The Vet Center program was established by Congress in 1979 out of recognition that a significant number of Vietnam Era veterans were experiencing readjustment problems after returning to civilian life. Vet Centers are community based and are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Congress later extended this service to those who served during any war period, from WWII to our current conflicts.
The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life. The Vet Center staff respects the privacy of all veterans and holds in strictest confidence all information disclosed in the counseling process. Family members of combat veterans have been eligible for Vet Center readjustment counseling services for military-related issues since 1979.
What is readjustment counseling? Readjustment counseling is a wide range of services provided to combat veterans in an effort to assist them in making a satisfying transition from military to civilian life. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, marital and family counseling, bereavement counseling, military sexual trauma counseling and referral, employment counseling and guidance, medical referrals, alcohol and drug assessments, assistance in applying for VA Benefits, information and referral to community resources, outreach, and community education.
Military sexual trauma counseling may include individual or group counseling, marital and family counseling, referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies, and/or substance abuse information and referral to help veterans deal with the emotions of military sexual trauma and to regain confidence in their everyday life.
Vet Center Mobile Van from the Grand Junction Vet Center, located at 2472 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, Colo., will be at the Durango VA Clinic to do some outreach there on Monday, May 7, and part of Tuesday, May 8. Please come by and visit with them and check out the services they offer.
The main objective of the Veterans Service Office is to provide prevention, protection, advocacy and support services to veterans and their families so they can maximize their quality of life, well-being and potential. The La Plata County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) provides information and assistance to veterans and their families. There is a wide range of benefits available for our nation’s veterans. Every veteran is encouraged to contact the CVSO to find out more about their VA benefits. Your CVSO can assist you in any matter pertaining to the Department of Veterans Affairs. These services are free of charge. Please visit the La Plata County web site at http://www.co.laplata.co.us/ for more information about what the La Plata County Veterans Service Office can do for you.
The La Plata County Veterans Service Office is co-located with the Durango VA Clinic at 1970 E. 3rd Avenue, Suite 102, Durango, CO. 81301. For clinic appointments, call 970-247-2214. The Veterans Service Office phone number is 970-759-0117. Office hours are 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5 pm, Monday – Friday, except holidays, and appointments are encouraged. Call (970) 382-6150 to schedule an appointment with the Veterans Service Office.