Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

VetCents Re-Launches to Improve Financial Health of America's Veterans

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023
Education, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Organization, Caregiver, Partnership, Employee benefits, RET, Wells Fargo cross-selling scandal, Real estate, Cryptocurrency, Veteran

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ - A collaboration of financial and Veterans support organizations announced today the launch of the newly designed VetCents to improve the financial health of America's Veterans and their caregivers.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ - A collaboration of financial and Veterans support organizations announced today the launch of the newly designed VetCents to improve the financial health of America's Veterans and their caregivers.
  • The discussion highlighted the unique challenges Veterans face and how VetCents, the next evolution of the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP), will improve the financial health of our nation's Veterans and their caregivers.
  • The partnership behind VetCents includes financial wellness provider LifeCents who created the customized financial health platform for Veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers to access financial wellness tools and resources.
  • "Supporting VetCents was a perfect fit with Wells Fargo's goal to strengthen the financial health of our nation's Veterans," said Bonnie Wallace, head of Financial Health Philanthropy, Wells Fargo Foundation.

MIGHTY 25: We Are The Mighty Announces The Top 25 Military Changemakers of 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Survivor, Tight end, White House, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Raytheon Technologies, White House Gender Policy Council, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Small Business Administration, Anglo-French Wars, USAF, NSC, Small business, YOU, Generation, African Americans, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Global Health, Film industry, Management, Veterans' affairs, Korean War, Veteran

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the revered media brand for the military community, We Are The Mighty, is thrilled to announce its distinguished MIGHTY 25 class of 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Ashley Gutermuth – Award-Winning Comedian, National Public Speaker, and Military Spouse
    Libby Jamison – Attorney Advisor with the Department of Veterans Affairs, co-founder of MissionLICENSE; Instrumental in passing Executive Order on Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors
    Cailin Crockett – Director, Military Personnel & Readiness, NSC/Senior Advisor, Gender Policy Council, The White House; Instrumental in passing Executive Order on Advancing Economic Security for Military and Veteran Spouses, Military Caregivers, and Survivors
    Charles Moore – Associate Director for Enterprise Program Development, Raytheon
    Isabella Casillas Guzman – Administrator at U.S. Small Business Administration
    George Kittle – Tight End, San Francisco 49ers
    Richard Fierro – Army Veteran, Disarmed Club Q Gunman
    James Harvey III - First African American USAF jet fighter pilot to fly combat operations in the Korean War, Tuskegee Airman
    Victor LaGroon – Chief Diversity Officer at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Head of Global Health Equity Strategy
    Matthew Weiss – USMC Intelligence Officer, Author, "We Don't Want YOU, Uncle Sam: Examining the Military Recruiting Crisis with Generation Z"
    Kimberly Mitchell – Senior Advisor, Veteran Services Organizations Liaison, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
    Lauren Hope – Executive Director, Second Service Foundation, Military Spouse, Entrepreneur
    Kathy Roth-Douquet – Co-founder and CEO of Blue Star Families, Author

Healing Illinois renews $4.5 million grant project to advance racial healing

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 6, 2023
Narrative, Partnership, Knowledge, Area studies, Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014, Education, Human services, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, GATA, Organization, Empathy, Social justice, State, Field Foundation of New York, Illinois Department of Human Services, Speech, Research, Drug, Nursing, Hospital

Managed in partnership with the Field Foundation of Illinois, Healing Illinois will distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state that facilitate racial healing activities, lead equity work and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Key Points: 
  • Managed in partnership with the Field Foundation of Illinois, Healing Illinois will distribute $4.5 million in grants to organizations across the state that facilitate racial healing activities, lead equity work and engage in meaningful dialogue.
  • The response to the initial launch of Healing Illinois resulted in positive activities and programming funded in 2021 that demonstrated the importance of this racial healing work for community-based organizations.
  • Healing Illinois grant applicants must be a 501(c)(3) in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) certified.
  • Racial Healing Readiness: early-stage ideas for new programming and projects with a long-term vision to advance racial healing.

College of American Pathologists Honors 29 Members/Residents at CAP23 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Science, Other Science, Biotechnology, Research, Pharmaceutical, Oncology, Health, Medical Devices, Virginia House of Delegates, College, Consultant (medicine), Clinical, Accreditation, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Human services, CAP, Engineer Research and Development Center, Council, Marie Cassidy, Education, Member, College of American Pathologists, Pathology, Illinois Department of Human Services, HOD, House, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Patient, Property management, Nursing, MD, Southern Illinois University

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and the leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, honored several of its members for their contributions to pathology and laboratory medicine during its annual meeting, in Chicago, Illinois October 7-10, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and the leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, honored several of its members for their contributions to pathology and laboratory medicine during its annual meeting, in Chicago, Illinois October 7-10, 2023.
  • In recognition of her long and distinguished career in pathology, the CAP named Bharati Suketu Jhaveri, MD, FCAP, Pathologist of the Year.
  • Dr. Jhaveri has devoted much of her professional life to the CAP.
  • “I am grateful to be recognized for this prestigious award from the College of American Pathologists and consider this award encouragement to continue,” shares Dr. Jhaveri.

Blue Star Families Receives Continued Funding to Amplify Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts and Mental Health Initiatives

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 6, 2023
American Red Cross, Partner, BSSC, Organization, Veterans' affairs, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, BSF, Mental health, Education, TAPS, American Samoa, Social impact, Veterans Crisis Line, Nursing, Veteran

Blue Star Families will receive a second year of funding from Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.

Key Points: 
  • Blue Star Families will receive a second year of funding from Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
  • "Blue Star Families is deeply committed to supporting not only our active-duty military and their families but also our Veterans, who have given so much in service to our country.
  • Expand the Blue Star Support Circles Initiative: Enhance and broaden the reach of the BSSC initiative, providing more military families and Veterans with access to vital mental health resources and peer support.
  • Educate and Advocate: Continue to advocate for practices that support Veteran mental health and educate the public about the critical mental health challenges faced by Veterans and their families.

Ontogen Medtech Secures Illinois $50k SBIR Matching Grant to Advance Partnership with Flow Medical on Groundbreaking Pulmonary Embolism Catheter Device

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Partnership, CDT, Disease, Pulmonary embolism, Entrepreneurship, Embolism, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, University of Chicago Medical Center, Commerce, University, Principal, Patient, Overalls, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, PE, Pulmonary artery, SBIR, Medical device

The SBIR Phase I grant matching program was announced in 2022 by Governor JB Pritzker for companies within the State of Illinois.

Key Points: 
  • The SBIR Phase I grant matching program was announced in 2022 by Governor JB Pritzker for companies within the State of Illinois.
  • "We are deeply honored to have been selected as recipients of the SBIR matching grant from the state of Illinois," said Tyler Panian, Principal and Co-Founder of Ontogen Medtech.
  • "This grant not only reaffirms our dedication to advancing medical technologies within the state but also recognizes the significance of our collaboration with Flow Medical.
  • "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Ontogen Medtech and appreciate the support from the State of Illinois to advance our pursuit of the catheter device's potential in revolutionizing pulmonary embolism treatment," said Jennifer Fried, CEO at Flow Medical.

ComEd Reminds Customers of Bill-Assistance Options During the LIHEAP Application Period

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Women, Utilities, Seniors, Oil, Gas, Men, Energy, Family, Consumer, Commonwealth, Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, LIHEAP, Service, Internet, Disability, Electricity, Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Exelon, EXC, Community, Economic development, CEDA, DCEO, Ageing, SAM, Commerce, Health insurance

As the state of Illinois prepares to launch the new, three-phase application period for utility-bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ComEd reminds customers that it offers a wide-range of support options for customers of all income levels.

Key Points: 
  • As the state of Illinois prepares to launch the new, three-phase application period for utility-bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ComEd reminds customers that it offers a wide-range of support options for customers of all income levels.
  • Beginning Nov. 1, households that are disconnected from service or have a disconnection notice can start applying for LIHEAP assistance.
  • Other options ComEd offers to help customers with their bills now and into the future include:
    Payment arrangements of up to 12 months for eligible residential customers with past-due balances.
  • To make it easier for customers to sort through these and other bill-assistance options and energy-efficiency programs, ComEd offers its Smart Assistance Manager (SAM) at ComEd.com/SAM .

OLLIE'S CELEBRATES CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE AT NEW PRINCETON DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
ARCO, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Economic development of Milford, Connecticut, Ollie, Leg, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Topping out, Economic development, Growth, Ollie's Bargain Outlet, 500th, Commerce, Retail, Princeton University

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OLLI) gathered today with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the city of Princeton, and ARCO Design Build to celebrate a significant construction milestone for the new Ollie's distribution center in Princeton, Illinois. In a time-honored tradition known as "Topping Out," a signed steel beam was placed on the roof to signal the next phase of construction on the more than 615,000 square foot facility. Scheduled to open in 2024, the new distribution center is a crucial part of Ollie's growth plan in support of the company's nationwide expansion efforts to open more than 1,050 stores. Ollie's new Princeton facility, representing a capital investment of over $75 million over the coming years, will also create over 200 new full-time jobs in the next few years, generating economic benefits for the region. 

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OLLI) gathered today with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the city of Princeton, and ARCO Design Build to celebrate a significant construction milestone for the new Ollie's distribution center in Princeton, Illinois.
  • Scheduled to open in 2024, the new distribution center is a crucial part of Ollie's growth plan in support of the company's nationwide expansion efforts to open more than 1,050 stores.
  • "We gather today to celebrate a major milestone for Ollie's and the city of Princeton," said Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry.
  • Ollie's will begin employee recruitment for the Princeton distribution center in 2024.

Marius Pharmaceuticals Expands Access of KYZATREX™ (testosterone undecanoate) to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Pledging Support for Proper Hormonal Balance Among Military Personnel

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Testosterone, Rethinking, Veterans' affairs, Education, Quality of life, Veteran, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Insomnia, Medicine, Healthcare in the United States, FDA, SVP, Hypogonadism, Pharmaceutical industry, Nursing

This initiative is a significant milestone in Marius Pharmaceutical’s ongoing mission to provide accessible and life-enhancing therapies to focused communities.

Key Points: 
  • This initiative is a significant milestone in Marius Pharmaceutical’s ongoing mission to provide accessible and life-enhancing therapies to focused communities.
  • Military personnel face an array of physical and psychological health challenges, including but not limited to stress, insomnia, emotional distress, and physical injuries.
  • Veterans often endure unresolved health implications, including mental health conditions, that are frequently linked to low testosterone.
  • A lack of awareness about the impacts of military service on both hormone health and symptom stigma makes it difficult for veterans to confront low testosterone.

SBA Veterans Small Business Advisory Committees Set to Host Virtual Public Meetings Sept. 13-14

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Microsoft Teams, IATF, Office of Management and Budget, Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public, Microsoft, Treasury, Administration, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, SBA, Joint Interagency Task Force West, Management, American Legion, Conference, Cryptocurrency, Real estate, Defense, Labour

WASHINGTON, Sept. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Interagency Task Force (IATF) on Veterans Small Business Development and the SBA Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) announced they will hold their next set of virtual public meetings on September 13 and 14, respectively.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Sept. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Interagency Task Force (IATF) on Veterans Small Business Development and the SBA Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) announced they will hold their next set of virtual public meetings on September 13 and 14, respectively.
  • “The IATF and ACVBA meetings are open to the public each quarter to encourage business owners, committee members, and other advocates to collaborate on increased accessibility to resources and tools for America’s veteran-owned small businesses,” said Timothy Green, Acting Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of Veterans Business Development .
  • Participants may also join by phone at 206-413-7980 and enter the Conference ID: 682 293 143#
    How: Participants may join at this link: https://bit.ly/ACVBA-Sept2023.
  • Meeting presentations and minutes will be available after both meetings at www.sba.gov/ovbd under the "Federal Advisory Committees" section.