The Solid Start program is helping veterans get connected to the resources they need as they exit military life during uncertain times.
ON HOMEFRONT -- I'VE FOCUSEDON THE TRANISTION PROCESS FORTHOSE LEAVING THE MILITARY --AND HOW A FAILED TRANSITIONCAN LEAD TO VETERAN SUICIDE.NOW -- THE VETERANADMINISTRATION IS FOCUSED ONCURBING THOSE SUICIDES -- WITHA BRAND NEW PROGRAM JUSTMONTHS UNDERWAY.EVERY YEAR SOME 200-THOUSANDMEN AND WOMEN SHED THEIRUNIFORM AND REJOIN OURCOMMUNITIES.
AND THE VETERANADMINISTRATION IS TRYINGSOMETHING NEW.
It's around 60to 70 thousand a month we'recalling.
HOW DID THIS PROGRAMGET DEVELOPED WHAT WAS THATHATCHING POINT I GUESS.
Whenwe looked at veteran suicideproblem.
We looked at how thatfirst year after separationfrom the military can be themost stressful times in aveterans life.IT'S CALLED THESOLID START PROGRAM - STARTEDIN DECEMBER OF 2019 - TRAINEDV-A REPRESENTATIVES CALLRECENTLY SEPARATED SERVICEMEMBERS TO CHECK IN ON HOWTHEY'RE DOING.
There are threetouch points in that firstyear after separation.
Thefirst touch point is withinthe first 90 days so thatgives them time to get out andstart to experience things.Because if you call too earlythey haven't really started toexperience that transitionstress.THE OTHER CALLS AREMADE AROUND THE 6 MONTH MARKWITH THE FINAL CALL AT THEYEAR MARK.
THE CONCEPT TO MAKESURE VETERANS ARE AWARE OFTHEIR BENEFITS AND OTHERINFORMATION TO HELP THEMREINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY ANDTHE WORKFORCE.
The agent willtailor what kind of benefitsthey talk about depending onwhat that veteran is talkingabout and what's going on intheir life.
If the veteran hasa lot going on in their livesthey'll try to connect them toVA healthcare so they can getconnected to a social workerfor example or mental healthservices.THE CURRENT PANDEMICHAS ALSO THROWN IN OTHERPOTENTIAL ISSUES FOR RECENTLYSEPARATED VETERANS.
Weconnected with our departmentof labor partners to make surewe could explain clearly tothose veterans for examplewhat their unemploymentcompensation as a recentlyseparated service member.Because if you separated andyou thought you were on trackand you were going to haveyour college and you weregoing to have a job you mightnot have signed up for thatWITH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAMIS THIS ONLY FOR THOSEHONORABLE AND GENERAL OR ARETHOSE DISHONARBLY DISCHARGEDALSO CONTACTED..we'recontacting all of themregardless of their characterof discharge because even if acouple reasons, while they mayor may not be eligible for VAbenefits we might be able toconnect them to other benefitsor other organizations thatwill serve them.AT ABOUT THEHALFWAY POINT OF THE NEW SOLIDSTART PROGRAM THE V-A HADALREADY CONTACTED 891 NEWLYSEPARATED VETS IN OHIO, 489 INKENTUCKY AND NEARLY 530 ININDIANA.
We aimed for a 15%success rate we aimed for a15% success rate in terms ofactually being able to engagewith that veterans, havingthem answer the phone and bewilling to speak with us.
Weactually saw that the successrate was in the 50 to 60% justin that first monthIF YOU'RE A VETERAN RECENTLYSEPARATED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR-- YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FORTHAT CALL TO COME IN.
GO TOV-A.GOV AND LOOK FOR "SOLIDSTART."OR -- CALL THE MAINNUMBER 1-800-827-1000 -- ANDASK FOR THE SOLID STARTPROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM ISSPECIFIC TO THOSE WHO'VERECENTLY LEFT THE SERVICE.
We look at where veterans can go for help during this pandemic.