CVSO Office Updates
November has arrived, and just like that we are nearing the end of 2024. I will say that throughout all the challenges and barriers this year, we have also encountered some significant wins, exciting opportunities, and just overall gratitude for the work we get to show up and do each day with you all.
Veteran’s Day is upon us, which is another reason to be grateful. Veteran’s Day is an opportunity for us to share our gratitude with fellow veterans. We enjoy our freedoms and way of life BECAUSE of the sacrifices and contributions of those who served in the Armed Forces.
This year, Olmsted County Veteran Services is encouraging folks to change an exterior light to a green light outside of your home or business from November 4th through November 11th to show gratitude toward our veterans.
This initiative is called Operation Green Light and involves The National Association of Counties (NACo) and National Association of County Veteran Services Officers (NACVSO). In total, 3,069 parishes, boroughs, and counties across the United States have been invited to join this initiative this year.
Our community participated last year, and this year we are making efforts to encourage more folks in the community to join the movement. By shining our lights green we are coming together to show the veterans in our community that they are seen, appreciated and supported.
From our office to you, we wish you a Happy Veteran’s Day.
 Tiffany Canfield
Veteran Services Manager
Veteran Service Office Snapshot
September 2024
Total claims submitted to VA:
- Compensation: 66
- VA Healthcare: 8
- DIC: 1
- Burial: 19
- Survivor’s Pension: 1
- CHAMPVA: 0
- Records Request: 3
- Special Monthly Pension: 0
Points of contact with veterans (office visits, incoming mail, phone calls
returned, emails returned, etc.): 400
Veterans in office: 91
Outreach visits: 1
Total phone calls: 305
Average number of calls per day: 10
Average call length: 2 minutes and 41 seconds
Women Veterans Spotlight
See the below flyer for a unique opportunity! Nicole Byars is offering free mindful movement yoga for veterans. These calls can be done from the comfort of your own home. Registration for the class can be done online. I encourage you to check it out. I had an opportunity to talk with Nicole at a recent conference and she is lovely. She explained that she likes to focus more on ‘mindful movement’ and just being present in your body.
As women, we often put the needs of others before our own. We spend so much time taking care of kids, spouses, family members, working full time jobs, taking care of our homes, managing sports schedules, doctor appointments, all while trying to eat healthy, exercise, drink our water and get 8 hours of sleep at night. It’s just not possible to “do it all”. We were never meant to live in a world where the base line expectation of women is to “do it all”.
I want to challenge this and change our thinking just slightly. Yes, I know we are capable, and for sure don’t tell us we can’t do something. If you’re like me, you will spend all your time and effort to prove the nay sayers wrong. I think this might be a sentiment shared by many of my fellow readers. We women are STRONG and INDEPENDENT, and we also need to understand the importance of boundaries. If we don’t have our health, we don’t have anything.
My challenge for you this month is to take time to care for yourself. Fill your bucket. Have a good workout, eat a nourishing meal, listen to a podcast, sit on your porch and drink a nice cup of hot coffee on Saturday morning. Go to yoga with Nicole. Whatever it is, make time to fill your bucket this month!
If you feel inclined, please email (tiffany.canfield@olmstedcounty.gov ) or send
me a text (507-328-6358) and let me know what you did to fill your bucket. I'd love to share responses in the December edition of our newsletter!
Many years ago, I received a deck of 65 cards with daily mantras. The intent of the deck of cards is to choose a new card every day to set the tone for your day.
I plan to start this with our newsletter, so below and moving forward, I’ll have a new mantra monthly- feel free to follow along!
Mantra of the month: “I am free- I release my attachments and liberate my spirit”
“You can’t raise the bar without raising a little hell”- so let’s raise some hell, shall we ladies??
Veteran's Day Events
- On November 11th, breakfast will be available at the International Event Center starting at 8 am, with a program scheduled from 10 am to 11:30 am. Veterans do not need to register for the event.
- Stretch Zone is hosting a promotion from November 11th to 15th, where veterans are invited to enjoy a complimentary one-hour stretch session.
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125 Live is hosting a Veteran's Day presentation on Friday, November 8th, with a program starting at 10 am. This is free for 125 Live members.
Military Appreciation Night
Rochester Area Job Fair
Boots to Business Reboot
Local Contact Information:
Mark W. Thein, Regional Director
Southeast Region
Small Business Development Center
221 First Avenue SW, Suite 600
Rochester, MN 55902
www.rochestersbdc.com Direct: 507-738-1003
mthein@rochestersbdc.com Cell: 507-459-3060
Reporting a Veteran's Death
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is spreading awareness to families of deceased Veterans on reporting a Veteran’s death, available benefits for survivors, and protecting against posthumous scams.
To report the death of a Veteran:
Calling is the fastest way to report the death of a Veteran so VA will stop benefit payments, but there are other options available for reporting.
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By Phone: Call VA 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711) and select 5. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
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By Mail: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444. Include your relationship to the Veteran and any supporting documents that can help us verify the Veteran’s identity. Examples of supporting documents are:
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Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death and discharge document (like a DD214)
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If you report in person at a VA regional office or by mail, provide copies of: Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death & discharge document (like a DD214)
Provide as much information as you can when you first report the notice of death to VA. While you don’t have to have everything, VA will need as much information as possible to help verify the Veteran’s identity. This information includes:
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Social Security number or VA claim number
VBA views your organization as vital to helping share this information with survivors. VBA plans to collaborate through various communications and engagement channels, such as briefings, social media posts and blog articles but would appreciate your organizations partnership in sharing this critical information to Veterans and Survivors to prevent fraud in a time of grieving.
Best practices to avoid posthumous scams are (for the Survivor):
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Save important files such as the Veteran’s military service/treatment records, discharge papers, and copies of their VA claims.
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Go to VA.gov - For guidance on creating an account and obtaining a VA security PIN to securely access benefit information. A VA Security PIN is an additional way to secure direct deposit accounts from theft and protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
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Never give out PII via text and be cautious of suspicious hyperlinks or unfamiliar hyperlinks.
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If a survivor is missing a VA benefits payment, identifies a discrepancy in payments, or find suspicious activity with their direct deposit account, contact VA immediately at 800-827-1000.
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Review all documents thoroughly. Survivors should never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. They should always review the completed form before signing and retain a copy of the completed form for their records.
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For protection against identity theft scams, notify the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and notify the Veteran’s financial institutions so all accounts can be closed or transferred appropriately.
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According to AARP, scammers also use names published in obituaries to pretend to be long lost relatives of the deceased. When it’s time to write your loved one’s obituary, leave out the birthdate, middle name, home address, birthplace, and mother’s maiden name.
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To report a missing VA benefits payment, please call the VBA National Call Center at 800-827-1000. You may also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if funeral homes charge to set up funeral honors or schedule a burial with VA’s National Cemetery Administration by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Olmsted County Child Support Clinics
New Patient Orientation (Virtual)
The Veteran Transit Program
The Landing MN (TLMN) is excited to announce our new partnership with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs (MDVA). The grant awarded by MDVA afforded TLMN the purchase of a mini-van to help veterans in the community with transportation to needed services. This transportation resource allows TLMN to provide rides for U.S Military Veterans experiencing transportation difficulties.
Eligibility:
- US Military veteran
- Must have a DD 214 (if you don’t have one your local VSO can help you obtain a copy)
- Proof of MN residency
Eligible Appointment types:
- Housing
- Employment
- Treatment
- Education
- Health care
- Grocery shopping
- Visiting family at nursing home or hospital
- Funerals
- Pick up and drop off at mechanic for vehicle repairs
Rides are available Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. To schedule a ride, please call The Landing at 507-884-0423 or the Veterans Services Office at 507-328-6355. You can also request a ride via email: Stephanie.Rice@TheLandingMN.org or Tori.Watkins@TheLandingMN.org
Need Dental Work?
RCTC’s Dental Hygiene Program is looking for patients to be dental volunteers at the school. This is an opportunity for folks who don’t have dental insurance. For more information on how to get an appointment scheduled, contact:
Jasmin Willette at 507-280-3169 or 507-475-2807
Red Carpet Welcome
A letter from the Director of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center:
Preston Veterans Home
The mission of the Minnesota Veterans Homes is “serving those who have served” by providing quality health care in an environment of trust, dignity and sharing.
Admission Requirements: All Residents must require skilled nursing care. Eligible Residents come from two categories:
- Veterans who were discharged under honorable conditions from any branch of the U.S. armed forces and are a current resident of Minnesota.
- Spouses of eligible Veterans. Spouses must be at least 55 years old and meet residency requirements.
**Veterans or Veteran spouses must meet Minn. Stat. 197.447.
Residents contribute to the cost of their care according to their means. Additional information is available from our Veterans Benefits Coordinator.
Minnesota Veterans Home - Preston
1864 First Minnesota
Preston, Minnesota 55965
Phone: 1-507-808-8910
Online at: MinnesotaVeteran.org/Homes
Camp Bliss Events
2024 Camp Bliss Retreats for Veterans, Law Enforcement and People with Disabilities!
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you! We have been very successful with our legislative pursuits for funding of Veteran Retreats and Getaways at Camp Bliss. Exciting News!
- We will not be charging a registration fees for Veteran getaways for the next two years, we have secured funding from the MDVA. For non-qualifying Veterans there will be a fee of $100 per person to attend a getaway or retreat. If you have questions about the guidelines please call Lori at (320) 281-2016.
- We will now be allowed to get reimbursement for Spouses, children, and active-duty service members!
You may come up to two retreats per year!!!! MDVA Calendar Year September 1, 2024 – August 30, 2025. We have added many exciting retreats due to this!! A complete list of 2024 Retreats and Getaways are listed below! **Because there will not be a registration fee, you will still be required to submit the appropriate documentation, DD214 (Member 4) and Driver’s license or state ID. If a spouse is attending and has a different last name, you will be required to show proof of marriage before you are considered “registered.” Once you are, please commit fully to attending your retreat as there are limited spots for each one and if you do not show up, that is a Veteran’s spot that you have eliminated
If a Retreat/Getaway says FILLED, please email or call Lori O. to be put on a waiting list: Register@campbliss.org or call 320-281-2016
2025 Upcoming Camp Bliss Retreats.
Flyers and Registrations will be available soon.
Veterans Ice Fishing Tournament Getaway – January 22-24, 2025
Veterans Ice Fishing Tournament Getaway – January 24-26, 2025
Female Veterans Getaway – January 31 – February 2, 2025
Veterans & Spouses Ice Fishing Getaway – February 7-9, 2025
Female Veterans Getaway – March 7-9, 2025
Veterans & Spouses R&R Getaway – April 11-13, 2025
Female Veterans Getaway – May 2-4, 2025
Veterans Turkey Hunt Getaway – May 16-18, 2025
State Soldiers Assistance Program
(SSAP) Providing benefits for Minnesota Veterans for 100 years!!
The State Soldiers Assistance Program (SSAP) has provided a variety of benefits for Minnesota Veterans and their families for the past 100 years.
Talk to your County Veterans Service Officer today to learn more about these benefits and others that you may be eligible for!
Dental: Provides $1,500 in annual dental assistance and $6,500 in lifetime assistance for extractions and dentures to Veterans, spouses, and dependents.
Optical: Provides $600 in annual optical assistance to Veterans, spouses, and dependents for exams, prescription eyewear and contact lenses.
Disaster Relief Grants: Provides financial assistance, upon activation by the Governor, for individuals impacted by a natural disaster.
Veteran Relief Grants: Provides broad financial assistance to a Veteran or surviving spouse.
Subsistence: Provides a form of short-term disability to Veterans and surviving spouses who cannot work at their normal occupation for at least 30 days or to surviving spouses within a year of the passing of the Veteran. Assistance includes rent/mortgage, utilities, health care premiums, and cash assistance.
Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education: Provides a tuition waiver and an annual $750 stipend to surviving spouses or dependents of certain veterans at any University or College within the M-State or University of Minnesota systems. Benefits are available until a bachelor’s degree is attained, regardless of age.
Housing/Voucher Deposit Assistance Program (VDAP): Covers the security deposit for any Veteran or surviving spouse who is moving into subsidized housing and in receipt of a housing choice voucher.
More details online at: MinnesotaVeteran.org/Benefits
Medical Equipment Available
Are you in need of medical equipment, such as a wheelchair (both manual and electric), walker, electric hospital bed, crutches, etc? Do you have medical equipment that you want to donate to other people in need?
The Kasson American Legion has medical equipment for use by anyone in the area (veterans, cancer patients, accident victims). The equipment is free to use and all they ask is that you return it when you are done so someone else can use it.
For more information, please call Dick Denny at (507) 259-2081. Equipment pick up and drop off is by appointment only.
ID Cards at the Rochester VA Clinic
VA Health Identification Cards may be obtained at the Rochester VA Clinic by appointment only on the following date(s):
November 21, 2024
January 16, 2025
March 20, 2025
May 15, 2025
July 17, 2025
September 18, 2025
November 20, 2025
You MUST be enrolled and eligible for care in order to receive a Veteran's
Health Identification Card!!
Please call the VA at 1-866-414-5058 to make an appointment in Rochester.
*The Minneapolis VA Medical Center issues ID cards daily.
There are different types, and different ways to obtain Veteran ID Cards. Click HERE for more information.
Servpro of Rochester Job Opportunity
As fellow veterans, we deeply appreciate the unique skills and qualities that veterans bring to the table. We recognize the immense contributions that veterans make to our society, and we would be honored to have them as part of our workforce. Whether it’s project management, construction, or customer service, we have various roles available.
We are currently seeking to fill the positions of Restoration Tech., Construction estimator, and Cleaning Supervisor. These roles would be a great fit for
veterans transitioning into civilian careers. Call 507-696-8899 for more information!
Paul Meier, Owner & US Air Force Veteran
Nate Lillestol, Construction Manager & US Army Veteran
Jobs at the MN Department of Veterans Affairs
Interested in serving Veterans? Looking to make a difference in your community? Consider a career with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)! Roles in healthcare, nursing, facilities management and program management are featured below. MDVA proudly offers competitive pay, generous benefits as a State of MN employee, welcoming and supportive teams, and most importantly, meaningful careers.
To see full job posting and apply:
1. Go to https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/ and select your applicant type:
External Applicants or Current Employees or Accessible Applicant Portal.
2. On the Careers landing page, enter the Job ID in the Search Jobs field.
Click on the posting.
3. Select “Apply for Job” button. New users will need to create an applicant
account to apply.
JOBS
Local Service Organization Meetings
For a full list of local organizations and meetings, please click on the blue button.
"To promote the interests and welfare of veterans, their dependents and survivors and to enhance their quality of life through counseling, claims assistance, education, advocacy and special projects."
2100 Campus Dr. SE, Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904
507-328-6355
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