New partnership will staff 3 locations outside of Providence to better serve veterans

R.I. Office of Veterans Services and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Providence Regional Office 
will launches innovative partnership to deliver services to Veterans at multiple locations throughout the state

Members of the VA Public Contact Team will share office space with Office of Veterans Services Case Managers to ensure coordination of services.

As part of its dedicated RIServes network offering service members, Veterans, and their families access to a class-leading continuum of service providers, the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services (RIVETS) has joined with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Providence Regional Office (VARO) to  launch a partnership bringing members of the VARO Public Contact Team to the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol, the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, and the Veterans Resource Center in Warwick.  This program allows for coordination of federal and state services, as well as greater access to VARO information for Rhode Islanders who live outside of the Providence-metro area.

“In order to ensure our Veterans and military families are receiving exemplary service, I’ve joined with Providence VA Regional Office Director E.J. McQuade to facilitate and improve access to care, benefits and services by opening up our state facilities to the VARO Public Contact Team,” said RIVETS Director Kasim Yarn. “In Rhode Island, our size is our strength. Our ability to be innovative, flexible, and relevant drove us to ensure we are delivering services to Veterans and their caregivers in – or close to – the cities and towns in which they live.” 

In Rhode Island, there are numerous federal and state programs and policies that support eligible Veterans, service members, and their families. By embedding VARO Public Contact Team members at state Office of Veterans Services locations, Rhode Island Veterans are able to access a ‘no-wrong-door’ entry point, resulting in more timely, tailored, and efficient service delivery state-wide.

“The Providence Regional Office is pleased to join RIVETS Director Kasim Yarn and our RIServes network partners to expand benefits outreach information and provide a public facing presence in the areas of Rhode Island where Veterans, their families, and caregivers can benefit most.  Bringing services and support in a post-pandemic world will greatly benefit Veterans in caring for their needs.  Many of the Regional Office workforce are Veterans and active guard and reserve members, and the office takes pride in giving back to fellow Veterans.  To facilitate this process, the VERA application is a fantastic tool opening doors to information access where Veterans live and work.”, said VA Regional Office Executive Director, E. J. McQuade.

Appointments with the VARO Public Contact Team can be scheduled through the Department of Veterans Affairs Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) at https://vets.force.com/VAVERA/s/ and selecting ‘Schedule In-Person Appointment’.

Appointments are available at state offices on the following days:

At RIVETS, case managers help Veterans and their loved ones with a broad range of federal, state, nonprofit and community-based programs through RIServes, a coordinated referral network with over 150 provider-partners. The VARO is a key participant in RIServes, using the network to send and receive referrals for assistance, benefits navigation, and varying services. 

RIVETS case managers can be reached through the RIServes intake form at vets.ri.gov/riserves or by calling 401-921-2119.