Missouri Veterans Commission

Healthcare workers at Missouri Veterans Home - Mexico gave the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination today. Vaccinations will continue at all seven Veteran Homes for staff and residents in the coming days.

We would like to welcome Rep. Chuck Basye and Senator Rick Brattin to the Missouri Veterans Commission. The MVC would also like to inform everyone that the next Commission Meeting will be held on February 1, 2021. https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/about/commissioners.php

Governor Mike Parson shares a message about the importance of veteran suicide prevention awareness and asks all Missourians to Take the Pledge. @weareprevents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hekn92AVLp8

MVC announces launch of Essential Caregiver Program in Homes JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Veterans Commission today announces the launch of its Essential Caregiver Program at its seven Veterans Homes. The program enables Veterans to have direct contact in the homes with a designated family member to help ensure the Veterans’ health and wellbeing are provided for while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. While planned earlier, the program is also responsive to recommendations... to the recent MVC Veterans Homes independent external review. The MVC Essential Caregiver Program allows eligible Veterans to designate a family member to assist with their care and activities, Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff said. In many cases it will allow the person closest to the Veteran a spouse or child to act as a caregiver. Our goal is to improve every aspect of our Veterans’ quality of life, including the compassionate care and personal interaction only a close relative can provide. The MVC Essential Caregiver Program is now in place in five of the seven MVC Veterans Homes: Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mt. Vernon, St. James, and Warrensburg. The other Homes will begin participation as soon as COVID lowers to acceptable levels at those locations. The program is in accordance with the Long-Term Care Facility Guidelines set forth by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (see website: https://ltc.health.mo.gov/archives/14471). Although this program allows for personal visits with Veterans, there is required training and strict safety protocols that are taken into consideration to protect the health of all Veterans in our homes, Kirchhoff said. Under the terms of the MVC Essential Caregiver Program, designated caregivers must complete training, undergo COVID-19 testing, wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and comply with infection control measures during the visits. Nothing makes me happier than to see the look on our Veterans’ faces when they see their loved one in person for the first time during their Essential Caregiver visits, said Brittany Ritter, administrator of the St. James Veterans Home. It has been a long nine months for our Veterans, families, and staff, so this is wonderful to see. The Missouri Veterans Commission, a division of the Department of Public Safety, operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to honoring and serving Missouri’s Veterans whose dedication and sacrifices have preserved our nation and its freedoms. For more information about the Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call (573) 751-3779, online at http://www.mvc.dps.mo.gov, or facebook.com/MissouriVeteransCommission.

MVC staff have been working hard on the recommendations provided in the External Review Report. For detailed information on our latest efforts, take a look at our Progress Tracker which is found on the MVC website: https://mvc.dps.mo.gov//external-review-progress-tracker12

MVC staff has been working hard on the recommendations provided in the External Review Report. For detailed information on our efforts, take a look at our Progress Tracker which is found on the MVC website: https://mvc.dps.mo.gov//external-review-progress-tracker.p

ANNOUNCEMENT: Free Community Testing Event in Jefferson City today.

During this holiday season, I am delighted to share with my fellow Missourians Missouri 2021: Past, Present, and Future as we celebrate our states upcoming bi...centennial year! The large tree in the Nook is decorated with ornaments made from squares transferred from the Bicentennial Quilt, all 114 counties are represented! The fireplace in the Great Hall has miniature portraits of all 57 governors, from Governor Alexander McNair in 1821 to Governor Mike Parson in 2021! 200 years of statehood! Governor Mike Parson and I hope to showcase the unique characteristics of our state’s culture and style with this years kickoff of Missouri’s bicentennial theme at the People’s house! #MissouriProud

MVC Commissioner Dr. Jose Dominguez recently received his COVID-19 vaccine. He is a strong advocate that health care professionals get the vaccine as a preventative measure to stop the spread of COVID-19. For more information on the COVID vaccine, go to https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/ .

There are some things you need to know before you go to a social event. Please take a look at the following CDC guidelines for helpful tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov//dail/personal-social-activities.html

Merry Christmas from all of us at MVC!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of a second COVID-19 vaccine. Operation Warp Speed has allocated more than 5.9 million do...ses of the Moderna vaccine for distribution across the country in the coming week. Read the full announcement here: https://bit.ly/3gZNBZY See more

Wednesday Briefing Regarding COVID-19

Want to change the world? Be a Health Care Hero! Visit: showmestrong.mo.gov/health-hiring

FREE COVID-19 Testing continues this week in Columbia, Branson, St. Louis City, Cape Girardeau, and Jackson County. Find more information and register at: DoINeedACOVID19Test.com

MVC remembers Pearl Harbor Day today!