Celebrating Women's History Month
ODVA AND METRO TRI-COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES OFFICES TO HOST WOMEN VETERAN LUNCHEON IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs and Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas County Veteran Services Offices invite women veterans to a Women Veteran Luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month and Women’s Military History Week in Oregon. RSVP is required by March 15, 2024, and can be done online by visiting
WomenVets2024.eventbrite.com.
Women Veterans Fireside Chat Webinar Series
In Honor of Women's History Month, the Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cordially invites people to join the CWV's Women Veterans Fireside Chat Webinar Series with subject matter experts from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), & National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
* Please note, that each date is with a different Administration, register for as many as you want.*
Resources and Information
The VA’s Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) is committed to helping Veterans, their partners, and VA staff who are impacted by IPV. If you, or someone you know could be experiencing and/or using IPV - help is available.
For More Information: Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)
The Center for Women Veterans has developed a survey designed to help understand why women veterans are NOT accessing their benefits and services. The survey is anonymous and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
For more information: Center for Women Veterans - Survey
Hosted bi-annually by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Oregon Women Veterans Conference features inspirational speakers, informative seminars and breakout sessions, and opportunities to network with other women veterans and receive direct assistance in accessing earned benefits and other resources. Subscribe to emails to receive a notice when registration for this event is open or visit wvc.oregondva.com for more information.
Through the Federal VA, veterans answer a series of questions to get customized step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a discharge upgrade or correction.
If your application goes through and your discharge is upgraded, you’ll be eligible for the VA benefits you earned during your period of service.
Apply for a Discharge Upgrade
“I Am Not Invisible” is a remarkable exhibition featuring 20
portraits of Oregon women military veterans. The project is the brainchild of
PSU Veterans Resource Center Director Felita Singleton and ODVA Women Veterans
Coordinator Elizabeth Estabrooks. After debuting Feb 24 at the Portland Art
Museum, the exhibit began a traveling campaign, and will be appearing at various
locations throughout the state.
For more information: I Am Not Invisible
The Center for Women Veterans’ (CWV) mission is to monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans.
They serve as an advocate for cultural transformation and to raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect to #BringWomenVeteransHome2VA.
For More Information: Center for Women Veterans (CWV)
According to the VA, 1 in 3
women and 1 in 8 men experience some form of sexual assault, harassment or rape
on active duty, and according to the Oregon Women’s Health Study, 59% of
Oregon women veterans surveyed stated they experienced some form of sexual
assault (including harassment) while on active duty. Further, some research
suggests those identifying as LGBTQ are disproportionately exposed to military
sexual trauma.
If you experienced any form
of sexual assault, harassment, rape, or domestic violence while on active duty
and still suffer mental or physical health problems today, you are eligible to
receive counseling and services at the VA, regardless of discharge status, time
in service, or disability status. You may also be eligible for
service-connected disability benefits as a result of these experiences.
If you have not filed for benefits or you filed and were denied and would like to learn more about the changed rules regarding filing for these benefits, please contact your local VSO or the Oregon Women Veterans Coordinator.
RESOURCES:
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
VA Services for Military Sexual Trauma
MST and IPV Coordinators:
Portland
Guy Tyler, LCSW
(360) 696-4061 x31591
Guy.Tyler@va.gov
Aysha Crain, LCSW
(503) 220-3476
Aysha.Crain2@va.gov
Roseburg
Tamera Dreier, MSW, LCSW
(541) 440-1000 x45199
Tamera.Dreier@va.gov
White City
Brynne Johannsen, PhD
(541) 826-2111 x3046
Brynne.Johannsen@va.gov
Walla Walla
Jennifer Oetman, LICSW
(509) 525-5200 x26976
Jennifer.Oetman@va.gov
Boise
Wendy Coffman, LCSW, LMFT
(208) 422-1000 x4201
Wendy.Coffman@va.gov
The women veterans health care site offers health servicesvces and resources that women veterans have earned. This VA run site offers connections to primary care and comprehensive women's health services.
For More Information: Women Veterans Health Care