Green County to receive new veterans center

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is building a new community-based veterans center in southwest Missouri to provide readjustment counseling and family outreach.

According to a Veterans Affairs analysis, Greene County is one of 15 counties with more than 50,000 combat veterans in surrounding areas not currently served by a Vet Center.

St. Louis Vet Center team leader Gary Collins says Veterans Affairs wants to "provide outreach to all combat veterans and their families."

Veterans Affairs operates three centers in Missouri including two in St. Louis and one in Kansas City. The center is expected to open in late 2009 and will be staffed by four mental health professionals and social workers.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com