COLUMN: Veteran's Corner

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February 20, 2012

Jim Vines CNHI The Weatherford Democrat Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:00 AM CST

— Feb. 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs marked their one year anniversary of the toll-free National VA Caregiver Support Line, 1-855-260-3274. The support line’s dedicated staff has helped more than 25,000 veterans, family members and caregivers connect to resources and receive access to services they have earned.

The VA recognizes the importance of caregivers to veterans’ health and well being. They also recognize the sacrifices the daily care of veterans requires. It is the care and commitment of caregivers that allow veterans with chronic illnesses or severe injuries to remain in the homes they defended, surrounded by the loved ones they hold dear.

Since the program began, the caregiver support line has received thousands of calls and email questions through the VA’s main page, www.va.gov. Local caregiver support coordinators at each VA medical center have responded to more than 8,000 referrals. Callers to the support line are spouses, children, other family members and friends of veterans, as well as veterans themselves. Caregivers support line responders listen to the callers and assess how best to offer support, appropriate direction, and connection to needed resources.

Responders serve as a resource for caregivers by providing guidance, education on VA programs and benefits, information on community resources and emotional support through brief supportive counseling, if needed. The support line responders can also connect callers to the VA’s other support lines such as the VA Veteran Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 and Coaching Into Care Line, 1-888-823-7458, when these lines better meet the caller's needs.

If a caregiver or veteran who calls the line needs additional guidance, a referral is made to a local caregiver support coordinator, located at every VA medical center, who is the key contact for caregivers at the VA and expert in VA and community programs available to veterans and their family caregivers.

Veterans and caregivers can reach the VA Caregiver Support Line toll free at 855-260-3274. Operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., ET, and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., ET, on Saturdays. The VA also features a web page, www.caregiver.va.gov, with general information on other caregiver support programs available through the VA and the community.

Building upon a 66-year partnership with the states, the Department of Veterans Affairs has signed a formal agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs to enhance their relationship. Secretary Eric Shinseki signed the agreement Feb. 13, 2012, during the NASDVA mid-winter conference in Alexandria, Va.

State agencies are invaluable partners in providing services to veterans. This historic collaboration with NASDVA has ensured that countless veterans receive the benefits they deserve and have earned. This agreement pledges the two groups maintain effective communications, an exchange of ideas and information, identification of emerging needs, and continuous reevaluation of existing programs. NASDVA represents veterans affairs in dealings with the VA and veterans residing in their respective states. The states fund about $5 billion in benefits and services for veterans.

The involvement of state governments in veterans affairs goes back to the American Revolution, with the federal government becoming involved after the Civil War. In 1946, NASDVA was created to coordinate programs between the VA and the states, territories and the District of Columbia.

AMVETS welcomes new members, Jim Arney, Alen Carter, J.J. Brooks and Bob Manskey.

Speak to you again next week

Reach Jim Vines at jim.helpingveterans@gmail.com.

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COLUMN: Veteran's Corner

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