The Behavioral Health Provider Locator and Appointment Assistance Service has taken more than 2,300 calls in the U.S. to help Active Duty Servicemembers and their families find approved behavioral health providers in their area. The service, which began three months ago, is a dedicated toll-free telephone line at 1-877-747-9579 where service representatives offer assistance in locating and making outpatient appointments with behavioral health care providers.

For more information about TRICARE and the Behavioral Health Provider Locator and Appointment Assistance Service, visit the TRICARE website at http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/MentalHealthAndBehavior.

[Source: http://www.tricare.mil/ pressroom/news.aspx?fid=375]

Confusion Over Provisions Related to Disability Benefits in 2008 NDAA

A provision of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act intended to improve access to disability benefits appears to have inadvertently caused more confusion. The NDAA changed a law that reduced the amount of service a military member had to have before becoming eligible for disability benefits from eight years to six months. The problem is that the revised piece of public law had already been revised to ensure disability benefits are available to Servicemembers as soon as they enter active duty provided they are not absent without leave or proven negligent. More detail on this issue is available from the Air Force Times online:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/03/military_blooper_031608w/

AER Doubles Aid to Meet Rising Needs

Since 2005 the Army Emergency Relief (AER) program has increased the financial assistance it provides to Soldiers and families in need by about 40 percent. The increase is attributed to improved outreach and education efforts as well as the implementation of a new program called the Command Referral Program, which allows company/battery commanders and first sergeants to authorize $1,000 in interest-free loans to their Soldiers for car repairs, emergency travel, rent or other needs. AER also provides grants to wounded warriors and need-based scholarships to retired Soldiers and the family members of active duty Soldiers. To find an AER office or for more information, visit http://www.aerhq.org.

[Source: http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/03/21/8056-aer-doubles--aid-to-meet-rising-needs/]

TRICARE Educational Briefings for National Guard and Reserve Members

On March 20, 2008, Humana Military Healthcare Services announced an online resource for National Guard and Reserve members. This new Internet resource explains TRICARE benefits for activated Guard and Reserve members and their families. Topics include:

• An Overview of TRICARE
• Inactive Duty Status
• Benefits during pre-activation and activations periods
• TRICARE for family members
• TRICARE Reserve Select
• Behavioral Healthcare Services

[Source: http://www.humana-military.com/South/corporatecomm/currentreleases/03202008.htm]

Military Retirees Encouraged to Review Retiree Account Statements

The Defense Finance and Accounted Service (DFAS) is reminding retirees to review their Retiree Account Statements (RAS) to ensure that information about their designated beneficiaries is accurate. The designation of beneficiary form can be accessed at http://www.dod.mil/dfas/retiredpay/beneficiarycard.html.

[Source: http://www.dfas.mil/rna-news/dec2007/keepingyourrecordsupdated.html]

Kentucky Updates Veterans Affairs Website

Kentucky’s Department of Veterans Affairs has redesigned its website to provide constituents with more information on benefits, cemeteries, nursing homes, homeless veterans, women veterans, and employment. The new website features a benefits assistance map, which presents a quick and easy way to find contact information for the Commonwealth’s veterans’ benefits representative in a particular county.

Each state manages its own benefit program. A list of links to the websites for each of the individual states that offer veterans’ benefits can be found at http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory.

Military Working Dogs Available for Adoption

Thanks to a little known law passed in November 2000, military working dogs can be adopted to members of the general public. Debbie Kandoll, who recently adopted a military working dog named Benny, has developed a website (http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com) to help people learn more about the adoption process. To learn more about Debbie and Benny’s story, please visit http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/03/military_dogs_032208w/

Guitars for Vets Program

Guitars for Vets is a nonprofit organization established to help ailing and injured veterans by providing free guitars and musical instruction Dan Van Buskik, one of the founders, credits his guitar playing with helping him manage his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from Vietnam, and hopes music with help other veterans. If you would like to donate musical equipment or find out more about the organization, visit http://guitarsforvets.org/home.html.

AAFES Radio Network

Delivering a message to local military communities is easier than ever before thanks to the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Radio Network. Thoughts of appreciation and gratitude, an announcement welcoming deployed troops home, information on upcoming base or post activities and much more can be communicated through the proprietary in-store radio. Learn more at http://www.aafes.com/pa/news/08news/08-014.htm.