The Voice of Texas Veterans

Spreading the word about Breast Cancer; early detection, treatment and support is what this month is all about.   The National Breast Council Foundation  has a theme, RISE! " This year we RISE to ensure every woman has access to the screenings she needs and the support she deserves. When we RISE, we Rally in Screening Everyone." Texas Veterans Commission talked with two veterans who...

The Austin Veteran Arts Festival, (AVAFEST), 2022 begins October 12 and runs through November 12. We talk with festival founder Glenn Towery about his "Art Healing Journey" and what to expect at the festival. We also talked with two Festival volunteers about their parts in AVAFEST, Words Unite Bookstore and Help Heal Veterans. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Texas Veterans Commission invites the veteran community to take part in a Virtual 22K to celebrate resilience, and please join us for a Virtual Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Town Hall. Jessica Del Rio, TVC Suicide Prevention Coordinator will be there. Listen to learn more about both events.  Register For the Town Hall Here: https://www.t...

Veterans from the Vietnam War era to post 9-11 rejoiced when the PACT Act was signed into law. The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, including Agent Orange and radiation.  Since so many veterans are affected it would be wise to start your disability claim now. Mike Jaeger, our Southwest District Claims Manager has good a...

VALOR, (Veterans Accessing Lifelong Opportunities for Rehabilitation), offers Justice Involved Veterans, in custody treatment instead of extended incarceration. Individualized treatment addresses their mental health, addictions and the behavior that lead to their arrest. Listen as Collin County Judge John Roach, and VALOR Clinical Director, Dr. Mia Pearl Ely, explain how it works. Learn more about...

Texas Veterans Commission can be found in American Job Centers across Texas, helping veterans with significant barriers to employment, building veteran confidence with successful job matches and helping civilian employers make a valuable connection with competent employees. Today we talk with Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, (DVOP), Ron Abrams, about the role DVOPs play in connecting...

There are three different Specially Adapted Housing Grants that can help a disabled veteran gain independence and confidence.  Jason Latona, Chief of Policy for the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing Program,  explains what those grants are, who is eligible and how to apply.   Click here for a TVC Claims Advisor who can file for the Disability Housing Grants.     &nb...

Texas Veterans Commission is trying to make it easier for veterans to connect with their communities and veteran services.  The Veterans Mental Health Department is working on two campaigns now. The 'Faith and Allegiance Initiative' and the 'Did you Serve?' Campaign. Listen as John Wilson our Community and Faith Based Coordinator explains how it all works. Click here for the Veterans Mental H...

The Executive Director of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program talks to us about VA Home Loans, and how veterans and active duty service members can use the program. This info could be your ticket to a new home!! Get VA home loan information here . Get Texas Veterans Land Board information here.

On this show we discuss the Hazlewood Act, a unique Texas benefit for qualified Texas Veterans that can mean 150 hours of tuition exemption  at a Public Texas College or University! Dependent children and a spouse could qualify too!  This is too good to miss! So listen!   Get more Hazlewood info here. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood/

Calling all artists who happen to be veterans or family members. The Austin Veteran Arts Festival wants to showcase your talent!  Have you been healing through art?  Do you paint, sing, dance? Are you a comedian? Is music helping you heal? What ever medium you choose we want to see it. AVAFEST is happening in Austin, October 12 - November 12, 2022. You don't have to live in Austin to sub...

Happy Women Veterans Day! TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran, Laura Koerner has a few words to share, plus meet the veterans behind the Women Veterans Program here at Texas Veterans Commission. Visit the website to find out what TVC can do for you and make sure your veteran friends know all about us. Remember all our services are free! https://www.tvc.texas.gov/women-veterans/

This month, our Veterans Mental Health Department is taking part in PTSD awareness month, helping veterans and their families understand the signs and symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and what treatments area available. Listen In. Take the PTSD Self Screen Questionnaire here. 

The VA offers adaptive housing grants for veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change a home to meet their needs. This program has info on how the grant program works and what vets need to do to apply. Click here for the VA link. Texas Veterans Commission  Claims Benefits Advisors can also help. Click here to make a TVC Claims Appointment...

Memorial Day, first know as Decoration Day, was established to honor soldiers of the civil war. Now we pay tribute to all American military members who died while serving their country. Texas Veterans Commission is also a friend to survivors, helping them access the state and federal benefits they are entitled to. We talk with two claims advisors about survivors they have helped.   Make a cla...

Family members who care for wounded warriors and ill veterans can really use the gift of time. Time for themselves. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes Program offers Free Help for Family Caregivers. Listen to learn more. Apply for Free Respite Care Here.               

Women Veterans Day is almost here! June 12 is the day. Women Veterans around the state have celebrations planned in their various communities. Everyone is invited to join Texas Veterans Commission at Camp Mabry in Austin on Saturday, June 4th for a Women's Veterans Day 5K. Walk, Run, Jog, Skip or Stroll. Bring the kids, the spouse, the friends and neighbors. Everyone is welcome! June 4th from 8:30...

As we celebrate military spouses on May 6-8, let's not forget the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program, helping spouses find new careers after that military move. Listen to find out how it works and how to apply. We also talk with TVC Family Career Advisor Dee Stewart who works to connect employers with spouses and dependents. Learn more about Texas Veterans Commission Employment S...

Texas Veterans Commission is the state agency tasked with helping veterans, family members, and survivors access all the state and federal benefits earned. Visit the Website, fill out the contact form and we'll talk. https://www.tvc.texas.gov/ You may be surprised to find out what TVC can do for you! Just listen and then tell all your veteran friends about us, better yet share the podcast!

The Texas Veterans Commission Military Veteran Peer Network is composed of Peer Service Coordinators across the state.  These coordinators are always looking for new ways to connect veterans and their families with the resources they need. In Abilene, Peer Service Coordinator Ann McKee came up with a way to support younger veterans diagnosed with PTSD. It's called MVPN Gaming. Listen in as An...

Warning: this program contains narratives of Sexual Assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Our Women Veterans Program talks with a panel of Military Sexual Trauma Survivors about their ongoing journey to healing. We also talked with Providers who offer support, and counseling. We have compiled a list of the featured providers. a) The Samaritan Center: Contact Mental Health and Wellness...

Spend time with the Vietnam veterans in your life on Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29.  As Veterans get older, they may develop illnesses connected with military service from decades ago. Ailing Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange may qualify for disability compensation. Listen to learn more about that, from Houston VA Executive Director Robert Worley, then Claims Benefits Advisor Robe...

Robert Worley, Executive Director of the VA Houston Regional Office, recaps the highpoints of the latest VA Tele Townhall.  Topics include new presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange and Burn Pit exposure and what vets should do about filing a claim, especially if they were previously denied.  And we learn what the VA is doing to decrease the time it takes to process claims. Texas...

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Texas women veterans you are invited to add your military history to the Military Women’s Memorial. Listen to learn how to do that and stick around to meet the coordinators behind the Texas Veterans Commission Women Veterans Program. You are bound to learn a lot. Visit the Military Women’s Memorial here . Visit Texas Veterans Commission here .  

A new Texas law is affecting motorists with Texas Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates. You now need to display the ISA symbol to use parking spots marked for the disabled. What is that? You may ask. We talked with a representative of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles about the new law, he explains what disabled vets need to do, to use disabled parking spaces without getting a ticket. Get the...