Veterans Issues

Commentary

RAND Experts on Veteran Mental Health Respond to the White House Mental Health Research Priorities

The White House identified eight research priorities to better manage America's current mental health crisis. RAND researchers highlight why each area is critical for veteran mental health and how RAND is contributing to address them.

Commentary

Preventing Military Sexual Assault Is Important. So Is Getting Mental Health Care Afterward

Despite a decade of scrutiny on the issue, sexual assault and harassment in the military is still a pervasive problem. The effects of the trauma from these assaults can be lasting. So it's not just the military services, but also veterans' services, that need to connect these people to appropriate care for mental health.

Blog

Supporting America's Veterans: RAND Weekly Recap

This Veterans Day edition of the weekly recap focuses on helping veterans succeed in civilian jobs, a bakery that doubles as a business school for members of the military community, Black Americans’ military service, and more.

Essay

Dog Tag Bakery: A Fresh Start for Veterans

A bakery in Washington, D.C., brings together service-disabled post–9/11 veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. For five months, they are immersed in an intensive entrepreneurial-focused business program. It's become a model for helping veterans and others in the military community reestablish their lives.

Research Brief

Fellowship Program Supports the Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Dog Tag Inc.'s entrepreneurial fellowship program helps veterans, their spouses, and their caregivers prepare for careers in the civilian workforce. In addition to occupational training in a variety of business sectors, the program offers wellness activities and peer support.

Meeting the Health Care Needs of America's Veterans

A team of RAND experts conducted three independent assessments of the Veterans Choice Act (enacted in 2014). Researchers explored the health needs of veterans, the VA's capacity to deliver care, and steps policymakers can take toward the goal of providing high-quality, timely, and accessible health care for veterans.

Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers

Military caregivers play an essential role in caring for injured or wounded service members and veterans. Terri Tanielian and Rajeev Ramchand will present the challenges today's military caregivers face, and what Congress and others can do to support them.

VA Mental Health Care: How Good Is It and How Can We Make It Better?

In this December 2011 Congressional Briefing, Katherine Watkins discusses highlights and recommendations from her study on the VA's capacity to deliver care to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders and the quality of the care that is delivered.

The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military

RAND researchers will discuss findings and recommendations from their recent study on the growing rate of military suicides, including who is at risk for suicide and what the Department of Defense is doing to prevent it.

Diversity of Service Academy Entrants and Graduates

Sheila Nataraj Kirby will present findings from an assessment of U.S. Department of Defense recruiting efforts, admissions policies, graduation rates, and career success rates with respect to the diversity of service academy entrants and graduates, with remarks by Rep. Elijah Cummings and the Honorable Madeleine Bordallo.

Wait Times for Veterans Scheduling Health Care Appointments

RAND researcher Carrie Farmer highlighted three recommendations for how Congress and VA could improve available data on Community Care, with the ultimate goal of providing veterans with the information needed to make decisions about where to receive care.

Better Aligning Housing Options with Veteran Preferences Could Help Alleviate Homelessness

Veteran homelessness in Los Angeles is a pervasive public health problem, with the county having the highest concentration of veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States. A new report describes a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study that followed 26 veterans experiencing homelessness in West Los Angeles.

Considering Veterans Policy in the 117th Congress

What are the biggest veterans' health policy issues facing the 117th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including mental health, quality of care, suicide prevention, and more.

Improving Treatment for Post-9/11 Veterans with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders

Veterans who have served in the military since September 11, 2001, are at particularly high risk for co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. According to a new RAND report, veterans with co-occurring mental health and SUDs require evidence-based treatment for both types of disorders.

In Case You Missed It: How to Reduce Suicide Among U.S. Veterans and Service Members

The rate at which veterans and service members die by suicide is a national security problem that requires a comprehensive approach. RAND's Terri Tanielian outlines six priorities for addressing the challenge of suicide.

Are NY Health Care Providers Prepared to Meet the Needs of Veterans?

Are private health care providers in New York equipped to offer timely access to high-quality care that meets the needs of veterans? A new RAND study surveyed providers to better understand the state of overall provider readiness for the veteran population.

In Case You Missed It: Creating Better Support for Our Nation's Hidden Heroes

RAND conducted the first-ever study on the roles and risks of military and veteran caregivers in 2014. Now, a new research blueprint provides policymakers with an understanding of where more research is needed to improve the lives of these caregivers.

In Case You Missed It: Preventing Veteran Suicide

Suicide is a public health threat that affects all demographics, but recently attention has been focused on the risk of suicide among veterans. Preventative measures could include strengthening community-based programs for those who do not receive care at the VA.

Health Care Issues in the 115th Congress

RAND research examines a wide range of health care issues important to the 115th Congress: the Affordable Care Act and potential policy alternatives, health care delivery approaches, public health issues, drug policy, and veterans' health care issues.

2016 Hill Highlights

In 2016, RAND experts conducted briefings on Capitol Hill, provided testimonies before congressional committees, hosted workshops, and published reports on some of the nation's most pressing issues, including health care for veterans, autonomous vehicles, NATO military posture, and cyber policy.

Can the Civilian Mental Health Workforce Meet the Needs of the Veteran Population?

The current state of readiness among civilian behavioral health providers to deliver care to veterans and their families has gaps in several areas. Improvements in workforce assessments, training, and facilitation will help to ensure that high quality care is delivered.

RAND Study: Veteran Employment Valued, But Challenges Still Need to be Addressed

Businesses report that U.S. military veterans make excellent employees, but companies still experience challenges locating and hiring them according to a new RAND Corporation report

RAND Researchers Identify Gaps in Support for America's Military Caregivers

RAND released a new report, “Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers” that sheds light on the magnitude of military caregiving in the United States and identifies gaps in the array of programs, policies, and initiatives designed to support military caregivers.

RAND.org's Redesign: New Homepage and Navigation Optimization for All Devices

RAND.org has been reimagined to make high quality research and insights more accessible to Hill staff like you. The new homepage and updated navigation optimize content delivery for your preferred device and place our most timely content at your fingertips.

June 27 Is PTSD Awareness Day

As Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day approaches, policymakers continue to look for ways to best help our nation's servicemembers and veterans with PTSD and other combat related mental health problems. RAND research addresses PTSD and similar issues.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day

As PTSD Awareness Day approaches on June 27, policymakers continue to look for ways to best help our nation's servicemembers and veterans with PTSD and other combat-related issues. RAND research has documented the prevalence of post-deployment mental health problems among our newest generation of veterans.

Improving Disabled Veterans' Employment Prospects Using Tax Credits

Concern regarding the economic problems faced by veterans, particularly those disabled since 9/11, has motivated a range of new federal programs aimed at improving veteran employment, including legislation passed in 2007 which expanded the use of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program to incentivize hiring of disabled veterans.

Why Are For-Profit Colleges Appealing to Veterans?

As veterans return home from combat and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, many have turned to for-profit colleges because of the schools' unique ability to meet their needs.

Senior Staff SOTU Debrief from RAND Corporation

We've assembled a selection of RAND reports, journal articles, commentary, videos, and experts on these SOTU topics that provide you with analysis, insights, and ideas you can use in the months ahead.