The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has seen a sizable increase in staffing at its four veterans centers since early last year. Gov. Andy Beshear reported during his regular Thursday media briefing that staffing at the facilities has grown by 213 employees since February of 2023. That includes 175 more members of the centers’ nursing staff, and 38 more non-nursing staff members. Beshear credited the increase to pay raises for staff, alongside local educational partnerships and training programs. “Building strong partnerships with these institutions helps us with future staffing opportunities, and it gives those who partake in these trainings and clinics, exposure to a greater mission: caring for our veterans,” Beshear said. The department also reported 221 admissions for 2024’s fiscal year, the highest amount since 2019. “In other words, we have more space now, given that we have more staffing,” Beshear said. A fifth veterans center in Bowling Green is also nearly constructed, and is scheduled to open next year. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. The post Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs reports staffing increase at state veterans centers appeared first on The Lexington Times.