Family Support

One of the service member's most valuable assets is waiting at home. Families are an integral part of the service member's life during and after military service. At times, family members need help to understand what their loved one's life is like, or just need others for support during difficult times.

VA's commitment doesn't end with a veteran's health care and benefits; it also includes providing useful information to family members.

Vet Centers

The Vet Center program is a VA program designed to provide readjustment counseling to veterans exposed to the uniquely stressful conditions of military service in a combat theatre of operations. The Vet Center program has focused on the unique needs of veterans who served in a combat for over the last thirty years.

Vet Centers provide services in a non-clinical environment that does not carry the stigma sometimes associated with some other mental health or readjustment care. The Vet Center program promotes early intervention and makes every effort to remove the stigma of seeking assistance. Most Vet Center counseling staff are veterans themselves as many veterans prefer to speak with a fellow veteran, in a confidential setting, regarding readjustment from military to civilian life following service in a combat zone. Having a large cadre of veterans on staff enables the Vet Centers to maintain a veteran focused treatment environment that communicates a welcome home attitude and respect for veterans' military service.

Designed to remove all unnecessary barriers to care for veterans and family members, the Vet Centers are located in convenient settings within the community, and services are tailored in every community to meet the specific needs of the local veteran population. Vet Center staff members are always available to welcome veterans and family members, and to provide useful information about available services. As Vet Centers have no waiting lists, veterans may be seen by a counselor the same day they stop by for an assessment and to schedule their next appointment. The Vet Centers also maintain nontraditional after-hours appointments to accommodate veterans' work schedules.

Your nearest Vet Center contact information can be found by entering your zip code on the VA Facility Directory.

Bereavement Counseling

Vet Centers provide bereavement counseling services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of service members who die while on active duty, to include federally activated Reserve and National Guard personnel. Bereavement counseling is assistance and support to people after the death of a loved one while on active duty.

Bereavement counseling includes a broad range of transition services, including outreach, counseling, and referral services to family members. VA's bereavement counseling is provided at community-based Vet Centers located near the families. There is no cost for VA bereavement counseling. Contact Readjustment Counseling Service at 202-461-6530, which is specific to this specialized service. RCS staff will assist families in contacting the nearest Vet Center. Often counseling can be made available in the family's home or where the family feels most comfortable.

The VA Chaplain service may also provide bereavement counseling services. See the 'Spiritual Services' below for more information.

Burial and Memorial Services

The National Cemetery Administration web site provides information on burial and memorial services, and the Burial Benefits page provides specific information as well.

General Counseling

The Vet Center service mission provides a holistic system of care that goes beyond medical care to help veterans cope with and transcend the psychological traumas, and other readjustment issues, related to their military experiences in war. Through your local Vet Centers, eligible veterans have access to professional readjustment counseling for war-related social and psychological readjustment problems, family military-related readjustment services, substance-abuse screening and referral, military sexual trauma counseling and referral, bereavement counseling services, employment services, and multiple community-based support services such as preventive education, outreach, case-management and referral services.

The VA Chaplain service can also provide counseling. See 'Spiritual Services' section below.

Caregiver Services

A caregiver is someone that takes responsibility for the care and well-being of another. Caregivers may be a relative, significant other, neighbor, or friend. Visit the My HealtheVet Caregiver Assistance Center to find VA caregiver support information and community resources. Help them make healthy choices!

When caring for another person it is also important to take care of you! More information is in the Getting Started section of the My HealtheVet Caregiver Assistance Center.

Spiritual Services

Many veterans find the transition from active duty to civilian status to be very stressful. It requires physical, mental and spiritual readjustments. These adjustments often involve family, work status, health status and potentially, all of life. During the readjustment period, it is not unusual for veterans to question the meaning or purpose of their lives. You might find yourself struggling to make sense of what you have seen, been involved in and survived. You may be concerned about the ways you may have "changed". Sometimes it helps to find someone safe and trustworthy to talk with, someone who will be non-judgmental and keep your conversations confidential. A chaplain or member of the clergy might be a good choice for you. You can talk with a VA chaplain about your condition, illness or traumatic event, and how it affects your life and your relationships with others. Chaplain can help you assess your resources for hope and spiritual strength, as well. That can give you strength to heal and cope. You don't have to go through this soul-searching time alone.

Chaplains are available to care for veterans' spiritual needs, and sometimes, those of the immediate family. Bereavement counseling may be offered by a VA chaplain, and under certain circumstances, burial and memorial services may be conducted by a VA chaplain, as well. Spiritual services offered are suited to the faith group preferences of the patient and family.

There are VA chaplains at all VA medical centers. They are part of the healthcare team that can provide care for you. You can call the nearest VA medical center and ask to speak with a chaplain. If you need to locate the nearest VA medical center, call 1-877-222-VETS.

Fisher House Program

A Fisher House™ is "a home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. Visit the VA Social Work Program web site for information on the Fisher House Program.

Fisher House in West Palm Beach, Florida

View a map of the Fisher House locations.

Resources

The following websites provide valuable links to family service programs:

National Guard Family Program
Soldier Family Assistance Handbook
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
Military Homefront
Army Long Term Family Case Management
Fisher House

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