Bozho
(Hello),
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made it possible to join the Million Veteran Program online as part of their effort to improve the lives of veterans through health care research and innovation. Nationally, veterans are volunteering to join with MVP to help the VA research and study how genes affect the health of veterans. This joint effort has already resulted in a number of important scientific publications increasing the knowledge of conditions that affect veterans’ health, and they expect this resource to continue to prove its value over the coming years.
According to a recent VA press release, “Veterans currently enrolled in VA care can use their existing VA credentials to securely log in to MVP Online to view their personalized dashboard and learn more about the program. To partner with the MVP, Veterans can use the online portal to complete the consent process, allow access to health records (for research purposes only), answer surveys about their health and lifestyle and schedule an MVP visit at a participating VA site to provide a blood sample. The VA is currently piloting ways to make the MVP sample collection more convenient for Veterans who do not live near a participating VA site.
“MVP helps researchers better understand how genes affect health and illness, which may help prevent illnesses and improve treatments of disease. Research using MVP data is already a part of more than 30 VA projects, including efforts focused on understanding the role of genes in PTSD, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and suicide. … This research is helping the VA to better understand the role genes play in many common illnesses, especially those illnesses common among combat Veterans.”
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
As noted in a recent VA press release, “The VA reminds Veterans nationwide that VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Grant and Per Diem provide housing and other services for Veterans experiencing domestic violence and intimate partner violence … Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program will gather with internal and external national partners to help promote the department’s mission to foster healthy relationships and safety.
“‘VA recognizes the impact domestic violence has on Veterans and their families and is committed to raising awareness about this serious problem,’ said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. ‘We want to remind Veterans in these tough situations they are not alone, and that VA is here to help them access safe, stable housing and supportive services.’
“Veterans losing their housing because they are fleeing domestic violence are eligible for SSVF rapid rehousing, which is an intervention designed to help homeless Veterans and their families quickly access permanent housing. The GPD program provides housing and supportive services to help homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and incomes and achieve greater self-determination.
“In 2017, Public Law 114-315 expanded eligibility for participation in the SSVP and GPD programs by broadening the definition of homeless to include any individual or family fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking — or other situations making it dangerous to remain in the home — which include situations that jeopardize the health and safety of children.”
Remember, the CPN Veterans Organization meets every month on the 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m. (or as soon as you can get there) in the North Reunion Hall on the Potawatomi Powwow Grounds. All CPN and spouse veterans and their families are welcome. A meal is provided.
Migwetch
(Thank you),
Daryl Talbot, Commander
talbotok@sbcglobal.net
405-275-1054
CPN VA Representative: Andrew Whitham
CPN Office Hours: 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
918-397-2566