​COVID-19: Resources for Veteran-Serving Collaboratives

As of November 1, 2020, National Veterans Intermediary (NVI) is called the Local Partner Network. Older content may reference our original name.

During this national health crisis, your collaborative’s role in the local community is more important than ever. Veterans will turn to you for information and solutions, although the amount of content out there regarding COVID-19 can be overwhelming. At NVI, we’re continuously sifting through articles and resources, and curating the most scientifically-defensible, relevant, and helpful items to share with you here. Bookmark this page as a resource library, and check back for updates.

Share general information and resources

• When seeking and sharing information about a health crisis, use trusted sources. Two sources to bookmark are the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control coronavirus pages, which are regularly updated with the status of the outbreak. 
• Regardless of veteran status, people who are unsure where to turn for basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare can still call 2-1-1 to be connected with resources.
• An important update from the IRS and Treasury for veterans not required to file tax returns: “The Internal Revenue Service, working in partnership with the Treasury Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced today that recipients of VA benefits will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments. [Read more…]” To receive an additional $500 as part of their automatic, veterans have a limited time to complete the non-filer information form on the IRS website.

Help veterans stay connected to work and learn

Familiarize yourself with the pledge that broadband companies have made to the FCC to ensure Americans aren’t disconnected when they need information and communication the most. Check out Comcast’s affordable internet offering for low-income households; “Internet Essentials” is free for the first 60 days.

Education

• On March 21st, President Trump signed S.3503 into law – “A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.” The bill was introduced and passed in the Senate on March 16th and passed the house on March 19th.
• Veterans with children affected by school closures will find useful resources for home-based learning in this extensive list offered by UNESCO.

Employment

• Understand employers’ responsibilities during the pandemic, and resources available through the Department of Labor.
• Help veterans understand their employment rights during coronavirus and in general.
• For veterans who own small businesses, the Small Business Association offers disaster assistance loans; COVID-19 is a qualifying event. 
• PenFed’s Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program has compiled a list of resources for “emergency access to capital.”
• Paralyzed Veterans of America offers this blog with job search suggestions for veterans who find themselves looking for work during this difficult time.

Stay informed about veteran health

• Follow VA Public Health coronavirus updates.
• Get familiar with VA’s guidance on accessing emergency care, urgent care, and immunizations in your community.
• Inform veterans about VA’s telehealth options.
• Follow VA recommendations to slow the spread of coronavirus.
• While many of us are right to promote social distancing and other behaviors that can help mitigate the spread of infection, the veteran-serving community in particular should be mindful to consider the mental and emotional health impact of the COVID-19 crisis, as well. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty, an article that includes a number of expert-informed recommendations for supporting those who experience anxiety or other mental health impacts.
• VA offers a guide, available on the web and as a printable PDF, devoted to managing stress related to COVID-19.

Help your team collaborate remotely

• If you’re looking for alternative ways to host a canceled in-person conference, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel; this page will guide you through the process. 
• If your team is transitioning to remote work, this Harvard Business Review article will help you think through your plan. 
• Also from Harvard Business Review, a handy guide to running a virtual meeting.
• Make sure your team is Zooming safely with this Washington Post guide to protecting Zoom calls.

Lead your community through a stressful time

As a leader in your organization and community, you have the added pressure of not just responding to COVID-19, but leading your team through a collective response.

• A new Bob Woodruff Foundation research paper “Veterans and COVID-19: Projecting the Economic, Social, and Mental Health Needs of America’s Veterans” offers a timely and critical assessment of the projected impacts of COVID-19 on our nation’s veterans, including implications and recommendations for individuals and organizations supporting veterans. The paper is rooted in the collective wisdom of our Local Partner network, and co-authored by a team of subject matter experts from the Bob Woodruff Foundation: Craig Newmark Fellow Dr. Rajeev Ramchand, Chief Program Officer Dr. Meg Harrell, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer Marshall Lauck, and NVI President Nancy Berglass.
• Bridgespan offers insights from seasoned nonprofit leaders in a step-by-step guide to leading an organization through a crisis.
• Philanthropic organizations and their partners will find this listing of COVID-19 response resources from the Council on Foundations useful.
• VA offers guides on what leaders can do to help their teams manage stress during this time. There is a version for community providers and leaders, and leaders of healthcare workers.

Updated: 4/22/20 9:00 PM EDT.

Links are provided for convenience of reference only and are not intended as an endorsement by NVI.