Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) on-site at Canadian Forces (CF) locations
Client Services Teams (CSTs) are currently available at 17 Canadian Forces locations to assist releasing CF members and their families. Through our Transition Services on-site, VAC CST’s provide information on services and benefits, assistance with the VAC disability pension application process, access to a VAC Area Counsellor, referral to service providers as appropriate, as well as access to a VAC Transition Interview (VAC-TI) for releasing CF members and their families. The purpose of the VAC-TI is to assist releasing members and their families to identify and adequately respond to the key factors for a successful transition to civilian life as well as determine the type and level of support required by the VAC service system. The VAC-TI provides information on the full range of VAC services, benefits, and programs, assists members in developing a plan to organize their transition to civilian life, provides health care information, as well as contact information for other service providers which may be of assistance during the transition process. Furthermore, VAC participates in Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) seminars, as well as Pre-deployment and Post-deployment information sessions, all of which aim to inform the member about VAC services and benefits which may apply to them now and in the future.

VAC Assistance Service
The VAC Assistance Service provides former Canadian Forces members, former RCMP members, War Veterans and their families access to short-term professional counselling services. The service is delivered on VAC’s behalf by Health Canada through a nationwide network of more than 600 professional counsellors. Staff answering the line are trained and experienced counsellors who will identify initial needs and make appropriate referrals for short term counselling to a professional accredited counsellor located near the client. The VAC Assistance Service can be accessed by Veterans and their families 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-268-7708 or TDD 1-800-567-5803.

Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (OSISS)
The Operational Stress Injury Social Support program is a national peer support network to support those suffering from operational stress injuries as a direct result of military service. As of 2002/2003, this program is available to CF members, Veterans, and their family members. Trained Peer Support Coordinators, who themselves have been injured by operational stress, offer support by listening to those who are suffering, drawing on similar experiences, and providing guidance on resources available in DND, VAC and their own community. To date, over 1080 former and still-serving CF members have accessed the services of OSISS. As of October 2004, there are Peer Support Coordinators located in 11 VAC District Offices: St. John’s, NF; Halifax, NS; Quebec City, QC; Kingston, Pembroke, Ottawa and Mississauga/Hamilton, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Edmonton, AB; and Vancouver and Victoria, BC, as well as three Peer Support Coordinators located at CF Bases Borden, ON (currently not staffed), St. Jean, QC, and Gagetown, NB. This program has been developed in partnership by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Department of National Defense (DND). For further information, please see the OSISS website at: www.osiss.ca

Network of Excellence
VAC and DND are establishing a network comprised of health care professionals specializing in the assessment and treatment of CF members and Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries. This network includes the Ste. Anne's National OSI Centre; VAC OSI clinics being established in selected long-term care facilities currently under contract to the Department; the Canadian Forces Operational Trauma and Stress Support Centres (OTSSCs) operated by DND; and health care professionals in communities across Canada involved in the care of these clients. VAC-funded OSI clinics are being developed in Parkwood Hospital (London), La Maison Paul Triquet (Quebec) and Deer Lodge (Winnipeg), with additional clinics planned for western Canada in 2004/05. OTSSCs operated by DND are located in Halifax, Valcartier, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Esquimalt. The network of treatment clinics can be accessed through a referral from either a DND or VAC medical officer.

DND/VAC Centre for the Support of Injured and Retired Members and Their Families (The Centre)
Staff can provide information and referrals to CF and VAC services, including applications for disability benefits. The Centre manages the Transition Assistance Program, the Centre Contingency fund, applications to the National Military Cemetery, Reserve compensation and various other programs for injured and retired members, Veterans and their families. The Centre is located at 285 Coventry Road, 2nd Floor, Ottawa. For information, call the toll free number at: 1-800-883-6094 or visit their Web site at: www.forces.gc.ca/hr/thecentre

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Transition Assistance Program assists CF members who have been medically released to gain civilian employment. This program is administered by DND and VAC through The Centre. The toll-free number is 1-800-883-6094. Visit the TAP Web site at: www.dnd.ca/hr/thecentre/tap

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
For information about the programs and services available through VAC, visit their Web site at: www.vac-acc.gc.ca . Contact Veterans Affairs Canada toll-free at 1-866-522-2122.

Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB)
The Veterans Review and Appeal Board offers two levels of appeal on VAC disability pension applications. For inquiries or information, call the toll-free line at 1-800-450-8006 or check the VRAB Web site at: www.vrab-tacra.gc.ca

Royal Canadian Legion (RCL)
The RCL is the largest Veterans’ organization in Canada. It assists members in many ways including pension applications. Check the local telephone directory for the Legion nearest you or visit their Web site address at: www.legion.ca

Service Income Security Insurance Plan
The Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) Financial Services provides confidential financial guidance and advice to CF members, Veterans and their spouses. For further information, contact SISIP in Ottawa at 613-760-3405, or in Montreal at 450-357-9595 (Please note that these numbers are not toll free so a long distance charge could apply). Visit SISIP’s Web site at: www.sisip.ca

Canadian Health Network
The Canadian Health Network Web site provides preventative health information from leading Canadian health organizations as well as links to their Web sites. Information can be found by clicking on ‘Topic’ or selecting a letter from the ‘A-Z’ index, or typing the word you are looking for in the ‘Search’ box. Visit the Canadian Health Network Web site at: www.canadian-health-network.ca

Health Canada
The Health Canada Web site, www.hc-sc.gc.ca , contains health information for all ages and groups. Information can be found by clicking on ‘Topic’ or selecting a letter from the ‘A-Z’ index, or typing the word you are looking for in the ‘Search’ box.

Canada Health Portal
The Canada Health Portal (CHP) Web site, http://chp-pcs.gc.ca , is designed to help access reliable health information quickly and easily. It is a project involving several government departments and agencies.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
The Canadian Mental Health Association offers programs and services in each province. Their Web site at: www.cmha.ca , has information organized by topic areas. The on-line ‘CMHA Store’ contains an extensive listing of publications including pamphlets that can be read or printed on-line.

Dieticians of Canada (DC)
The Dietitians of Canada Web site at: www.dietitians.ca , contains information designed to improve health through food and nutrition.

Resources and References

This is a place to record the telephone numbers of community services you may need. If a specific service is not available within your community, search in your telephone directory for the nearest location or a similar type of service.