~ Toll-free information, referral and crisis intervention line is first of its kind in the nation ~

St. Paul – To make it easier to find services and to ensure immediate crisis intervention, Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the launch of LinkVet – the Veterans Linkage Line for Minnesota veterans and their family members.

The toll-free customer service line is the first of its kind in the nation and will provide information referrals, immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-LINKVET (546-5838). The new line is up-and-running as of today.

“Our goal is to make Minnesota the best state for veterans to live,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Understanding and navigating the many programs and services provided by state, federal and local governments can be discouraging. The Veterans Linkage Line will connect veterans and their family members with information on veterans’ benefits, health care and reintegration. It’s another way for us to make sure we thank and support those who serve our country.”

LinkVet will be answered by trained staff at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and Crisis Connection, a Twin Cities based non-profit mental health telephone counseling service. MDVA staff, who are veterans themselves, will manage the lines Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Crisis Connection social workers will field all crisis calls during business hours, and all calls after hours, on weekends and holidays.

LinkVet was developed by the Governor’s Yellow Ribbon Task Force Crisis Line Workgroup. This group met during the spring of 2007 and included representatives from several state agencies, the National Guard and non-profit veteran services providers.

After discovering there were several toll-free lines for crisis intervention and suicide prevention for returning soldiers and veterans, and that United Way’s 211 referral line is not cell phone accessible, the workgroup proposed a statewide one-stop call line for veterans similar to the Senior Linkage and Disability Linkage lines.

Veterans who call LinkVet and need to be transferred to someone other than a MDVA staff member will be connected in a three-way call to the necessary resources. MDVA staff will remain on the line with the caller until the veteran’s issue has been successfully resolved.

Revation, the company that has supplied the software for Senior Linkage and Disability Linkage lines, has agreed to provide a one-year free trial of the Veterans Linkage Line software. After the first year, there will be no additional hardware required and approximately $0.04 per minute operating costs.

Last year, MDVA launched www.minnesotaveteran.org, a one-stop Web site for information about education, medical, employment, and other benefits. Information concerning military retirement, state and federal benefits, as well as education and pending legislation are included on the site. Governor Pawlenty proposed the Veterans One Stop Website as part of his 2006 military and veterans support legislative package.