Background:
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Vet Center, in collaboration with the Austin VA, is rolling out its Mobile Vet Center and will be in attendance at the Texas Military Forces Open House and American Heroes Air Show. Vet Center and VA representatives will be on site to provide information for Veterans regarding benefits, readjustment services, and eligibility. Texas is home to more than 1.7 million Veterans, thousands of whom aren’t using, but may be eligible for, benefits and services through the VA. These include benefits like health care, help with buying a home, readjustment counseling, and money for a college education.
Mobile Vet Centers (MVC) are the chief outreach vehicles of Readjustment Counseling Services, a branch of the Veterans Health Administration. MVCs were designed to provide information and services to Veterans residing in remote locations away from VA and Vet Center facilities.
The Austin Vet Center provides individual, group, and family readjustment counseling to Veterans and their families to aid them in making a successful transition from combat to civilian life. Counseling may include help with managing post-traumatic stress or other related problems that affect functioning within the family, work, school, or other areas of everyday life. Vet Centers also provide military sexual trauma counseling for Veterans of both genders, regardless of combat service. The Vet Centers work hand in hand with the VA to provide information and access to VA services available for Veterans.
Across the U.S., 60 percent of Veterans, or nearly 14 million, are not accessing VA benefits. VA data shows that many Veterans have little understanding of the benefits in which they are eligible. VA has established a website, va.gov/explore, where Veterans and their families can learn more about VA and start the application process. Veterans and families needing more information about the Austin Vet Center can call 512-416-1314 or the national hotline 1-877-WAR-VETS.
What: Mobile Vet Center to Provide Information on VA and Vet Center Services
When: Saturday-Sunday, April 26 – 27, 2014, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Camp Mabry, 2200 West 35th Street, Austin, TX 78703
Who: Austin Vet Center’s Mobile Vet Center, VA benefits staff and VA women’s health coordinators
