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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2015 9
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The critical role that VVFS plays in the lives of veterans and their
families is illustrated by the recent case of a veteran in Northwest
Virginia.
A local law enforcement officer was dispatched to the home of
a veteran who has served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
veteran was experiencing a mental health crisis and was threatening
suicide. There was a firearm in the house. The officer had received
Crisis Intervention Training, and applied the lessons he’d learned
during the military cultural competency block, taught by a local VVFS
team member. The officer successfully de-escalated the situation and
transported the veteran to a local hospital.
The officer then contacted VVFS, where a Resource Specialist
provided intensive support and care coordination to ensure quick
access to the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center for follow-
up inpatient treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Prior to this
intervention, the veteran was not aware of how to access VA treatment
and had experienced suicidal ideation in the past. The VVFS Resource
Specialist also worked with the veteran’s spouse and children to meet
the needs of the entire family unit during this transition. Recovery is an
ongoing journey, and VVFS will continue to be there for this family as
needed along the way.
To learn more about the Virginia Veteran and Family Support
program and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, visit our
website at www.dvs.virginia.gov.
The Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) program (formerly
VirginiaWoundedWarrior Program) was established in 2008 by the
Virginia General Assembly to ensure that services to military service
members, veterans and their families are readily available in all areas
of the Commonwealth. It is operated by the Virginia Department of
Veterans Services (DVS) in cooperation with the Virginia Department
of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Virginia
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and numerous
partners including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VIRGINIA HOSPITALS:
OUR LIFELINE
Threatened by GOVERNMENT
MANDATES, CUTS, and INACTION
—risking our ECONOMY, JOBS,
and HEALTH CARE ACCESS.
DR. JOHN O.
“ROB” MARSH
2014 Country
Doctor of the Year
U.S. Army Veteran
Virginia Hospitals Provide:
• 115,000 direct jobs
• $36 Billion in economic activity
• $1.5 Billion in community benefit
VIRGINIA HOSPITALS: OUR LIFELINE
Cathy Harrison
Nurse Anesthe�st
Captain, U.S. Navy Reser
There in OUR TIME OF NEED.
Threatened by GOVERNMENT MANDATES and
FU ING CUTS — risking our ECONOMY,
JOBS, and H ALTH CARE ACCESS.
Virginia Hospitals Provide:
 115,000direct jobs
 $36 Billionin economic ac�vity
 $1.5 Billionin community benet (free and dis‐
counted care)
Learn how you can protect local hospitals at:
and
Learn how you can protect local hospitals at:
THERE IN OUR TIME OF NEED.
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