Longport American Legion
WASHINGTON, D.C. - tHE Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday the addition of a Vet Center Outstation in Vineland. It is one of three three new Vet Centers and six Vet Center Outstations located in Arizona, California, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands that will improve access to counseling for veterans and service members. The Vineland outstation is in the leasing phase with anticipated opening date to be announced.
"Our veterans and servicemembers dedicate their lives to protecting and defending our nation, so ensuring they receive proper care is one of my top priorities in Congress," Congressman Jeff Van Drew said.Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including no-cost professional counseling to eligible veterans, service members, and their families. Services include counseling for needs such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma. Vet Centers also provide referrals to connect veterans with their VA health care or benefits. In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 115,000 Veterans, service members, and their families received counseling at more than 300 Vet Centers nationwide.
We're expanding this program to make sure that these heroes get the support they so rightly deserve no matter where they live," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a release.
Vet Centers provide Veterans with high-quality counseling, community engagement, and referral services in nearby and comfortable environments, Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD said.Expanding this program throughout the United States and its territories reaffirms our commitment to meeting veterans, service members, and their families where they are and improving the overall mental health and wellbeing of those who served.
Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief, and transition after trauma. Vet Center teams proactively work in the community, reducing barriers to care and improving access to care.
In the coming years, VA will continue to expand the Vet Center program to meet Veteran demand and provide local support to those who served.
To view open counseling and administrative positions at VA's Vet Centers, visit USAJobs and search Readjustment Counseling. To locate and connect to a Vet Center nearest you visit the Vet Center directory.
