Mental health care | veterans affairs

VETERANS CARE PROJECT Veterans Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Employment (Veterans CARE) is a VA, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and City of Boston initiative to help Veterans with

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) find and keep good jobs. WHAT IS VETERANS CARE? Veterans CARE is an initiative of the VA to support unemployed or underemployed Veterans with PTSD in

attaining competitive, compatible employment. The program provides Individual Placement and Support (IPS), an evidence-based approach to supported employment that emphasizes rapid job search

that matches an individual’s needs and preferences, alongside integrated mental health care. IPS Employment Specialists work closely with participants’ mental health care providers to

ensure that employment opportunities match their needs. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA * U.S. Military Veterans * Under age of 63 * Service-connected disability for PTSD * Unemployed or underemployed

* Desire to pursue competitive employment PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE * 1:1 support from IPS Employment Specialists to rapidly find competitive employment that matches your interests and

skills. * On-going support once employed to help with any workplace concerns * Frequent in-person and telephone communication * Integrated mental health care * No changes to VA benefits

GEORGE'S STORY George is an Army Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in the Veterans CARE project in summer 2018. His IPS Employment Specialist, Anne, helped him

find work as a research assistant. “They care about you. They want to see you succeed. They want you to achieve beyond the military. It's just life doesn't stop after the

military. There's a lot more that you have to offer society.” — George FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WILL I LOSE MY SERVICE-CONNECTED BENEFITS BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM?  VA

benefits cannot be reduced, denied, or discontinued based on participation in this program. IPS Employment Specialists help Veterans obtain personalized, understandable, and accurate

information about their VA, Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements. WHAT IF I HAVE PTSD, BUT NOT A SERVICE- CONNECTION DESIGNATION?  While this program is only open to

Veterans with service-connected PTSD, we would be happy to connect with you if you are ineligible to discuss other programs for you to participate in. WILL MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM

BE DISCLOSED TO EMPLOYERS?  Disclosure of PTSD diagnosis to employers would only happen with permission from the Veteran. INTERESTED? GET IN TOUCH WITH US! Contact Emma, VA Boston Healthcare

System Individual Placement & Support (IPS) Coordinator, .