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Veterans Outreach Program

 

CRI is committed to helping our communities' Veterans through unfamiliar processes and supporting any endeavors they wish to take on with resources referrals. 

What is the Veterans Outreach Program?

This program is designed to assist all Veterans, young and old, with disabilities and without, from all eras and branches of the US military.  The Veterans Outreach Program gives Veterans options within their communities as well as provides them guidance through the different obstacles that they may face as a result of their call to duty.  
                          

How will CRI assist Veterans?

In November 2010, CRI hired U.S. Army Veteran, Matt Griffith, as our Veterans Outreach Coordinator. Matt served in the Army from 2005 - 2010 as an Army Ranger. As a recent Veteran, Matt is very familiar with the confusing and frustrating transition from military to civilian life that Veterans face. Since his start at CRI, Matt has been making contacts with Veteran Administration Agencies and researching resources available to all U.S. Veterans and their families.

The Veterans Outreach Program will aide Veterans in a variety of different ways, by providing them the services illustrated below:

  • Information and Referral Services

The Veterans Outreach Program is connected to a vast network of organizations within the community designed to assist Veterans with specific needs. CRI maintains a listing of resources within the community and provides information and referral services to those Veterans who are seeking more than just what CRI provides.  Referrals are provided for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, rental/utilities assistance, and much more.

 

  • Transportation

The Veterans Outreach Program offers transportation services which allow Veterans who otherwise would be unable to drive themselves or find transportation the ability to get to necessary appointments or locations. The transportation offered by the Veterans Outreach Program does function off a need basis and may not apply to all situations.

 

  • Transitional Assistance

For many Veterans, the move back home can sometimes be a difficult one. Many questions arise about what to do next? The transitional assistance offered through our Veterans Outreach Program can help Veterans take those first steps towards their civilian goals such as finding a job, going back to school, or even filing for a VA home or small business loan.  The transition is hard and it helps to have someone on your side. That is exactly what the Veterans Outreach Program is for.

  • Home Attendant Care

The Attendant Care Program allows Veterans to return to or remain in their home and community rather than in an institution.  The Veterans Outreach Program will give Veterans assistance with carrying out activities of daily living, self-care, and mobility. Veterans can receive assistance with services such as personal hygiene, transferring in and out of a wheelchair, meal preparation and eating, as well as household chores such as laundry and light cleaning. Through the Veterans Outreach Program, Veterans will have a designed care plan in order to assure that they achieve and maintain their independence. 

  • Assistive Technology

Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) is a statewide program whose goal is to assure a system of easy access to Assistive Technology (AT) to all Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Through this aspect of the Veterans Outreach Program, Veterans gain access to information, devices, services, and funding. PIAT is a program for individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, disability type, location or type of residence. Most services are provided at no cost to consumers with disabilities, their family members and advocates.

 

  • Accessibility: Home and Vehicle Modifications

The Home & Vehicle Modification aspect of the Veterans Outreach Program provides services or possible funding for basic home and/or vehicle modifications. By reducing or eliminating life safety risks, these modifications enable Veterans with mobility restrictions to continue living in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities. This may include building ramps or other home modification and equipment.

  • Readjustment Counseling & Peer Support 

The Veterans Outrach Program offers peer support readjustment support and resources intended to help veterans manage readjustment and deal with unresolved issues regarding war. The therapeutic aspects of these resources include narrative discussion of war zone experience, networking, stress management, and readjustment issues.

  • Retirement & Disability Pension Issues

Through the Veterans Outreach Program a variety of resources are available to help answer Veterans pressing questions regarding disability and retirement pensions.  What is a pension? Who is eligible?  How much does it pay?  How can you apply?  Also, includes other related benefit information.

 

  • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

This opportunity associated with the Veterans Outreach Program covers a variety of tools for Veterans.  One on one evaluation to determine abilities, skills, and interests for future employment opportunities is available; as well as vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning for employment services.  Employment services such as job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance are available upon request.  Resources in obtaining post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school is always readily available. There are also a variety of independent living services for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities.  For more information don't hesitate to inquire today.

 

  • Expansion Program

As a result of a needs assessment survey sent to all consumers in our six county area: Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango, Forrest and Clarion. CRI established an Expansion Program to provide additional services those consumers in our CIL area. These services include:

  • Interpreting – Scheduling an interpreter for meetings.
  • Wraparound (Erie County only) – Additional attendant care for those that are terminally ill.
  • Homemaker – Household assistance with cleaning for those that do not qualify for the attendant care program, live alone or with someone that is physically unable to assist.
  • Housing/Moving – Assistance with moving expenses or first months rent.
  • Special Medical Supplies – Emergency supply kit with such items as Depends™, wound dressing materials, catheters and more.
  • Legal (Erie County only) – Offered for initial legal counsel regarding landlord disputes, divorce, child custody issues and credit problems.
  • Hardship/Emergency – Emergency situations that do not fall into any other categories already addressed.

 

Based out of the Erie Office, the Veterans Outreach Program covers 6 counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania:

  • Erie County
  • Clarion County
  • Crawford County
  • Forrest County
  • Venango County
  • Warren County

 

CRI is committed to supporting and strengthening our Veterans in a variety of ways.  Whether wounded in Vietnam and seeking peer support groups or a Veteran of Afghanistan in need of help finding a job, the Veterans Outreach Program is here to help.  Contact us today! Please call Matt Griffith, Veterans Outreach Coordinator, at CRI’s Erie Office at 814-838-7222 or TF at 800-530-5541.

 

There are also several other aspects of the Veterans Outreach Program!
More Information Coming Soon!

 

 

 


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