Women Warriors

Although the number of women veterans is growing and 1 in 5 (20%) women receiving V.A. health care are screening positive for Military Sexual Trauma (MST), almost one-third of V.A. medical centers still cannot provide adequate services.

Gender specific services have been important to us for 28+ years, and as we have expanded our knowledge and skills, we have developed programs and services to treat women suffering from traumatic stress and P.T.S.D.,  treat women who have unresolved issues of childhood abuse, sexual assault/rape, victims of domestic violence, and military trauma/sexual assault.

Know that you are not alone. Share your thoughts with other military/veteran women on the chat board in our Recovery Café’.  We have a section of resources in our Health & Wellness Center and in our Resources section specific to trauma/assault in women veterans.

We offer mental health and trauma Counseling in the safe and peaceful environment of our south Florida office; Telephone Counseling throughout Florida; Addiction Counseling for substance abuse in place of feeling and coping; Coaching for skill-building, setting and achieving goals, work through challenges, tap into your inner strength, focus your mind and achieve more.

We further support your stabilization, healing of your emotional, psychological and physical wounds and growth and developing a solid foundation in your recovery through our support groups, webinars, free and low fee classes by telephone, Home Study Courses, 1-2 day Intensives for deeper work, and our annual Recovery4Women Boot Camp.

Let us help you on your healing, recovery journey – a recovery of Self!

The research reveals that America’s nearly 300,000 women veterans are put at risk by a system designed for and dominated by male veterans. Because women compared to men generally are more unique in their needs and responses, if follows that women would be impacted differently on many levels.

Federal agencies and community service providers that consistently fail to understand that women are impacted by military service and deployment differently than men. Changes are needed in the overall culture and services provided by the federal government and local communities.

“The number of women veterans is growing, and our country is simply not doing enough to meet their health, social and economic needs,” said Joy J. Ilem, DAV’s deputy national legislative director. Also, the Director of the Center for Women Veterans said, “Too many women Veterans don’t know that they are eligible for the full range of VA benefits. Too many are unaware of special programs for them.”

VA and DoD are still not fully prepared to provide equitable access to the gender-specific care and services that women need, even as the demand for such care increases.

One in five women enrolled in VA health care screen positive for MST, but 31% of VA medical centers and CBOCs can’t provide adequate services.

VA and DoD have difficulty providing gender-specific peer support, group therapy, and specialized inpatient mental health care designed to meet the needs and preferences of women.

Women veterans are at least twice as likely to be homeless as non-veteran women. Women veterans are also more likely to be single parents with one or more dependents.

Women who have lost one or more limbs may not receive support and care tailored to their needs. And women are less likely to have a prosthetic that fits properly.

Post-9/11 women veterans have higher unemployment rates than male veterans and non-veteran women. Challenges in the labor market are exacerbated by medical and mental health concerns.

25 Frequently Asked Questions from Women Veterans

The most frequently asked questions from women Veterans, along with the answers, can now be found on the Center’s Web site.

“These 25 questions are the ones we hear most often,” said the Director of the Center for Women Veterans. “Too many women Veterans don’t know that they are eligible for the full range of VA benefits. Too many are unaware of special programs for them.” The Director of the Center for Women Veterans notes that the information will be helpful to male Veterans as well. Topics include services available to women Veterans; information about gender-specific services (including Pap smears, mammography, and prenatal and child care); evaluations for nursing home care; and employment options for women Veterans. General Information 1. What services are available to women Veterans? A full continuum of comprehensive medical services, including health promotion and disease prevention, primary care, women’s gender-specific health care; e.g., hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity and limited infertility (excluding in-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical, telephone triage, emergency and substance abuse treatment, mental health, domiciliary, rehabilitation and long term care. To enroll in VA health care or find a facility, visit [email protected] or www.va.gov/health. VA researchers at many VA facilities also conduct medical research on women’s health. 2. How do I access the system for health and benefits services?

Veterans can apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10- 10EZ, “Application for Health Benefits.” The 10-10EZ may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or Veterans’ benefits office. You can also call the VA Health Benefits Call Center toll-free at 1-877-222 VETS (1-877-222-8387) to determine your eligibility or access the form from the Health Administration Eligibility Reform Web site: www.va.gov/elig.

For VA benefits, refer to Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents at www1.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp. This booklet discusses the variety of Federal benefits available to Veterans and their dependents and survivors, such as: Compensation and Pension Montgomery GI Bill (Education) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Veterans Group Life Insurance, and Home Loan Guaranty Additional information and application forms can be obtained at VA’s Web site: www.va.gov. The Veterans Online Application (VONAPP)

If you are unable to assist a woman veteran that needs help, refer her to the nearest NSO office or provide them the Helpful Website Links resource page from this toolkit.

You may also wish to direct them to VA’s Women Veterans Hotline at 1-855-VA-WOMEN, the VA’s Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, or the Veterans Health Administrations Handbook, which references all care available to women at VA.

Direct women veterans on what to do if they have a complaint about their health care:

Contact the WVPM or Patient Advocate at your nearest VA facility (found online at www.va.gov/directory).

During normal business hours, you can contact VHA Women’s Health Services at 202-461-0373; or VA’s Center for Women Veterans at 202-461-6193.