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Due to a shortage of affordable housing, a livable income, and access to health care. One big fact to the homeless of veterans is due to the effects of PTSD and the lack of family and social support. That is why The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is available for these veterans call 1-877-424-3838. Homeless advocates in Dallas and Collin counties have also shared some resources for homeless veterans, like discounted DART passes.

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Homeless advocates in Dallas and Collin counties announced Monday that they've issued themselves a new challenge: housing 100 homeless veterans in 100 days.

The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance says the goal coincides with the increase in homeless veterans from 2018 to 2019, when the number of veterans on the streets of Collin and Dallas counties grew from 331 to 431.

The Veterans Challenge aims to reverse that trend by divvying up the list of 431 homeless veterans to professionals tasked with finding them homes.

The initiative comes after a similar effort from the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, which housed 181 veterans during its 100-day challenge last fall. Many localities nationwide have pursued similar goals after the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness in June 2014.

Houston was the second city in the nation to end veteran homelessness, according to the council. Austin and San Antonio have since joined its ranks.

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Advocates aim to house 100 homeless veterans in 100 days in Dallas, Collin counties

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Homeless advocates in Dallas and Collin counties announced Monday that they've issued themselves a new challenge: housing 100 homeless veterans in 100 days. The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance says the goal coincides with the increase in homeless veterans from 2018 to 2019, when the number of veterans on the streets of Collin and Dallas counties grew from 331 to 431.

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Veterans can have trouble transitioning back from military life to what they call civilian life. That is why the TAP program was created, to give employment and information to armed forces members within 180 days of separation. For veterans it can also be hard to get back into civilian language and also proper body language. TAP also teaches veterans to revert back to civilian time stead of military time. The TAP program is even divided by the military branches to help with proper transition needs.

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Military ranks define dominance, authority, and roles in the military hierarchy. The majority of U.S. veterans served in the enlisted ranks, usually 4 years, it would be good for health care providers to become familiar with the E1–E5 ranks.

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How to communicate with a veteran in the health-care service. 

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How to communicate with a veteran in the health-care service. 

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1.  Ask questions: ask a veteran to explain military jargon, it will show them you are taking interesting.
2. Listen: listening to a veteran can help establish a better report, because each veterans military experience is different.
3. Show Concern: when a veteran says "I am fine" most of the time they are not. Show them empathy and ask "how can I help?"
4. Build Trust and Respect: ask "how was that for you" do not just agree over and over again and acted like you understand.
5. Understand Trauma: some trauma is not military related, to better understand how to treat them ask about a painful experience before enlisting into the military.
6. Refrain from Judgement: these veterans have been put in split-second decisions dictate by dying versus going home to their families. They already feel weighed down by these decisions, be supportive through these issues.
7. Thank your Veteran: say "welcome back" or "welcome home", or even "thank you" instead of the automatic "thank you for your service", this comes off less sincere.

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To better served as a health-care provider in the veteran population, we must understand military culture, even though  military experience of all veterans is unique.  By understanding the structure of the military, like the branches and ranks, missions, ideals and core values of them, it will better help the support of a veteran. It can also help with the deeper understanding of mental health symptoms and conditions of our veterans.

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PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a veteran experiences a traumatic event or even or witnessing a life threatening event. This disorder can even affect the veterans loved ones.

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Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide that was used in the both Korean and Vietnam War by the US military. Agent Orange got its name from it orange storage container.  Concerns about the health effects from these chemicals are still going on today. The VA offers eligible Veterans a free Agent Orange Registry health exam for possible long-term health problems due to this exposure and possible health care benefits.

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The VA can provide healthcare to veterans biological children who have been diagnosed with spina bifida, but only if the veteran has either served in the Korean or Vietnam Wars. The reasons for these to wars in particular was due to veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.

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To honor the memory of a veterans service to our country, a United States flag drapes the casket of deceased veteran. The field of blue is at the head and over the left shoulder.

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During my interview with my chosen veteran, who had served in the Vietnam War, he told me about his duty in the Marine Corps as a helicopter gunner. One thing that really stuck out to me was when he said that people down below would call them Angels up in the helicopter. I linked a video of another veterans experience in the Vietnam War fighting as a helicopter gunner.

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ANGEL IN THE SKY: Medevac pilot recalls service in Vietnam War

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Right after high school John Mustard left the farm and joined the Army.

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Is the VA's national weight management program developed for Veterans. It focuses on health and wellness through healthy eating and exercise.

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MST, is referred to as the experiences of sexual assault or even sexual harassment that a veteran may have experienced during their military service (Mental Health, 2010). Also 1 in 4 female veterans and 1 in 100 male veterans report to VA health care systems that they have experienced MST.  If you have experienced this please please contact your local Va medical center and ask to speak to the MST Coordinator. There is no disability rating needed and no time limit for MST treatment.

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Healing after MST to move forward with life

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The Veterans Crisis Line is a resource for all service members and a very important resource for our fellow veterans.  The Veteran Crisis Line has initiated more than 119,000 times of emergency services to callers in crisis. If you are are veteran or know one experiencing signs of a crisis please call 1-800-273-8255.

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Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

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The rates of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children, and section 306 and old-law disability and death pension, are published in tabular form in appendix B of the Veterans Benefits Administration Manual M21-1 and are to be given the same force and effect as if published in the regulations (title 38, Code of Federal Regulations).

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It took until  November 1983 for women veterans to start getting the equate access to VA programs and services. This should never happen to any of our veterans. I am putting a link below to make sure that women veterans know that they are not alone and that they get the support they deserve for their service. Thank you women veterans!

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Opportunities and Resources for Women Veterans - Center for Women Veterans (CWV)

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Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow.