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MDVA

Friday Digest: March 3, 2023

This week:

Work at MDVA

Bemidji

Fergus Falls

Hastings

Minneapolis

Monetevideo

Preston

Redwood Falls

Silver Bay

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 weekend we celebrate Women's History Month where we discuss Women in Military Service with a Staff SGT from the 133rd Airlift Wing and learn about the Women's Health Program at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

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Montevideo Veterans Home to Host Community Office Open House, March 7

Potential Residents, future employees and local businesses are invited to learn more about the Montevideo Veterans Home at a Community Office Open House. The event will be held Tuesday, March 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Montevideo Veterans Home Community Office located at 202 North 1st Street, Montevideo.

The new Veterans Home, scheduled to open in the fall, will serve up to 72 Residents who are qualified Veterans or a spouse of a qualified Veteran, and who need skilled nursing care.

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VA's Northern CBOCs Virtual Town Hall for Veterans and Caregivers, March 9

Hibbing, Ely and Twin Ports?Community Clinics?Virtual Town Hall with Minneapolis VA Health Care System Director, Patrick Kelly, and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) representative,?on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 11 a.m.

Director Kelly will provide a brief update on operating status followed by a Q&A session.

Veterans and families are invited to attend virtually via?Microsoft Teams?(video and audio) or by telephone (audio only).

All callers will be muted. Please click the unmute button on your screen and on your headset if you wish to speak. If you dialed in, press *6 to unmute your phone.

Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting Or call in (audio only) +1 872-701-0185,,671141489# Phone Conference ID: 671 141 489#

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Bemidji Veterans Home to Host Community Office Open House, March 10

Potential Residents, future employees and local businesses are invited to learn more about the Bemidji Veterans Home at a Community Office Open House. The event will be held Friday, March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bemidji Veterans Home Community Office located at Westridge Commerce Center, 2300 24th Street N.W., Suite 108, in Bemidji.

The new Veterans Home, scheduled to open this summer, will serve up to 72 Residents who are qualified Veterans or a spouse of a qualified Veteran, and who need skilled nursing care.

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Military Reflections in Saint Peter, March 15

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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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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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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Military Action Group Meeting, March 20

The Military Action Group (MAG) is a collaborative body of individuals who advocate for improved policies and practices that benefit Veterans in the state of Minnesota, principally through legislation. The MAG operates as a ?think tank? for ideas that - because of the group?s non-partisan approach and independence from established Veteran organizations - seek to provide innovative legislative and advocacy approaches to those who shape policy for Veterans.

The next MAG meeting will be March 20, from 9 to 10 a.m.

State Office Building
Room 300N
100 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
St Paul, MN 55155

Mental Health First Aid Virtual Training, 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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Forest Lake American Legion Vietnam Veterans Day, March 26

Event Flyer

The Forest Lake American Legion will be hosting a Vietnam Veterans Day program Sunday, March 26 starting at 2 p.m.

The program will feature guest speaker Tom Edwards, who served as a Naval Electrician.

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Military Appreciation Night at the Twin Cities Auto Show, April 4

Event Flyer

Join the Twin Cities Auto Show for a day of community and support at the ?Heroes Hub.? Meet and connect with non-profits and local service providers dedicated to serving current and former military members and their families. Discover resources and learn about the programs and services available to help you navigate the unique challenges of military life. All heroes and their families are welcome!

Free admission on April 4th to all active military and Veterans (a $17 value). A $7 discount onsite to all family & friends with military member or Veteran.

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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