VA Vet Centers Going to World Series

– Department Will Use Mobile Vet Centers for Outreach at Game Four –

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is partnering with the Texas Rangers and Major League Baseball to provide outreach and readjustment counseling to Veterans attending game four of the World Series Oct. 31.

“VA’s mobile Vet Centers improve access by providing counseling and outreach services where Veterans are going to be,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “With thousands of Lone Star Veterans on hand to see the Rangers try for their first World Series championship, this will be a great venue to reach out. VA is thankful to Major League Baseball for this opportunity.”

The mobile Vet Centers will be located on Nolan Ryan Boulevard between the Home Plate and First Base gates on the west side of Rangers Ballpark and will be on site the entire day of the game for Veterans and their families to stop in for confidential counseling or to inquire about other VA services.

VA has a fleet of 50 mobile Vet Centers to support readjustment counseling for combat Veterans and their families throughout the U.S. where area facilities may not be close by.  The mobile Vet Centers complement 270 Vet Centers across the Nation that exist as walk-in support centers, providing counseling and connection to local services for Veterans adjusting to civilian life after combat. The mobile Vet Centers are customized vehicles outfitted to house two mental health counseling offices and a small waiting room. They can also be converted with portable exam tables to provide basic medical care and are outfitted with litters, a wheelchair lift and rear doors to provide emergency patient evacuation capabilities.

Three mobile Vet Centers responded to the Fort Hood shooting tragedy Nov. 5, 2009. With augmented staff, more than 8,200 Veterans, active duty Servicemembers and families were provided readjustment counseling.