We believe in wrapping our arms around the Veterans who live in our community. No Veteran, or their family members, should ever feel isolated or alone. We strive to ensure ease of access to Veteran Services for mental health, substance use, case management, and general support whenever and wherever it is needed. There are several Veterans that work at Crawford County Mental Health Center who understand how to best serve our Veteran community members and are working towards Military Cultural Competency for our clinicians and support staff so that we all can better serve those who have sacrificed and served for our nation.

The SMVF Program helps service members, Veterans, and their family with:

• Accessing mental health and/or substance use services
• Navigating the VA system
• Accessing military benefits such as medical, mental health, education, disability compensation, and more.
• Partnerships with VSO, Community Partners, and Community Members
• Creating comprehensive support for Veterans, current Service Members, and their dependents
• Improving coordination of care
• Assisting Veterans and their families in meeting their basic needs

The SMVF Navigator expands upon the traditional Veteran Services role outline in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. This involves additional services modes, resource management, and fostering partnerships within the community to offer comprehensive support to Veterans, active service members, and their families. Collaborating with established agencies and working in concert with the VA, the SMVF Navigator aims to improve care coordination, reduce travel and financial burdens, and enhance community providers’ ability to meet the needs of our local Veteran population.

Additional duties and responsibilities of the SMVF Navigator include improving resource access for Veterans, active service members, and their families that live within the area, while not turning away non-Veterans during the initial phase. This includes reviewing files, identifying accessed services, and assessing eligibility for additional support. Additionally, the SMVF Navigator collaborates with VA resources to expand care coordination. Working cooperatively with existing resource managers and agencies, such as the VA, KCVA, and other various Veteran Service Organizations, is also crucial in ensuring universal access for Veterans.

The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. When you call, chat, or text, a qualified responder will listen and help. You decide how much information to share. Support doesn’t end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need. Responders are trained in crisis intervention and military culture to serve Veterans, service members, and their families. Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line.

Call Veterans Crisis Line (then press 1): click here

Text Veterans Crisis Line: click here

Veterans Crisis Line Online Chat: click here

To learn more about local resources that are available to the Veteran community, please click here.