DUBOIS – An estimated one in eight Clearfield Countians is a veteran. When those men and women need services offered at veterans’ care center, they have to travel more than 100 miles away to locations in Pittsburgh, McKeesport and Williamsport.
But, by 2008, DuBois will be home to the region’s only veterans’ care center, otherwise known as a vet center.
Domenick J. Kurtz, director of the Clearfield County Department of Veterans Affairs, attended the work session of the Clearfield County Commissioners Tuesday to make the announcement.
“These vet centers are a great resource because everything is housed under one unit,” said Kurtz.
The centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who have served in a combat zone, according to information provided by Kurtz. Services are provided to veterans and their families at no cost.
Readjustment counseling services include individual and group counseling; marital and family counseling; bereavement counseling; medical referrals; assistance in applying for VA benefits; employment counseling, guidance and referral; alcohol and drug assessments; information and referral to community resources; military sexual trauma counseling and referral; and outreach and community education.
Kurtz was selected as director of the county’s VA department in January 2006, and he began to work to have a vet center placed in the area just a few months after taking the job.
“When I took this post, I wanted to make a difference,” Kurtz said.
Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken recognized Kurtz’ efforts in bringing the regional center to Clearfield County where it will not only help Clearfield County veterans, but also those in Jefferson, Elk, Centre and other counties.
Kurtz said his work would not have been possible, though, without the help of federal, state and local officials who took part in the process.
Kurtz said he was not at liberty to disclose exactly where the center would be located in DuBois, but he did say that it would require about 3,500 square feet to start with room to expand.
Clearfield County Commissioner Mike Lytle said he was pleased that the center would be located in Clearfield County.
“A lot of times, rural Pennsylvanians are forgotten,” Lytle said.
“There’s going to be a lot of veterans coming back from war hopefully soon. These individuals certainly deserve it for what they’ve done for us.”