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10/27/2017 1
Center for Women Veterans
SWAN Mental Wellness Summit
November, 2017
Kayla M. Williams, Director
2
Overview
Center for Women Veterans
Trends
Resources
Initiatives
3
Center for Women Veterans
In 1994, Public Law 103-446
required VA to create the Center for
Women Veterans
Mandated functions include
advising (internally and externally)
on policies, programs, and laws
related to women Veterans;
disseminating information; and
supporting the independent VA
Advisory Committee on Women
Veterans
4
Monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health
care and benefits services, and programs for women
Veterans
Serve as an advocate for a cultural transformation
(both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing
the service and contributions of women Veterans and
women in the military
Raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women
Veterans with dignity and respect
Center for Women Veterans Mission
5
Why Focus on Women Veterans?
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Trends for Women Veterans: Growth
Growth Population
Identification
Use of VA
care and
benefits
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Encouraging Trends for Women Veterans
Encouraging Education
Employment
Entrepreneurship
Civic engagement
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Concerning Trends for Women Veterans
Concerning Access
Homelessness
Aging
Suicide
9
Suicide Prevention
The suicide rate among women
Veterans…
• increased to a greater
degree (62.4%) than the
suicide rate among male
Veterans (29.7%)
• decreased by 2.6% for
those women Veterans
using VHA services
• is roughly 2.5 times higher
than the rate among civilian
adult women in the United
States
• may be partly explained by
increased likelihood of
using more lethal means
(firearms)
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Some VA Resources
Veterans Crisis Line
Free gun locks
Telemental health services
Free mobile apps
Vet Centers
Make the Connection
Online PTSD Treatment
Decision Aid
National Women’s Mental
Health Mini-Residency
Women Veterans Call
Center
Whole Health initiatives
Ongoing VA Cultural Transformation Efforts
http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/outreachmaterials/posters.asp
Women Veterans Art Exhibit
In collaboration with nonprofit
partner VAP, VA exhibited 10
posters featuring art by women
Veterans – along with their
photos and stories – in 10 VA
Medical Centers nationwide in
March; it’s now travelling.
By displaying art by women
Veterans, we can raise awareness
among others of their service and
sacrifice – while also making
women Veterans feel more
welcome and recognized by
seeing themselves prominently
featured.
“I Am Not Invisible” in DC!
National WV Summit Cyberseminars
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How to Contact the Center
Staff Members
Kayla M. Williams, Director
Betty Moseley Brown, Associate Director
Desiree Long
Shannon Middleton
Michelle Terry
Address
Department of Veterans Affairs
Center for Women Veterans (00W)
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Contact
Phone: 202-461-6193
Fax: 202-273-7092
Website: www.va.gov/womenvet
Email: 00W@mail.va.gov
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