VetResources Community Network
The VetResources Community Network (VRCN) increases community Veteran engagement support to local communities, facilities, and external partners; enhances trust and access to care and benefits; shares promising practices, information and resources; and channels the Voice of the Customer through proactive outreach and communications. The VRCN is VA’s front door for outreach and community engagement to co-design collaboration strategies, bridge gaps in service, maximize collective impact, and breakdown silos.
Launched in November 2022, the VetResources Community Network (PDF, 1 page) includes community outreach partners such as non-profits, Veterans Service Organizations, strategic partners, coalitions, peer networks, community partnerships, Community Veterans Engagement Boards, and federal and state organizations.
The VRCN provides tools, connections, and advice to external community partners and outreach collaborators to increase access to VA, build trust, reach underserved and unaffiliated Veterans, and improve community engagement efforts. The VRCN is supported through a Community of Practice where promising practices, information, and tools are shared to support the Voice of the Customer.
What’s New
Employer Collaborative
The VRCN is reaching the Veteran workforce to raise awareness about VA programs and services, encourage VA health care and benefits enrollment, tap into and inspire Veteran-employee resource group formation, cultivate Veteran employee peer and mental health support, and increase Veteran and military spouse employment opportunities. Department of Labor VETS and the Chamber of Commerce are partnering with VA to share information and resources for Veteran employees in the workplace.
Gaming
The VRCN is hosting a Gaming Partner War Room to convene gaming collaborators and organizations to strategize on the best ways to reach Veterans and their families, offer VA services and benefits, and support Veteran wellness and health outcomes through recreational sports modalities.
Community Engagement Award
The 2025 VA Community Engagement Award is now accepting applications until March 31, 2025. The challenge engages non-profit organizations to improve customer experience and outreach, build trust, and increase access to VA and non-VA services for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. A total of $100,000 will be awarded to 10 non-profit organizations to implement new, innovative community-based outreach activities to reach over 5,000 underserved Veterans. Follow the challenge at challenge.gov for the latest information and updates.
Digital Library
We want to hear from you! We’re seeking your promising practices on a challenge faced, the solution found, and the resources used to implement and sustain actions and outcomes.
Research
- Hiring Veterans: Jobs of the week for March 17, 2025
- VA Gaming War Room: Finding community through gaming
- Bridge My Return: AI platform bridges Veteran-employer gap
- Blue Star Families: Free MasterClass subscription
- Frost Call: Battle Buddy program connects Veterans
- Vetrepreneur: Free Veteran business owner training
- Syracuse University: Helping women Vets, MilSpouses achieve
- Gray Zone Warfare: Supporting Veterans through gaming
- VCS: One-stop option for range of Veteran resources
- Blue Star Families: Preventing a crisis before it occurs
- Warrior Rising: Free courses for small business help
- Face the Fight: Veteran online wellness tool available
- NCCR: Stepping into a career in construction
- ACP: Gain the competitive edge with a mentor
- RecruitMilitary: Empowering Veterans in civilian careers
- Unbroken Spirit: Apply for new season of adventures
- Become an Air Force Junior ROTC instructor
- Join VFW’s exclusive gaming league for Veterans
- 2025 Veterans Benefits Guide now available
- Syracuse University: Access free small business training
Resources and Tools
The VRCN’s flagship resource, the VA Community Playbook (PDF, 49 pages), helps build effective, sustainable community coalitions with VA, federal and state partners, community stakeholders, and service providers. This collection of practices contains valuable insight for a broad range of stakeholders at all levels and delivers tools to help cultivate and maintain a successful Veteran-friendly community with a built-in, coordinated, localized support system that is needs-based and outcome-driven.
The VRCN Idea Lab fosters conversation and knowledge sharing in an open, collaborative environment. The platform helps promote dialogue on key community engagement challenges and solutions; share innovative ideas on special topics, such as PACT Act outreach; and generate partner networking and mentoring opportunities.
Additional Resources and Tools
- VA Health Care Outreach Kit
- VA Disability Compensation Outreach Kit
- VA Urgent Care Services Outreach Kit
- PACT Act—2024 Expanded Health Care Eligibility Outreach Kit
- Download 10 Ways to End, Prevent Homelessness (PDF, 9 pages)
- Download Homeless Veterans Outreach Toolkit (PDF, 26 pages)
- Download Medical-Legal Partnerships (PDF, 1 page)
- Mental Health-Community Provider Toolkit
- Download Post-9/11 Veteran Organizations (PDF, 1 page)
- Download Talking with a Veteran in Crisis (PDF, 2 pages)
- Download Traditional Veteran Organizations (PDF, 1 page)
- Download Understanding Public/Private Partnerships (PDF, 6 pages)
- VA Cemetery FAQs
- Download Blank Veterans Journey Map (PDF, 1 page)
- Download Blank Veterans Journey Map Activity Guide (PDF, 3 pages)
- Download Women Veterans Journey Map (PDF, 1 page)
- Download Women Veterans Storybook (PDF, 40 pages)
- VA Resource Navigator
Contact Us
The Veterans Experience Office stands ready to support you. Â Request to join the VRCN or schedule a no-cost consult with VA to learn more about the VRCN, partnerships, outreach efforts, and upcoming community engagement events.
To complete the vetting process with VA, please also register with the National Resources Directory.
