Featured items
Construction begins on new facility at Mpls Veterans Home
Ground was broken June 14th at the Minneapolis Veterans Home for a new 100-bed skilled nursing facility. This building will replace Building 9, which was demolished in 2009 at the same location. Residents were moved from the building in November 2007 after structural problems were discovered. Construction on the new facility is scheduled to be complete by the spring of 2012.
More information
"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.
"The Wall" is collecting photos
A project is underway to collect pictures and stories for all of the more than 58,000 service members on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
More information
CVSO Enhancement Grant
The fiscal year 2011 County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Enhancement Grant is now on-line.
More information
MDVA 2010 Legislative Session Review
The MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs 2010 Legislative Session Review is now on-line. It is a wrap-up of Veteran related legislative items in the 2010 session.
2010 Legislative Wrap-up
Lyon County Veterans Service Officer opening
Lyon County has an opening for a County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO). The position is open until filled and the first review of applications will be on June 21.
Read announcement
VA Awards $22 Million to Minneapolis Veterans Home
WASHINGTON – To ensure the Minnesota Veterans home in Minneapolis remains a comfortable and safe residence for Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding two grants worth nearly $22.4 million for a new 100-bed nursing home and other improvements.
“Our federal-state partnership helps to provide comfortable and safe housing in a caring community for Minnesota Veterans who have served their country,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
VA’s grants will cover 65 percent of the costs of the two projects. The Department has targeted $19.2 million for the new nursing home and $3.2 million to renovate facilities used by the adult day health care program.
Last year, VA spent nearly $1.7 billion in Minnesota to serve the state’s 390,000 Veterans. VA operates major medical centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, with outpatient clinics and Vet Centers across the state, plus a national cemetery at Ft. Snelling.
State Vets Home Earns Top Scores for Care
The Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls has received perfect ratings in recent reviews by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) during their respective annual surveys of the Home.
More information
Health Care Reform and Minnesota Veterans
Read a message from Commissioner Michael Pugliese concerning health care reform and Minnesota Veterans.
CRIPA Drops Investigation
The U. S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, opened an investigation at the Minneapolis Veterans Home (MVH) in 2008 to determine if there were any systemic patterns of constitutional deficiencies. Most recently, the Civil Rights of Institutional Persons Act (CRIPA) team was at the Minneapolis Veterans Home the first week of December 2009, to follow up on recommendations made during its February visit.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce that the U. S. Department of Justice has dropped the investigation against the State of Minnesota and the Minneapolis Veterans Home, stating: “Based on our site visit, our experts’ evaluations, and other information we have obtained, we are pleased to report that we did not uncover a systemic pattern of constitutional deficiencies at MVH, and that we are therefore, closing our investigation.”
Letter from the U.S. Department of Justice
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
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.
More information
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.
More information
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
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 from Monday to 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. C.O.R.E. counselors will continue to provide service 24 hours a day seven days a week, including holidays, for immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling. Veterans can call LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838), International +1 (651) 556-0596 and TTY at (800) 627-3529.
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.
Military and Unemployment Insurance
Information on applying for Unemployment Insurance such as when, how, amount of benefits, etc.
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
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
|
