{"id":451575,"date":"2025-05-19T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=451575"},"modified":"2025-05-19T15:25:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:25:53","slug":"veterans-response-team-gives-homeless-veterans-a-second-chance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=451575","title":{"rendered":"Veterans Response Team gives homeless Veterans a second chance"},"content":{"rendered":"

In central Alabama, the VA Birmingham Veterans Response Team<\/a> (VRT) is changing the path for Veterans in crisis\u2014many of whom are teetering on the edge of prison or homelessness<\/a>. VRT intervenes at the most critical moments, offering connection instead of cuffs and guiding at-risk Veterans toward the care and stability they\u2019ve earned.<\/p>\n

VRT members, including Corporal Cornelius Rogers, Sergeant Timothy Yearwood, and social worker Kelli Amber, go beyond their normal duties to help Veterans living in a 13,000-square-mile area of central Alabama get a second chance to succeed.<\/p>\n

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Corporal Cornelius Rogers, Social Worker Kelli Amber, and Sergeant Timothy Yearwood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Team members have forged close relationships with area law enforcement agencies, training officers to screen anyone they encounter for past military service. If they come across a Veteran, officers know to pick up the phone and call the Birmingham VA.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTraditionally, there seems to be a wall between VA police and outside police. The majority don\u2019t even hardly realize that that VA has a police department until something happens,\u201d said Yearwood. \u201cOur first step was to get the information about VRT out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting the word out is a top priority for the team. They regularly attend community events and meetings to build relationships and raise awareness about the VRT. They also offer free crisis intervention training<\/a> for first responders working with Veterans in crisis; the next session is scheduled for Oct. 6, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

VA dispatchers are trained to field calls from authorities, determine eligibility, then connect with the VRT, which uses connections within VA to quickly link Veterans up with treatment and services that may help them avoid incarceration, including:<\/p>\n