VA makes St. Cloud Vet Center Outstation official

ST. CLOUD — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Friday, Dec. 1, that a new Vet Center Outstation would come to St. Cloud. The American Legion Department of Minnesota has pushed for Minnesota to receive three Vet Centers since 2011, noting the most urgent need was in St. Cloud.

“We need more than an outstation. We need an actual Vet Center,” said American Legion member Phil Ringstrom, a former VA Vet Center leader who has pushed for Minnesota to grow in Vet Centers since 2008.  “But getting the outstation is part of the process, and we hope it can become a full Vet Center down the road.”

St. Cloud has the highest rate of veteran suicides in Greater Minnesota, according to state figures. Ringstrom, with the aid of the American Legion Department of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, met one-on-one with VA Secretary Denis McDonough in 2021 during pandemic lockdowns.

Ringstrom worked with American Legion member Tom Mullon, former director of the VAMC in Minneapolis, in his efforts. Ringstrom thanked the Legion and other veteran service organizations for standing behind this effort. He thanked the Legion for letting U.S. senators and representatives know about it. He especially credited past Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke for drawing attention to the issue among state and federal elected officials. He thanked U.S. federal officials for their efforts to move the VA.

“It’s like moving rocks. You roll three uphill and two roll back down,” Ringstrom said.

He noted the site selected, at 330 Highway 10, Suite 101, in St. Cloud is excellent for accessibility.

“This would not have happened without the Legion members working to do what’s best for veterans,” said Department Commander Paul Hassing. “We don’t give up on a cause. Minnesota has one of the worst ratios for veteran population compared to Vet Centers.”

The state only has three: Duluth, Anoka and St. Paul. For comparison, Wisconsin has five, North Dakota four, Iowa three, Michigan eight, Illinois 11, South Dakota three. Minnesota had one for about every 100,000 veterans. Most states have about one Vet Center for every 50,000 or 60,000. Some, like South Dakota, have one for every 20,000. West Virginia has nine, which is one for every 15,000. The only states with worse ratios than Minnesota are Virginia and Kentucky, and they have major military instillations.

The American Legion Department of Minnesota wants to see Vet Centers come to Mankato and Bemidji, as well.

“Join the Legion. Even if you aren’t active in your posts, your membership still matters when we push for important causes like this. The numbers make a difference when speaking with leaders and decision-makers,” Hassing said.

Below is the news release from the VA:

VA adds three new Vet Centers and six satellite locations to increase access to counseling for Veterans and service members

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the addition of three new Vet Centers and six Vet Center Outstations (smaller satellite locations) to improve access to counseling for Veterans and service members.

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 VA’s 300+ Vet Centers nationwide.

The new Vet Centers and Outstations will be located in Arizona, California, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

“In 300 communities across the country, Vet Centers provide Veterans, service members, and their families with quick and easy access to the mental health care they need,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “We’re expanding this program to make sure that these heroes get the support they so rightly deserve – no matter where they live.”

“Vet Centers provide Veterans with high-quality counseling, community engagement, and referral services in nearby and comfortable environments,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “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.

The newly approved Vet Centers, Vet Center Outstations, and their statuses are as follows:

•  Sierra Vista (Arizona) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation is in the leasing phase, with an anticipated with an opening date in 2024.

• Solano County (California) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation will be located at 420 Executive Ct. N, Suite A, Fairfield, CA 94534 and is anticipated to open in early 2024.

• St. Cloud (Minnesota) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation is located at 330 Hwy 10, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56304 and is anticipated to open at the beginning of 2024.

• Vineland (New Jersey) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation is in the leasing phase, with the anticipated opening date to be determined.

• Clarksville (Tennessee) Vet Center: The current Clarksville Vet Center Outstation will convert to a full-sized, independent Vet Center, staffed by a Vet Center Director, Outreach Specialist, Program Support Assistant, and three counselors. The location will remain at 141 Chesapeake Lane, Suite 101, Clarksville, TN 37040. The anticipated date of the transition is to be determined.

• Fredericksburg (Virginia) Vet Center: This Vet Center is in the leasing phase, with the anticipated opening date to be determined. The Vet Center will be staffed by a Vet Center Director, Outreach Specialist, Program Support Assistant, and two counselors.

• Leesburg (Virginia) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation is in the leasing phase, with the anticipated opening date to be determined.

• U.S. Virgin Islands Vet Center: The current St. Thomas Vet Center Outstation will convert to a full-sized, independent Vet Center, staffed by a Vet Center Director, Outreach Specialist, Program Support Assistant, and two counselors. The new Vet Center will be located at 9164 Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, VI 00802 and is planned to open by early summer 2024.

• Saipan (Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands) Vet Center Outstation: This Outstation is in the leasing phase, with the anticipated opening date to be determined.

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.