St. Cloud V.A.

St. Cloud V.A. has recently completed the expansion of their mental health outpatient clinic and plans a ribbon cutting Monday November 25 at 9 a.m. The clinic is located in building 111. The construction added a 2nd level on the clinic.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering an overdose awareness event Wednesday August 28. I was joined on WJON by Dr. Justin Hendricks, Dr. Tracanne Legatt, Music Therapist Madge Scherer and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable. International overdose awareness day is August 31 but because the V.A. isn't open on Saturdays the event has been planned for Wednesday August 28.

The St. Cloud V.A. is undergoing a significant information technology update and this includes construction on buildings on campus. St. Cloud V.A. Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable indicates several roads on campus are being rebuilt as well, which has caused some disruption. He says all services continue to be available.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering a take back day where everyone can drop off unused and expired medications to have them disposed of safely. Jackie Stevenson from the St. Cloud V.A. explains this annual event is for veterans and the general public and all medications will be accepted.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Voni Hovland is the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program Coordinator at the St. Cloud V.A. She says the program focuses on three areas; screening for intimate partner violence, raising awareness and providing intervention.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering a pair of events they'd like to draw attention to for veterans to participate in this summer/fall. The art competition is a national event in its 41st year.

The month of March is National Nutrition Month and the St. Cloud V.A. is observing this by offering numerous options for veterans. St. Cloud V.A. Dietician Anne Voigt and St. Cloud V.A. Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable joined me on WJON.

The St. Cloud V.A. is addressing a shortage of nurses by offering a nursing assistant training course starting at the end of March. Mandi Loxterkamp, Lance Westerlund and Barry Venable from the St. Cloud V.A. joined me on WJON for our monthly Voices for Veterans program.

November is National Family Care Giver Month. The St. Cloud V.A. is recognizing care givers who offer services to veterans. I was joined this week on WJON by Jessica Behrendts from the Care Giver Support program at the St. Cloud V.A. and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable from the St. Cloud V.A.

This month is sexual assault awareness month. Joy Finkelson is the Military Sexual Trauma and Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator at the St. Cloud V.A. Joy and St. Cloud V.A. Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable joined me on WJON today for our Voices for Veterans program.