For the past 15 years, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has hosted a live Veterans Day event, typically held at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights, MN, with sponsorship by the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force and supported by state and local partners.
This year, in accordance with state-wide limitations on large group gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be holding an in-person event. Instead, we will be producing a 30-minute video to honor our state’s Veterans on this cherished day. The video will be available on MDVA’s website starting Veterans Day at MinnesotaVeteran.org/VeteransDay2020.
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We’ve made progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 here in Minnesota. But as we watch numbers rise across the country, we know the COVID-19 outbreak is not over. Testing is now widely available and contact tracing allows us to quickly identify new outbreaks. These things help us slow the spread of the disease so we can get back to enjoying the things we love.
We must continue to all do our part. Wearing a mask is simple - nearly everyone can do it. When paired with other steps, like staying six feet apart, washing your hands, and staying home when possible, we can stay safe. Learn more about the state's masking requirement so we can all mask up. Learn more at mn.gov/covid19
As we continue to respond to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) remains committed to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. We are following CDC, CMS and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidance. Changes in our operations continue to provide a safe environment for both the Veterans and families we serve and our employees.
Minnesota State Veterans Homes
For updated information on how the Minnesota Veterans Homes are responding COVID-19 and the most up to date policies in place, please visit our COVID-19 Veterans Homes page.
Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries
For updated information on how the Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries are responding COVID-19 and the most up to date policies in place, please visit our COVID-19 State Veterans Cemeteries page.
General agency updates and other resources
For information on financial assistance for Veterans, GI Bill payments to Veteran students, and other COVID-19 related resources, please visit our MDVA COVID-19 Response page.
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Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
You can reach the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text to 838255, or chat online 24/7/365
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness - Minnesota is putting out Zoom meetings for mindfulness, stress support, and some counseling.
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Attention Veterans: If you think you have been exposed to COVID‑19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing, or if you are feeling sick or ill with other symptoms, your first step is to CALL the VA Health Care System at:
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Minneapolis: 612-467-1100
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Fargo: 701-239-3700 extension 2319
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St. Cloud: 320-252-1670, or 800-247-1739
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Sioux Falls: 605-336-3230 or 605-336-5001
The medical staff will advise you on next steps based on your symptoms. In a medical emergency, call 911.
As we face this challenging time together, we know that some of our Veterans have experienced interruptions in employment resulting in health care coverage. We want those Veterans to know, VA is here. Please contact us at VA.gov, or call us at 1-877-222-VETS (8387). If you are a Veteran in need, or know a Veteran, please share with them.
MDVA is now offering a COVID-19 K-12 Distance Learning Support Grant to help mitigate the negative financial impact a family experiences by implementing their school district’s distance learning or hybrid learning plans by providing a one-time grant.
Applicants for the COVID-19 K-12 Distance Learning Support Grant must demonstrate a negative financial impact on or after August 1, 2020. A closing date for the K-12 Distance Learning Support Grant will depend on the availability of funding, but not later than June 30, 2021.
More information is available at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief
MDVA has had a tremendous response to the COVID-19 Disaster Relief and Special Needs Grants for Minnesota Veterans. We began accepting applications on Monday, April 6. We are striving to complete application processing as soon as possible.
Eligible applicants must be:
- A Veteran or the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran as defined by MN Statute 197.447;
- A Minnesota Resident, and;
- Negatively financial impacted by COVID-19.
It’s easy to apply:
- Veterans can apply for the Disaster Relief Grant on our website.
- To apply for the Special Needs Grant, Veterans should work with their County Veterans Service Officer.
Applications will continue to be accepted until the $6.2 million in funds are depleted. Veterans can apply through their County Veterans Service Officers or online at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief
COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant application status
The MDVA team is working as quickly as possible to process the applications for the COVID-19 grants.
As applications are uploaded into our system, we send an email to applicants to confirm that step has been completed. If we need any additional information to support your application, we will email you. Thank you for your patience while the MDVA COVID-19 team works diligently to input and process the applications.
The current estimated processing time is approximately 8 business days.
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The needs of Minnesota Veterans do not diminish during this time, and MDVA needs staff to serve and care for our Veterans. We have a significant need for Certified Nursing Assistants and Resident Assistants in our Veterans Homes.
Working for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is a rewarding career with great State of Minnesota Benefits. If you know anyone seeking a fulfilling career supporting Minnesota Veterans and their families, please encourage them to explore opportunities with MDVA.
Interested in working at MDVA? You can sign-up here to receive employment information directly from our Human Resources department.
A full listing of positions can be found at the Minnesota Careers website. Some of our current job openings include:
Fergus Falls
Luverne
Minneapolis
Silver Bay
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Award Winning Feature Documentary STALAG LUFT III – ONE MAN’S STORY will be broadcast on the TPT Minnesota Experience Channel on November 9 at 8 p.m. The film is a remarkable personal story of grit and grace that spans almost 100 years and chronicles the journey of former St. Paul, MN resident Charles Woehrle as he relives his harrowing story flying in the Mighty Eighth, and as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III – the Nazi prison camp made famous by the iconic 1963 Hollywood film “The Great Escape.”
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The Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay is under new leadership as Administrator Daren Rife assumed his new role on October 19. Rife, LNHA, joins the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs from Good Samaritan in Jackson, Minnesota, with more than eight years of experience with that organization where he served at two different locations in southwest Minnesota.
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AARP Conference on Age-Friendly Communities in Minnesota
An Age-Friendly Community includes safe, walkable streets; housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life. Learn more about Age-Friendly Communities in action and what tools and resources are available to create change where you live. Join AARP MN for Building Great Places for People of All Ages, a free, virtual conference on November 17-18.
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CareerForce Veterans Employment Services and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs invites all Veterans, active military members, and their spouses to a Virtual Career Fair on November 19.
Work for an employer that recognizes and appreciates your experience and the value you bring to their team! Employers participating in the Veterans Virtual Career Fair are encouraged to offer Veterans full-time jobs with benefits and family-sustaining wages.
More information >>
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The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently notified MDVA of their plans to award a grant in FY 2021 to establish a State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood County. MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke responded to the NCA and accepted the grant offer.
Acceptance of this grant opportunity begins a year-long process in design, planning and hopefully the final award of the grant dollars to MDVA at the start of federal fiscal year 2022, which begins October 1, 2021. MDVA is working with Redwood County officials to confirm the state’s ownership of the property as a first step.
While the process will take some time, MDVA Deputy Commissioner Brad Lindsay noted: “Thanks to the assistance and willingness of Redwood County to make this investment. It allows us to improve services to the Veterans of the State of Minnesota and their families.”
To ensure the health and safety of Veterans, the public, MACV volunteers and staff, MACV is canceling all legal clinics statewide through April 1, 2021. If you know of a Veteran in need of legal assistance, please have them call Vetlaw at 651-200-4750 or email Vetlaw at vetlaw@mac-v.org.
Since 2016, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has sponsored the SOT grant program. These grants are financed from sales of the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" License Plates. Minnesota organizations with programs designed to “support and improve the lives of Veterans and their families” have received grants ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SOT competitive grant program is postponed for the foreseeable future. When ready to proceed again, MDVA will publicize the resumption of the program.
Sign-up here to receive alerts for upcoming grant cycles.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes October as National Bullying Prevention Month by sharing how together, we can create communities both at home and work that are more accepting and inclusive to all.
Addressing bullying within children and school environments
According to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, every day thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers while at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts. Bullying is not only devastating while it’s happening, research shows the negative effects last a lifetime. For tips on how to address bullying, or help a child who is being bullied, we’re sharing resources from the Minnesota Department of Education.
Creating respect in the workplace
The State of Minnesota is committed to providing a positive environment in which all staff, members of the public and others doing business with the state are treated with professionalism and respect. The Statewide Respectful Workplace policy asks the following of all employees.
- Conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates professionalism and respect for others in the workplace and public service environment;
- Use informal means to address issues with the individual(s) involved whenever possible;
- Participate fully and in good faith in any informal resolution process or formal complaint and investigative process for which they may have relevant information; and
- Report incidents that may violate this policy in accordance with processes identified by the agency.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs strives to create and support a workplace where all employees feel they belong. To ask questions, discuss concerns, or give any suggestions for making the workplace more inclusive, please contact the Director of DEI Valerie Klitzke by phone: 651-219-0176 or email: diversity.MDVA@state.mn.us.
The Minneapolis VA is helping enroll Veterans in the All of Us Research Program. This research program is an historical effort that aims to speed up biomedical breakthroughs, including advances in precision medicine.
Advances in precision medicine would enable doctors to tailor care to things like genes, lifestyle, and environment. Given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial steps of participating in this research program can be done online.
The All of Us Research Program is a national research program that has already enrolled over 200,000 participants, with a goal of enrolling over 1 million. You can learn more at https://www.joinallofus.org/va
To ensure the health and safety of traveling military guests from around the world, volunteer workforce and staff, the Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC), located at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport will remain temporarily shutdown until further notice.
Similar to their counterparts at the USO, the AFSC will continue to evaluate conditions to safely reopen the military airport lounge.
The AFSC “troop greeters” have continued to assist the military during the shutdown with essential movements; recruits, arrival of the fallen and military charters. If you need the AFSC's assistance at MSP, please contact them at:
Website: mnafsc.org
Email: afsc_msp at mnafsc.org
Phone: (612) 726-9155
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During flu season, protecting your health with a flu shot is easier than ever, and available at many community locations. Whether you choose a new Community Care Network (CCN) in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location that provides eligible Veteran patients easy access to flu shots, it's easy for Veterans to receive their flu shot at the right time and the right place.
More information >>
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