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MDVA

Friday Digest: February 17, 2023

This week:

Work at MDVA

Fergus Falls

Hastings

Minneapolis

Montevideo

Northwest Minnesota

Preston

Redwood Falls

Minnesota Military Radio - Tune in this Weekend

Minnesota MIlitary Radio

For over 10 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 Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Minnesota and learn about a donation to the Minnesota Veterans Homes, head back to Norway and hear from the Serving Our Troops crew at the 50th NOREX - Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange and get an update from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

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Veterans in Suicidal Crisis can go to any VA or non-VA Healthcare Facility for Free Emergency Healthcare

The Federal VA recently announced that Veterans in critical suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency healthcare at no cost ? including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.

?Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency healthcare they deserve ? no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they?re enrolled in VA care,? said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. ?This expansion of care will save Veterans? lives, and there?s nothing more important than that.?

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Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training, Feb. 22 & March 22

MHFA Flyer

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.

This class will be held virtually and requires two hours of self-paced pre-coursework before attending the five-hour, instructor-led, virtual portion of the class.

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Military Reflections in Saint Peter, Feb. 22

Military Reflections flyer

The Saint Peter Community Center will be hosting "Military Reflections" - a series of military and Veteran focused events and programs through the spring of 2023.

This program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

All programs will be held at the Saint Peter Community Center.

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Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training in Roseau, Feb. 28

CALM Training

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) focuses on how to reduce access to the methods people use to die by suicide.

Tues. Feb 28, 12 - 3 p.m. Auxiliary Room
Lifecare Medical Center
715 Delmore Dr.
Roseau, MN 56751

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S.A.V.E. Online Training, March 16

'Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage/Expedite' is an introductory, gatekeeper training where participants learn how to act with care and compassion when encountering someone in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Join via MS Teams Thurs., March 16 at 6:30 p.m.

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Keep Your Health Insurance Information Current

Contact info

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 assumes (or ?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

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DEED Veterans Employment Questionnaire

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has updated their questionnaire on Veteran Employment. Please take a moment to answer the questionnaire so they can better understand how to?to best serve Veterans in finding a rewarding career.

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Questionnaire >>

988 - VeteransCrisisLine.net

Veterans Crisis Line

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

Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As part of the law, all telephone service providers in the U.S. had to activate the number no later than July 16, 2022.

Veterans can use this new 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?by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

Post-9/11 Veterans Service Bonus

Service Bonus Flyer

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 17,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $18.5 million in recognition of their service.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $25 million in bonuses. As of late November, $18.5 million has been awarded. Eligible Veterans are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, so Veterans should apply today before the funds are gone.

To apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus.

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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.


This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs ? Veterans Service Building, 2nd Floor ? 20 West 12th Street?? Saint Paul, MN 55155-2006 ? 651-296-2562 GovDelivery logo