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IAVA | March 24, 2015

Read: This Week in RRRP: IAVA’s Premiere Transition Assistance Program

RRRP and the Continuum of Need

Veterans and family members contact IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program for a range of issues that vary greatly in urgency and severity. RRRP’s Veteran Transition Managers are here to help address those issues, regardless of where they land on the continuum of need.

From singular issues that need a basic level of intervention and support, to more complex situations, our VTMs are here to assist.

Scenario 1: A veteran needs help figuring out how to get a disability compensation upgrade.
Possible assistance: The VTM would refer them to Disabled American Veterans or the American Legion for assistance.

Scenario 2: A veteran, with diagnosed PTSD, is having difficulty getting a timely appointment at the VA, and has questions about utilizing his Vocational Rehab benefit to go back to school.

Possible assistance: The VTM would advocate for the vet within the VA system to decrease appointment wait time, offer alternative therapy options such as the local Vet Center or Soldiers Project, and provide education about utilizing Voc Rehab benefits.

Scenario 3: A veteran is cycling in and out of employment, surviving primarily on their disability compensation income, and is three months behind in rent.

Possible assistance: The VTM would work to find the vet emergency financial resources through organizations such as the Semper Fi Fund, Operation First Response, and Supportive Services for Veteran Family programs, all of whom provide emergency financial assistance to veterans. The VTM might also refer the vet to ClearPoint, which provides online budgeting tools for veterans. Finally, the VTM would refer the vet to an employment counselor or workforce development program to help get the vet on a path to stable employment.

Scenario 4: A vet is couch surfing to avoid living on the street, abusing alcohol to medicate untreated mental health symptoms, and is expressing active or passive suicidal thoughts.

Possible assistance: The VTM would connect the vet to the Veterans Crisis Line if there was a concern for safety; the VTM would also work on getting the vet into inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment, either through the VA or through one of our many community partners such as Bridge Back to Life, Seafield Center, or Samaritan Village in New York. The VTM would also ensure that the treatment addresses the underlying mental health issues. Lastly, the VTM would also work to connect the vet to a Supportive Services for Veteran Family program to set up permanent housing once stabilized.

In all of the above scenarios, and in every case that comes through RRRP, the VTMs provide these resources while staying in contact and providing ongoing support until the veteran has received the assistance they need. Whether it takes a week or many months, the RRRP is here to make sure every veteran gets the help they need.

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Client quote of the week: 

“So amazed to receive such honest and persistent help. When my own family pushes me away I would expect the same from a stranger. [It’s] tough to face rejection over and over. However, this door opened and Julienne has been supportive and professional – tops in my history of experiences. Instead of kicking me when I’m down, she has reassured me of her true intentions.  She has given me the gift of hope.”

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