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MDVA

Friday Digest: Feb. 16, 2024



This week:

* Work at MDVA [ #link_1 ]
* MDVA 2023 Annual Report is Now Available [ #link_14 ]
* Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend [ #link_10 ]
* Minneapolis Truss Bridge Closure [ #link_4 ]
* PACT Act VA Claims Clinic - Mankato, Feb. 21 [ #link_11 ]
* NAMI Offers: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) [ #link_6 ]
* Mental Health First Aid Training, Feb. 28 [ #link_8 ]
* Joint Services Career Fair - St. Paul, March 2 [ #link_13 ]
* From the Federal VA: National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, Application Window Jan. 22 - May 1 [ #link_3 ]
* Preventing Veteran Suicide: Free Gun Locks Available [ #link_2 ]
* The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits [ #link_9 ]
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline [ #link_12 ]
* Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus [ #link_5 ]
* Submit Your Veteran-Related Event [ #link_7 ]



Work at MDVA

The State of Minnesota careers site and application portal is currently undergoing maintenance and is unavailable. The project is expected to be complete by Tuesday, Feb. 20.

We will resume posting open positions next week once maintenance is complete.

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MDVA 2023 Annual Report is Now Available

MDVA Annual Report Cover

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to share our Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). "United by our Strength - Increasing Support, Achieving Success" was our theme.

This report highlights our priorities and accomplishments from the last year.

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View report >> [ [link removed] ]



Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend

Minnesota MIlitary Radio

For over 12 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota?s heroes. Vietnam Veteran and volunteer host Tom Lyons shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.

Coming up this week we meet with a Community Relations Officer for the Minnesota National Guard [ [link removed] ], discuss Veteran Benefits and Field Operations with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs [ [link removed] ] and get an update from the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers [ [link removed] ].

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More information >> [ [link removed] ]



Minneapolis Truss Bridge Closure

On Thursday, Feb. 8, the Minnesota Department of Administration notified the Minneapolis Veterans Home that the historic truss bridge on our campus will be closed starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 12 until further notice.

This is the bridge spanning Minnehaha Creek from Minnehaha Park to the Veterans Home.

The bridge will be undergoing routine annual inspections and repairs while it is closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrian traffic will still be allowed.

All vehicle traffic should access the Veterans Home from 46th Ave. S. (Wabun Park).

You may be aware that this bridge was built in 1908 and is recognized as being historically significant and was added to the National Register of Historic Places and Structures in 1989. A major repair project was last completed in 2019 and the Veterans Home celebrated the reopening of the bridge in January 2020.

We look forward to the bridge reopening once again after a brief closure. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

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PACT Act VA Claims Clinic - Mankato, Feb. 21

PACT Act Claimes Clinic

Were you exposed to Burn Pits, Agent Orange, or other toxic substances?

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) representatives will be available in partnership with the Blue Earth County Veterans Service Office. Additional Veteran resource entities will also be on site.

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More information >> [ [link removed] ]



NAMI Offers: Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Learn the three steps anyone can take to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. QPR is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the United States, and more than one million adults have been trained in classroom settings in 48 states. This 1.5-hour class is for members of the community over the age of 16 who want to learn best practices in suicide prevention. A certificate of attendance is available for this class and will be sent after you fill out the evaluation.


* QPR Feb. 22 [ [link removed] ], noon to 1:30 p.m.
* QPR March 14 [ [link removed] ], 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
* QPR March 28 [ [link removed] ], 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Mental Health First Aid Training, Feb. 28

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.

You?ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You?ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

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More information >> [ [link removed] ]

MHFA Flyer

Joint Services Career Fair - St. Paul, March 2

All Veterans, current service members, and their spouses are invited to attend.

Come dressed appropriate for an interview, come prepared with a resume and other information to fill out an application (work history and skills), and be prepared to answer short screening interview style questions.


* Connect directly with 60 employers that are looking to hire
* Come prepared with copies of your resume and dress to impress
* Opportunities to interview with recruiters 1-on-1 at the event

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More information and event registration >> [ [link removed] ]

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From the Federal VA: National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, Application Window Jan. 22 - May 1

The National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic (NDVGC) is a week-long adaptive golf program that is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and DAV (Disabled American Veterans). This annual event promotes rehabilitation by instructing Veterans with specific life-changing disabilities in adaptive golf. In addition to adaptive golf Veterans will be introduced to other adaptive recreational sports. The application window for Veteran participants [ [link removed] ] is from Jan. 22 ? May 1, 2024.

Qualifying disabilities include: Visual Impairments, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), Limb-loss or amputations, Parkinson?s, Multiple Sclerosis, and CVA with Residual. Common disabilities that do not qualify include: Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Degenerative Joint Disease, Depression, Low Back Pain, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

All disabilities are subject to review the by National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic medical director and program director.

If you have any questions related to qualifying disabilities please contact Nick Beelner at (319) 358-5963 or [email protected].

Preventing Veteran Suicide: Free Gun Locks Available

Sadly, an average of 100 Minnesota Veterans die by suicide each year. Two-thirds of these deaths are by guns.

To help prevent Veteran suicide, MDVA is partnering with the VA Healthcare System to distribute free gun locks. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [ [link removed] ], a locked gun can mean the difference between a tragic outcome and a life saved for someone in crisis. Though Veterans are well-versed in firearm safety, all gun owners should understand that during emotional or stressful times, delaying access to a gun could mean the difference between life and death. Gun locks can prevent someone in crisis from tragically taking their own life.

In an effort to reduce these preventable tragedies, MDVA is offering free gun locks. To request a gun lock, please email [email protected] with your name and address. This information will not be shared; requests are confidential.

For more information on MDVA?s suicide prevention efforts, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/EndVetSuicide [ [link removed] ].

The PACT Act and Your VA Benefits

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA presumes are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans?and their survivors?with the care and benefits they?ve earned and deserve.

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PACT [ [link removed] ]

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More information >> [ [link removed] ]

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line's number?988 then Press 1?helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.

Veterans can use this option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number?1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 [ tel:1-800-273-8255 ]?by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat [ [link removed] ].

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Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus

Post 9/11 Service Bonus [ [link removed] ]

Minnesota Veterans who served sometime between September 11, 2001, and August 30, 2021 may be eligible for a Post-9/11 Service Bonus. More than 20,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $21.4 million in recognition of their service.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $39.8 million in bonuses. Eligible Veterans are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, so Veterans should apply today before the funds are gone. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2024 or until funding is exhausted.

To apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus [ [link removed] ].

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More information >> [ [link removed] ]



Submit Your Veteran-Related Event

If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to [email protected] for consideration.



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