How Texas veterinarians can thrive under a new VA – The Dallas Morning News Management

The new secretary of the Department of Veterans Doug Collins has the potential to dramatically change the veterans’ experience for better.

It can often feel that what is happening on the Capitol hill is only remote with our lives, but the reality is the decisions that Collins and his team make will immediately be felt by veterans throughout the country. When Collins is in his new role, his primary priority must make VA work for all veterans. It means listening to voices outside Washington.

As Collins aims to cope with the current challenges within VA, his guidance will be vital to Texas veterans. Home to the largest veteran population of any country, Texas has ended 1.5 million veterans who rely on VA health care, benefits and support for employment. This concentration of veterans means that the policies, programs and disadvantages of VA have a huge impact on the Texas veterans specifically. This is especially in the main cities Where many veterans live, such as North Texas, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso.

Homelessness remains a major problem for Texas veterans. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2023 19% increase In Texas veterans who experience homelessness – one of the largest jumps in the whole country. While the big cities have made progress in Addressing these concernsThere are still many veterans facing homelessness every day. Fortunately, past actions show what can lead to an effective strategy. For example, between 2023 and 2024, Texas reported a 10% reduction in the homelessness of veterans due to VA programs Veteran cases supporting housing and Supporting Veteran Family ServicesS

Collins has to double what works. VA must cooperate with veterans employees, local housing and policy experts and veterans themselves to prioritize the stable availability of veterans housing.

Health is a major component for providing stability for veterans. For Collins, this means ensuring that the benefits of VA are holistic and accessible to urban and rural veterans. As of 2023, Texas had approximately 462,513 Rural veterans – About 28.3% of the state’s veterans population – many of whom face significant barriers to care, including long travel distances and suppliers shortages.

Moreover, a mission calls Poll They found that 93% of veterans wanted the opportunity to choose their mental health providers, even outside the VA system. Collins has the opportunity to cope with these challenges in supporting the veterans in and outside the VA veterans, by strengthening VA partnerships with local healthcare providers and optimizing access to community -based care.

Another critical question that Collins will have to fight with is the tragic reality of the suicide of veterans. Texas, more special, has one of the highest The degree of suicides -the co -treated in the country. Texas veterans need more healthy support and access to resources. In his new role, Collins can begin to apply improvements to existing systems for this purpose. For example, moving suicide to prevent suicides directly under the VA secretary will optimize access to mental health resources and elimination of obstacles that do not allow veterans to obtain the necessary help.

Collins should also continue to support and expand successful VA programs, such as transition and skillbridge support program. Investments in professional development and maintenance of transition have been shown to improve mental health and reduce the homelessness and percentage of suicide for veterans. Researchers With the Research Institute for Public Policy at Texas University, A&M has determined that the best needs for serving veterans from Texas are consultations for mental health, business training and alternative therapy. These programs offer valuable resources and have helped many veterans. Under the leadership of Collins, VA must partner with the Ministry of Defense to expand these initiatives to ensure that veterans are experiencing successful reintegration in civil life after their military service.

Collins’ confirmation brings with it the opportunity to renew its commitment to put veterans first through partnerships and programs. If he fulfills these promises, it will be transformative to veterans in Texas and throughout the country.

Jim Wiley is the CEO of Mission Roll Call. He is a former director of communications at the US Military Academy at West Point. As a 20-year-old veteran of the army, his awards and decorations include the aviator’s badge’s badge, Legion of Merit, Badge Airsault Gadge and Medal for the Humanitarian Service.

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