The IAVA Blog

Military Sexual Trauma: We're confronting a broken system
Posted by Derek Bennett on June 14

The outrage to the growing crisis of sexual assaults in the military has been swift and consistent - from the Commander-in-Chief to top military leaders to members of both parties in Congress to veterans and those who support them.What is not uniform is how we reverse an alarming and growing trend and support victims of sexual assault in the military.

IAVA's Statement before the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs -- May 15, 2013
Posted by Mina on June 12

Chairman Sanders, Ranking Member Burr, and Distinguished Members of the Committee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

Spotlight On: IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley
Posted by Mina on June 7

This month, the spotlight is on IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley. He used the New GI Bill to finance his master's degree in counseling and put that education to work at his "Hooves for Heroes" program, which provides equine therapy to vets with PTSD. Here's the story from Jeff:

Why Veterans Still Need to Hear From the President on the Backlog
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on June 5

Veterans appreciate hearing White House Press Secretary Jay Carney say, in response to a reporter's question, that the President is 'deadly serious' about reducing the VA disability claims backlog - because this is deadly serious to the veterans community.

Congressional Allies to #EndtheVABacklog
Posted by Mina on June 5

IAVA is calling for allies in Congress to stand with us in calling on the President to provide leadership on ending the VA backlog. In the Senate, 67 Senators from both sides of the aisle signed an open letter to President Obama calling on him to take direct action to end the VA disability claims backlog.

IAVA backs new announcement of Mental Health Summits linking VA and Veterans Service Organizations
Posted by Carlisle Williams on June 3

IAVA backs new announcement of Mental Health Summits linking VA and Veterans Service OrganizationsAt the National Conference on Mental Health at the White House, President Obama today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will direct 151 of its health care centers nationwide to conduct Mental Health Summits with community partners.

Excel Institute Scholarship Program
Posted by Laura Slusarczyk on June 3

IAVA & RAINN: Working Together to Assist Military Sexual Assault Survivors
Posted by Jason Hansman on June 1

24/7 Support: Call 877-995-5247 or visit safehelpline.org While treatment for military sexual assault is a long road and takes time, we at IAVA wanted to share some information, available resources and support networks for survivors of military sexual trauma.

IAVA Testimony for May 21 HVAC Health Hearing
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Alexander Nicholson, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, May 21, 2013:Chairman Benishek, Ranking Member Brownley, and Distinguished Members of the Subcommittee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

IAVA Testimony on VA Special Claims Processing Initiative
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, May 22, 2013Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Michaud, and Distinguished Members of the Committee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for this opportunity to share with you our views regarding the topic of today’s hearing on “Expediting Claims or Exploiting Statistics?: An Examination of VA’s Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Over Two Years.”

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The IAVA Blog

Military Sexual Trauma: We're confronting a broken system Posted by Derek Bennett on June 14

IAVA's Statement before the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs -- May 15, 2013 Posted by Mina on June 12

Spotlight On: IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley Posted by Mina on June 7

Why Veterans Still Need to Hear From the President on the Backlog Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on June 5

Congressional Allies to #EndtheVABacklog Posted by Mina on June 5

IAVA backs new announcement of Mental Health Summits linking VA and Veterans Service Organizations Posted by Carlisle Williams on June 3

Excel Institute Scholarship Program Posted by Laura Slusarczyk on June 3

IAVA & RAINN: Working Together to Assist Military Sexual Assault Survivors Posted by Jason Hansman on June 1

IAVA Testimony for May 21 HVAC Health Hearing Posted by Mina on May 22

IAVA Testimony on VA Special Claims Processing Initiative Posted by Mina on May 22