

High-risk areas include:

• Acute inpatient medical/surgical units (4E and 4W)
• Chemotherapy units
• Community Living Center
• Dental clinic
• Dialysis units (5E)
• Emergency Department
• Infusion clinic
• Radiology
• Intensive Care Units, OR, Pre-OP, GI Clinic
• Any waiting and check-in areas associated with the above high-risk areas

We will have signage posted in our high-risk areas where masking is required. Masks are recommended but not required in non-high-risk areas, including our community outpatient clinics.

As a reminder, this is set forth by a national VA policy and in accordance with CDC guidelines. There are 3 protection levels – low, medium, and high – which are based on CDC transmission levels. It’s important to remember transmission rates may increase or decrease, and we will adjust our protection levels as needed.

For more information, please visit [[Read More]] 

Military Sexual Trauma Pod Cast

Dr. Kristin Salber-Black, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator at Wilmington VA Medical Center is our guest for this episode, where she provides helpful resources for Veterans. Veterans are encouraged to contact Dr. Salber-Black at 302-994-2511 x2451, talk with their providers for an MST consult, use the Beyond MST app or Effects of Military Sexual Trauma | VA Mental Health - Mental Health.

                                                                                   [[LISTEN HERE]]

Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregiver program

VA launched a second phase of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), by expanding the program to include caregivers of eligible Veterans of all service eras. To be eligible for PCAFC, the Veteran must have a serious injury (or illness), which is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more and meet additional criteria. For details, please reach out to our Caregiver Support Program Coordinators.

Traveling Veterans

Are you getting ready to travel? Did you notify your local VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)? Preferably you would notify them 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as you are aware. Early planning will allow time for your local PACT and the Traveling Veteran Coordinator to coordinate your care at the alternate VA health care facility should you need it. If you are unable to make an appointment to see your PACT or provider in person, you may reach them by telephone or through secure messaging in MyHealtheVet (www.myhealthevet.va.gov).

To coordinate your health care with another VA health care facility, you should inform your PACT of the following:

• travel destination(s), and temporary address
• valid telephone numbers
• arrival and departure dates
• specific care concerns

Your PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will assist in coordinating your care at the alternate VA health care facility.

VA Health Chat

If you have a non-urgent health care question, VA Health Chat can quickly connect you with a VISN 4 Clinical Contact Center nurse. Chat is available 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday except holidays. Learn more at https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-chat.

Tele Urgent Care

Tele Urgent Care/Tele ED is operating 7 a.m. - 11 p.m./365 days/year; 1-833-TELE-URGENT or press 3 on the phone tree to be connected to an RN to request Tele Urgent Care!

Clinical Contact Center

If you need to schedule, cancel or reschedule a primary care or specialty care appointment, call 800-461-8262 and press 2. Our friendly medical support assistants are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

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Summer of Service, Youth Volunteer Program

Voluntary Services is now accepting applications for the Summer of Service, Youth Volunteer Program.  The Summer Youth Volunteer Program will run from June 19 - August 11.  Youth Volunteers must be between the ages of 14 to 17 years of age (or three months from being age 14).  

For consideration, applicants need to complete the Volunteer Application form, submit a minimum 300word essay about why they would like to volunteer at the Wilmington VA, and provide two personal references (other than family members) that may be contacted before final consideration for placement.  Applications can be submitted by email, mail, or in person.   Because of limited placement opportunities, not all candidates may be selected.  No applications will be accepted after 4 p.m., May 19, 2023.

After reviewing Volunteer Applications, prospective Youth Volunteers will be invited to attend one of two Volunteer Orientation sessions at the medical center that will be scheduled on June 14th or June 16th, from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.  An invitation letter will be mailed to prospective Youth Volunteers no later than June 2nd.  Upon the successful completion of orientation and administrative processing, every attempt will be made to offer Youth Volunteers a rewarding opportunity that meets expectations.  

HOW TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS:

EMAIL:

Mildred.McCarty@va.gov 

MAIL:

Voluntary Services #135

Wilmington VA Medical Center

1601 Kirkwood Hwy

Wilmington, DE  19805

 

IN PERSON:

Voluntary Services Office, RM# 189A

 

 

Veteran Food Bank

Food Bank will be present and available for all Delaware residents. Veterans will be able to enroll in VA health care and file a compensation claim on the spot, just bring a copy of your DD214.

Fri. Apr 28, 2023, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

21748 Roth Avenue

Georgetown, DE 19947-2300

Work For VA

Make the Difference. Learn about VA Careers by visiting: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/ 

Interested in working for the Wilmington VA Medical Center? See open job opportunities: USAJOBS - Search WVAMC

If you have a community event for Veterans and would like to be listed here, please email pao.wilmington@va.gov  

Stay Informed, Follow Our Social Media Channels

Follow Wilmington VA Medical Center on our social media channels @WilmingtonVAMC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Visit our website at www.va.gov/wilmington-health-care.

Service members and veterans experiencing a mental health emergency can contact the Veteran Crisis Line at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 and select option 1 for a VA staffer. Veterans, troops or their family members can also text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.