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VA » Health Care » MIRECC / CoE » Returning War Veterans » Veteran Sponsorship Initiative

MIRECC / CoE

Veteran Sponsorship Initiative

Transitioning out of the military can be a challenging experience associated with stressors, decreased social connections, and increased risk for mental health problems. Many Veterans encounter significant challenges finding employment, education, housing, and purpose. The Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce post-military stressors by matching transitioning service members with VA healthcare, community-based peer support, and other resources.

VSI collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD), national nonprofit organizations, and numerous community-based organizations to help Veterans. VSI is co-directed by the VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans and the VA VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research and Education Center. These VA centers are leaders in developing and evaluating innovative treatments and training clinicians and community providers to address healthcare needs in active duty servicemembers and Veterans.

	If you are a Servicemember or Veteran looking for assistance in your new hometown, click here
	If you are a interested in helping a Servicemember in their transition to civilian life, click here
	If you are a Community Organization with expertise in assisting Veterans, click here

Hannon Act

The VSI is aligned with Section 101 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act which provides for the provision of care for Veterans during their first-year after military service. This population is vulnerable to suicide, as Veterans experience a threefold increase in rates of suicide during the first year after military service compared to other Veterans. The youngest Veterans are at the highest risk of suicide as their rate of suicide has doubled over the last 13 years. Research suggests that the VSI may help reduce psychological pain and increase social connectedness in Veterans, thus decreasing the risk of suicide.

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