Veteran Access to Transportation - Barriers & Solutions

Chessa Emmons, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

This session will focus on the transportation insecurity in the military and veteran community across the state of Arizona. In addition to having identified high-risk and increased-risk populations in a variety of communities, we will discuss barriers to transportation and solutions to those barriers, including improving service delivery, increasing access to resources and reducing stigma.

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I am a                 and a Woman Veteran

Sabrena Schmella, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Col. Wanda Wright, Arizona Department of Veterans' Services

Attendees will get a better understanding of the journeys of women Veterans and fully recognize the value that they bring to their communities. This session will feature stories of transitioning from the military, workforce integration, accessing VA benefits and the importance of self-identification.

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Magic of Mindfulness

Jamie Valderamma, Arizona State University

Stress is increasingly gaining attention in the U.S. as well as around the world for its detrimental health effects. Simultaneously, mindfulness is gaining worldwide attention with the emergence of promising data showing how the simple act of being aware can deregulate the body’s stress response leading to a happier and healthier life. This talk highlights the stress response physically and psychologically as well as applicable mindful practices to deregulate stressful triggers in our personal and professional lives.

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Trauma Informed Care in Faith Communities

Rev. Sanghoon Yoo, MDiv, MSW, The Faithful City

With a brief review of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) science, trauma informed care and community building movement, the session will discuss how to engage in faith communities, providing relevant and persuasive resources to support veterans and their families. The practical exercises and examples will be also offered by the Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Community (AZTIFC) and its collaboration with ACMF.

VA Q&A

Eddie Fuenmayor, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Maggie Shewack, Phoenix VA Health Care System

The VA offers a range of benefits and healthcare options for veterans statewide. This session will delve into the range of what is available and how to plug into benefits and care.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Military & Veteran Community

Kristin Musch, RN-BC, CCM, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Shane Groen, Arizona Housing Coalition
Lauren Tomlinson, St. Mary’s Food Bank

COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all communities statewide, including service members, veterans and their families. This session will explore that impact with perspectives from housing & homelessness and food insecurity organizations, including ways that organizations collaborated and adapted to continue to meet vital community needs amidst the pandemic.

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Parenting in a Pandemic

Nicki Bartram, MBA, MC, LPC, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

Fear, uncertainty, and being quarantined at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 has made it tough for families to keep a sense of calm and order. This session will focus on discussion of practical and actionable tips to help steer you and your family through these ambiguous and challenging times.

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Reaching Rural Veterans

Moderator: Aimee Backus, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

Maria Esposito, LMSW, Health Choice Arizona Inc.
Holly Figueroa, Health Choice Arizona Inc.
Jose Castillo, Arizona Complete Health
Abel Moreno, Arizona Complete Health

Service members, veterans and their families are an essential part of rural communities throughout Arizona. This session will explore the work being done in communities around the state to engage and serve this population. The session will also include an overview of the Rural Arizona Connects program and the VA’s Together With Veterans program.

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Secure Your Weapon: Strategies for Reducing Gun-Related Suicides Among Veterans

Jon Perez, Ph.D., The NARBHA Institute
Kelli Williams, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

For someone who serves in the military, weapon safety is second nature. The Secure Your Weapon initiative enlists the help of all service members and veterans to promote proper weapon safety and storage in their homes and communities. Sharing that knowledge with the wider community can help save lives. This session will review current data in Arizona about gun-related deaths by suicide, with an emphasis on rural veterans, review new best practice approaches to working with veterans and identify community resources and partners for the campaign.

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The Role of Faith Communities in Serving Veterans

Mike Wold, MS, MBA, Institute for Healing of Memories North America

This session will focus on the important role that faith communities can play in supporting service members, veterans and their families and why they are so uniquely positioned to serve veterans. The session will feature an interview with Pastor Kate Adelman and her husband, Vietnam veteran, Parker Adelman of the Navajo Lutheran Mission in Rock Point, AZ. We will discuss the work that this faith community is doing to serve the Navajo community and the veterans and their families in their area.

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Inviting Dialogue on Healthy Relationships and Intimate Partner Violence in the Age of COVID

Dr. Katherine Doyle, Phoenix VA Health Care System
Christopher Guerrero, LCSW, Southern AZ VA Health Care System
Beth Goldstein, LCSW, Northern AZ VA Health Care System

This seminar will offer an interactive opportunity to discuss the promotion of healthy families and creative solutions for addressing intimate partner violence in the context of COVID.

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Self-Care and Well-Being

Marcy Newman, Phoenix VA Health Care System

This presentation will raise awareness of the Whole Health program that was started to empower and equip Veterans (and their families) so that they can take better care of themselves. The information will teach about self-care areas, complementary integrative health, mindful awareness and Mission, Aspiration and Purpose. Dr. Marcy will be sharing her expertise of acupuncture, yoga and iRest Yoga Nidra.

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