Federal Daily - August 18, 2009

MHS Launches New Web Site

The Chief Human Capital Office (CHCO) of the Military Health System (MHS) last week announced the launch of a new Web site that will provide updated information on military and civilian leadership development opportunities and ways to improve recruitment and retention. The new Web site, www.health.mil/people, will also provide information on wounded warrior support efforts, and highlight opportunities in healthcare occupations that exist within each of the military services. “We’re very excited about this new site as it is the culmination of a year of hard work done by the Human Capital Steering Committee, which oversees and facilitates MHS human capital strategic planning for the Total Medical Force,” said Maureen Viall, MHS chief human capital officer. “Our office will continue to promote awareness of exciting careers in medical fields.” MHS CHCO integrates efforts to support more than 130,000 military and civilian medical and support professionals. To see more, go to: www.health.mil/Press/Release.aspx?ID=881.

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VA Adds Combat Veterans Counseling Centers

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Aug. 14 announced the addition of 28 new community-based Vet Centers that will offer readjustment therapy and outreach counseling to combat vets. This new group, to be operational by next year, will be added to the existing 232 centers that conduct community outreach around the country. The centers are a central component of VA’s mental health program, and provide vets with mental health screening and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) counseling. They also offer counseling on employment, family issues and education to combat veterans and family members, as well as bereavement counseling for families of servicemembers killed on active duty and counseling for vets who were sexually harassed on active duty. Veterans who served in a combat zone or area of hostility are eligible to receive Vet Center services free. The centers are staffed by small multidisciplinary teams, which may include social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, master’s-level counselors and outreach specialists. Over 70 percent of Vet Center employees are veterans, most of whom served in combat zones. To see more on where the new centers are located, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1744.

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