THE ULTIMATE VETERANS RESOURCE

Toolbox.vet

Developed by Swords to Plowshares, Toolbox.vet is an online library that aims to better equip advocates and providers with the tools they need to connect with veterans of all ages and assist them.

WE'RE VETS HELPING VETS

Why it's important

Military service may expose veterans to health risks that are best addressed through informed care and access to veteran-specific resources. A culturally-informed approach will benefit veterans and significantly improve the quality of services you provide.

Listen to our podcast

Toolbox.vet blends written content with an audiobook and podcast from real veterans and advocates. So, while you are reading content online, you can also hear real people talk about the issue at-hand.

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What You Should Know About Military and Veteran Culture

Military service may expose veterans to mental and physical health risks that are best addressed through culturally-informed care and access to veteran-specific resources.

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Chapter
3

What You Should Know about Veteran Mental and Behavioral Health

An awareness of a veteran’s military-connected experiences and possible service-connected trauma conditions will provide you with context for diagnosis, treatment, and other needed services.

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Chapter
4

What You Should Know About Veteran Physical Health

An awareness of a veteran’s military experiences and health risks will increase your understanding of co-morbidities, provide guidance for treatment plans, and help you explore appropriate referrals and resources.

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Chapter
5

Understand Your Role in Getting Veterans Connected to the VA

Veterans may require care and recognition for service-related conditions beyond what is provided outside of the VA. Find out how to get veterans connected to VA healthcare and benefits.

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Chapter
6

No Wrong Door: Approach to Community-Based Veteran Care

Understanding effective approaches to care—from outreach, to the physical design of facilities, to trauma-informed interviewing and community collaboration—allows you to translate substantive knowledge to best practices.

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Chapter
7

Insights on Mission-Driven Veteran Housing

The risk and resilience factors related to military service and homelessness present developers, operators, property management, clinical and support staff with important considerations for housing services.

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Chapter
8

How to Support Student Veterans: A Guide for Campus Staff, Educators, and Advocates

Veterans may feel isolated on campus, navigating a new space so different from their military life. Learning ways to engage and support student veterans will help them succeed in college.

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Chapter
9

What You Should Know About Veteran Employment Services

Understand how to help veterans frame their skills for a civilian employment search and encourage employers to apply a culturally-informed approach to hiring and supporting veterans in the workplace.

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Chapter
10

Administrative Best Practices in Services for Veterans

Making sure you dedicate time and resources to program development and sustainability, creating strategic partnerships, and effective leadership is key to establishing best practices in services to veterans.

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Join our events

Love this resource? We host webinars and events that help providers become better advocates. Sign up for our e-newsletter to be informed of upcoming events.
Upcoming WEBINAR
Combat to Community:
Veteran Culture Training for Providers and Advocates webinars
Sign up for May 19, 2021

About Our Policy Team

In our dual role as service provider and advocate, Swords to Plowshares is uniquely positioned to impact the systems of care veterans rely on. We work to strengthen systems of care for veterans and their families.