USE THIS LINK TO OPEN THE VA WELCOME KIT
Print out your VA Welcome Kit
Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.
Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy, so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age.
Explore VA.gov to learn about your benefits
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File a claim for disability compensation for conditions related to your military service, and manage your benefits over time.
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Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
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Apply for and manage your GI Bill and other education benefits to help pay for college and training programs.
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Find out if you’re eligible for VA home loan programs to help you buy, build, repair, or keep a home. If you have a service-connected disability, see if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.
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Apply for vocational rehabilitation services, get support for your Veteran-owned small business, and access other career resources.
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Explore VA life insurance options for Veterans, service members, and families. Manage your policy online, file claims for benefits, and access helpful resources.
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Apply for monthly payments for wartime Veterans and survivors with limited or no income who meet certain age and disability requirements.
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Get help planning a burial in a VA national cemetery, order a headstone or other memorial item to honor a Veteran’s service, and apply for survivor and dependent benefits.
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Apply for a printed Veteran ID card, get your VA benefit letters and medical records, and learn how to apply for a discharge upgrade.
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Learn about benefits for spouses and dependents of a Veteran or service member, including added support if you’re caring for a Veteran with a service-connected disability.
LOCATE SERVICES IN OREGON
Veteran Resource Navigator
The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) has a comprehensive online resource guide (VETERAN RESOURCE NAVIGATOR) available to assist veterans in finding the benefits that are most useful to their unique circumstances at this time.
Use the link below for the Veteran Resource Navigator
https://www.oregon.gov/odva/COVID/Pages/default.aspx
Veteran Services by County
Click on the link blow for interactive map access resources in your county in Oregon.
COVID-19 ALERT – Due to COVID-19 many County Offices are limiting in-person services and are providing services by phone. Please call your County Veteran Service Office before going in to confirm how they can best serve you during this time.
Other Resources Available to Veterans and Military Service Members
DD214 & Military Records Request:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Veteran Resource Navigator site by ODVA:
https://www.oregon.gov/odva/COVID/Pages/default.aspx
(Oregon)Military Help Line:
Call 888-457-4838
VA Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255:
Press 1.VA Confidential crisis chat at net or text to 838255
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Defining Discharge Status:
https://militarybenefits.info/character-of-discharge/#:~:text=There%20are%206%20types%20of,DD%20214%20must%20have%20a
How to apply for a discharge status upgrade:
https://www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/
Oregon Supportive Services for Vets & Families (Housing):
https://caporegon.org/what-we-do/ssvf/
Clackamas County VSO’s (Veteran Service Officers):
https://www.clackamas.us/socialservices/veterans.html
Portland VA Clinic that can help with homelessness & medical care:
https://www.portland.va.gov/locations/crrc.asp
Portland VA Mental Health Clinic:
https://www.portland.va.gov/services/mentalhealth.asp
Veterans Crisis Line/ Suicide Prevention:
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
If you are a veteran or family member with specific questions not addressed here, or if you need other direct assistance,
please contact an ODVA Resource Navigator by calling (503) 373-2085 or toll-free at 1-800-692-9666.
Contact ODVA Headquarters
Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs
700 Summer St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Web: https://www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/default.aspx
Phone: (800) 692-9666 or (503) 373-2085
Fax: (503) 373-2392
Email:orvetsbenefits@odva.state.or.us
PEER SUPPORT AND PEER TRAINING
USE THIS LINK TO APPLY
Online BIPOC Veteran Peer Support Specialist Training – April 2022
NAMI Multnomah is pleased to offer this Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approved Peer Support Specialist Training (PSST) for adults in Mental Health recovery. In collaboration with Cultivating a New Life LLC, we will offer the Warriors in Recovery: Forging an Alliance of Peers, Peer Support Specialist Training, 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙩𝙤 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧 (𝘽𝙄𝙋𝙊𝘾).
Warriors in Recovery: Forging an Alliance of Peers represents 44 hours of comprehensive training designed to inform and empower individuals wishing to work as peers for veterans within peer-delivered services, assisting individuals past or presently affected by mental health services, mental health system survival, addiction(s), co-occurring disorder(s), and traumatic experience(s), as they re-enter the community utilizing naturally occurring support.
The core elements of this program include wellness coping skills and WRAP training (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), all from a social justice framework with an emphasis on trauma-informed care, cultural humility model and narrative approaches. Through a narrative approach, participants will recognize the power of the stories that they tell themselves, and how to reconstruct their life narrative according to person-centered principles that will assist them in reducing the influence of problems in their lives.
Individuals who complete the 44-hour PSST training are eligible to become Oregon State Certified Peer Support Specialists for adult mental health under the Traditional Health Worker (THW) program. The training consists of 44 online classroom hours and a written exam.
This training is offered at no cost to Veterans and Active/Past Military Service Members who live, work, or volunteer in the state of Oregon.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗿 which is defined as a self-identified person currently or formerly receiving mental health services. (𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: If you do not self-identify as a peer, you will not be eligible for this training. If you identify as a family member, please go to OHA’s website to find certified Family Support Specialist Trainings in Oregon.)
2. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁:
-be a Veteran or active/past Military Service Member
-identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color
-be at least 18 years of age
-live, work, and/or volunteer in Oregon
-not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list
-have the ability to attend the entirety of the 44-hour/6 session training ONLINE
𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨:
-Friday, April 8th, 3:00pm-7:00pm
-Saturday, April 9th, 9:00am-5:00pm
-Sunday, April 10th, 9:00am-5:00pm
-Friday, April 22nd, 9:00am-5:00pm
-Saturday, April 23rd, 9:00am-5:00pm
-Sunday, April 24th, 9:00am-5:00pm
*𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 1-𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜*
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟳𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮.
Apply Here: BIPOC Veteran & Military Service Member PSST Application
PUBLICATIONS
Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness
The guide provides considerations and strategies for interdisciplinary teams, peer specialists, clinicians, registered nurses, behavioral health organizations, and policymakers in understanding, selecting, and implementing evidence-based interventions that support older adults with serious mental illness.
Publication ID
PEP21-06-05-001
Publication Date
November 2021
Download your VA Welcome Kit
You are welcome to share this guide with friends or family members who need help with their benefits too. You can print out copies for yourself and others:
Download our guides to VA benefits and services
For Veterans
Apply for survivor benefits (PDF)
Opportunities for Engagement
What: Warriors in Recovery: Forging an Alliance of Peers
Host/Coordinating Organization: NAMI Multnomah
Dates: November 4th through 6th and 18th through 20th
Additional Information: An OHA-approved Peer Support Specialist Training for adults in mental health recovery. This training is offered at no cost to participants and is open to Veterans across Oregon. To apply online, please click here. Applications are due by September 18, 2022
What: Veteran Volunteer Program – flyer attached
Host/Coordinating Organization: Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA)
Additional Information: Join the ODVA in implementing the new veteran volunteer program to ensure very Oregon veteran is connected to the benefits they have earned. For additional information, or to sign up, please review the attached flyer or reach out to Mark Newell, ODVA Veteran Volunteer Coordinator by calling 503.373.2057, emailing veteranvolunteer@odva.state.or.us, or visiting the ODVA volunteer website by clicking here.
What: Free Veteran Peer Support – flyer attached
Host/Coordinating Organization: NAMI Multnomah
Additional Information: Did you know NAMI Multnomah offers FREE veteran peer support? Veteran Peer Support Specialists are veterans who use their personal experiences with military culture, mental health challenges, and recovery to support and inspire hope in other veterans. Check out the attached PDF to learn more how NAMI Multnomah’s Veteran Peer Support Specialists can assist you. To get started or learn more, contact Dan at 971.303.2671 or dfriedrich@namimultnomah.org
What: Opportunity to Join NAMI Multnomah Veteran Outreach Team (repeat from 7/19/22)
Host/Coordinating Organization: NAMI Multnomah
Additional Information: NAMI Multnomah is looking for veterans and family members interested in volunteering. Our primary need is for folks interested in joining our Veteran Outreach Team. These volunteers will participate in tabling events and/or presentations sharing NAMI resources with communities of Veterans, family members, and those who work with Veterans. These opportunities are primarily in-person, and require proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Please reach out to Alyssa at acarnes@namimultnomah.org if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering.
What: Oregon Suicide Prevention Conference (repeat from 7/19/22)
Host/Coordinating Organization: Lines for Life
Dates: October 11 – 13, 2022, with pre-conference trainings held on October 10, 2022
Additional Information: OSPC 2022 – Reconnecting to Hope: Growing Responsive Communities – focuses on rebuilding and growing connections between individuals, providers, local and state resources, advocates and prevention leaders. These connections strengthen networks of community support and create systems that can respond with compassion and care to address the unique needs of individuals – lifting Oregonians to reconnect to hope when they are struggling. Update your calendar and stay tuned for our registration announcement! Click here to access the OSPC website.
Funding & Scholarship Opportunities
What: RFGA #5487 Increasing Access to Veteran and Military Peer Support Specialist Training (repeat from 7/19/22)
Funder: Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Additional Information: OHA is pleased to announce this solicitation of applications for funding Peer Support Specialist trainings. The intention is to make in-person Peer Support Specialist trainings more accessible to military veterans living in communities designated as Rural or Frontier by the Oregon Office of Rural Health. OHA is calling for applications from organizations who are well-positioned to provide services to military veterans and have the capacity to grow the peer-delivered services workforce in their communities. Applications are due by 10 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022. Please visit the OHA Veterans and Military Behavioral Health website to access application documents.
What: Peer Wellness Specialist Training Scholarship Application
Funder/Coordinating Organization: Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO)
Additional Information: Scholarships for this training cohort are supported by OHA’s Office of Equity and Inclusion to increase training accessibility across the state. This scholarship opportunity is meant for Oregon frontier and rural communities. Completed applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once you complete this application, you will receive a confirmation email that it has been submitted. Please note that the training details and materials will be shared approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the training start date for the cohort for which you have applied. If you have any specific questions, please reach out to Training Center Manger, Emily Nelson at enelson@mhaoforegon.org. The role of a Peer Wellness Specialist is to provide peer support, encouragement, and assistance to address physical and mental health needs. In order to do that, it is important that the Peer Wellness Specialist has a working knowledge of the various health care and wellness resources in their community and how to access these services and resources. Click here to access the Peer Wellness Specialist Training Scholarship Application.
What: Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders Start Up Funding
Funder: Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
Additional Information: OHA is getting ready to develop contracts for Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders (ICOD) start up funding. Programs that can and/or want to specialize in working with veterans who experience co-occurring disorders can contact David Corse at David.Corse@dhsoha.state.or.us
