National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
VA and Connected Warriors Announce Partnership to Support Veterans’ Well-Being Through Trauma-Consci
In a step toward improving the health and wellness of Veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has partnered with Connected Warriors, Inc (https://connectedwarriors.org/) a 501(c)(3) charity and national advocate for Veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and Veteran services. Facilitated by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), the VA-Connected Warriors partnership will provide trauma-conscious yoga to promote relaxation, healing, and an enhanced sense of well-being for service members, Veterans, and their families.
To meet VA’s goal of advancing health care and access to benefits, HAP supports the development and maintenance of partnerships with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). These partnerships enable VA and NGOs to share resources across many social determinants of health to better serve Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.
Yoga is one of the complementary and integrative health approaches within the VA Whole Health System of care covered under the Veteran’s medical benefits package (VHA Directive 1137: Provision of Complementary and Integrative Health). “This partnership with Connected Warriors will help expand access to yoga for Veterans through additional classes offered by Connected Warrior volunteer teachers,” said Alison Whitehead, program lead, VHA Integrative Health Coordinating Center, Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Center.
"Having facilitated over 180,000 documented visits and with zero reported suicides, our Trauma-Conscious Yoga program stands as an indicator of its effectiveness. As steadfast allies of the Veterans Health Administration, this partnership empowers us to further broaden our class availability to Veterans and their families, both on and off base, enhancing their quality of life," said Kenneth Bingham, LCDR (Ret.), US Navy, executive director, Connected Warriors.
VA and Connected Warriors have a shared goal to support Veterans and their families through a patient-driven model of health care promoting Whole Health. The VA Whole Health System emphasizes self-care and self-management of personal well-being, personalized health planning, and incorporating complementary and integrative health approaches like yoga.
The partnership will support Veterans by:
- Increasing Veterans’ awareness of the mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being benefits of yoga.
- Expanding Veterans’ access to yoga.
- Providing local collaboration opportunities between VA medical centers and Connected Warriors.
- Offering Veterans additional yoga classes instructed by Connected Warriors’ volunteers.
- Connecting Veterans with free yoga and meditation classes in their communities.
In accordance with VA’s Strategic Plan, VHA collaborates across the ecosystem of partners and advocates for Veterans to improve their outcomes, equity, and quality of life. “The partnership with Connected Warriors is an example of the community partnerships that HAP facilitates to provide resources and patient-driven health care services that better serve Veterans,” said Kimberly Pugh, EdD, RN, HAP health system specialist.
For Veterans looking for community-based healing and to participate in transformative yoga classes, visit the Connected Warriors at https://connectedwarriors.org/.
For more information about VA partnerships, visit HAP.
