Vet Center Mobilized

Mobile Vet Center vehicles are maximized for multi-use and include confidential counseling space to be used for outreach and remote counseling. They also provide VA enrollment capabilities and can even be used for preventive care health screenings.

Health care and readjustment counseling just got more accessible for Veterans in rural and underserved communities in Indiana with the unveiling of a new Mobile Vet Center (MVC) Feb 9 at the Indianapolis Vet Center. 

MVC vehicles are maximized for multi-use and include confidential counseling space to be used for outreach and remote counseling. They also provide VA enrollment capabilities and can even be used for preventive care health screenings.

These customized vehicles travel to communities to extend VA’s reach to Veterans, servicemembers and their families, especially those living in rural or remote communities. Last year, these MVC’s participated in more than 3,600 federal, state and locally sponsored Veteran-related events nationwide.

These customized vehicles travel to communities to extend VA’s reach to Veterans, servicemembers and their families, especially those living in rural or remote communities.

The MVC also serves as part of the VA emergency response program for natural disasters.  Each motor coach houses a satellite dish that connects to communications and audio-visual equipment, six phone lines, a fax line, notebook computer, four encrypted computer line (for secure VA patient information) and a wireless network.

Keynote speaker for the unveiling was Dr. Madhulika Agarwal, Deputy Under Secretary for Health and Policy Services who stated that MVCs “extend access to quality health care by providing Veterans and their families with counseling, resources and solutions that can change their lives no matter where they live.”

Coming Next: 230 Emergency Shuttle Vehicles

VA will also add 230 emergency shuttle vehicles over the next five years. The shuttles will provide routine transportation for Veteran patients in and around various metropolitan areas during normal operations. During disasters and emergencies, these shuttles can double as mobile clinics to evacuate patients and their care teams.

More than 190,000 Veterans and families made over 1.3 million visits to VA Vet Centers in fiscal year 2011.
To find out more about Vet Center services or find a Vet Center in your area, go to the Vet Centers web site.

Local Vet Center contacts (Indianapolis)

• Natasha Allen, Indy Vet Center Outreach Coordinator (natasha.allen@va.gov ph# 988-1606)
• Melanie Harris, Indy Vet Center Director ( melanie.harris2@va.gov ph# 988-1604)