Las Cruces Vet Center, Readjustment Counseling Service
The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans and their families in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life.
Description:
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.
SERVICES:
WHAT IS READJUSTMENT COUNSELING?
Readjustment counseling is wide range of services provided to combat veterans in the effort to make a satisfying transition from military to civilian life. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, marital and family counseling, bereavement counseling, medical referrals, and assistance in applying for Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits, employment counseling, guidance and referral, Alcohol/drug assessments, information and referral to community resources, military sexual trauma counseling & referral, outreach and community education.
DOES THE VA HAVE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS?
Family members of combat veterans have been eligible for Vet Center readjustment counseling services for military related issues since 1979.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR VET CENTER READJUSTMENT COUNSELING?
If you, or a family member, served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon (Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, etc.) you are eligible for Vet Center services.
WHERE IS COUNSELING OFFERED?
The VA's readjustment counseling is provided at community-based Vet Centers located near veterans and their families. There is no cost for Vet Center readjustment counseling. THE LAS CRUCES VET CENTER IS LOCATED AT 230 SOUTH WATER STREET OR BY PHONE AT (575) 523-9826. Contact your nearest Vet Center through information provided in the Vet Center Directory or listings in your local blue pages. Vet Center staff are available toll free during normal business hours at 1-800-905-4675 (Eastern) and 1-866-496-8838 (Pacific).
ELIGIBILITY:
War Zone Veteran - all eras, including the following:
KOREAN WAR - 27 June 1950 to - 27 July 1954 (eligible for the Korean Service Medal)
WORLD WAR II - Three eligible categories - European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign-Medal (7 Dec. 1941 to 8 Nov. 1945), Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal (7 Dec. 1941 to 2 Mar. 1946), or American Campaign Medal (7 Dec. 1941 to 2 Mar. 1946)
AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINES ? In oceangoing service during the period of armed conflict, 7 Dec. 1941 to 15 Aug. 1945
VIETNAM WAR - 28 Feb. 1961 to 7 May 1975
LEBANON - 25 Aug. 1982 to 26 Feb. 1984
GRENADA - 23 Oct. 1983 to 21 Nov. 1983
PANAMA - 20 Dec. 1989 to 31 Jan. 1990
PERSIAN GULF - 2 Aug. 1990 to -
SOMALIA - 17 Sept. 1992 to -
OPERATION JOINT ENDEAVOR, OPERATION JOINT GUARD, & OPERATION JOINT FORGE - Veterans who participated in one or more of the three successive operations in the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, aboard U.S. Naval vessels operating in the Adriatic Sea, or air spaces above those areas).
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM - Veterans who serve or have served in military expeditions to combat terrorism on or after September 11, 2001 and before a terminal date yet to be established.
Includes: OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM & OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
SEXUAL TRAUMA AND HARASSMENT COUNSELING - veterans of both sexes, all eras Vet Center services include individual readjustment counseling, referral for benefits assistance, group readjustment counseling, liaison with community agencies, marital and family counseling, substance abuse information and referral, job counseling and placement, sexual trauma counseling, and community education.
BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING - Bereavement counseling is offered to parents, siblings, spouses and children of Armed Forces personnel who die in the service to our country. Also eligible are family members of Reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on federally activated duty.
WHAT IS BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING?
Bereavement counseling is assistance and support to people with emotional and psychological stress after the death of a loved one. Bereavement counseling includes a broad range of transition services, including outreach, counseling, and referral services to family members.
DOES THE VA HAVE BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING FOR SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS?
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) offers bereavement counseling to parents, spouses and children of Armed Forces personnel who died in the service of their country. Also eligible are family members of reservists and National Guardsmen who die while on duty.
WHERE IS COUNSELING OFFERED?
The VA's bereavement counseling is provided at community-based Vet Centers located near the families. There is no cost for VA bereavement counseling.
HOW CAN YOU OBTAIN THESE SERVICES?
Services are obtained by contacting Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) at 202-273-9116 or via electronic mail at vet.center@va.gov both of which are specific to this specialized service. RCS staff will assist families in contacting the nearest Vet Center. Often counseling can be made available in the family's home or where the family feels most comfortable.
MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA:
WHAT IS MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA COUNSELING?
Military sexual trauma counseling may include individual or group counseling, marital and family counseling, referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies or substance abuse information and referral to help you deal with the emotions of military sexual trauma and regain confidence in your everyday life.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA COUNSELING?
Any veteran who was sexually traumatized while serving in the military is eligible to receive counseling regardless of gender or era of service.
WHERE ARE SERVICES AVAILABLE?
Medical services are available at your local VA Medical Center and can be accessed by contacting the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator (or Women Veterans Program Manager). Assessment and referral for sexual trauma counseling are available at all Vet Centers. On site counseling is available at selected Vet Centers across the country.
FACILITIES LOCATOR LINK:
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp?isFlash=1
History:
VET CENTER HISTORY
The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Vet Centers are community based and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf War, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. Those other periods are identified as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Kosovo/Bosnia. In October 1996, Congress extended the eligibility to include WWII and Korean Combat Veterans. 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. On April 1, 2003 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs extended eligibility for Vet Center services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and on June 25, 2003 Vet Center eligibility was extended to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and subsequent operations within the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The family members of all veterans listed above are eligible for Vet Center services as well. On August 5, 2003 VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi authorized Vet Centers to furnish bereavement counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of service members who die of any cause while on active duty, to include federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel.
We understand, and most of all, we care.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (575) 523-9827
Languages Spoken: English
Address:
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230 S. Water St.Las Cruces, NM 88001 (See a map) |
Web Site: http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=5635&dnum=All&stateid=NM&v=1
| Last updated on November 17, 2009 |
