LAKEWOOD — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is deploying a Mobile Vet Center (MVC) to Lakewood to ensure that underserved New Jersey veterans and their families have better access to counseling, employment assistance and other services.
“The decision to locate the MVC at the VA’s Vet Center just off Route 70 will allow more veterans and their families to participate in programs that can help with their transition to civilian life, such as counseling and employment assistance,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.).
“The back-to-back initiatives by the VA — first with the establishment of the Lakewood Vet Center in 2010 and now with a mobile unit that can bring important services closer to where veterans live — shows New Jersey is recognized to have a sizable, vibrant veterans community that has needs to be met.
“Our veterans and their families have performed a great service to our country and provide a constant defense for our freedoms,” Smith said. “Bringing services to veterans will ensure they are getting the benefits they have earned — regardless of how far they live from a VA facility.”
The Lakewood MVC will be the first in NewJersey, and will travel to deliver services where needed, Smith said.
Lakewood will be one of 20 additional vehicle locations across the country that was recently announced. The MVC is expected to arrive in February. The customized vehicles are outfitted with confidential counseling space.
The centers will provide individual and group counseling for military-related issues, such as injuries and disabilities and related treatments, as well as other readjustment to civilian life, according to a press release.
Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active-duty death, counseling for substance abuse, and prospective employment assessments, job search strategies and referrals in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor will be available.
The VA has 300 Vet Centers like the one in Lakewood at 1255 Route 70 in the Parkway 70 Plaza serving communities across the country for veterans and their families to ensure they understand what VA benefits and services are available to them.
Visit http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/ for additional information.