FY11 Award Recipients

The following individuals were recognized at this year;s banquet:

Legislator of the Year: Congressman Mike Coffman
President’s Award: Mrs. Lynne Mosbaugh
Corporate Patriot Award: The Colorado Trust
VA Service Award: Ms. Patrice Kennedy
Sports Award: Mr. Cayetano “Sonny” deGuzman
Volunteer(s) of the Year Award: Mrs. Cheryl Poole & the DeBaca Family
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr. James Sack

MSCPVA would like to thank these individuals for their contributions during FY11.

VA Announces Changes to Emergency Care Payment Policy

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today a change in regulations regarding payments for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans in non-VA facilities.

This provision helps ensure eligible Veterans continue to get the emergency care they need when VA facilities are not available,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The new regulation extends VA’s authority to pay for emergency care provided to eligible Veterans at non-VA facilities until the Veterans can be safely transferred to a VA medical facility.

More than 100,000 Veterans are estimated to be affected by the new rules, at a cost of about $44 million annually.

VA operates 121 emergency departments across the country, which provide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VA also has 46 urgent care units, which provide care for patients without scheduled appointments who need immediate medical or psychiatric attention.

For more information about emergency care in non-VA facilities, visit www.nonvacare.va.gov.

Sports for Every "Body:" Building a Stronger Colorado through Adaptive Sports and Therapeutic Recreation

This event is being held on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at the CU Student Recreation Center from 10:00-4:00pm. 4 CEUs are available.

This program, the Paralympic Experience, will introduce people: athletes, parents, community members and recreation staff to a variety of sport programs for children, youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities. The individual sport sessions will provide instruction for the athlete as well as important information for recreation professionals interested in starting a program in their community. Sessions will be taught by past or present Paralympic Athletes. Sport sessions will include: wheelchair racing, judo, table tennis, alpine/Nordic skiing, swimming, basketball, handcycling, injury prevention, triathlons, and quad rugby.

This day is being hosted by the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s EXPAND Program, Adaptive Adventures, Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Craig Hospital and the Colorado University Disabled Student Services. If you plan on attending and would like to get CEU’s please contact Colleen Fitzgerald at 303-413-7216 or at Fitzgeraldc@bouldercolorado.gov

12th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair Denver

Celebrating Veterans and Diversity in 2012

   

DENVER’S 12TH ANNUAL DIVERSITY

EMPLOYMENT DAY CAREER FAIR

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2012 / 11AM – 3PM

 

RED LION HOTEL – DENVER CENTRAL

4040 Quebec Street Denver, CO 80216

 

Current and Past Exhibitors Include:

VERIZON WIRELESS, KAISER PERMANENTE, DIRECTV, COCA COLA, TARGET, JANUS INTERNATIONAL, HOSPITAL SHARED SERVICES, COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES, CINTAS, QUEST DIAGNOSTICS, AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE, HERITAGE COLLEGE, JOB NEWS, REGIS UNIVERSITY, ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS, ISLE CASINO CORP, CHEYENNE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, U.S. MARINE CORPS, TRI-STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOSOURCE, KAPLAN COLLEGE, PRIMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES, GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION, FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY, ASHFORD UNIVERSITY, LINCOLN FINANCIAL MEDIA, THE ART INSTITUTES, JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, CUMULUS BROADCASTING, EMPLOYMENT SOURCE, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER, PRIMERICA, REDSTONE COLLEGE, WILKS BROADCASTING, AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALLSTATE INSURANCE, KDVR FOX 31, CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO AND MANY MORE!!!

The city of Boulder EXPAND, Adaptive Adventures, Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, and Craig Hospital are excited to announce the 2012 US Paralympic Experience!!!

The Paralympic Experience is an excellent way to get introduced to Paralympic Sports such as wheelchair racing, judo, table tennis, alpine/Nordic skiing, swimming, basketball, handcycling, injury prevention, triathlons, and quad rugby. Sports for Every "Body"-Building a Stronger Colorado Through Adaptive Sports and Therapeutic Recreation.

Don't miss this event!! The FREE Paralympic Experience will be on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at the CU Student Recreation Center. Please see the attached flyer for more information. The first 50 registrants will receive a FREE t-shirt. Go to www.adaptiveadventures.org/event/2012/paralympic-experience-front-range on how to sign up.

We are excited to have local Colorado Paralympians such as Jacob Heilveil-wheelchair racing, Scott Moore-judo, Dave Denniston-US Paralympic swim coach, Jason Regier and Adam Scaturro-2012 US Paralympic quad rugby team members, Christina (Ripp) Schwab-women's basketball, and Ron Rosser-US Paralympic biathlon coach talk about their respective sports and have hands on training for kids, parents, teachers, therapists etc.

If you are interested in being a vendor or volunteer for this event, please contact Jen Heilveil at heilveilj@bouldercolorado.gov.

Attn: Veterans of Foreign War! WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm Members!

Professional writer and 5-book author Jo Ann M. Colton of JM Colton Communications & Publishing and artist Cheryl Ann Roberts of HeroSketch.com re collaborating on a literary project that will celebrate and honor our country’s military personnel who all fought valiantly (some of whom even gave their lives) so that we could continue to enjoy our FREEDOM.

We are seeking VFW veterans who would consent to being interviewed and whose stories might be included in the pages of this book.

One-hour, one-on-one interviews will be conducted by writer Jo Ann M. Colton at her Evergreen office off of Highway 73 near N. Turkey Creek Road. For more information about the project, and/or to set up an interview appointment, please contact Jo Ann Colton at 303-679-0123.

Download printed information >>

LUNCH & A MOVIE- MEMBER SUPPORT NEEDED!

SKI COLORADO!

Numerous organizations are providing opportunities for disabled veterans and individuals to enjoy adaptive skiing on the slopes around Colorado. For more information please contact the chapter office.

ATTENTION MEMBERS!

Important changes regarding Allocated Grant provisions!!Please note the following changes were made at the November Board of Director's meeting to the Standard Operating Procedures effective October 1, 2011.

1. All members submitting applications for allocated grant funds must now be certified members.

2. Allocated grant provisions are no longer are available to associate members.

PERLMUTTER TO JOIN AREA VETERANS AND VA OFFICIALS FOR VA HOSPITAL CELEBRATION

Download news release >>

MSCPVA Chapter Website Wins Award

The Mountain States Chapter is honored to receive the 2011 Website of the Year Award. The Chapter has received this award for four out of the past five consecutive years.

Please take our survey!

Please take a moment to complete our transportation survey.
Take the survey now >>

PHAMALY Presents Its 2011 Fall Studio Series

Vox PHAMALIA : Quadrapalooza
Edgy. Honest. Brutally funny. VOX presents a unique & comedic perspective on living with a disability.
Note: Vox PHAMALIA : Quadrapalooza is intended for mature audiences, 16 and older.
Get dates, times, and locations of shows>>

Colorado Board of Military and Veterans Affairs Survey

Take this Survey from the CO Board of Military and Veterans Affairs
Follow this link to take the survey now >>

Government Apps and Mobile Sites

Find more th an 70 Government apps and mobile sites in the Mobile Apps Gallery!
Get details >>

Gold Crown Basketball Practice

Women: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays
Men: 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays
Children: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays
For more info, please click here >>

Worldwide Travel Alert

The US Department of State has issued an alert for American citizens living or traveling outside the US.
Read the specifics by accessing the Overseas Security Advisory Council's website >>

Survey for Personal Assistant Services Users RE: Emergency Experiences

The Center on Disability the Public Health Institute along with the Center for Personal Assistance Services at UC San Francisco is conducting a research study to determine promising practices in preparing for emergencies among individuals with disabilities who use personal assistance services (PAS).
Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZTXYZ69 to describe your experiences.

Request Your Discharge Papers Online

You can now request your discharge papers online. It takes just a few minutes to fill the form out and about two weeks to receive the papers.
Get details >>

Denver International Airport Offers Accessible Vans

DIA is one of several select airports across the country that are offering wheelchair accessible vans through rental agencies.
Visit www.rollxvans.com or call 800.956.6668 for more information.

Swimming lessons available!

East Boulder Community Center
Mondays at 4:15.
For more information please contact:
scottj@bouldercolorado.gov

NEW ADAPTIVE SPORTS WEBSITE

Check it out at www.sportsabilities.com

We must take care of our veterans!

Paralyzed Veterans of America will soon head to Capitol Hill to remind our new Congress and President Obama how important it is to deliver on our promises to America's brave veterans, who have fought so nobly and sacrificed so much for our country.

Please help us:
• Make sure our veterans are not overlooked
• Show lawmakers our veterans have the support of proud Americans like you
• Reach our goal of 10,000 signatures
• Spread the word!
Add your name to our 2011 Wall of Support today>>

It only takes a minute and it can make a lifetime of difference! Let Congress know that you and thousands of other Americans believe we must take care of our veterans.

PVA has joined a federal class action lawsuit

Get more information >>

Colorado State Veterans Home at Rifle Faces Closure

Get more information >>

MSCPVA Information Video FY 2011 Watch the video >>

Advisory From VA Central Office of Security

The following is an advisory sent out by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in reference to a group called "Veterans Affairs Services." An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way. Websites with the name "VA services" immediately after the "www" ARE NOT part of the Department of Veterans Affairs; the real VA website ends in.gov.

Get more information >>

Discounts Available for Veterans

If you hold a valid military ID, you should know about discounts available from select businesses. Follow this link to obtain information.

Millennium Research Group

We are conducting research regarding bladder management devices used among those with SCI.
Visit this site to participate >> in this phone or web based study. You can also contact the chapter office for more contact information.

Vets - Take Advantage of All You Have Earned

The VA has a new video encouraging vets to take full advantage of all they have earned.
It's the first in a series... check it out >>

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE

Handicap Parking Enforcement opportunities are now available in Colorado Springs
You can now signup to volunteer with the Colorado Springs Police Department and serve on the Handicapped Parking Enforcement Unit. The unit trains volunteers to warn or cite violators of handicapped parking spaces. This program ensures that accessible parking is available to those with physical impairments and relieves police officers to handle higher priority calls.

For more information, please visit the Colorado Springs Police Department Volunteer Services Program website >>

VA QUALITY OF CARE REPORTS

VA wants to provide you and all veterans with the best possible healthcare. The VA Quality of Care Reports website will provide you with information about the quality of healthcare in VA medical centers. VA collects information to measure healthcare quality at every VA hospital. Reports are produced regularly to compare healthcare quality at individual VA medical centers with healthcare quality provided by other VA medical centers and non-VA facilities.
These reports are like scorecards. They focus on items that indicate the quality of care VA provides, like the number of influenza (flu) shots VA gives to veterans. To access the reports: Go to www.qualityofcare.va.gov

Easter Seals Rehabilitation Services & Stroke Day Program

The Easter Seals Rehabilitation Services & Stroke Day Program in Colorado provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive re-training, warm water therapy, social work and case management services to individuals with stroke, TBI MS, Parkinsons and other neurological impairments. The program provides a full day of cost effective rehabilitation and fitness.
For more information >>

Free mental health services are available for returning veterans and their families in southern Colorado

This program is funded by the Civilians for Veterans Fund which provides services in three regions of Colorado; the San Luis Valley, Gunnison/Montrose region, and in the Southeastern areas covering the Arkansas Valley. The San Luis Valley Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center will help soldiers and their families in the San Luis Valley region. Southeast Mental Health Services will serve those in the Arkansas Valley, while the Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center will help those in need in the Gunnison/Montrose region.
For more information >>

TRIATHILON TRAINING!! Recreation EXPAND PROGRAM for Track/Swimming/Handcycling

The city of Boulder Parks and Recreation EXPAND has recently been awarded a grant through the National Parks and Recreation Association to offer beginning triathlon training to injured military vets this spring!If you know anyone who would be interested in working out with the program, please have them contact Jen Heilveil at 303-413-7474. The practices will be open to anyone with a physical disability and priority given to injured military vets. So, beginning in March, we will start swimming, wheelchair track practices and handcycling workouts.

Wednesdays: Track Practice at Potts Field 5-6:30PM (Coach Jacob Heilveil)
Thursdays: Swim Practice at East Boulder Community Center 7-8PM (Coach Kelly Rotham)
Weekends: Racing/Handcycling practices