VA U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

AVVA South Carolina, we are now in an election year. If you are planning on running for an office whether it is President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer or just the elected Representative, I will need to have you LETTER OF INTENT by the end of February. This way I will know how many people will be having elections. If you do not have an election for one or the other of these positions, then your chapter will lose the vote for next year's National Convention where we vote for National and Regional Officers. 

I will not be running for an elected position in my chapter, but I will be putting in my letter of intent to run for State Representative. Also, if you are keeping up with your Vista Hours, please send them into Kathy Andres. Its best that they are sent in by month or bi-monthly. That way there is not as much work trying to sort out what hours are legal and what hours are not. Just remember that she is dealing with the whole country on these and it does get to be a headache keeping up with them, but it is necessary that we do since they can be shown to congress if the need arises when we have to show that our national organization is doing work for the veterans and how much work we do. 

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and that your New Year will be fulfilling and exciting. Take care and stay well.

Love to all,

Hope Summers

South Carolina State Point of Contact.

 Ok everyone just a heads up. We are coming up on elections next year. If you are thinking about running for an office in your chapter or for State Rep., please send me your letter of intent by the last of February. I need that so I will be able to stay in compliance with the National Election Bylaws. We have to announce our intent for the chapters at the March meeting and then the election will happen at the April meeting. For State Rep. our intentions by the State Council Meeting in February and then the election will take place at the June State Council Meeting. I will need all election results by the end of May so I can send them to the Region Three Director and to the Election Chairs. This is just a reminder so you can put it on your calendar. 

."Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start." - Nido Qubein

Dear Caregivers,

The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at the American Red Cross appreciates all you do as caregivers. Our team is honored to connect you with peer support and wellbeing opportunities. 

You can login to our secure, custom, caregiver only online community 24/7 https://arcsaf.my.site.com/MVCN/s/login/

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Update your contact information for a chance to win Red Cross swag!

Click here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4997732

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VA Caregiver Support Program Overview

1/11/2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caregiver-support-program-overview-tickets-778338319867

This presentation will cover two programs: Program of General Caregiver Support Services and Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, along with supports, resources, and more. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers clinical services to caregivers of eligible and covered veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. The program’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our nation’s veterans, through education, resources, support, and services.

Elsie Moore, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, has been with the federal government for over 29 years, of which the last five years have been with the National Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Office. Her primary duties are to support CSP in the development of educational trainings and tools, staff orientation and competency, and coordinate and facilitate national training initiatives and conferences.

In addition, she works with internal and external strategic partners around resources for caregivers, as well as to provide education and communication regarding those resources. Ms. Moore graduated with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Alabama.

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Join Us for Peer Support

We hope you will join us for upcoming peer support opportunities. Our January flier of events is attached with additional opportunities to connect for support.

Wellbeing YOU

1/10/2024 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM CST

1/17/2024 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM CST

1/24/2024 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM CST

1/31/2024 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM CST

https://mvcn-wellbeingyou.eventbrite.com

Join the MVCN every Wednesday at 12:00 PM Central for 15 minutes of

focused wellbeing practice to enhance your whole health. This free

event is open to military and veteran caregivers of all eras. Wellbeing

YOU is hosted using Zoom video so caregivers are able to interact face

to face using a computer or mobile device. The groups are flexible and

informal so feel free to join when you are able, even if you can only

attend part of the session.

Online Caregiver Chat

1/10/2024 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST

1/24/2024 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST

https://mvcncaregiverchat.eventbrite.com

Our caregiver chats are live interactions in a text only format -- all interactions are done simply by texting and/or typing your responses. Our chats are conducted in a safe environment using Slack. Caregivers can access the chat by using red-cross-mvcn-caregiver-channel on MVCN.slack.com from a PC or the Slack mobile app. If you have participated in chats previously, you will have continued access to the red-cross-mvcn-caregiver-channel.

Sharing The Journey – Online Support Group

1/18/2024 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CST

1/29/2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST

https://mvcnsharingthejourney.eventbrite.com

The MVCN hosts online support groups to offer caregivers the opportunity to connect and engage with peers to support one another. These groups are hosted using Zoom video so caregivers are able to interact face to face using a computer or mobile device, or join by phone. The groups are flexible and informal so feel free to join when you are able, even if you can only attend part of the session.

Together we can encourage each other and inspire hope by sharing the journey!

Can't attend an event? Register anyway! All registrants receive a follow

up email with links to resources and information shared during the session.

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Children and Youth in Caregiving Homes Resiliency Workshops

Resiliency workshops use small-group discussions and interactive activities to help participants connect with group members and better understand how they can reconnect with themselves and their families, peers and communities. All participants have a military connection as a child living in a home with a service member, veteran or loved one that needs a caregiver. Workshops are conducted by licensed Red Cross mental health volunteers.

You can learn more here: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2022/resiliency-workshops-give-military-kids-tools-for-success.html

Child: Coping Skills

1/27/2024 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

https://forms.office.com/r/KhEuBmjGt7

This workshop aims to build resilience, coping skills, and help with stress management related to being a child in a caregiving home. This workshop is designed for children ages 8-12.

Teen: Coping Skills

1/31/2024 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST

https://forms.office.com/r/kaBvbH0eKe

This workshop aims to build resilience, coping skills, and help with stress management related to being a teen in a caregiving home. This workshop is designed for teens ages 13-18.

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LinkedIn for Military and Veteran Caregivers

If you are interested in a FREE one-year premium subscription to LinkedIn for caregivers, email info.mvcn@redcross.org. LinkedIn Premium, valued at about $300 a year, offers access to online learning tools and skills-based evaluations including an online library of over 15,000 LinkedIn Learning Courses. Get the skills and connections you need to get the job you want or advance your career.

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What is 988?

The Veterans Crisis Line's new number—988 then Press 1—helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.  

Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).

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Hero Care Resource Directory

Search for community-based resources, national support organizations as well as programs and services serving every zip code in America. Categories for support include food, housing, goods, transit, health, money, care, education, work and legal. There are search filters for veterans, service members and caregivers. Hero Care Resource Directory

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We are grateful for you as caregivers and members of MVCN.

Sincerely,

The MVCN Team (also caregivers)