Published: June 30, 2009 11:19 pm      

Are military veterans adjusting to transition?

Videoconference, closed to media, focuses on change

CUMBERLAND — Stakeholders met Tuesday to discuss the status of the transition of outpatient mental health services to the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center and community-based outpatient clinics.

Robert Border, director of the Cumberland clinic, said the meeting was closed to the media. Bob Manness, chief of customer service for the Martinsburg hospital, echoed Border’s comments. He said Director Ann Brown conducts regular meetings with stakeholders. The meetings, he said, include stakeholders who, since January, “have had a vested interest” in how — and where — veterans receive outpatient mental health services.

Manness said it would be “inappropriate” to allow the media to attend via videoconference before discussing that possibility with stakeholders. He said Tuesday’s discussion was to include future, possible media involvement and that Brown might be made available later this week to address the issue.

Robin Summerfield, field assistant to U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, planned to attend the Martinsburg-based video conference in the Cumberland office on Glenn Street. Manness said a representative from U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s office was scheduled to attend as were staff on behalf of U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia. Members of Maryland’s District 1 legislative delegation were invited to attend but Manness said he could not confirm whether they had indicated their intentions.

Officials from the Patriot’s Path Foundation, a nonprofit organization that prepares veterans for and assists with reintegration into the community as VA-based services are phased out, also were invited.

While in Frostburg last month, Brown said she believed the transition of the area’s 150 veterans that previously obtained mental health services at Re-Entry Associates in Cumberland was going well. All but 15 had integrated into the VA system, Brown said in mid-May.

Frustrated veterans rallied for months against the transition. Many lauded the service they received at Re-Entry Associates and questioned the credentials of providers at the Cumberland clinic. Veterans also complained about the shorter hours available at the VA-operated facility.

To address those needs, the VA hired additional licensed staff and increased operating hours two days a week until 8:30 p.m.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.