Office of Rural Engagement Newsletter September 2026
 September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Taking care of each other is part of the mission, and suicide prevention starts with all of us. This September, take action.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans/Military Crisis Line for immediate assistance:
Dial 988, then Press 1
 Suicide prevention is for all Veterans, no matter what you’re facing
If you’ve ever wondered whether VA’s suicide prevention support is really meant for you, here’s the short answer: yes.
Some Veterans wonder if they’ve “earned” the right to reach out. Maybe they figure someone else has it worse. Maybe they’re not sure if their service qualifies. None of that changes the answer: There’s no minimum amount of hardship required, and no one’s keeping score. You deserve support, and VA has it for you.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never set foot in a VA facility, live hours from the nearest one, or aren’t enrolled in VA healthcare. You served, and that means these resources belong to you. The Veterans Crisis Line and the people behind VA’s suicide prevention work are here for every Veteran, and for the families and supporters who care about them.
Get more information on VA's suicide prevention resources by clicking HERE
VA Health Chat app connects Veterans to VA health care
For Army Veteran Evan Burnside, a visit to the nearest VA facility means a three-hour trip: an hour’s drive each way, plus time for parking and navigating crowded facilities, adds up fast. As a new father, Burnside finds that making frequent in-person visits simply isn’t practical. But thanks to VA Health Chat, he can now manage many of his healthcare needs from home.
To read more about hot advantages of VA Health Chat, click HERE
Telehealth physical therapy study recruiting Veteran participants
The VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center is currently looking to recruit 126 Veterans nationwide by December 2026 for a telehealth physical therapy study program. The program provides high-intensity rehabilitation, coaching and social support to Veterans. The purpose is to see whether providing physical rehabilitation through telehealth is effective at improving and sustaining physical function for older Veterans. The study will compare physical functioning results of the telerehabilitation group to the education control group.
To learn more about eligibility for the telehealth study, click HERE.
Exploring Entrepreneurship with SBA Deputy Administrator Briggs
In this episode, VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., talks with SBA Deputy Administrator Briggs about why entrepreneurship is such a strong pathway for Veterans and how SBA supports them with free counseling, capital tools, franchise resources, and federal contracting opportunities.
Listen to the conversation HERE
 Reservists, Guardsmen, learn about your VA benefits from online course
If you serve or have served in the reserve or National Guard, you already know that eligibility rules for VA benefits are different than those who served on active duty. But what are those eligibility rules?
VA developed the “Reserve and National Guard (RNG) Military Life Cycle (MLC) module,” an online course, to explain VA benefits to those serving in the reserve and in the National Guard. The RNG MLC module is part of the VA Transition Assistance Program, but it isn’t just for people who are separating. It’s designed for reserve component and National Guard members and their families at every part of the service stage, whether you’re currently drilling, activating, deploying, returning home or planning for the future. Because the module is online, you can access it at a time that works for you
You can learn more about the RNC MLC module HERE
Financial pitfalls Veteran homebuyers should avoid
Buying a home can be one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. Since 1944, the VA Home Loan Program has helped more than 29 million Veterans, service members and surviving spouses achieve that milestone. But long-term success as a homeowner often depends on understanding the financial responsibilities that come with owning and maintaining a home.
To learn more about financial considerations when buying a home, click HERE
VA Loan Guaranty Service - Specially Adapted Housing Webinar September 24, 2026
The VA's Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) is pleased to continue our new webinar – ‘Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Program Overview’ – for Veterans, Veterans Service Organizations, and other industry partners participating in the SAH program. Sessions are held on the fourth Thursday of every other month at 11 AM EDT, and the next session will be on September 24, 2026.
SAH grants are provided to Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities to improve their lives by purchasing, constructing, or modifying homes to meet their unique needs. These grants promote independence and create barrier-free living environments, improving the quality of life for those who have served.
What You’ll Gain:
This one-hour session will outline eligibility requirements for SAH grants, walk participants through each step of the application process, and provide key contacts and helpful resources.
How to Register:
Simply complete this registration form and you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for attending the session. Note: Attendance is limited to registered participants.
Please join us on September 24 or one of the additional sessions throughout the year, for a comprehensive overview of the housing grant benefits available to you.
VA launches new program to help homeless Veterans with emergency supplies, transportation
Last month, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the creation of a $29 million fund that will provide assistance to eligible homeless Veterans and Veterans participating in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act authorizes VA to provide this assistance to eligible homeless Veterans through the end of FY2027.
From VA's YouTube Channel:
The VA home loan program allows Veterans to purchase, retain, and adapt their homes with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and lower interest rates. The benefit can be used throughout a Veteran’s lifetime, creating opportunities for financial stability and long-term wealth.
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