Women Veterans 2020 Delegation To Capitol Hill – March 14, 2019: Capitol Hill Day After Action Report

Women Veterans ROCK! New Ranks! March 2019 Magazine Cover

Greetings Delegates:

On behalf of Women Veterans ROCK! and The Healthy Caregiver Community Foundation, we thank you, The Women Veterans Veterans 2020 Delegation for attending Public Policy Day on Capitol Hill on March 14, 2019 for “Conversations With Our Congresswomen.”

Public Policy Day was a huge success because of your support and dedication to Women Veterans and Military Families. We thank each and every one of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to raise awareness about the issues that are most important to America’s Military Women and Military Families.

Below you will find the After Action Report which demonstrates our collective commitment as Public Policy Advocates for America’s Women Veterans; Active Duty Servicewomen; Reservists; National Guard; ROTC; Military Spouses; and Military Moms too! We salute the important Civic Engagement Service being conducted by The Women Veterans 2020 Delegation. We look forward to your continued participation as we continue to march forward.

Best Regards,

Deborah Harmon-Pugh, President

The Healthy Caregiver Community Foundation

National Campaign Chair &

The Team @ Women Veterans ROCK!

2019 capitol hill day women veterans rock!

2019 Public Policy Day Outcomes

“Conversations With Our Congresswomen”

The Delegation welcomed three Newly Elected Congresswomen, from The Historic 116th Congress to share their experiences in public leadership; to describe their commitment to America’s Women Veterans and Military Families; and, to formally introduce them to The Military Women of The Women Veterans 2020 Delegation.

Congresswoman

Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)

Congresswoman

Madeleine Dean (D-PA)

Congresswoman

Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

U.S. Air Force Veteran

Survey Results

90% of respondents were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with Public Policy Day.

85% of respondents are “very likely” to attend Public Policy Day again.

100% of respondents would recommend Public Policy Day to a friend or colleague.

The majority of respondents reported content (Afternoon Sessions, Speakers/Presenters and Topics) was the most important part of Public Policy Day.

Recommendations For Improving Future Events

Respondents requested more time to network and connect with their fellow Delegates.

Respondents requested more time for Delegates to speak about important issues and provide solutions.

Respondents requested that the event be aired on social media or other forums.

Respondents requested that Speakers and Congressional Staff receive information and questions prior to the day of the event – to enable them to provide more detailed information to our Delegates.

Recommendations & Call To Action For Congress

Our 2019 Public Policy Day focused key topics important to Women Veterans including: Comprehensive Health Care for Women Veterans; Mental Health and Wellness for Military Families; and, Caring for Our Aging Veterans.

To achieve our goals in these areas, we asked Congress to work to address the following issues:

Support and fund existing services through the VA in order to provide a more streamlined process for efficient and timely care.

Support and fund mental health programs for veterans, particularly programs that address PTSD, sexual trauma and substance abuse.

Support and fund elder care support services to ensure that the growing number of aging veterans are taken care of.

Support and fund housing and child care programs for women veterans and their families.

Additionally, we request Congress to consider these priorities when implementing America’s Veteran Policies:

Consider issues specific to Women Veterans when discussing veteran’s issues.

Support legislation that helps All Veterans with education and employment.

Include Women Veterans & Military Spouses in veteran forums and caucus sessions to capture the voices and learn of the needs of America’s ENTIRE Military Community.