BACKGROUND OF READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE

The Vet Center Program was established by Congress in 1979 out of the recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing readjustment problems. Vet Centers are community based and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf War, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans who served during other periods of armed hostilities after the Vietnam era. Those other periods are identified as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and Somalia. In October 1996, Congress extended the eligibility to include WWII and Korean Combat Veterans. Authorization for Vet Centers to provide the full range of readjustment counseling to the veterans who served in Bosnia and Kosovo was approved in May 2000. The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES

War Zone Veterans - all eras, including:

World War II - three eligible categories European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (7 Dec 1941 - 8 Nov 1945), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (7 Dec 1941 - 2 Mar 1946) , or American Campaign Medal (7 Dec 1941 - 2 Mar 1946).

Korean War - 27 Jun 1950 - 27 Jul 1954 (eligible for the Korean Service Medal)

Vietnam War - 28 Feb 1961 - 7 May 1975

Vietnam Era Non Theater - 5 Aug 1964 - 7 May 1975

Lebanon - August 26, 1982, to February 26, 1984

Grenada - October 23, 1983, to November 21, 1983

Panama - December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990

Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 to present

Somalia - September 5, 1992 to present

Kosovo/Bosnia - November20, 1995 to present

WWII Merchant Marines - December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945

Women and men of all eras who were sexually harassed or assaulted while on active duty.

PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress is a normal set of reactions to a trauma such as war, which could be experienced by almost anyone. Sometimes, it becomes a Disorder (PTSD) with the passage of time when feelings or issues related to the trauma are not dealt with, but are suppressed by the individual. This can result in problems readjusting to community life following the trauma. A delayed stress reaction may surface after manty years and include some or all of the following problems:

• anger, irritability, and rage

• feeling nervous

• depression

• difficulty trusting others

• feeling guilt over acts committed or witnessed, the failure to prevent certain events, or merely having survived while
  others did not.

• hyper alertness and startle reactions

• feeling grief or sadness

• having thoughts and memories that will not go away

• isolation and alienation from others

• loss of interest in pleasurable activities

• low tolerance to stress

• problems with authority

• problems feeling good about one self

• nightmares

• substance abuse

• trouble sleeping

• anxiety

• paranoia

READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICES

• Individual counseling

• Group counseling

• Marital and family counseling

• Medical referrals

• Assistance in applying for VA Benefits

• Employment counseling, guidance and referral

• Alcohol/Drug assessments

• information and referral to community resources

• Sexual trauma referral services

• Community education

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY

Vet Center Staff respect the privacy of all veterans. We hold in the strictest confidence all information disclosed in the counseling process. No information will be released to any person or agency without written consent from the client, except in circumstances averting a crisis.

The Sacramento Vet Center
1111 Howe Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916-566-7430
Fax: 916-566-7433

Located on 1111 Howe Ave. between Hurley Way and Northrop Ave. (North of Highway 50) There is a Howe Ave. exit off Highway 50.