In April, the Becker County Commission passed a resolution which allowed a new Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Family Assistance Center (FAC) to open across the hall from the existing Veterans Service Office in the county courthouse.
This is the first time in Minnesota, and possibly the nation, that a FAC has been located in the same building as a County Veterans Service Office.
"The CVSOs and the Family Assistance Centers work closely together throughout the state of Minnesota," said Mike Farren, Supervisor, Minnesota Family Assistance Centers.
Farren says that many times a returning service member will need to connect and work with both offices to get the assistance they need. Sometimes they are sent back and forth between offices, which in most cases means driving several miles for service.
Being closely located will allow the two offices to work together in order to provide the best service and create a one-stop shop for Minnesota military families, service members and Veterans.
The opportunity for this partnership was the idea of Becker County Veterans Service Officer, Lauri Brooke.
Due to increasing numbers of service members, Becker County had been looking to add a FAC in the area. Brooke knew there was available office space and recognized the opportunity at hand. She proposed that the center be located in an office across the hall. The new office would bring more Veterans and military families into the courthouse, exposing them to all the services the county has to offer.
In the future both the FAC and the CVSO office plan to take advantage of their close proximity and hold duel outreach events and other initiatives.
Lt. Col. Barbara O'Reilly, Chief of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, supports this goal. She feels that the similar missions of the FAC and the CVSOs create a natural opportunity to work together - maximizing existing resources.
"This is a partnership that will allow us to provide better service and resources to our Veterans and our families," said Lt. Col. O'Reilly.
The Minnesota Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program is planning to duplicate this model in other counties across the state.
