VA Going to World Series

Department Will Use Mobile Vet Centers for Outreach at Game Four

ARLINGTON, Texas (Oct. 29, 2010)- 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.