Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC) offer former service members a path toward recovery and stability by addressing the underlying challenges that often contribute to involvement with the justice system. Through a combination of treatment programs, mental health counseling, substance abuse support, housing resources, and ongoing court supervision, VTC programs help veterans rebuild their lives while reducing incarceration.
Florida’s Veterans Treatment Court program also relies on the support of fellow veterans through its VTC Mentor Veteran initiative. Mentor Veterans play an important role in guiding, encouraging, and supporting participants as they navigate recovery and reintegration. Veterans interested in making a difference are encouraged to identify themselves and become part of this impactful support network.
Women Veterans are invited to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) Women Veterans Summit, June 5–7, at The Westin Tampa Bay. This FREE event connects Women Veterans with leaders and community partners to provide resources for their ongoing success. Register and learn more:
Get ready to connect, empower, and uplift at the FDVA Women Veterans Summit – Stronger Together!
Join us for a powerful, purpose-driven weekend designed exclusively for women veterans who are ready to take control of their next chapter—health, career, business, leadership, and life.
Summit will be held on the waterfront at beautiful and newly renovated The Westin Tampa Bay: address 7627 West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607. This immersive summit brings together trusted experts, fellow women veterans, and community partners for honest conversations, practical guidance, and meaningful connection. This is not a conference where you sit and listen. This is where you learn, engage, plan, and leave with clarity.
Who Should Attend? Women veterans at any stage of transition -Women navigating VA benefits, healthcare, or life planning -Aspiring and established entrepreneurs -Career-focused women preparing for civilian roles -Leaders, advocates, and community builders -Spouses and supporters are welcome for select sessions.
Why Stronger Together? Because no woman veteran should have to navigate life after service alone. This summit was built by women veterans, for women veterans—grounded in real experience, trusted expertise, and the belief that when we come together, we are stronger, clearer, and more prepared for whatever comes next.
Agenda
Friday June 5th Foundations & Health
3:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Friday: Foundations & Health * VA Claims 101 – Understand how to file a claim, what an “intent to file” means, how Nexus letters work, what to expect during exams, and realistic timelines. *Ask the Doc: Women’s Health by Life Stage – Direct access to healthcare professionals covering key health milestones from your 20s through menopause and beyond. *Welcome Reception – Hawaiian Luau – Wear your grass shirts, Hawaiian shirts and connect with fellow women veterans in a relaxed waterfront setting as we kick off the weekend together.
Saturday – Purpose, Planning & Possibility
09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Saturday: Purpose, Planning & Possibility Opening Session & Keynote – Set the tone for a day focused on growth and direction. Operation Mindset – Learn how to translate military experience into confidence, clarity, and momentum for your next chapter. · Mission Forward – Strategic goal planning to help you move from intention to execution. Lunch & Pop-Up Market – Support veteran-owned businesses and community partners. Breakout Tracks – Choose the path that aligns with where you are now: Entrepreneurship – Before you form an LLC: business models, customer discovery, and problem-solution fit. Career Readiness – Resume alignment, job descriptions, and beating the keyword game. Leadership & Advocacy – Turn lived experience into leadership, influence, and impact. VA Education Benefits – Degrees, certifications, credentialing, and building a realistic education plan. Advanced Life Planning – Advance care planning, medical directives, survivor benefits, and honoring your wishes.
By Pat Green Networks and Friendships At our last Surviving Spouse Advisory Council meeting, the subject of communications came up. Some members espoused Facebook; others embraced LinkedIn, a text trail, or email groups. I can say good things about them all, depending on the size of the group and the message. Still, the need for a personal connection exists. My favorite means of communication remains a telephone call. Nothing brightens the day like a call from an old friend. A memory shared or a laugh exchanged lifts the spirits. Personal communications build strong families and good friends, and create great institutions and cohesive organizations. Personal interaction between Chapter members provides opportunities to build friendships, exchange ideas and share experiences. I have just returned from my annual Council Leadership Training/Convention. At an event like that, you feel the connection of shared experiences and our shared purpose. But you feel more. It’s the hugs exchanged, the appreciation of each member and their contributions, and the connection to the MOAA Leaders and staff that attend. It was an experience that energizes and renews your commitment. Your Council and Chapter create a cohesive network for the work of MOAA. They also provide a setting for friendships to flourish. This shared affinity should be practiced in your Chapter. The Chaplain and the Surviving Spouse Liaison serve as a personal outreach to each member. Their role is very important. A Chapter member who lives alone and has no local family member needs a Chapter friend or neighbor to exchange a greeting with each day. It could be as simple as texting “Good Morning” and a thumbs up response. The greeter and responder should share contact information for their next of kin in the event that the greeting is not returned. I know of one Chapter that has created such a program. They call it Buddy Check. This topic might be a good discussion point for your next meeting. Also, the Chapter should have a list of emergency contacts for its members in case a member becomes ill at a meeting. I personally experienced two situations where that information would have been helpful. Please…Keep caring. Keep advocating! Keep in touch! Keep connected. And “Never Stop Serving”.
I was reminded waking up two Saturdays ago of the high price our most precious of patriotic Americans paid in Operation Epic Fury. Please send extra prayers to the families of the American services members who have been killed or wounded. For those of you who have upcoming overseas trips, I urge you to register your travel information before you depart with https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/smart-traveler-enrollment-program .html In my past travels I found it extremely helpful when the State Department sent me very specific alerts, informative messages, and locations of the nearest Embassy/Consulate during my overseas trips. The main State Government website is https://travel.state.gov .
By the looks of the new buds coming out on my Bald Cypress trees, I believe Spring has Sprung in Central Florida! Luckily, we are turning our clocks forward on March 8h to give us an extra hour of sunshine for all the new growth that is occurring. I’m wishing you all the luck of the Irish on March 17th, and don’t forget to “Welcome Home” our Vietnam Veterans on their special National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29th. Mark your calendar for March 10th as we are having our monthly luncheon with special guest speaker Navy veteran and past American Legion District Commander Kurt Gies, the Founder and Executive Director of Challenge22. www.Challenge22Inc.com exists to end veteran suicide by raising awareness and funding programs that save veterans’ lives.
If it’s been a while since you’ve attended one of our MOAA Central Florida Chapter luncheons, please reserve April 11th (our only Saturday luncheon) to come out and celebrate our JROTC Scholarship Cadets, their family and cadre. This is my favorite luncheon event as it’s an opportunity to showcase the achievements of our future military leaders and recognize them with the generous financial donations from our chapter members. Lastly, I know there are chapter members who don’t always come to our luncheons and thus may not get a reminder that the $20 membership dues we each pay to support our chapter are now overdue. We rely on the dues to help pay for items such as meals for our guest speakers, and other operating costs such as our Chapter Insurance policy. You will find the form to send in your $20 on the last page of the Focus, or go to www.moaacfc.org and click the “Donate” link. We need your support, and while you are at it, please update your information (especially your spouse) so we can keep in touch! For those celebrating Easter, I wish each of you a joyous Easter celebration on April 1st! I hope to see you all on March 10th for your monthly Chapter Luncheon! Cheers, Lorraine
“Healing Through Expression” was invited to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Veterans Appreciation Celebration held by the Orlando Region Realtors Association on November 7th, 2025. Our featured artist was Kathy Redmond, who creates exquisite paper flowers and paintings. This event was well attended, and there was plenty of interest in this worthwhile project.
