family support Resources

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Resources for military and veteran families, caregivers, children, and spouses navigating the challenges of service-connected life.

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VA Caregiver Support Program

Provides stipends, respite care, mental health services, and training for family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans. Apply through your VA Medical Center's Caregiver Support Coordinator.

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NAMI Connecticut

Offers mental health support groups, family education programs, and crisis resources for families of veterans living with mental illness. Find programs and local chapters at namict.org.

Operation: Military Kids CT

Youth programs, camps, and community support for children of deployed and transitioning service members in Connecticut. Connect through your local 4-H extension office or the CT National Guard Family Support office.

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Military ONE SOURCE - Family Life Counselors

Free, confidential short-term counseling for military families provided by licensed counselors embedded in military communities. No paperwork, no records — contact your installation or National Guard family support office to connect.

EASTER SEALS Rally Point - VETERAN & Military Services

Easterseals is committed to the successful reintegration of Active Military, National Guard, Reserve, Veterans, and their families into all aspects of civilian life. Easterseals employs innovative strategies and expertise, coupled with a supportive 1:1 customized service model, tailored specifically to the individual’s needs. Most services are free of charge for our members or offered on an affordable sliding fee scale.

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Connecticut NATIONAL GUARD FOUNDATION

 To provide temporary family assistance and support for members of the Organized Militia and National Guard of Connecticut consistent with its exclusive charitable and educational purposes.

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americanwarrior operations

AmericanWarrior Operations has been established to fulfill a mission of "Support and to Honor American Veterans and Patriotic Operations" we offer these programs to serve and support veterans and active duty military.


Veterans Helping Veterans

Supporting National Guard & Reserve Armed Service Members

Operation Freedom Legacy

Honoring Hero’s & Recognizing Greatness



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National military

family association

The National Military Family Association is an organization with strong grassroots support balanced with professionalism that makes us a leader in the field. Not only do we support military families – we are military families. Spouses, parents, and family members make up our staff and board positions. We speak up on behalf of military families and empower husbands, wives, and children to understand and access their benefits. Based on what we hear from our members, we meet the needs of service members and their families with insightful recommendations, innovative programs, and grassroots efforts to better the quality of life for military families.

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we honor veterans

We Honor Veterans empowers end-of-life care partners to meet the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families.

Our guidance and resources are focused on respectful inquiry, compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgment so that veterans can be guided through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.


We provide help and educational resources that teach respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment as you work for America’s Veterans.


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National veterans

foundation

The National Veterans Foundation’s mission is to serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through:

Management and operation of the nation’s oldest toll-free, vet-to-vet helpline for all Veterans and their families.

Public awareness programs that shine a consistent spotlight on the needs of America’s Veterans.

Outreach services that provide Veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment and other essential resources.


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brides across america

Brides Across America (BAA) is a non-profit committed to loving one another by gifting weddings and wedding gowns to our military & first responders.


Whether it's for love of country or love at the altar, our military and first repsonders deserve our very best. Since 2008, Brides Across America has played a role in making their dreams come true by giving a military or first responder bride a free wedding gown during an “Operation Wedding Gown Event”.

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fisher house

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.

These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world.

Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room.

Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $500 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.


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Advanced Behavioral Health INC. - Connecticut

 MILITARY SUPPORT PROGRAM (MSP)

The Military Support Program was created to address the behavioral health needs of National Guard and Reserve personnel affected by deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation New Dawn (Iraq). In 2011 the State of Connecticut expanded MSP to include all who served in the Military after 9/11 and their family members.

The Military Support Program offers specialized support services statewide for troops and their families when care is unavailable, difficult to access, or not covered by insurance. Services include information and referral, case management and counseling for post-deployment stress issues, family counseling, and embedded clinician services.


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My Place CT - Long-Term Support for Veterans - Connecticut 


The Veterans Health Administration offers many long-term care services and supports to Veterans enrolled in its health care system. Veterans can receive care at home, at VA medical centers or in the community no matter their age.


Eligibility Criteria

Veterans are entitled to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system if they have served on active duty for more than 24 consecutive months (without a dishonorable discharge).



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Veterans Strong Community Center - Bristol, Ct 


VSCC is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that provides regional information and serves as a resource center for Veterans, Service Members and Families, regardless of discharge status or branch/component.  

     Organization Name: Veterans Strong Community Center

    Summary of Organization (Description): Information and resource center for Veterans, Military Members, and their dependent family members, regardless of discharge status

    Service Audience: All Veterans and those currently serving

    Programs Offered: Case management; referrals to service providers and financial assistance programs


Email: donnadognin@vetstronginc.org

Phone: 860-584-6258


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BRidgeport

rescue Mission

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides families in Coastal Connecticut with essential services to combat poverty, homelessness, and addiction, including emergency food (over 565,000 meals annually), safe, temporary shelter for women and families in crisis, clothing, and addiction recovery programs. They offer holistic support through counseling, educational, and job-training services. 


Area of Service:

  • Food
  • Tell Me More
  • Clothing
  • Safe Housing
  • Recovery
  • Health



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veterans inc.

Connecticut &  New england

Veterans Inc. is a national leader in ending homelessness among veterans. We have one of the highest rates in the nation – 85% – for transitioning veterans out of homelessness.


A 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Massachusetts, Veterans Inc. is the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Since 1990, we have helped more than 100,000 veterans in need and today operate offices and programs in all six New England states.


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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives people in Connecticut help to buy food. It used to be called “food stamps.” SNAP benefits include: 


Monthly money on a debit-like EBT card to buy food

Free education and job training through SNAP

Get $2 for every $1 when you spend your SNAP money at certain Farmer’s Markets and Farm Stands

Free budget-friendly and healthy recipes and nutrition tips.