Veterans Response Teams
Last updated
Share PrintVRT is a peer-to-peer support program developed to create a network of local and state police officers, who are Veterans themselves, that will respond to incidents in the community involving Veterans using training and resources provided by the VA.
Origin:
March 2016, Wilmington VA Medical Center (Wilmington, Delaware)
Adoptions:
1 successful, 2 in-progress
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
A 2023 Pew Research study found that veterans who have been arrested or incarcerated are twice as likely to commit suicide than those who have not, and veterans are 13% more likely to have contact with law enforcement than the average member of the public. VA's most recent Annual Suicide Prevention Annual Report also reported the disparity between justice i
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A 2023 Pew Research study found that veterans who have been arrested or incarcerated are twice as likely to commit suicide than those who have not, and veterans are 13% more likely to have contact with law enforcement than the average member of the public. VA's most recent Annual Suicide Prevention Annual Report also reported the disparity between justice involved and non-justice involved Veterans and suicide.
VA has several suicide prevention programs in operation, however, they do not capture all areas of intercept models. See more
VA has several suicide prevention programs in operation, however, they do not capture all areas of intercept models. See more
Images
Above:
VRT fills in the gap not covered by the Veterans Crisis Line and Veterans Justice Program
The solution
Veterans Response Teams (VRT) to effectively connect veterans, on a peer-to-peer level, with local resources designed to divert them from the justice system and into treatment programs to address the root cause issues that often lead to law enforcement interaction.
VRT was developed to train law enforcement officers, who are also Veterans themselves, how ... Veterans Response Teams (VRT) to effectively connect veterans, on a peer-to-peer level, with local resources designed to divert them from the justice system and into treatment programs to address the root cause issues that often lead to law enforcement interaction.
VRT was developed to train law enforcement officers, who are also Veterans themselves, how to respond to calls involving veterans by establishing a rapport utilizing their shared military experiences, and existing crisis intervention skills. These skills, plus an education in VA resources and points of contacts, forms a large network of VA staff and law enforcement focused on deflecting Veterans out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. See more
VRT was developed to train law enforcement officers, who are also Veterans themselves, how ... Veterans Response Teams (VRT) to effectively connect veterans, on a peer-to-peer level, with local resources designed to divert them from the justice system and into treatment programs to address the root cause issues that often lead to law enforcement interaction.
VRT was developed to train law enforcement officers, who are also Veterans themselves, how to respond to calls involving veterans by establishing a rapport utilizing their shared military experiences, and existing crisis intervention skills. These skills, plus an education in VA resources and points of contacts, forms a large network of VA staff and law enforcement focused on deflecting Veterans out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. See more
Links
- Lucy Bustamante of NBC News tells the story of VRT NBC Nightly News coverage on VRT
The results
Since its inception, VRT has increased law enforcement referrals of Veterans to VA treatment, on average 6.5x annually when compared to prior the programs inception.
Additionally, a research study was published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that compared these Veterans engagement 6 months before and after their contact with law e ... Since its inception, VRT has increased law enforcement referrals of Veterans to VA treatment, on average 6.5x annually when compared to prior the programs inception.
Additionally, a research study was published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that compared these Veterans engagement 6 months before and after their contact with law enforcement. This study showed that in almost every case, Veterans were more engaged in every aspect of their care post intervention. See more
Additionally, a research study was published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that compared these Veterans engagement 6 months before and after their contact with law e ... Since its inception, VRT has increased law enforcement referrals of Veterans to VA treatment, on average 6.5x annually when compared to prior the programs inception.
Additionally, a research study was published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice that compared these Veterans engagement 6 months before and after their contact with law enforcement. This study showed that in almost every case, Veterans were more engaged in every aspect of their care post intervention. See more
Links
- Journal of Public Health Management and Practice article Evaluating Veterans Response Teams and Police Interventions on Veterans' Health Care Utilization
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
About
Original team
Cecilia Gonzalez
Homeless Outreach and Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator
Paul Woodland
VISN 4 Chief of Police
Comment
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