RIVETS Launches RI VetCorps Program at Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and University of Rhode Island
Navigators will provide peer support and benefits counseling to student Veterans and their families
WARWICK, RI – 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 launched the Rhode Island VetCorps initiative, focused on serving student Veterans at the three State institutes of higher education. In partnership with AmeriCorps, the Rhode Island VetCorps program has placed three peer mentors, known as VetCorps Navigators, on campus at the State institutes of higher education.
“Student Veterans bring a wealth of experience and a diversity of strengths to their college communities,” said Governor Dan McKee. “We also know they may face unique challenges transitioning from the military to campus life. The Rhode Island VetCorps provides a personalized approach to supporting our brave service members to help ensure their success in and out of the classroom.”
In Rhode Island, there are a number of federal and state programs and policies that support eligible Veterans, service members, and their families as they pursue postsecondary education. The State colleges and universities each have vibrant and dedicated programs serving student Veterans; RIVETS works closely with the institutes of higher education to ensure student Veterans are successful while enrolled in a course of study, upon graduation, and beyond.
“Our VetCorps Navigators are essential to bringing services to student Veterans, and we are fortunate to be tapping the knowledge, skills and abilities of these Veterans by engaging them in national service positions which enable them to make a positive difference in their community and improve the quality of life as a civilian for their fellow Veterans and themselves,” said RIVETS Director Kasim Yarn. “These VetCorps Navigators are assisting student Veterans in all stages of transition, ensuring increased access to state, federal, and local services.”
VetCorps Student Support Centers have opened at the Community College of Rhode Island – Warwick Campus, Rhode Island College, and University of Rhode Island – Kingston Campus. Each Student Support Center is staffed by a VetCorps Navigator. The Navigators also serve as liaisons to faculty, staff and administration, increasing awareness of student Veterans’ needs and Veteran culture.
“The added manpower of a Vet Corps Navigator will help us identify areas of need and also allow us to appropriately outreach and service each of our approximately 500 student Veterans quickly and efficiently,” said Micaela Black, VetSuccess on Campus Coordinator at the Community College of Rhode Island. “Our student Veterans are juggling many responsibilities including navigating VA benefits, caring for families, medical difficulties, and in some cases military orders – all while trying to obtain their degree with the VA Education benefits they have earned. We want to support their success from start to finish and that requires frequent contact and competent staff to coordinate services in all areas.”
“With the appointment of the first VetCorps Navigator at the RIC Providence campus, our office has strengthened in the ability to support the 300+ military-affiliated students enrolled at RIC,” said Lisa Levasseur, Interim Assistant Director of Veteran Affairs and Military Programs at Rhode Island College. “This partnership between the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services and the RIC Military Resource Center shows that we are a united front in our commitment to helping student Veterans succeed.”
“The University of Rhode Island has an active military-connected community that brings a great deal to the table in terms of knowledge and life experience from which we can all learn,” said Rachael Garcia, URI’s assistant director of Veteran Affairs and Military Programs. “We work to connect them to one another and to the programs and support – both on campus and off – that will help them to be most successful. We are grateful to RIVETS for launching this initiative and look forward to working together to continue our efforts to ensure our student veterans receive the guidance and assistance they need to thrive.”
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. VetCorps Navigators have the ability to access services for student Veterans through this ‘no wrong door’ entry point for Veterans, resulting in more timely, tailored, and efficient service delivery state-wide.
“It’s important to us that Rhode Island is Veteran-friendly and that our programs empower former service members to remain healthy and economically secure,” said Matthew Golderese, Rhode Island VetCorps Program Director. “Ensuring Rhode Island Veterans have a successful higher education experience leads to many benefits, including a prosperous career and financial security.”
The VetCorps Navigators for the colleges and universities can be reached through the RIServes portal at riserves.org or by calling 401-921-2119; inquiries can be forwarded online or via phone and will receive a response within 48 business hours.