The Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center (MVC) will make a stop in Salem July 22 as part of the MU Extension Tigers for Troops event. In addition, video consultations with the MU Law Clinic will be offered for veterans seeking information and assistance regarding VA disability claims, military discharges and healthcare eligibility and enrollment.
“We are really pleased to work with the state and local partners to offer this unique event in Dent County to support our local veterans,” said Sarah Hultine Massengale, MU Extension County Engagement Specialist. “The event is only held six times per year around the state, so we are excited to welcome them to Salem. We hope our veterans will make plans to attend and meet with the Veterans Law Clinic and MVC staff while they are right here in our community.”
The MVCs provide readjustment counseling and information resources to Veterans across the country. Like community-based Vet Centers, Mobile Vet Centers focus on services that help Veterans make the difficult transition between military and civilian life. Examples of services provided include counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Military Sexual Trauma, bereavement counseling, marriage and family counseling, and resources like VA benefits information and suicide prevention referrals.
Appointments and walk-ins are available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. during the July 22 event organized by the Dent County Extension Office and the MU School of Law Veterans Clinic, hosted at the Salem Community Center.
Attendees can register by visiting https://bit.ly/TFT_Salem or calling 573-729-3196. Advanced registration is encouraged but walk-ins will be welcome until 2 p.m. The Salem Community Center is located at The Armory, 1200 Rolla Rd., Salem.
Local partners supporting the event include Dent County Extension, American Volunteers and Healthy Dent County. Dent County Extension will also be offering computer access for participants to complete their census form during the event.
Veterans are encouraged to bring with them any military or VA records they have in their possession. This will enable the Veterans Clinic to provide better assistance to individual veterans.
The Tigers for Troops program is the result of an agreement between the Clinic and the Missouri Housing Development Commission. With nearly a half million veterans, Missouri has the 15th largest population of those who served in the armed forces. Working with MU Extension, Veterans Clinic attorneys and law students will visit 73 rural counties over approximately two years to educate and assist veterans.
