Featured items
Lac Qui Parle Veterans Service Officer Opening
Lac Qui Parle County has an opening for a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO). The posting closes on November 30, 2009 at 9:00 am..
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Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Medical Foster Home Program
The Minneapolis VA Medical Center is pleased to announce the development of the Medical Foster Home Program to reach the growing needs of the veteran population.
The program offers a safe, long-term, home-like environment and an economical housing alternative for veterans who are unable to remain in their own homes because of health issues.
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US Dept of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Emergency Payments
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.
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Hunger Solutions Minnesota launches toll-free Minnesota Food Helpline
In response to the increasing need for food assistance in our communities, Hunger Solutions Minnesota (HSM) has launched the Minnesota Food Helpline, a statewide toll-free number that provides information and resources to Minnesotans at risk of hunger and those that serve them.
One way to help meet the demand for food in our communities is by assisting people struggling with hunger and poverty in the eligibility and application process for public program benefits including Food Support (formerly Food Stamps).
The toll-free number is 888-711-1151.
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Gold Star License Plate
The Governor and First Lady unveiled the new Gold Star License Plate. The plate will be available beginning October 1, 2009.
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Is the new Post-9/11 GI Bill right for you?
Find out more at www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/CH33/step-by-step.htm
Building 9 Demolition Planned at Minneapolis Veterans Home
Time Capsule from 1934 Found at Minneapolis Veterans Home
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, together with members of the Veterans community, will open a time capsule from 1934 during the cornerstone removal ceremony of historic building 9 at the Minneapolis Veterans Home Tuesday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. The original cornerstone is dated at the start of construction, Nov. 11, 1934. Completed in 1937, building 9 was constructed almost entirely by hand over a span of nearly three years.
The ceremony also kicks off demolition of the existing structure and subsequent construction of a new 100 bed skilled nursing care facility on the site. Residents were moved from the current building 9 in November 2007 after structural problems were discovered.
Construction of the new facility is scheduled to be complete by fall of 2011. This project is funded in part, 65 percent, by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which awarded the state of Minnesota $17.5 million for demolition and construction of a replacement facility. Legislation was passed and signed by Governor Pawlenty approving a 35 percent state match of federal dollars. The state match is $10.1 million of the total project. In an effort to preserve some of the historical elements from building 9, a number of original features and decor will be incorporated and displayed in the new building, including the cornerstone of building 9.
Tuesday’s ceremony will include comments by Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Clark Dyrud and the Minneapolis Veterans Home Administrator Judy Kurki-Coleman.
Media Advisory
Time Capsule information
Disabled Veterans eligible for FREE Transit
Minnesota’s disabled veterans are now able to use public transportation throughout Minnesota at no charge beginning today. The transit benefit was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty this year.
Disabled veterans simply need to show the proper identification card to bus operators of any fixed-route service in the state, including Metro Transit and suburban transit providers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area as well as regular-route services in Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, Moorhead, East Grand Forks and Mankato.
“This initiative will provide a tremendous service for disabled veterans in Minnesota. They are our nation’s heroes,” said Clark Dyrud, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
“How appropriate that this benefit for disabled veterans begins so close to the Fourth of July when we show our respect and support for those who defend the freedoms we enjoy,” said Peter Bell, chair of the Metropolitan Council, which oversees public transportation in the Twin Cities.
There are approximately 50,000 disabled veterans in Minnesota. The free ride benefit also extends to a personal care attendant who may be assisting a disabled veteran as they travel.
In the Metro area, this benefit is also available on the Hiawatha light-rail line and on the Northstar commuter rail line, which will begin operations late this year between Big Lake, MN, and downtown Minneapolis.
“The transit providers in Greater Minnesota are an important part of our multi-modal transportation system. I appreciate that the fixed-route transit providers are acknowledging the contributions of our disabled veterans by offering them free service,” said Tom Sorel, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, which oversees and funds transit service outside of the metro area.
To qualify for the free rides, disabled veterans must show a Veterans Identification Card, or VIC issued by a VA Medical Center with the words “Service Connected” or the initials “SC” below the photo. The cards are available at the VA medical centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud. For information call (612) 467-1991 or visit www.va.gov/healtheligibility/application/IDCard.asp
Minnesota Medal of Honor Plaque Dedication
The Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force (www.mnctf.org) and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (www.mdva.state.mn.us) has commissioned a plaque to honor the fifty-five Minnesota Medal of Honor recipients associated with the state. These individuals have served in every conflict beginning with the Civil War and have helped maintain freedom and liberty during times of peace. The plaque was dedicated on June 13th as part of the Minnesota Honors Vietnam Era Veterans event.
US VA Awards $5.2 million for Minnesota Veterans Homes
To support high-quality health care for Minnesota Veterans at the state's Veterans homes, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding two grants totaling $5.2 million for improvements at the state-run facilities in Minneapolis and Silver Bay.
Press release
Twin City Metropolitan Area Location Study for Minnesota Veterans Homes
The purpose of this study is to compare campus development options. The primary comparison is between
solely utilizing the existing campus for the seven-county metro area or abandoning the current site and
dispersing out with smaller campuses into the seven-county metro area. The seven counties are Hennepin,
Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, Scott, Anoka, and Carver. Some demographic consideration is also given for "near the metro area" counties which are Sterns, Wright, Sherburne, and Benton.
Read the study
Strategic Plan
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Plan 2008-2013 is now online. This plan is a roadmap that will guide our department in effectively carrying out our mission of "serving Minnesota Veterans and their families."
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Depleted Uranium
In recent years, a large number of Minnesota veterans, including those who serve in the National Guard and Reserves, have been deployed overseas where they may have worked with munitions and tanks that contained depleted uranium (DU). DU is a very dense metal that the U.S. military uses in munitions for its armor-piercing properties and in tank armor for its ability to protect against standard munitions.
While decades of research suggest that DU is not a health concern for the vast majority of service members, any Minnesota veteran or service member who believes he or she may have been exposed to DU may request an evaluation from their local VA Medical Center’s environmental health coordinator.
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Minnesota Service C.O.R.E.
Minnesota Service C.O.R.E. is a new, nation-leading program designed to bring essential, community-based services directly to veterans, military members and their families across Minnesota at no cost to them. Due to its unique structure, this program will also provide resources to previously underserved rural areas around the state.
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CVSO Enhancement Grant
The fiscal year 2010 County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Enhancement Grant is now on-line.
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War Survivors Education Benefit
Information regarding the WAR SURVIVOR education benefit administered by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has been updated. Eligible spouses and children should read this information to see if they can apply for the program.
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LinkVet
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) offers the LinkVet call center provided by trained staff. During business hours, MDVA staff will provide information on veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration. The line will roll to Crisis Connection counselors for 24-hour, seven days a week coverage (including holidays) for immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling.
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MDVA E-mail Newsletters
The MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs now offers e-mail lists to keep you informed of veteran issues in Minnesota. There are five topics:
- Minnesota Legislative Issues - Newsletters containing information on legislative issues related to Minnesota Veterans.
- Events - Newsletters containing information on events for Minnesota Veterans.
- MDVA Newsletter - A monthly newsletter from the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs about veteran issues.
- Flag at Half-Staff - Notification when the flags at the Minnesota Capitol are lowered to half-staff.
- News Flash - Press releases and other news items related to Minnesota veterans.
Sign-up for the e-mail newsletters.
Military and Unemployment Insurance
Information on applying for Unemployment Insurance such as when, how, amount of benefits, etc.
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Become a Volunteer Driver for the VA / DAV Transportation Program at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center
We need more volunteer drivers desperately…and volunteers can volunteer one or more days a week. Volunteer drivers representing the various veterans’ organizations logged over 2.3 million miles in 2006 and volunteer over 80,000 hours.
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Minnesota Veterans 4 Veterans (V4V) Trust Fund
A trust fund called "MN Veterans 4 Veterans Trust Fund" has been established. The goal of the trust fund is to help Minnesota
Veterans integrate into
society and lead healthier,
independent lives by funding
recreational, employment, health,
education and social programs for
veterans, their families and
caregivers. Applications for grants are now being accepted.
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Female Combat Veterans
What does it mean to be a female with combat experience? How have my military experiences affected me? How can I better deal with negative emotions? Come and join an opportunity for support and growth at the St. Paul Vet Center, Monday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm.
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