National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
ETS Sponsorship Program (ETS-SP)
VHA partnership improves transition to civilian life for service members
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has created a public-private partnership with the Expiration Term of Service Sponsorship Program (ETS-SP) to better support service members and Veterans across social determinants of health as they integrate into civilian life and communities.
Social determinants of health are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Through the partnership, VHA and ETS-SP promote wellness, increase resilience and protective factors such as employment and financial stability, link Veterans with VA and community-based services and support, and address the environmental and social conditions that can contribute to suicidal behaviors.
The agreement between VHA and ETS-SP supports transitioning service members and Veterans earlier in the transition process by facilitating better access to VHA health care and benefits prior to leaving the Department of Defense (DoD).
“Partnering to ensure a service member’s care is safely transitioned and tailored to their unique needs is not only an effective way to bridge the gap between the Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration, but it’s also the right thing to do,” said Jennifer Perez, national director for VA’s Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management (TCM) program.
ETS-SP is a nonprofit that assists service members in their transition to the post-military community of their choice by making it easy for service members to find resources in the community they are moving to and facilitating connections for service members to VA-trained sponsors in their new community that can help them through the transition process.
"While military service is difficult, demanding, and dangerous, the transition to civilian life can represent a new and real challenge for service members,” said Mike Eastman, incoming Executive Director of ETS-SP. “By teaming with States and local communities, we have developed a Veteran-centric approach that enables local community partners to come together around the successful transition of new Veterans into their local area. Community support, facilitated by a local sponsor, has been shown to be a leading factor in successful transition.”
This partnership is led by VA’s Post-9/11 Transition and Case Management (TCM) program and facilitated by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), and supports the reintegration needs of transitioning service members and post-9/11 era Veterans. HAP serves as a trusted resource and a catalyst for the growth of effective partnerships at the national, state, and community level. These partnerships support VA’s commitment to delivering personalized, proactive, and patient-driven health care.
For more information about VHA partnerships, visit va.gov/healthpartnerships.
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Posted August 05, 2021
