Vet centers provide readjustment counseling services

by Richard Schleeter

Article Last Updated; Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:28AM

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The La Plata County Veterans Service Office provides information and assistance to veterans and their families. The office and the Durango VA Clinic are located at 1970 East
Third Ave.

The office phone number is 759-0117. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except holidays.

Appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, call 382-6150.

Veterans Service Officer Richard Schleeter does community outreach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Friday of every month at the Marvel Grange Hall and the second Friday of every month at the Bayfield Senior Center. No appointments are necessary at those sites.

The Vet Center program was established by Congress in 1979 out of recognition that a significant number of Vietnam Era veterans were experiencing readjustment problems.

Vet centers are community-based and are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Congress later extended this service to those who served during any war period, from World War II to the current conflicts.

The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach and referral services to eligible veterans to help them make a satisfying postwar readjustment to civilian life.

The Vet Center staff respect the privacy of all veterans and holds in strictest confidence all information disclosed in the counseling process.

Family members of combat veterans have been eligible for Vet Center readjustment counseling services for military-related issues since 1979.

Readjustment counseling encompasses a wide range of services, including individual counseling, group counseling, marital and family counseling, bereavement counseling, military sexual trauma counseling and referral. Services also include employment counseling and guidance, medical referrals, alcohol and drug assessments, assistance in applying for VA benefits, information and referral to community resources, outreach and community education.

Military sexual trauma counseling may include individual or group counseling, marital and family counseling and referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies and/or substance abuse information. It also helps with referral to help veterans deal with the emotions of military sexual trauma and to regain confidence in their everyday life.

Richard Schleeter is the veterans service officer for the La Plata County Veterans Service Office. He can be reached at 382-6444 or schleeterrs2co.laplata.co.us.