Support for Active, Reserve and Veteran Soldiers, their Family and Friends

As a Veteran or a Soldier returning from deployment, do you need information, support or referrals for daily life challenges? The following is a clearinghouse of information and referral agencies available to help you and your family. Below you will find contact information, websites, hotline phone numbers and other pertinent help information.

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The Army Strong Community Center: Serving all branches of the military, active and reserve, is an information and referral office dedicated to assisting and supporting Service Members, Retirees, Veterans and Family Members. The Army Strong Community Center connects those geographically dispersed families with support resources in their own community.

ASCC Mission: Army Strong Community Centers enhance the quality of life by providing information, resources and referrals.

ASCC Vision: Build resilient Families and partnerships within the community, enhancing the strength of our Expeditionary Force and the communities where they live.

The Army Strong Community Center program was created by the efforts of Lt General Jack Stultz Jr. and his wife Laura. Their goal is to support the Military Members and their Families who live away from the larger military installations where support is available. ASCC staff provides resources and referrals for many quality of life issues such as:

Health Insurance (Tricare)	VA Benefits(GI Bill)	Community Resources
Succeeding as a Military Family	Retirement Benefits	and so much more.....

In addition, the ASCC has: literature on many Family topics, family computer with web access for families to use AKO and communicate during separations. We service all branches of the military, active and reserve.

How Do I contact the Rochester, NY ASCC
Contact the Rochester Army Strong Community Center at:

Army Strong Community Center

2035 Goodman Street North, Suite 103

Rochester, NY 14609

Marianne Sernoffsky - Community Support Manager
marianne.sernoffsky@us.army.mil 585-339-3308

Michele Zelaya Community Support Professional
michele.zelaya@us.army.mil 585-339-3311

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Wayne County Veterans Service Agency The Veterans Agency provides in depth counseling and follow-up service on all benefits claims for veterans, their dependents and children. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For an appointment or more information please call. 315-946-5997/5993

Transportation For Wayne County Veterans: Van transportation is for medical appointments only. Please call as soon as you know you have an appointment as space on the van is limited.

Van runs to Syracuse

RT 31 South M/W/F Macedon/Palmyra/Newark/Lyons/Clyde/Savannah

RT 104 North T/TH/F

Wayne/Marion/Ontario/Williamson/Walworth/Huron/Sodus

Center/Alton/Wolcott/N. Rose/Rose/Red Creek

Transportation to Canandaigua is provided by WATS see FIND HELP NOW drop down

menu Transportation for schedule and information.

Have you lost or misplaced your separation papers/DD214? It is possible we may have a copy on file in the office for you. Our offices stores thousands of Wayne County Veterans; records from WWII to now. If we don't have it here we can help you obtain a copy from the 315-946-5997/5993 or contact the National Personal Records Center at 314-801-0800.

Property Tax Reduction: Veterans and their surviving spouses maybe eligible for reduction on their county and town taxes provided the Veteran in question served during a war-time period. Additional deductions may apply for combat and disabled Veterans. Call the Wayne County Veterans Service Agency for more information. 315-946-5997/5993

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Veterans NY Services Clearing House:

New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs For information on possible health care treatment and benefits information and applications call toll-free hotline at: 1-888-VETS NYS (1-888-838-7697) http://veterans.ny.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Service Center: You can also find out if you are eligible for benefits, how to apply, and what it will cost by calling the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Service Center toll-free at: 1-877-222-VETS (1-888-222-8387) http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/

Department of Veterans Affairs: The general toll-free number for the Department of Veterans Affairs can provide you with a wide array of information, verify the status of disability or survivors' benefits payments, check on benefits for which you may be eligible including home loans, life insurance, education and health care, information on establishing a direct deposit account, directions to VA regional offices and the ability to access a VA benefits counselor. Call: 1-800-827-1000 http://www.va.gov

"Serving Those Who Served", a 17-minute video which includes an overview of some of the benefits including health care, service and non-service connected disability compensation, educational support, and employment assistance, available through various state and federal programs. Veterans will also learn how and where they can receive free assistance in obtaining these benefits. http://www.trainingspace.org/materials/Veterans/serving.wvx

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American Legion: The American Legion is the nation's largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. http://www.legion.org/

THE WARRIOR'S FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Department of New York, American Legion Auxiliary was proud to have initiated a new program for our Current Veterans.

This program is primarily targeted towards recently deployed and recently discharged Veterans of the Iraq War. Since 9-11, New York State has had one the largest deployment of Armed Forces in the nation. This is with a concentration on the Reserve and the National Guard as well as any other branch of the forces. Our casualties have been many, and the numbers of our wounded are getting higher and higher each day. Our Veterans Population now reflects many faces of women in the ranks, married couples serving at the same time, fathers, mothers, and sons serving in the same war. The make up of our armed forces has certainly changed over the decades, and, the effect on the families left at home has been drastic. The activated National Guard and the Reserves are the most exposed to financial difficulties, often leaving well paying jobs to serve their country, they leave their families very vulnerable, and have no promise of a job when they return. The fact is that many of our military families live under the poverty level, and now we add the "New" dynamics of other veterans to the picture, and this spells HELP! What about our wounded veterans who have returned, what happens after rehabilitation? Where do they go? What do they do if they can no longer return to the usual workplace? What do they need? What about the children of our warriors, how are they affected? What are their needs? How do we keep their dreams and futures secure? For an application for assistance or for more information contact 518-463-1162 or visit the website at http://www.deptny.org/Warriors_Family_Assist.htm

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Canandaigua VA Medical Center

The Canandaigua VA Medical Center, part of VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, 30 miles southeast of Rochester in Canandaigua, New York. Providing inpatient and outpatient care to veterans living in upstate New York since 1933, the Medical Center provides numerous health care programs and services... Located on 150 acres with 14 patient care buildings, the Canandaigua VA Medical Center provides:

• Primary care
• Mental health care
• Specialty care
• Disease prevention and wellness programs
• Alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) care
• Domiciliary program
• Community living center (nursing home) care

The Medical Center has been designated as a VA Center of Excellence for research and education of mental health issues. The national VA Suicide/Crisis Hotline call center (800.273.TALK (8255)) is also located on the Canandaigua campus. The Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic is affiliated with the Canandaigua VA Medical Center. The outpatient clinic offers primary care, specialty care, mental health care, a day treatment center, alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation, routine lab work, immunizations, and wellness and disease management programs.

Canandaigua VA Medical Center
400 Fort Hill Avenue
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-2000 Toll free: 1-800-204-9917

Rochester Outpatient Clinic
465 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 463-2600

Helpful Phone Numbers at a Glance
24 Hours Medical Advice for Enrolled Veterans	1.888.838.7890
Army Strong Community Center	585-339-3308
Canandaigua VA Medical Center	585.394.2000
	Toll free: 1.800.204.9917
LifeLine	800.310.1160
National Personal Records Center	314.801.0800
	http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/
NYS Division of Veterans' Affairs	888.838.7697
	http://veterans.ny.gov
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	1.800.827.1000
	http://www.va.gov
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	1.877.222.VETS
Health Benefits Service Center	(1.888.222.8387)
	http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/
Veterans Administration	1.888.823.9656
Veteran's Hotline	800.996.4630
Veterans Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Hotline	800.293.1438
	http://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Veteran's Suicide Hotline	800.273.TALK (8255)
Wayne County Department of Social Services	315.946.4881
	myBenefits.ny.gov
Wayne County Veterans Service Agency	315.946.5993/5997

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