Veteran Neighborhood Consortium

The Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation Interprofessional Educational Program has been a signature program of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Excellence in Education.

The collaboration taps the resources of multiple disciplines to train health and mental health professionals in caring for veterans, service members and their families. The program employs the combined skills of faculty and learners involved in: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Allied Health, Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitative Medicine, and Physician Assistantship. The intensive half-day workshop builds upon the RWJMS longitudinal Patient-Centered Medicine curriculum and makes use of lectures, clinical case studies, videos, panel discussions, first-hand accounts, and interactive group discussions..

The overarching mission of the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) at George Mason University is to give back to those who give to our nation through four primary pillars.

First, Mason helps educate service members, Veterans, and their family members with scholarships, specialized education pathways, and support from our Office of Military Services.

Second, Mason provides free or low-cost direct services, like legal assistance, mental health services, and arts and music workshops, to service members, Veterans, and their family members.

Third, Mason is working to provide specialized training to students and professionals in several fields on how to work effectively with service members, Veterans, and their family members.

Finally, Mason conducts high-impact research on issues related to warfighter readiness and to the health and well-being of service members, Veterans, and their families.

ServingTogether, in affiliation with AmericaServes, was created to simplify access to the wealth of resources and Veterans organizations in the National Capital Region and beyond.

They are positioned as the conduit to a greater community of support. Their mission is to provide clear guidance and ensure understanding of the earned resources available to Veterans, members of the military and their families. They have solid relationships with nonprofits, community veteran organizations, local businesses and County government, all with a common goal of sharing ongoing support for the many transitions in life beyond the military. They aim to support all individuals who have worn the uniforms of our military– regardless of age, era, branch, or discharge status. Their network continues to work collectively to improve the coordination and direct service delivery to active duty, National Guard, and reservists as well as Veterans and their families

Phil’s Friends is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization founded to assist families with their ability to care for their “loved ones” with memory loss disorders.

Focusing on Dementia Education to improve caregivers understanding and capabilities by providing the tools and skills necessary to manage the care needed for their loved ones. Phil’s Friends collect used durable Medical equipment and redistribute to those in need

HITmethods is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) that combines a unique mix of executives and operational management consultants in the performance of serving our customers. Our international expertise and capabilities focus on strategic management consulting specializing in healthcare capacity building, disaster preparedness & response, global health informatics & technology, and business transformation. HITmethods employs innovative approaches towards developing sustainable solutions for the international underserved communities while providing humanitarian assistance – primarily through the empowerment of locally-driven ideas and knowledge transfer that contributes to our philosophy of “working ourselves out of a job”.

The American Diversity Group is organized to bring together diverse groups of people to build and sustain healthy communities and enriched lives.

Their goal is to serve individuals and American families to improve health and well-being through integrated medical practice, education, and awareness. They focus on improving health care access for undeserved individuals.

American Diversity Group has organized countless numbers of health fairs in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area offering free educational classes and workshops, health screenings, and a large array of health services including dental and oral health, medication review, vaccinations, and on-site consultations with nurses and physicians.

Your support can transform lives. By donating to AboutFace-USA, you are contributing to a cause that directly impacts the well-being of our veterans and their families. Your generosity enables us to expand our programs, reach more individuals, and provide the highest level of support to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Together, we can create a brighter future for our veterans. https://www.aboutface-usa.org/donate

What We Offer - Key Programs

1. Project GROW (Gardening Recreation Outreach Wellness) is the home of AboutFace Farm, our indoor vertical aeroponic farm. We garden fresh produce, educate about nutrition, food safety, agricultural innovations and environment/climate science through workshops and entrepreneurial business training. We utilize the therapeutic benefits of gardening and encourage the use of learned coping skills and behavioral health practices. This program is free to veterans and encompasses more than AboutFace Farm, it is the all-inclusive name of our whole health wellness initiative.

2. Clinical Therapies for mental health and substance use concerns are handled offsite. Assessments and counseling services are free to veteran families who are screened by our program manager and qualify based on veteran status, residential location and availability of AboutFace-USA funds.

3. Veteran Support Groups are veteran-led peer support groups that provide a platform for veterans to share their experiences and concerns, receive emotional support, and build informal relationships. These groups play a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging and connection among participants and help to prevent isolation.

4. Veteran Ride Service Program is a critical need for many veterans. They get free transportation (access) to and from health care appointments. This program is designed to reduce barriers and enhance mobility for our veterans.

5. Financial Literacy Coaching is incorporated in our whole health wellness program, Project GROW. Free in-person and phone or online sessions focus on individualized needs and concerns. Its aim is to equip veterans with the tools and strategies needed to manage their money realistically and to reduce stress.

6. Homeless Veteran Assistance is a program that provides essential attention to veterans who need housing, mental health care, VA Benefits assistance, employment opportunities and who have food insecurities. We have an annual backpack drive to provide new under-garments, winter clothing, toiletries and food in the backpacks to give to homeless veterans and others.

7. Outreach, Advocacy, and Sustainability are programs needed by veterans, our communities, and our organization. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to raise awareness about mental health, suicide and homelessness prevention, and food safety needs. We educate, share resources, and offer programs.

Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic organization that provides mental health care services for post-9/11 veterans, including National Guard and Reserves, service members and their families. CVN’s network of outpatient clinics are in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. In-person services are available, as well as telehealth appointments. Learn more about CVN at cohenveteransnetwork.org.

Voices for Non-Opioid Choices (“Voices”) is a nonpartisan coalition dedicated to preventing opioid addiction before it starts by increasing patient and provider access to non-opioid therapies and approaches to manage acute pain. Voices and our partners believe that curbing the U.S. opioid epidemic requires systemic change — by individuals, providers and in communities. If you need additional information about opioid addiction in America, non-opioid treatments that may be available to you, or public opinion polling visit our website at https://nonopioidchoices.org

You’ve served your country, now it’s our turn to serve you. The Road Home Program team is committed to supporting you and your loved ones as you face the challenges of life after service. Collectively, we have helped thousands of veterans and we look forward to helping you.The Road Home Program provides mental health care and wellness to veterans of all eras, service members and their families at no cost and regardless of discharge status. Call us at (312) 942-8387 (VETS) or fill out the Inquire About Care form.

TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY

1. Two-Week Virtual IOP

Video Visits deliver interactive clinical care via the internet, on phone, tablet and laptop. Our clinicians at Road Home deliver the same high-quality care and support to our patients at a distance that they would receive in person. If a video visit is a viable option, fill out the Inquire About Care form and ask about our Two-Week Virtual IOP.

2. Virtual Outpatient Program

Virtual outpatient care at the Road Home Program consists of weekly video visits. Treatment focuses on immediate symptom reduction, long-term mental health recovery and permanent lifestyle changes for veterans, service members and their families. Length of treatment varies, but veterans, service members and families leave with the tools and skills needed to move forward and build healthy, productive relationships and lives.

IN-PERSON TREATMENT OPTIONS

1. Intensive Outpatient Program

The IOP is an innovative, individualized treatment program that condenses six months of therapy into two weeks. During the IOP, we connect veterans and service members to both individual and group therapy and a daily regimen of physical fitness, stress-reduction training, wellness practices, nutritional education and mindfulness meditation. All treatment, travel, meals and lodging are provided at no out of pocket expenses to the veteran or service member and one support person.

2. Outpatient Program

In-person outpatient care at the Road Home Program consists of weekly therapy sessions. Treatment focuses on immediate symptom reduction long term mental health recovery and permanent lifestyle changes for veterans, service members and their families. Length of treatment varies, but veterans, service members and families leave with the tools and skills needed to move forward and build healthy, productive relationships and lives.

NOCD is a digital health company focused on identifying and managing people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that affects 1 of 4 veterans with PTSD and that causes people to be 10X more likely to die by suicide.

Inside the NOCD platform, you can do live video-therapy sessions with a licensed therapist with specialty training in treating veterans with OCD, as well as get 24/7 support between sessions from peer communities and self-help tools.

Cancer Support Community Central NJ (CSCCNJ) is a non-profit organization providing vital emotional and social support to people with cancer, survivors, family members, and caregivers in the community, no matter the age, type or stage of cancer, place of treatment or ability to pay.

All our professional support services are being delivered virtually and always provided at no charge. Cancer Support Community Central NJ – Helping Veterans across New Jersey, so that no one faces cancer alone.

If you or some you know is affected by cancer, we can help by providing:
Navigation and referral to resources that address unmet needs due to a cancer diagnosis and/or as a result of the current COVID-19 health emergency. Financial assistance for families dealing with a pediatric cancer.

Individual counseling and group support for individuals and families affected by cancer, including those in bereavement. Age-and culturally-appropriate support in both English and Spanish, along with interventions to reduce distress and improve coping skills. Here is how to access our virtual programs and services:
• Call (908) 658-5400 x4 if you are seeking individual counseling and/or group support, including bereavement.
• Visit https://www.cancersupportcnj.org/ to learn about all our programs and services.
• To explore ways we can partner during this crisis, please call 908-658-5400, #7