Featured items
Women Veterans Task Force Draft Plan Released
The VA is looking for feedback regarding issues that face women veterans. For additional information and to participate, go to vawomenvetstratplan.uservoice.com.
Draft Strategy Report
From Bootcamp To Veteran Workshop
Base Camp at Ft. Snelling is hosting the 2012 From Bootcamp to Veteran Workshop on May 19th from 10 am to 4 pm. This event is free and open to the public. See the Event Flyer below for more information.
Event Flyer
Governor Dayton’s Budget Proposal Includes Veterans Benefits
Governor Mark Dayton announced his Supplemental FY12-13 Budget Proposal yesterday which includes $915,000 for an expansion of the Veterans GI Bill, $1.05 million in increased funding for County Veterans Service Officers, and the Governor’s commitment for $100,000 in sustained funding for honor guard services.
Press Release
Veterans Day on the Hill
The annual Veterans Day on the Hill, which is jointly sponsored by the Commanders’ Task Force (CTF), the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) and the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO) will kick-off with a rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 9:00 a.m. Governor Mark Dayton will be the keynote speaker. Veterans are urged to make appointments with their area legislators to encourage their support of veterans issues.
Press Release
Event Flyer
Informational Packet
Veteran Service Officer Opening
There is currently a Veteran Service Officer opening for Scott County. The VSO Works with and assists Veterans and their families regarding programs and benefits available; performs case management and case support activities determining benefit eligibility, scope of benefits, and works w/Veterans & and families on how to obtain them.
More Information
New Section: Veteran Employment
In the "Hot Topics" Section on the left side navigation is a new link to Veteran Employment. This section will include highlighted employment opportunities for veterans.
Veteran Employment
70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembered
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 marks the 70th Anniversary of the Attacks on Pearl Harbor. The 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in U.S. history.
More Information
Vote for the Minnesota Veterans Home - Minneapolis
The MN Veterans Home - Minneapolis is competing in a Home Depot Contest to win $25,000 and be eligible to compete for $250,000. The winner in this social media campaign with the most votes wins. Go to http://www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation and cast your vote every 24 hours through the end of November!
More Information
Expanded GI Bill to Give Veterans Access to Job Training
As the Dayton Administration strives to get Minnesota working again, Governor Mark Dayton today proposed expanding the Minnesota GI Bill to provide thousands of Veterans access to new job training. The announcement was part of a two-part Veterans proposal made today with Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Shellito.
More Information
Minnesota Receives $1.18 million Federal Transit Grant for Veterans and
Military Families
The Minnesota Department of Transportation received a $1.18 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to create a transportation referral system that will improve transportation options and mobility for Minnesota's veterans, service members, their families and other Minnesota residents. The grant is from the USDOT Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Capital Grants Program.
More Information
State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program
The official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force and Governor Mark Dayton invite Veterans, families, elected officials, and community members to celebrate and honor all Veterans who have served this country with bravery. This program was selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the official regional site for the 2011 observance.
More Information
Veterans Day 2011
November 11 is Veterans Day, the national holiday dedicated to honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In honor of all U. S. Military Veterans, the Commanders' Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs host the Minnesota State Veterans Day Program at the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center on November 11. Visit MDVA’s Veterans Day 2011 page (link below) for details and other Veterans Day events around the state.
Veterans Day 2011
Employment Opportunity: Deputy Commissioner Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Care
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. MDVA has two divisions, Veterans Healthcare and Veterans Programs and Services. The Veteran's Healthcare Division operates five (5) Veterans Homes located throughout the State and is responsible to provide quality care services for Veterans and qualified spouses. Each Home is managed by a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. These administrators, along with several administrative managers (including Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legislative Affairs and others) report to this position. This position reports to the Commissioner, who is appointed by the Governor. The MDVA operates on a biennial budget cycle which consists of State general funds, Federal funds, miscellaneous revenues and donations. The Healthcare Division's biennial budget is 191+ million at it employs about 1500 staff.
Position Details
LinkVet
The Veterans Linkage Line (LinkVet) is a toll free, one stop customer service line and website for all Minnesota veterans and their families. The service connects Veterans and their families to important services and resources.
Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Veterans can call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838) and TTY at (800) 627-3529.
Counselors from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, for immediate crisis intervention. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/FAQs.aspx for Veteran specific information.
The website (www.minnesotaveteran.org) is a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) format allows users to enter questions or search topics based on their specific needs. Users are also able to create personalized accounts that will allow them to track topics and resources of interest. For example, if the user has questions about education benefits for Veterans, they can choose to be alerted anytime there is an update or a change related to that topic. Users also have the ability to chat online with staff and provide immediate feedback to help improve the site’s usability.
More information
MDVA E-mail Newsletters
The MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs 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
"Serving You Better" Survey
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has launched “Serving You Better,” a survey to assist the Department better understand how Minnesota Veterans use MDVA’s services and programs and to help
the Department better serve Veterans and their families.
The online survey is short and anonymous. Veterans, current service members and families are encouraged to participate. To take the survey visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org and click on the “Serving You Better Survey” button.
CVSO Enhancement Grant
The fiscal year 2011 County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Enhancement Grant is now on-line.
More information
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.
More information
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.
More information
Program Update - Dec 22, 2009
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
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.
More information
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.
More information
Military and Unemployment Insurance
Information on applying for Unemployment Insurance such as when, how, amount of benefits, etc.
More information
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.
More information |
