Special thank you to Governor Andy Beshear for supporting KDVA's Inaugural Veteran and Military Family Conference.#TeamKentucky #kdva #kdvaconference
Suicide Prevention Event
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs invites you to our Suicide Prevention Event.
The Health and well-being of the Nation's service members and Veterans continue to be a top priority. KDVA is working with the Department of Veteran Affairs to address military and Veteran suicide prevention.
In recognition of International Women's Day, I'm sharing this short video from our "She is a Veteran" event that was March 2nd. This event leads up to our Women Veterans State Conference June 25, 2024. We hope to see you there and will be releasing more details about the conference in the coming weeks.
Meghan Smith-A Woman Veteran Story
Meghan Smith sat down with KDVA to tell her story ahead of the March 2nd "She is a Veteran" Women Veterans event. Come join us and connect with other women veterans like Meghan Smith and learn about the benefits and services available to you.
KDVA Run, Walk and Stroll 5K at Iroquis Park in Louisville, KY Oct. 21, 2023. Race starts at 9AM.
Operation Rendezvous Kentucky Veterans Day Parade returns to Louisville Nov. 11, 2023, with sponsorship from KDVA Veterans Program Trust Fund.
Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs Virtual Suicide Prevention Summit
Kentucky Leaders Care About You: Suicide Prevention Resources for Servicemembers, Veterans, their Family, and their Community
This event will share needed info about many resources to assist individuals who may be struggling with mental health, grieving a loved one who died by suicide, and/or want to know resources to help someone. Participants will also hear encouraging words from state leaders, currently serving military leaders, and veteran leaders.
You can also sign up for a song writing session with Tamara, from "Heal My Story"
Here are a few specific topics:
VA S.A.V.E. training
988 Helpline
T.A.P.S.
Psycharmor
Tips for Aging Veterans
Moral Injury, Grief, Intimate Partner Violence
National Guard Considerations
https://us06web.zoom.us/notes/doc/9N7uEPkgRXim4tG4GMporA
KDVA's New Women Veterans Coordinator--Dina Parrott
KDVA’s New Women Veterans Coordinator--Dina Parrott
By James Hensley, KDVA Public Information Officer
At the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, there are several programs, services, and staff members available to assist veterans in getting them the benefits they’ve earned.
Dina Parrott has taken on the role of KDVA’s Women Veterans Coordinator which is responsible for making connections with Kentucky’s 27,000 women veterans in the Commonwealth.
Parrott served in the U.S. Air Force from 1994 to 2019. Since her retirement, she has been a volunteer with God’s Pantry here in Kentucky. She felt like there was a greater service she could provide.
“I got my husband to volunteer with me at a God’s Pantry event called ‘Taste of the Bluegrass’,” Parrott said. “While we were there, my husband brought over Dwayne Edwards, KDVA’s chief of staff and introduced us and told him I was looking for a job. When Dwayne introduced himself, he gave me his card and said we’re looking for a women veteran’s coordinator, and I said, ‘I am looking for a job.’”
Being a woman and a veteran gives her a great perspective as she takes on the role as KDVA’s Women Veterans Coordinator. She hit the ground running speaking at a few events including KDVA’s Commanders State Conference, the Joint Executive Council of Veteran Organizations monthly meetings and more.
“I come to work every day excited because of the possibilities of how far we can go as women,” Parrott said. “I told my husband when I was wanting to go back to work [coming out of retirement], that I needed something that would get me out of bed. It must be worthwhile, must have an impact somewhere, I want to be around people who are caring about the mission. The mission is taking care of our veterans, and specifically our women veterans in my case.”
A year from now, Parrott would like to see several women veterans getting together throughout the state to discuss concerns, benefits,
2023 KDVA State Conference
A few words from Governor Andy Beshear from KDVAs 2023 State Conference. Thank you to all who attended!
PFC Leonard Adams Funeral Service
A welcome home and funeral service to World War II veteran Private First Class Leonard Adams, whose remains were only just recently recovered from France 78 years after being killed in action. The ceremony was held at the Kentucky Veteran Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY, June 23, 2023.
KDVA is the advocate for Kentucky's 300,000 veterans and their families.
