Military service can have a long-range impact on service members and their families. From managing financial concerns to maintaining healthy relationships or caring for loved ones with a disability — active service, deployment and returning to civilian life each have their own challenges. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has a long-standing partnership with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) to provide supportive services to Veterans and their families through the CORE program.

LSS CORE (casework, outreach, referral and education) has successfully served thousands of Veterans to help improve quality of life. CORE services include casework, caregiver support and respite, financial counseling, housing assistance, access to nutritious meals and mental health counseling. Casework includes assessment of individual needs and personalized support. Individualized plans are created through a strengths-based lens.

In recent years, 100% of individuals using CORE services said they:

• Were treated with respect.
• Found the services helpful.
• Would use CORE services again.
• Would recommend CORE services to other Veterans.

All CORE services are free and confidential for qualifying Veterans and their immediate family members.

LSS is a PsychArmor Institute Certified Veteran Ready organization, which means their staff have been trained so that they can effectively engage with and support military service members, Veterans and their families.

“Once I started using the LSS CORE services, I felt empowered to take charge of my treatments, to look into my disability benefits and to get myself on a path to recovery,” one Veteran said. “I feel lucky I’ve been able to figure out where I want to be, thanks to LSS.”

CORE services include:

• Caregiver Support & Respite: Classes, coaching, emergency care planning, resources, respite care, support groups and workshops to help caregivers develop their caregiving skills and maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
• Housing Services: Work with Veterans to secure housing and achieve their personal goals. LSS can offer supportive housing in the Twin Cities metro area that includes a rent subsidy and case management services.
• LSS Financial Counseling: Non-judgmental, confidential support and guidance to help individuals and families achieve financial wellness; including financial counseling for budgeting, credit improvement, debt management (including Debt Management Plans), foreclosure prevention, homeownership, reverse mortgages and student loan debt.
• LSS Meals: Nutritious, homestyle meals through LSS Meals to Go — a convenient frozen meal shipment service. Meals are designed by a registered dietitian to provide variety, balanced nutrition, and to meet dietary needs.
• Mental Health Services: Support for improved quality of life, including assessment and evaluation, trauma therapy, deployment and reintegration support, and counseling for individuals, couples and families. Compassionate, effective counseling to deal with family relationships, grief, PTSD, substance use, military sexual trauma and more.

LSS can support you. Call 844-577-2673 or visit lssmn.org/support4vets to learn more.

By Adam Dorow, Statewide Program Manager, LSS CORE Services for Veterans