RRRP client quote of the week:
“Thank you so much. I was getting so scared and anxious if I would be able to keep my apartment or not. I owe you so much. Thank you for your service.”

Trends:
RRRP has seen an uptick this week for inquiries related to unemployment/underemployment, and requests for legal assistance relating to VA recoupment issues, family law, discrimination and general legal advice. RRRP continues to receive GI Bill inquiries from active duty service members seeking guidance transferring their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, and veterans seeking assistance utilizing VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services. Emergency financial assistance needs continue to dominate requests, as many clients are struggling with basic need costs like rent, mortgage, utilities, and vehicle repairs, gas, food, and home repairs. Many clients seeking financial assistance are also inquiring about employment support and report that their financial and employment struggles are directly related to underlying service-connected general health and mental health issues. We continue to be contacted by veterans seeking assistance submitting their initial VA disability claims or upgrades, as well as those seeking access to VA healthcare and mental health services.

Overall Impact Metrics:
Total Cases: 8,461
All Referrals: 10,022
Total Benefits Received: 1,989
RRRP Customer Service Rating: 4.59
RRRP Partner Quality Rating: 4.13
Average Client Stress Level at Intake: 4.31
Average Reduction in Stress Level at Conclusion: -0.70
(* On a scale of 1 to 5)

RRRP Gender Breakdown:
79% male
21% female

RRRP Client Average Age: 40

Weekly Caseload Metrics:
New Cases This Week: 23
New Referrals This Week: 53 

Top 5 Referral Areas:

• Financial Assistance: 30
• Housing: 3
• Legal: 3
• Health Care: 3
• Suicide and Mental Health: 3

Top 3 Programs Referred to this Week:
Salute, Inc.
PenFed Foundation – Military Heroes Fund
CFPB Financial Coach – Tele-Coaching

Referral Partner Highlight: The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)
The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is a confidential, 24/7 toll-free hotline that connects veterans in crisis with qualified and experienced Department of Veterans Affairs responders via telephone, online chat and text. VCL’s primary function and goal is to prevent suicide and ensure that veterans and family members have the support they need. In July 2007, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to become part of SAMHSA’S National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network and created the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). This partnership between the VA and SAMHSA has allowed the VA to provide life saving suicide prevention and crisis support services to veterans anywhere in the country while also utilizing the training and technological support from Lifeline, which includes backup services in times of high volume. The responders are trained to work with veterans to reduce the immediate risk of suicide and help the veteran navigate through the crisis they are experiencing. Responders are also trained to assist veterans who are in crisis and seeking help but are not at imminent risk for suicide by listening, offering support and developing a plan to stay safe. A critical and effective feature of VCL is the connection that the responders have with Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPC) on the ground. Every VA medical facility in the country has at least one SPC and VCL responders facilitate referrals to the SPCs for follow-up with every veteran who calls VCL and consents to be contacted, which has significantly reduced barriers to accessing care. Since 2007, VCL has answered over 1,625,000 calls and has sent over 45,000 rescues to help callers through life saving emergency services. IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program and the VCL have have been in partnership since RRRP launched in 2012 and has connected more than 190 clients to this life saving resource.

Total Referrals by Referral Type 

Gender Breakdown

VTM Customer Service

Average Partner Program Quality Rating

Average Partner Program Quality Rating

Average Reduction in Stress Level at Conclusion

Record Count – Open Cases by Location

Total Cases (veterans and family members) Opened by Week (Last 4)

Cases by Month for last 12 months

Number of Referrals to Program Partners in Last 4 Weeks

Number of referrals in the past week