 
 Thank you to everyone who joined us on campus to celebrate the 4th of July — and our nation’s 250th birthday! It was wonderful to see such a great turnout. With generous support from our community partners, we served roughly 1,000 meals and had an amazing time doing it.
A heartfelt thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made this event possible, especially our outstanding Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) team. Your dedication, hard work, and positive spirit truly made the day special.
Hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday!
 
Extreme heat season is in full swing.
Temperatures high enough to be dangerous to health are occurring across the country. Extreme heat, defined as temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days, can lead to serious medical issues, medical emergencies and even death.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent health problems and stay safe during extreme heat.
Follow these safety tips for extreme heat
- Try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- If you must be outside, dress in light, loose-fitting clothes that cover arms/legs and frequently apply SPF 30+ sunscreen. Stay in the shade as much as possible.
- On hot days, avoid outdoor exercise. Do any needed outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day or evening when possible.
- Drink extra water and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
- If you feel too hot and cannot get to a cooler area, cool off with wet cloths.
- Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Check on vulnerable family, friends and neighbors during times of extreme heat.
- Fans will not cool you enough at indoor temperatures above 90*! You must seek a cooled or air-conditioned location. If your home is too hot, find a cool location: Go to the library, a shopping mall, a friend’s home or a designated cooling center.
- Be prepared for power outages during extreme heat. If you rely on medical equipment or refrigerated medications, talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs announced the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA disability compensation and pension benefit claims fell below 70,000 for the first time since February 2020, during the first Trump Administration.
Hitting this milestone means the department has now cut the backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits by over 74% since Jan. 20, 2025, after it increased 24% under the Biden Administration.
A VA claim for compensation or pension is considered backlogged once it has been pending in the claims inventory for more than 125 days. In 2013, 70% of claims were older than 125 days — the most ever — compared to just 11.6% today.
VA has also reduced the average time it takes to process a claim to a record low. Today, claims take an average of 77.7 days to process – the fastest ever. Since the second Trump Administration took office, VA has decided more than one million claims in less than 30 days.
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 VA Long Beach is hosting a Homeless Veteran Resource Fair on Wednesday, July 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Long Beach City College – Veterans Stadium (5000 E. Lew Davis St., Long Beach, CA 90808).
Join us to connect with essential resources and referrals designed to support homeless and formerly homeless Veterans. Services available include:
- Permanent and transitional housing referrals
- Employment and career support
- Education resources
- VA, LA County, and Orange County benefits assistance
- Medical, mental health, and dental services
- Legal services, DMV assistance, birth certificate requests
- Chaplain services, child support services, and more
Shuttles will be provided from Orange County and Long Beach to ensure easy access for those traveling from surrounding areas.
This event is designed to provide a safe, welcoming space where Veterans can meet with service providers, connect with community partners, and receive immediate support toward housing stability, wellness, and long‑term success.
 The Veterans Social Connection (VSC) is a monthly gathering where Veterans can relax, meet others, and access helpful resources in a welcoming environment. The VSC takes place on the last Friday of each month (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the Patriot Café Patio. We hope to see you on July 31!
 
Are you a Veteran but you're not sure where to start with the VA? Check out the VA Resource Navigator, a short, sweet combination of all the most valuable resources to get you started on your way to VA benefits and health care.
Download the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors handbook online or pick up a printed copy at your local medical center, regional office or Vet Center for free.
The VA Podcast Network offers a diverse selection of top-quality podcasts made with a Veteran community in mind. Each podcast specializes on a different topic and covers gripping content that no Veteran should want to miss out on.
Work with us!
Find VA Long Beach Healthcare System jobs on USA Jobs.
Find out how to work with us in other ways!
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274 toll-free
Disclaimer of Endorsement:
Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
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