As a preventative measure to keep our members safe,
our offices are temporarily closed and our staff is
working remotely to serve you.
If you need assistance with any sort of Chapter issue or question, please feel free to call:
Chapter President: Elmer Jacobs at (909) 489-2179
Chapter National Director: Jose Reynoso at (818) 422-2084
Chapter Executive Director: Dick Fulton at (720) 308-4972
We are not issuing Brown Stickers at this time due to patient visitations being canceled.
Continue checking here for office status updates.
Also, check our facebook page here for current updates: PVACC FACEBOOK PAGE
08/19/20 Message from PVA Executive Director, Carl Blake:
All PVA Chapters and Leadership:
As you have likely seen on the news recently, there has been a great deal of reporting about delays in the US postal system with concerns about how this is effecting deliveries of prescriptions from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans. In order to get a better understanding of how this might be effecting PVA members, we have developed a quick survey to assess this problem. The responses will help us determine how best to respond to this challenge. The link for the survey is below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQR3Q96
This survey will be distributed widely across our social media platforms. We ask you to share this widely with the members of your chapters.
Deadline for responses to the survey is Monday, August 24 by 5:00 PM.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you.
Carl Blake
Executive Director
Paralyzed Veterans of America
07/08/20 Message from PVA Executive Director, Carl Blake:
All PVA Chapters and Leadership:
As we continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic, PVA would like member feedback on how COVID-19 and the economic recession have impacted employment opportunities for our members, their family members, and caregivers. We will use your feedback to develop legislative and advocacy positions and to develop stronger support through the PAVE program. Below is our latest survey to gather information on this issue. We would appreciate it if you would share this widely with your membership. It is a short survey and will only take a couple of minutes to complete.
The survey is available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KTDCKHK.
We would like to receive responses by July 15th.
Additionally, this is a final reminder about the webinar PVA will host tomorrow about career opportunities for PVA members, caregivers, and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar, presented by staff from PVA’s veteran employment program, PAVE, will provide an overview of career opportunities for those at high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar is targeted toward PVA members, their household members, and caregivers who are seeking employment while reducing their exposure to COVID-19. It will be recorded.
Topic: Career Opportunities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
When: July 9, 2020 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Register in advance for this webinar: https://pva.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gnyXtO_kSZmp3f_AGpA65w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Please also share this information widely with your chapter members.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Ansley, PVA’s AED of Government Relations, at HeatherA@pva.org.
Thank you.
Carl Blake
Executive Director
4/27/20 WIN $25 PLAYING SOCIAL DISTANCING WEBSITE SCAVENGER HUNT
Looking for something to do while practicing Social Distancing? Need a little extra $$ as well? Now our members can do both with the PVACC SOCIAL DISTANCING BINGO. PVACC Social Distancing Website Scavenger Hunt
You are already on our website, so why not search around it and find the answers to the 15 questions in the Scavenger Hunt, and send your completed from in an email to info@pvacc.org along with your name so we can verify your Membership Status and contact info, and send you your prize via EFT or Visa Gift card.
Got a question? or Stuck on a particular question? use the contact us form and send us your question!!!!
Have fun, stay safe, and practice safe social distancing
4/24/20 WIN $25 PLAYING SOCIAL DISTANCING BINGO
Looking for something to do while practicing Social Distancing? Need a little extra $$ as well? Now our members can do both with the PVACC SOCIAL DISTANCING BINGO. PVACC Social Distancing BINGO CARD
Get any BINGO in a row, column or diagonal, and send your proof in an email to info@pvacc.org along with your name so we can verify your, BINGO, Membership Status and contact info, and send you your prize via EFT or Visa Gift card.
Want more? Monday we plan on launching our website scavenger hunt, so start getting familiar with our website and earn even more cash next week. First 20 people win.
Have fun, stay safe, and practice safe social distancing
4/13/20 Message from PVA Executive Director, Carl Blake:
All PVA Chapters and Leadership:
This is a reminder that in our effort to continue to learn as much as we can about COVID-19 and its impact on our membership, we have released our second member survey. Please take a few minutes to complete this quick survey. The survey can be found at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6YVCJCX
Please distribute this survey link to all of your chapter members as soon as possible. As events continue to unfold rapidly throughout this crisis, the deadline complete the survey is COB today, Monday, April 13. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Also, we had our first membership-wide webinar las week. There was great discussion and a lot of important questions that will give us some ideas about areas that we need to continue to track due to concerns. The complete webinar can be found at the following link:
We appreciate the Chapters spreading the word around to their members about the webinar. We are hoping to conduct another session in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for that information.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the leadership staff. If you have a need locally, please contact one of our NSOs.
Thank you.
Carl Blake
Executive Director
Paralyzed Veterans of America
carlb@pva.org
3/31/20 Updated list of Southern California Resources:
SoCal Emergency Outreach Resources
3/26/20 Message from PVA Executive Director, Carl Blake:
All Chapters and Leadership:
In recent weeks, PVA’s senior leaders have participated in regular conversations with the White House, VA senior leaders, and Capitol Hill to learn about their response to the corona virus and educate these leaders about the needs of our members and the veterans we serve. As the nation’s response to the pandemic progresses, we need your help to identify the areas that are of most concern to you, your caregivers, and your families. Please take a few minutes to complete our quick survey focused on access to VA health care: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRSBV97. This survey is critical because it will help us respond to your needs by allowing us to better identify problem areas that require further attention. As this is a rapidly developing situation, we ask that you complete the survey by Sunday, March 30.
For PVA Members Specifically:
On Friday, March 27 at 2:00 pm ET, PVA senior leaders will hold a virtual information session regarding PVA’s response to the corona virus, including our efforts to work with policy makers in Washington, DC and in VA SCI/D Centers and Regional Offices around the country. The meeting will feature brief presentations about the response of Capitol Hill, VA, and PVA to the corona virus pandemic. Following the presentations, we will have time to hear from you about your concerns and those of fellow PVA members regarding accessing care, benefits, and other related issues during this critical time. You will be able to join the meeting by phone and/or computer or smart device by following the below directions. We will record the meeting for those who are unable to attend the live event. You do not need to register in advance for this event. This session is primarily meant for PVA members specifically, but staff and other chapter representatives are welcome to listen in as well. We will be conducting a similar session in the next two weeks that will reach out to members more broadly.
Topic: PVA COVID-19 Update Meeting
Time: Mar 27, 2020 02:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Click on the link below to Join the Zoom Meeting and press the ‘Call Me’ tab to have the system call your phone:
https://pva.zoom.us/j/121609752
OR
If you are using your smart phone, use one of the One Tap Mobile links below:
+13126266799,,121609752# US (Chicago)
OR
If a computer is not available, dial one of the toll-free numbers below:
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 121 609 752
When the system prompts for your participant ID, just press #.
We hope that you will be able to participate in this session tomorrow afternoon. Thank you.
Carl Blake
Executive Director
Paralyzed Veterans of America
3/25/20 Reminder from Dr. Nguyen:
Please try to shelter in place at home and to request to change your appointments to video when possible:
Download the app here:
https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
3/25/20 Local Long Beach Restaurants Still Providing Take Out Options (Compliments of Long Beach 908 Magazine) www.lb908.com:
This Guide is meant to become a direct communication between local restaurant owners and residents, and is hopefully updated 2x a day.
3/20/20 Message from PVA President, David Zurfluh:
To Our PVA Family,
I am writing this message to let you know that you are not alone in this crisis, and that the PVA National organization cares about you. We have been working non-stop, focusing on the health and well-being of our members, caregivers, staff, community and all veterans. We are:
- Staying in constant contact with VA and government leaders,
- Ensuring VA has a reliable plan for our members for all eventualities,
- Informing Chapters and members with information as soon as it comes our way and following up with the VA when information should come our way and has not,
- Having chapters inform us when information comes to them locally,
- Senior Vice VP Charles Brown and National VPs remaining in constant contact with Chapters, and
- Creating contingency plans for upcoming events.
Please visit PVA’s COVID-19 Resources page on our website to learn more about how to connect with PVA during these unprecedented times: https://pva.org/covid-19/. On this page, you will find a video message from PVA Executive Director Carl Blake and updated information about connecting with PVA service officers and accessing the SCI/D System of Care under these unique circumstances. As we receive updated information, we will continue to post it on https://pva.org/covid-19/. So, check back often for updates.
For our members, their families and caregivers, our National Service Officers working at VA Spinal Cord Injury Centers, VA Medical Centers, and VA Regional Offices are working remotely and can be reached by calling your local National Service Office. Throughout this time, PVA Service Officers are closely monitoring their phone and email messages. To find their contact information visit: https://pva.org/find-support/national-service-office/.
If you are experiencing difficulty gaining access to your SCI/D team or need acute admission and are denied, please contact one of our service officers near you immediately. However, if you have symptoms, or think you may have come in contact with the corona virus, contact your provider BEFORE visiting your local VA medical center or doctor’s office. You will also find select Frequently Asked Questions at https://pva.org/covid-19/ regarding actions/steps that you can and should take if you are currently sick or become sick.
We know that many of you also have questions about upcoming events, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. As soon as we have information to report on the status of these and other events, we will let you know.
To Chapters and leadership, I ask that you share this information as widely as possible with your membership. We want to get this information distributed as widely and as quickly as possible. We are living in extremely fluid times so please stay informed and know, PVA is working diligently in these difficult times to serve and care for our members, staff and families. Visit https://pva.org for up-to-the-minute information. I cannot stress enough that communication between all of us is important. It’s our support for one another that is going to get us all through these unprecedented times.
As the British said during WWII and past crises “Keep calm and carry on.” We will get through this together!
David Zurfluh
National President
Paralyzed Veterans of America
DavidZ@pva.org