Coaching into Care

Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho VETERANS CHRONICLE

Coaching Into Care lets family, friends connect veterans to services

Coaching Into Care is a national telephone service of the VA which aims to educate, support, and empower family members and friends who are seeking care or services for a veteran. Its goal is to help veterans, family members, and other loved ones find the appropriate services at their local VA facilities and/or in their community.

It also provides coaching to family and friends of veterans who see that a veteran in their life may be having difficulty adjusting to civilian life.

Coaching is provided by licensed psychologists or social workers, free of charge. Coaching involves helping callers figure out how to motivate the veteran to seek treatment.

It can help callers get information about mental health, services at the VA and tips on how to begin the conversation about treatment with a loved one who is a veteran.

To get started, call (888) 8237458.

What to Expect

Calls with a coach vary in length, but generally take 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the issue. Coaching with an individual may extend for several calls and usually with the same coach.

When you call Coaching Into Care at (888) 823-7458, you will talk with a member of the VA team who specializes in helping callers determine the best way to help the veteran they care about and how to navigate the VA system.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern time).