New Veterans Response Team

Local Butler VA VJO staff collaborated with VRT teams across the country to plan for this new community team. Additionally, they worked with the 9-1-1 dispatch office to add the VRT as a designation for police officers to respond to calls regarding Veterans. Outreach and education were provided to all the police departments, fire, EMS, jail, court, attorneys, magistrates, Judges, etc., on the establishment of this new team to better serve local Veterans. 

The team includes local first responders (Police, Fire, EMS, etc.) who attend training by VA to learn about the services provided by the Butler VA to help a Veteran in crisis. The VRT members then reach out to VA Police once they encounter a Veteran in crisis which mobilizes the VJO team to connect the Veteran to immediate services through enrollment, homeless care, primary care, mental health, community providers, etc. The creation of this new community-based team is part of the VJO initiative to get VJO staff involved in a Veteran’s crisis at the earliest possible moment to increase effectiveness of interventions and mitigate complications. 

And…it works!

U.S. Air Force Veteran Paul was not doing well. Local police went to check on Paul in his home, and Sergeant Christopher Zevola, having gone through the Veterans Response Team training, asked if he was a Veteran. A VRT referral was then submitted by the police.  Within 24 hours, Paul was enrolled in VA care for the first time and receiving services from VA and its community partners.

“The most helpful has been the connection to the Veterans Resource Center to help with house repairs so I can return home, and the VA health care services provided,” shared Paul.

Paul had previously thought about using VA health care services but had never gotten around to enrolling. After his recent experience, he shares this advice with fellow Veterans:

“You never know when you might need it. It was not pressing for me until it was. Take care of it now, and get connected to VA.” 

Sergeant Christopher Zevola has been a policeman for 25 years and is thankful a program like this now exists. Chris is also a Veteran himself.

“The biggest thing is raising awareness—letting Veterans know it’s okay to get help and that help is out there,” said Chris. “I think this program works well because it’s a Veteran helping another Veteran. No matter where you worked, you both served in the military and can relate.”

Another VRT training class will be held in June for Veterans interested in being a part of this program to help fellow Veterans. The training will be held June 26 and June 27 from 9am-4pm at the Cranberry Township Public Safety Training Center (1000 Maintenance Bldg. Drive, Cranberry Twp., PA). There is no cost to participate. VRT training is a 16-hour post CIT, (or equivalent) instruction for first responders who are also military Veterans. 

For more information, or to register please contact Christie Lucas, Veterans Justice Outreach Social Worker (Christina.Lucas1@va.gov), Captain Dawn Frejkowski (dawn.frejkowski@va.gov) or Sgt Tony Sawl, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, asawl@co.butler.pa.us. Please register by June 15.

How Do I Connect to the VRT?

Community referrals can be made by calling the VA police 24/7 line at 878-271-6002 and state you are making a VRT referral or by emailing VRTButlerPA@va.gov. 

If a situation is urgent, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 or Butler County MH Crisis Intervention Services at 1-800-292-3866 (available 24/7). If life threatening, call 9-1-1 and identify the person in crisis as a Veteran.