VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Partner Update 8/26/22

Description: Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, Be Vigilant of Pact Act Scams, Colorado VA Suicide Prevention Summit 2022, Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Denver.

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Partner Update 8/26/22

We had an excellent week earlier this month hosting five rural resource fairs and town halls with VBA, Vet Centers and Colorado DVA. We’re holding off for now on large suburban resource fairs and town halls. Director Michael Kilmer will host community leader meetings Sept. 7, 3:30-5 p.m., in Colorado Springs, then Sept. 9, 2:30-4 p.m., in Pueblo. To RSVP, let me know if you’d like to attend either or both.

The President signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 into law this month. Website traffic at VA.gov is showing a lot of interest in this new law, perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history.

Below is information on the PACT Act and other items to consider in your communications with Veterans:

Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, adding more than 20 burn pit and toxic-exposure-related conditions to VA’s service presumption list. This new law empowers VA to provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they have earned. It extends enhanced eligibility for Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and Post-9/11 combat Veterans. It improves VA’s decision-making process for determining what medical conditions will be considered for presumptive status. Every enrolled Veteran will receive an initial toxic exposure screening and a follow-up screening at least every five years. Veterans who are not enrolled but meet eligibility requirements will have an opportunity to enroll and receive the screening. Any Veteran or survivor can learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411 (1-800-698-2411).

Be Vigilant of Pact Act Scams

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act extended VA benefits to millions of Veterans exposed to toxic substances. There’s no cost for the forms, no fees to apply and VA will never charge Veterans to process claims. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of new opportunities to commit fraud. There’s been an increase in PACT Act-related phishing (email), vishing (phone) and social media scams targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf. Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, contact vaoighotline@va.gov or call 1-800-488-8244. To learn more and apply for PACT Act-related benefits, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411. To get help from a county Veteran service officer in Colorado who is trained and certified in VA claims and appeals processes, visit Vets.colorado.gov/county-veterans-service-offices.

VA Eastern Colorado Advances ‘Healing with Horses’ in Caregiver Support

“Something magical happened here,” said Lisa Coble, leaving stables Aug. 17 in northern El Paso County. She had spent four mornings over the summer at a 41-acre ranch on Black Forest Road, where ponderosa pines yield to the high plains. Coble was participating in equine-assisted therapy for Veteran-caregiver dyads, an innovation project led by the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System caregiver support team. The team offers resources to individuals looking after a Veteran’s health and wellness. With a circle of unfolded chairs in the stables, a social worker and nurse led check-ins for the summer rotation’s final three-hour session. Ranch volunteers were preparing four American paint horses for unmounted activities in an adjacent 100-by-180-foot enclosed training arena. To keep reading, visit VA.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/stories/va-eastern-colorado-advances-healing-with-horses-in-caregiver-support.

Colorado VA Suicide Prevention Summit 2022

Combatting suicide is challenging but possible. The Colorado VA Suicide Prevention Summit will take place Wednesday, Sept. 7, to explore VA, state and community efforts that focus on the ongoing battle with Veteran and military suicide. From 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Veterans and servicemembers and their families, joined by supporters, advocates and health care providers, will participate in four sessions, including postvention care, peer support, resources and the whole health approach to wellness. To learn more and register, visit MIRECC.VA.gov/visn19/spsummit/2022summit.asp.

Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Denver

Veterans experiencing homelessness can find resources and solutions Sept. 8 during a stand down at VA Community Resource and Referral Center, 3836 York Street in Denver. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans living on the streets or sleeping in shelters or cars, or places not meant for habitation, can get immediate services, including food, showers, laundry, haircuts, vaccinations and eyeglass repairs. They will get offered immediate access to resources like housing, medical, dental, mental health, employment, VA claim and legal assistance. For more information, call 303-294-5600.

Careers at VA ECHCS

To provide Veterans with world class customer experience, VA needs world class employees. VA is continually recruiting and hiring top-notch researchers, health care providers and nonclinical staff who are committed to caring for our nation’s Veterans. If you’re a Veteran, you may be eligible for preference points. VA ECHCS is currently accepting applications for numerous opportunities at multiple locations. To apply for jobs in VA ECHCS, visit USAJobs.gov.

Respectfully,

Dustin Senger | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Deputy Public Affairs Officer, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

3141 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Cell: 719-373-3251 | Email: dustin.senger@va.gov

Team email: vhaechcommunications@va.gov

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