SecVA Nominee Talks Priorities, Caregivers Covid Testing, Vaccines

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VA Secretary Nominee Discusses Priorities in Senate Confirmation Hearing Secretary of Veterans Affairs nominee Denis McDonough appeared before the Senate Veterans Committee today. He talked about his first priority, which is getting Veterans through this pandemic. As the pandemic continues to claim Veteran lives, he said the path ahead won’t be easy. “The Department of Veterans Affairs faces great challenges – challenges made even more daunting by the coronavirus pandemic,” he said. “Its capabilities have not always risen to the needs of our Veterans. If confirmed, I promise to fight – every single day – to ensure that our Veterans have the access to world-class, compassionate care they have earned.” McDonough cited four other priorities for VA and discussed how Veterans continue to inspire him.  READ MORE  VA coronavirus Updates | Chatbot | App | Weekly Report | Vaccine

Virtual Events this Week Jan. 28 - Webinar: Mindfulness As Your Superpower Jan. 28 - Virtual Hiring Fair: Careers in STEM Jan. 28 - Red Cross Caregiver Resiliency Workshop Feb. 4 - Blue Star Families COVID-19 Vaccine Live Q & A with Dr. Fauci Feb. 4 - 2020 Mil Spouse Employment Survey Results Feb. 5 - SBA Veteran Small Business Resource Brief Feb. 5 - Denver - Soldiers’ Angels Veteran Food Distribution Caregivers Eligible for Covid Testing, Vaccine Designated family caregivers of Veterans participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers can receive COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Each facility will determine its own start date based on site-specific resources, needs and vaccine availability. LEARN MORE Work these general self-care practices into your daily routine Blue Star Families hosting live Covid Vaccine Q & A Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and Veterans? Let Blue Star Families help you get answers! Register now to join the live town hall event on Thursday, February 4 at 3 PM ET. Hear from Dr. Fauci and other professionals at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.  REGISTER VA MOBILE APPS:  COVID | RX REFILLS | PTSD | WHOLE HEALTH | INSOMNIA Resources for Veterans, Military to File Taxes Free Members of the military and qualifying Veterans can prepare and e-file their taxes for free through MilTax. Taxpayers who do not qualify for MilTax have other options to prepare and e-file their federal taxes for free.  LEARN MORE Discuss Military and Veteran Caregivers on RallyPoint Nike donates shoes to VA health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic VA nurses recently received an unexpected gift. Nike donated nearly 3,800 pairs of Air Zoom Pulse shoes to VA nurses on the frontlines battling COVID-19. LEARN MORE What Veterans Say About the GI Bill Borne The Battle: John Del Vecchio Del Vecchio sets the Vietnam War’s record straight. Listen as he talks about his military experience as a combat correspondent and how he came to author a New York Times bestseller. LEARN MORE                   LISTEN

VAntage Point Blogs: 2021: Veterans Health Administration’s 75th anniversary VA’s 75-year partnership with America’s medical schools Veterans can receive benefit payments easier, safer, through direct deposit VA Life Insurance: Here for you at each stage of your journey Illinois Veteran gets second chance through HUD-VASH program VA nurse, “Tuskegee daughter,” urges Veterans to learn about vaccines VA researcher tests condensed form of psychotherapy to treat PTSD patients FDA lifts ban based on European service blood donations Intermediate care technician heroically steps up during in-flight emergency Live Whole Health #57 – Work Posture Employee input elevates VA as a leading innovative health care workplace Sensory machine a big hit on memory care floor Veteran and his wife get help from VA in cancer fight Moving forward with stress management VA bridges digital divide for Veteran with old laptop Virtual diabetes training benefits Veterans and active duty personnel VA nurse CPR training pays off VA Canteen Worker Saves a Life World War II Purple Heart Veteran, 95, says “Each day is a gift” Nike donates shoes to VA health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic News Releases: VA approves a dozen new Fisher House sites VA flies COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans in rural Montana VA to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to caregivers of Veterans in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

VA is here for you. 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is always the right number Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255 Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311 Download the UPDATED VA Welcome Kit  VA WELCOME KIT   Find a VA facility near you.  FACILITY LOCATOR

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