Women & Minority Veterans
Nevada Women Veteran Program
The purpose of the Women Veterans Program is to ensure that women Veterans understand and have access to benefits and opportunities, which improve their lives. The mission includes: outreach, resources, events, and celebrating the legacy of Women Veterans in Nevada.
Download the Women Veterans Brochure with Resource Guide
For more information contact:
Nevada Department of Veterans Services
Starlyn Lara
VSO Training Officer/Women Veterans Program
9400 Gateway Drive
Reno, NV 89521
laras@veterans.nv.gov
Additional Resources
Conferences, Outreach and Educational Series
Upcoming Women Veterans Events: TBD
Past Events:
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Educational Series: August 17, 24, and 31, 2021.
NDVS in collaboration with the Perry Foundation hosted a FREE series of virtual MST workshops for women and men who are veterans, active duty, Guard, Reserves, healthcare providers, community partners, and supporters.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Educational Series: October 6, 13, and 20, 2020 at 1 p.m.
NDVS in collaboration with the Perry Foundation hosted a FREE series of virtual MST workshops for women and men who are veterans, active duty, Guard, Reserves, healthcare providers, community partners, and supporters.
Celebrating the Legacy of Women Veterans in Nevada
Nevada Women Veterans Portrait Exhibit “Through Our Eyes”
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
Click on each Women Veteran’s photo to read their full story.
“Through Our Eyes” was unveiled during 2018 Reno Artown. The exhibit features portraits of 15 women veterans and their first person narrative, life history known as My Life My Story. “Through Our Eyes” represents the Sierra Nevada catchment, five military branches of military service, veterans ranging in age from 25 to 100 years old, and it serves as a reminder of the significant contributions that women have made in service to their communities and country. The exhibit has traveled throughout the state of Nevada and is featured in the Primary Care reception area of the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System.
Mentorship for Women Veterans
eMentor Program – eMentor connects job seeking Veterans with an online mentor who provides professional support.
NDVS Women Veterans Program News
To read articles about women Veterans, sign up for the monthly NDVS e-newsletter Veterans Voice.
To receive weekly news about women Veterans, like our Facebook page.
National Women Veterans Organizations
Women In Military Service For America Memorial – The Women In Military Service For America Memorial (WIMSA) is located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Visit the WIMSA website for a list of Women Veteran Organizations.
Women Veterans Advisory Committee
Women Veterans Federal Resources
Center for Women Veterans
Benefit Category: Federal
Center for Women Veterans
The Center for Women Veterans (CWV) monitors and coordinates the administration of health care, benefits, and programs for women Veterans. CWV actively recognizes the contributions of women who have served in the military and advocates for cultural transformation both within the VA and public sector.
Department of Labor – Women Veterans
Benefit Category: Federal
Department of Labor – Women Veterans
The Women Veteran Program at the Department of Labor monitors the employment situation of women Veterans to ensure equity in the workplace. American Job Centers around the country offer free, specialized employment services, which help Veterans transition from military service into civilian careers.
VA – Health Care for Women Veterans
Benefit Category: Federal
VA Health Care for Women Veterans
VA health care facilities provide a safe environment for women Veterans who are seeking medical services. Veterans are assigned a Primary Care Provider who is specifically trained in women’s care. VA’s Whole Health System includes health coaching, stress reduction, nutrition, weight management, and peer support.
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System – Women Veterans
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System – Women Veterans
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System – Women Veterans
VA – Programs to End Homelessness Among Women Veterans
Benefit Category: Federal VA Programs to End Homelessness Among Women Veterans Women Veterans face challenges when transitioning to civilian life such as raising children alone or working through issues related to military sexual trauma. Without assistance, these issues may increase women Veterans’ risk of becoming homeless. Visit the VA’s website to learn about programs, which help women Veterans find permanent housing and other necessary resources.VA – Resources for Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
Benefit Category: Federal
VA Resources for Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
The VA offers resources and treatment regarding military sexual trauma (MST), which is defined as sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment during service. VA provides free treatment for physical or mental health conditions related to MST. No documentation or disability compensation rating is required to access treatment and some Veterans may receive MST care even if they are not eligible for other VA care. MST Coordinators are located at every VA health care facility.
VA – Women’s Health Transition Training
Benefit Category: Federal
VA Women’s Health Transition Training
When separating from the military, servicewomen are eligible for Women’s Health Transition Training (WHTT). In-person and virtual courses cover eligibility for VA health care and how to enroll as well as specific issues related to women such reproductive services, maternity care, mental health, gynecology, and musculoskeletal care.
VA – Women Veterans Health Care Mobile Apps
Benefit Category: Federal
VA Health Care Mobile Apps for Veterans
The VA features mobile apps for a variety of wellness needs: pain management, weight loss, parenting, scheduling appointments, tracking prescriptions, PTSD symptoms, and much more.
VA Women Veterans Health Care Mobile Apps
The VA’s PreconceptionCare and Caring4Women Veterans mobile apps help health care teams provide more effective services for women Veterans.
Vet Centers
Benefit Category: Federal
Women Veterans may choose to visit a local Vet Center – community-based counseling. Vet Centers specialize in readjustment counseling when transitioning from active duty to civilian life or after experiencing a traumatic event in the military.
Women Veterans Call Center
Benefit Category: Federal
The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) provides information regarding VA benefits, services, and resources for women Veterans. A woman Veteran, family member or caregiver can call, text, or chat online with WVCC staff. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. Call or text 1-855-829-6636. To chat online, visit the Women Veterans Call Center website.
Women Veterans of Nevada
Women Veterans of Nevada – The Women Veterans of Nevada (WVON) celebrates and supports women Veterans. They meet every 3rd Saturday of even numbered months.
Minority and Unique Veterans
Minority Veterans: The term “Veterans who are minorities” means Veterans who are identified as African Americans, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian. As a minority Service member or Veteran, you may qualify for a wide range of benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. We encourage you to learn about available resources and programs and to apply for the benefits you may have earned.
Native American/Tribal Veterans
According to the Department of Defense, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the armed forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive.
Native American Direct Loan Program (NADL)
The NADL program helps eligible Native American Veterans finance the purchase, construction, or improvement of homes on Federal Trust Land or reduce the interest rate on such a VA loan. Native American Veterans may use these direct loans to simultaneously purchase and improve a home or refinance another VA direct loan made under NADL to lower the interest rate.
Learn more about the Native American Direct Loan Program (NADL)
Office of Rural Health
Native Veterans represent the highest proportion of rural Veterans in the country. The often isolated and dispersed nature of rural Native Veterans presents significant barriers for access and quality of care. In response to these challenges, the Office of Rural Health established the Native Domain to serve as a national resource on healthcare issues for rural Native Veterans.
A variety of projects were developed to support implementation, identification and dissemination of information on culturally-competent best practices for rural Native (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) Veteran clinical care and outreach.
Tribal Veterans Healthcare
The Tribal Reimbursement program provides a means for tribal health facilities to receive reimbursement from the federal VA for direct care services provided to American Indian and Alaskan Native eligible veterans.
For more information visit Federal VA: Tribal Health Care Benefits
LGBTQ
American Millitary Partner Association
The American Military Partner Assocation connecting, supporting, honoring, and serving the partners and spouses of America’s LGBT service members and veterans – our nation’s modern military families.
American Veterans For Equal Rights (AVER)
This organization is dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender current and prior military personnel who have been historically disenfranchised by armed forces policy and discriminatory laws governing military service and benefits.
For more information visit American Veterans For Equal rights
Discharge Records
Congress has authorized the correction of records when it is considered necessary either to rectify an error or to remove an injustice. DD Form 214 does not list gender, but it does list your name. While for most non-transgender people a service record showing a former name does not communicate any sensitive information, for transgender people disclosure of the former name can be equivalent to disclosure of transgender status. This can be considered an injustice, and will be the strongest basis for your request to update your name on the DD 214.
Generally speaking, to update your DD 214 military discharge record, you will need two things: a completed DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) and evidence to support your name change request. If possible, this evidence should include proof of your legal name change and gender transition, such as a U.S. passport, driver’s license or government-issued ID card showing your updated name and gender.
For information and assistance with this process, visit Transgender People and Military.
Transgender American Veterans Association
In a proactive approach, The Transgender American Veterans Association works in conjunction with other concerned gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organizations to ensure that transgender veterans will receive appropriate care for their medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration’s Customer Service Standards promise to “treat you with courtesy and dignity . . . as the first class citizen that you are.” Further, TAVA will help in educating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) on issues regarding fair and equal treatment of transgender and transsexual individuals. Also, TAVA will help the general transgender community when deemed appropriate.
VHA LGBT Veteran Care
The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care system in the United States and strives to be a national leader in providing care to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans. In 2012, the VHA’s Office of Patient Care Services created the LGBT Health Program, which provides policy recommendations, provider-education programs and clinical services to support personalized, pro-active, patient-driven healthcare for LGBT veterans.
For more information visit LGBT Veteran Patient Care.
Elderly Veterans
According to the 2012 U.S. Census brief, Veterans age 65 or older numbered in excess of 12.4 million. These Veterans served in conflicts around the world including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and even in the Persian Gulf War. As Veterans age, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide benefits and services that address a variety of issues including the changing health risks they face, as well as financial challenges through VA benefits and health services.
The Nevada Department of Veteran Services is dedicated to aiding and assisting veterans with their benefits and services both at the local and national level.
VA Benefits for Elderly Veterans
Two VA programs provide certain elderly Veterans with an additional monetary amount, if eligible for or receiving and VA pension benefit.
Housebound – an increased monthly pension amount paid if one is substantially confined to their immediate premises because of a permanent disability. A home-bound Veteran can receive up to $15,725 annually if approved for this program.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) – is an increase monthly pension amount paid for one of the conditions listed below. A Veteran can receive up to $21,466 annually if approved for this program.
- Required help performing daily functions, which may include bathing, eating or dressing.
- Are bedridden
- A patient in a nursing home
Eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes ; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
For more information or to find out if you qualify for these benefits visit Aid & Attendance and Housebound
VA Healthcare for Elderly Veterans
Geriatrics is health care for elderly Veterans with complex needs. Extended care – also known as long term care – is a program for Veterans of all ages who need the daily support and assistance of another individual. Elderly Veterans can receive geriatric and long term care programs at home, at VA medical centers, or in the community.
Geriatrics Program – Geriatrics is the field of health care that serves elderly Veterans with complex needs. Extended care – also known as long term care is a program for Veterans of all ages who need daily support and assistance of another individual. Elderly Veterans can receive geriatric and long term care programs at home, at a VA medical centers, or in the community.
Long Term Care – The VHA offers many long term care services to Veterans enrolled in the health care system.
Eligibility for Long Term Care – Includes a wide range of services such as help with everyday tasks and support for managing disabilities and illness.
- Is provided for an extended period when someone is not able to do everyday tasks independently.
- Can be provided in many settings, such as a person’s home , community sites, residential settings and nursing homes,
- May include support for family members or other care givers who help people are ill or living with a disability.
Home Based and Community Services – These services help chronically ill or disabled Veterans of any age remain in their homes. A Veteran can receive more than one service at the same time.
Nursing Home and Residential Care – Some of the services listed on the home and Community Based Services, such as Hospice and Palliative Care, can also be provided in Residential Settings and Nursing homes.
Geriatrics Research – The purpose of the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Centers is to increase the basic knowledge about the aging process and how diseases of the elderly are best managed, transmit this knowledge to health care providers, and improve the quality of care delivered to elders.