Military and Veterans Sector

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• Previous Military and Veterans Newsletters

  June 25, 2021

  June 11, 2021

  May 28, 2021

  May 13, 2021

  April 23, 2021

  April 9, 2021

  March 26, 2021

  March 12, 2021

  February 26, 2021

  February 11, 2021

  January 28, 2021

  January 14, 2021

  December 10, 2020

  November 10, 2020

  October 22, 2020

  October 9, 2020

  September 25, 2020

  September 11, 2020

  June 12, 2020

  June 4, 2020

  May 8, 2020

  May 15, 2020

  May 22, 2020

  May 28, 2020

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• Are military bases required to adhere to San Diego County Public Health Orders?
  • Although military installations do not have to follow the San Diego County Public Health Orders, they often align to maintain continuity throughout San Diego County. Military installations adhere to San Diego County Public Health Orders, as long as the orders do not affect military operations. 
• Is the VA hospital conducting COVID-19 testing?

  The VA offers diagnostic testing for veterans currently enrolled in VA healthcare and meets the CDC testing criteria. At this time, there is no copay for testing. Veterans who wish to receive a COVID-19 test at the VA must schedule an appointment. Visit COVID-19 Testing at VA for more information.

• Does the VA offer COVID-19 vaccines? Do veterans have to make an appointment or are walk-ins available?

  The VA offers COVID-19 vaccines to veterans and Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients. Walk-in hours and appointments are available. Visit the VA COVID-19 Vaccines and VA section to find the nearest VA facility that offers COVID-19 vaccines.

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• What is the San Diego County Medical Reserve Corps? Are volunteer opportunities available?

  The San Diego Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a community-based group of local medical and health workers who can serve as volunteers during a local health emergency. The County of San Diego MRC continues to look for licensed clinicians with current active and unencumbered licenses who are interested in and are readily available to support response activities, such as handling medical-related phone inquiries, assisting with training/presentations to healthcare entities, serving at a call center, and performing other disaster-related support activities.

  The MRC is currently in need of Infectious Disease Specialists, Infection Control Nurses, and Epidemiologists. However, a wide range of licensed medical and/or mental health professionals can also volunteer, including:

  • Physicians and physician assistants, nurses (e.g., nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nurse assistants);
  • Psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals;
  • Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians;
  • Paramedics and emergency medical technicians;
  • Dentists, veterinarians, other health professionals; and
  • Non-medical volunteers. 

  Anyone interested in joining the San Diego’s Medical Reserve Corp can email MRC-VOLCOORD.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov or register directly on the state website at https://healthcarevolunteers.ca.gov/index.php.

• Is Veterans Affairs (VA) still processing claims and disabilities?

  Yes, the San Diego County Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (OMVA) is still processing claims and disabilities. For more information, call (858)-694-3222 or visit SanDiegoCounty.gov.

• Are there volunteer organizations veterans can join to help fellow San Diegans?

  Yes. Volunteers can register at SanDiegoCounty.gov/Volunteer, Justserve.org, TeamRubiconUSA.org, and MRC.hhs.gov for the Medical Reserve Corps.

• Is the VA able to perform in-person Compensation & Pension Exams for veterans?

  Visit VA Compensation & Pension Exam to find a VA location.

• Are veterans with disabilities or retirees allowed to come on-base and use the commissaries or Navy Exchange (NEX)?

  Visit the VA Commissary and Exchange Privileges for Veterans page for details on base access eligibility.

• Are any services providing pick-up/delivery of food distribution items available to Veterans?

  Courage to Call has free food distributions every second and fourth Saturday of the month for active duty, veterans, guard, reservists, and their families. Please email couragetocall@mhsinc.org for location information for each distribution or visit Courage2Call.org.

  For additional food assistance, call 2-1-1 San Diego, a free, 24-hour confidential phone service and searchable online database. 

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• Where can I find information about local communities or webinars to help manage the stress of COVID-19?

  To find information about local communities or webinars to help manage stress, visit:

  • Live Well San Diego  Live Well @ Home,
  • County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services COVID-19 support, or
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention Coping with Stress.

  For immediate mental health support, visit It’s Up 2 Us San Diego to chat with a representative, or call the San Diego Access & Crisis Line at 888-724-7240, or dial 2-1-1 and select option 4

  For current and former service members and their families who need immediate mental health support, visit Courage to Call to chat with a representative, or call 877-698-7838.

  Contact your Employee Assistance Program (EPA) if you or your spouse’s employer offers an EPA.

• How has the pandemic affected the suicide rate among veterans?

  There is no evidence that the pandemic has affected the veterans’ suicide rate. The pandemic has affected veterans the same way it has impacted everyone; physically, socially, and economically. Those factors significantly impact how veterans receive care from the VA medical facilities. For immediate mental health support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255.

• Are there respite services that can be highlighted so caregivers can get a break?
  • Horse of the Sun Ranch allows caregivers to take a break and recover from daily activities.
  • Southern Caregiver Resource Center offers free and confidential caregiver support services, such as clinical coaching (e.g., Operation Family Caregiver), respite services, and bilingual education and programs. 
• What resources can service members utilize to maintain a healthy mindset?
  • Fleet and Family Support Centers provide support services to service members and their families, including counseling options and family activities.
  • Military OneSource (1-800-342-9647) offers 24/7 connections to information, answers, and support to help military families reach goals, overcome challenges, and thrive.
  • Armed Services YMCA San Diego provides innovative and quality social, educational, and recreational programs to meet the needs of military service members and their families, including telehealth clinical counseling and food distribution. Food drive registration information is posted on https://www.facebook.com/ASYSandiego/ at 6:00 PM every Friday.

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• Is the VA offering in-person Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classes?

  The VA offers in-person and online TAP courses. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor Transition Assistance Program page for transition resources organized by branch of service, or visit https://tapevents.mil/ for online options. 

• Is childcare available for parents while going to appointments?

  The Naval Medical Center can provide childcare for parents attending appointments, but the Naval Medical Center does not recommend bringing children to the hospital. If urgently ill and need emergency care, the Naval Medical center has the capability to provide childcare support, but children who are not sick should come to the hospital only as a last resort.

• Is the Armed Services YMCA offering any summer programs?

  The Armed Services YMCA has summer programs and events. To view Armed Forces YMCA programs and events, visit www.asymca.org/san-diego-home. 

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• Is there a way for veterans to virtually access the Navy’s Retired Activities Program?

  The Navy’s Retired Activities Program cannot be accessed virtually. However, veterans can call 1-833-330-6622 to obtain information about the Navy’s Retired Activities Program.

• What can veterans living abroad do about medicines provided by the VA?

  VA hospitals continue to mail prescriptions to the service member’s place of residence. However, VA Hospital providers cannot travel to Mexico to provide physical care because they are not licensed to work in Mexico. The veteran should call their healthcare provider before going to the VA hospital for further assistance on how to proceed.

• Will telehealth be made available to veterans living in Mexico?

  Yes, telehealth is available to veterans living in Mexico, depending on if they have the technological capabilities. VA healthcare personnel are not licensed in Mexico. However, they can prescribe something to be picked up locally.