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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.
Tune in this weekend for a special show which is focused on Spring Preparedness. Joe Kelly - HSEM Director, Maj. Ross Niebur - Chief of Current Operations and Dan Hawblitzel – Meteorologist Twin Cities Weather Forecast Office.
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The Minneapolis Veterans Home is seeking a new Administrator after Tom Paul recently announced his upcoming retirement. He plans to retire at the end of June.
Veterans, families and staff have been fortunate to have Tom as a Minnesota Veterans Home leader since January 2017 when he first started as the Assistant Administrator then was named Administrator of the Minneapolis Veterans Home. He has had a distinguished career in the long-term care industry for more than 50 years serving at several facilities throughout the state of Minnesota. In fact, he was recently recognized for his many contributions to the industry with an award from LeadingAge Minnesota at their recent conference.
We thank Tom for his contributions during his time with MDVA, and especially recognize his steady leadership during the COVID-10 pandemic. During Tom’s time at the Minneapolis Veterans Home, the facility was awarded the LeadingAge Minnesota Quality Award in 2019 and recognized as the Employer of the Year in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Rehabilitation Group.
The Minneapolis Veterans Home Family Council, upon hearing of Tom’s pending retirement, sent a letter of appreciation, stating that he has transformed the Veterans Home into the model facility it is today. This did not go unrecognized nationally, with the Minneapolis Veterans Home recently recognized as one of the top skilled nursing homes in the country – and among the top eight in the state – by Newsweek Magazine and Pinnacle Quality Insights. During a once in a lifetime pandemic, this is nothing short of outstanding.
MDVA has begun the recruiting process for this critical role.
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Lethal Means Suicide Prevention Training is a free event presented by the Central MN Suicide Prevention Coalition.
The event begins at 10 a.m. on March 12 at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud; virtual attendance is also an option.
Learn about the intentional, voluntary practice to reduce suicide risk by limiting access to those means. Lethal Means are objects that can be used to inflict self-directed violence.
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Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members and their Families teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.
Available class dates:
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There is currently an ongoing issue with the logistics chain that is affecting the time it takes to get products through the mail. This has also affected prescription refills.
Due to this issue, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System is advising:
Veterans, please order your prescription refills as soon as possible (at least two weeks before running out) to reduce the chances of being without. You can refill your prescriptions through the My HealthE-Vet website, or by calling the automated refill line 1-855-560-1721. If you have an urgent need please call 612-467-2090, press option #3.
The VA Caregiver Support Program, Building Better Caregivers®, offers a free, 6-week online workshop providing an opportunity for caregivers to reduce stress, improve communication and connect with other caregivers.
This group-support workshop is perfect for caregivers of Veterans with dementia, memory problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, serious brain injury or any other serious injury or illness. The free workshop was developed by experts from Stanford University and supports caregivers of Veterans of all eras who share similar challenges.
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The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) has been awarded the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Minnesota Veterans Entering Stable Tenancy (MNVEST) Subsidy program. MACV is seeking a Program Manager to develop and oversee this new program.
MNVEST provides a rental subsidy and clinically supervised case management services to Veteran households experiencing homelessness. The MNVEST Program Manager will provide clinical leadership within the organization, providing support to MNVEST case management staff, and supervise Healthcare Navigation functions within the agency.
The MNVEST Program Manager will develop, improve, and coordinate the newly launching program to ensure the service is maximized for Veterans experiencing homelessness. These duties shall contribute to the MACV mission to End Veteran Homelessness in Minnesota, and to do so in ways that aspire to programmatic and administrative excellence.
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President Biden’s extension of the COVID-19 related pause on federal student loan repayment is scheduled to end on May 1, 2022.
President Biden also encouraged student loan borrowers to take advantage of the Department of Education’s resources to help them prepare for payments to resume, look at options to lower their payments through income-based repayment plans, explore public service loan forgiveness, and make sure they are vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
View press release >>
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, 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 MDVA.Communications@state.mn.us with your name and address. This information will not be shared; requests are confidential.
Thank you for supporting the efforts of MDVA and the “Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.” For more information on MDVA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/EndVetSuicide.
We can see the end of this pandemic, but we are not quite there yet. We will take concrete steps to keep Minnesotans safe while we get the vaccine to even more people.
The latest COVID-19 updates from the Governor's office are available at mn.gov/covid19.
MDVA's latest COVID-19 updates can be found at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVID.
All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and clinics that administer COVID-19 vaccines are accepting walk-ins for eligible Veterans, spouses and caregivers.
This walk-in service ensures all Veterans enrolled in VA health care and those authorized under the SAVE LIVES Act have an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from VA at a time convenient for them.
The urgency to vaccinate as many eligible individuals as quickly as possible remains a top priority for VA.
“VA encourages those who wish to get their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment to check the walk-in hours and requirements at their local facility,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “Individuals taking advantage of walk-in vaccinations may need to wait for the vaccine to be prepared and will be screened when entering the facility.”
To date, VA has vaccinated more than 2.7 million individuals, including over 60,000 individuals under the SAVE LIVES Act. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations at VA, click here.
VA vaccination clinics are not open 24 hours. Face masks are mandatory for all and physical distancing measures will be in place.
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