Montana Veterans! Do You Have Benefits Questions? Need Peer Support? Ask Your Question Now!

Team Rubicon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.

SERVICE above self is the driving force behind all of Team Rubicon’s operational activity. Our actions are characterized by the constant pursuit to prevent or alleviate human suffering and restore human dignity – we help people on their worst day.

Want to know more about how to get involved in serving? Ask your questions below, contact me at [login to see] or check out http://www.teamrubiconusa.org

Can't wait to chat with you all soon!

Student Veterans of America (SVA) elevates the academic, professional, and personal development of veterans in higher education through chapter programs and services, outcomes and impacts research, and advocacy at every level. With a mission focused on empowering student veterans, SVA is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Through a dedicated network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters in all 50 states and three countries overseas representing more than 750,000 student veterans, SVA inspires yesterday’s warriors by connecting student veterans with a community of dedicated chapter leaders. Every day these passionate leaders work to provide the necessary resources, network support, and advocacy to ensure student veterans can effectively connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential.

Our mission at ETS Sponsorship is to support the journey between active duty service and rejoining the civilian community as a Veteran. Veterans are a national treasure, and communities across the country are eager for your arrival! Interested in becoming a sponsor for a Servicemember leaving active duty and moving to Montana? Please check out our program at http://www.etssponsorship.com. Much like the military provides sponsors for PCS moves, we connect new Veterans with trained sponsors from their destination community to facilitate a smooth transition.

I can tell you from the experience of living here for the past 12 years, the benefits for disabled vets in the State of Montana are the very best of any state I have lived in over the past 29 years. Mind you, I am not advocating that anyone move here, I'm just saying.

VA’s top clinical priority is preventing suicide among all Veterans https://www.va.gov/reach/spm/ — including those who do not, and may never, seek care within the VA health care system. As a Veteran or a caring member of the community, you can play a role in fulfilling this mission. There are many great things happening at the VA as well as with organizations in MT that can equip you with tools to get involved.

You can explore suicide prevention resources to build networks of support among community-based organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, health care providers, and other members of your community that strengthen protective factors for Veterans.
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/prevention/index.asp

If you are seeking answers following an attempted suicide or the loss of a loved one by suicide, please visit the Coping & Support page https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/coping-support/index.asp to find help as you navigate this process.

Peer Specialists (PSs) are VA employees in recovery from mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders who help other Veterans to successfully engage in mental health and substance use treatment. Currently MTVA has peer support in primary care, residential treatment programs, homeless programs, and continues to expand this important service. We also partner with organizations like https://www.veteransnavigation.org/ so Veterans can be connected with a like community in their community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KMRMdOy3NY

Greetings Montana Veterans, Families, Caregivers and Survivors!
My name is Melissa Comeau and I am the Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) here at the American Red Cross. We appreciate the opportunity to connect on RallyPoint Shared Content with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to share about peer support available in the beautiful State of Montana. The Red Cross MVCN serves caregivers of all eras, all relationships, across all locations. Our caregivers are those caring for wounded, ill, injured and aging Veterans. We also support Veterans that are caregivers themselves.
We have 3 evidenced based, best practice, structured peer support programs including; caregiver peer mentors, caregiver peer support groups and a custom, secure, caregiver only online community. You can learn more and join us here https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html

I also want to highlight my friend and colleague in Montana Sara Cease who will be joining in the VetXL to answer any questions you may have.

THANK YOU for your service and we look forward to supporting you.

Good Afternoon from Blue Star Families.
Founded in 2009 by military spouses with you in mind, we empower military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support.
Learn about Blue Star Welcome Week, our national effort to welcome all military connected families to new communities.
https://bluestarfam.org/welcome-week/

VA Resources:
VA WELCOME KIT! https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Subscribe to VA News! https://www.va.gov/vetresources/
White House VA Hotline [login to see] (24/7 access to a live agent)
Veterans Crisis Line [login to see] (Press 1) or send text to 838255
VA.gov makes it easy for Veterans to schedule an appointment, update contact info, file a claim, apply for healthcare and much more!
VA Trust Publication Veteran Trust in VA | Veterans Affairs
VA COVID-19 Response: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/

How do I get peer support in MT?

Student Veterans of America has several great programs coming up:

The Leadership Institute is the premier student leadership experience that brings together our country’s top chapter leaders through an immersive experience designed to equip tomorrow’s leaders to serve and create a lasting community of impact. Applications are currently open: https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/leadership-institute/

We're also excited to be back in person for our National Conference. NatCon is the largest annual convening of student veterans in the world. The 14th Annual NatCon will be held January 6-8, 2022 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort near Orlando, Florida! You can learn more here: https://studentveterans.org/programs-events/national-conference/