High-Country Health Food and Cafe in Mariposa California

CASA
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open.
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open. "We provide a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. Come in and let us help You Relax"
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California

September 2014 - Executive Summary:

The women veteran population in the United States now exceeds 2.2 million. About 8 percent of these women live in California, for a population of more than 180,000. Women veterans have much in common with their male counterparts but have unique experiences and needs as well. Anticipating and addressing these needs is a growing focus of state and federal governments. One component of California’s response to the growing women veteran population is the California Women Veteran Survey, a biennial survey of women veterans living in the state. Begun in 2009, this survey is administered by the California State Library’s California Research Bureau on behalf of and in cooperation with the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the California Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The 2013 survey builds on previous iterations by offering a new set of questions based on the lessons learned in 2009 and 2011, as well as feedback from members of the California women veteran community. The survey was carried out between September and December of 2013, and this report summarizes the results. Because collaborators could not identify a random sample of California women veterans to participate, the 2013 survey relied on a convenience sample of volunteer participants. This approach reduces a researcher’s ability to generalize findings to the overall women veteran population of California; however, the results reported here are accurate accountings of the experiences of roughly 1,000 California women veterans. Their experiences likely reflect the experiences of many other women veterans in the state. 

Key results from the 2013 survey:  Overall awareness about state veteran benefits was low among respondents and knowledge varied across demographic and service-related characteristics. 
 Disability claims based on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but not related to sexual harassment or sexual assault were awarded at a significantly higher rate than were PTSD-based claims related to sexual harassment or sexual assault. 
 Respondents who experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, PTSD, and service-connected disabilities were all more likely to report housing issues than the average respondent. 
 Most respondents who indicated they experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault did not report the incidents. Of those who did report the incidents, the majority experienced at least one form of retaliation. 
 More than one-third of respondents who reported not using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare indicated they did not know they were eligible for coverage. 
 About half of respondents who reported using childcare indicated childcare needs had a significant impact on some of their employment- and healthcare-related decisions. 

Non-white respondents, those who discharged with an enlisted rank, and those who reported experiencing sexual harassment, sexual assault, PTSD, or a service-connected disability all had higher unemployment rates than their respective counterparts.  Respondents who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex were less likely to be aware of and use state veteran benefits and more likely to have experienced housing issues, sexual harassment, and sexual assault than the average respondent. 

Drawing inferences and policy recommendations from these results is difficult because of the nature of the sample, but one conclusion emerges. There is an opportunity for increased outreach and education among women veteran communities. Most respondents were unaware of all the state’s veteran-related benefits and services to which they are entitled. Some of those who may be eligible for service-connected disability compensation had not filed claims. Many who had not used U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare reported they did not realize they were eligible. This conclusion is consistent with results from previous iterations of the California Women Veteran Survey as well as recent reports by the California State Auditor and Little Hoover Commission. 

Read the full report: California's Women Veterans: Responses to the 2013 Survey