A Message from Congresswoman Sherrill

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you today with some exciting news. A Vet Center Community Access Point is opening this week within the Morris County Veteran Services Office (VSO) where appointments are available for confidential counseling services for eligible Veterans and service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families.

Addressing the needs of New Jersey’s veteran population is a priority for me and it is wonderful to see this Community Access Point (CAP) open so quickly after it was announced a week ago. I would like to thank the Morris County Board of County Commissioners for donating the space for this mental health facility and the staff of the Bloomfield Vet Center who will be administering and providing the counseling services. I encourage local vets to take advantage of these in-person resources now available closer to home.

Below is information for those eligible to receive services at this CAP which are by appointment only – please share this information with anyone in the area who could benefit from these services:

Address: 540 West Morris Avenue, Morris Township
- Located within the Morris County VSO
When: Every Thursday starting May 2
- Two counselors will be available by appointment only, every Thursday
To Make An Appointment: Call the Bloomfield Vet Center at 973-748-0980
- Note: Do not call the Morris VSO for appointments

Vet Centers provide a range of services to veterans and their families, including mental health counseling to combat veterans and those who suffered military sexual assault as well as bereavement services to families of servicemembers who die on duty. Vet Centers' practice of providing services to families in addition to the affected veterans is also unique in the VA veteran care space. You can learn more about Vet Centers and how to access services here.

CAPs are satellite Vet Center locations that work in conjunction with already established service centers. I have worked with Morris County elected officials and veteran leaders to restore these CAP services to Morris County as part of an effort to expand access to critical mental health care resources for veterans in Northwest New Jersey. This CAP opening on Thursday will be incorporated into the veterans services already provided at the Morris VSO and will be staffed by counselors from the Bloomfield Vet Center. The number of days the CAP is open could increase depending on the demonstrated demand for these services.

Earlier in April, l welcomed Veterans Affairs Undersecretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal to Morris County to discuss the VA’s plans to restore a Vet Center Community Access Point in the Morris VSO and establish a Vet Center Outstation in Hackettstown. Learn more about the visit here.

I introduced the bipartisan Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act as part of my Jersey STRONG Agenda – the first five pieces of legislation I introduced in the 118th Congress. This common sense legislation would use Census data and the VA’s statistical data to identify where expanded Vet Center access is needed in underserved, high-population states, including Northern New Jersey. I will continue to work to increase access to high quality mental health care with a full Vet Center.

Again, please share this information with anyone you think it would be helpful to.