Select Page

Mental health and peer support services for those experiencing mental health challenges as well as homelessness and other adversities.

Do you or someone you know need assistance?

Make a Referral
Veteran Events Calendar
×

Veterans & Military Family Services (VMFS) connects County departments, non-profits, the VA and L.A. City programs.

In addition to emotional support and mental health services, LACDMH VMFS and our partners play a critical role in connecting veterans and their families with services and support. Los Angeles County is home to the highest concentration of military veterans in the country.

It is a priority of the Department to advocate for veterans across the region, wherever that advocacy is needed.

SERVING THOSE
WHO SERVED

We’re here to serve veterans and active duty, Reserve and National Guard military family members (MilFam). Serving those who served is the best way to honor their service, and we’re committed to connecting them to the mental health services they need, as well as housing assistance and other critical needs.

WE STAND WITH THOSE IN NEED

Regardless of discharge or service status, we’re here to assist our nation’s veterans and MilFam.

About Us

WE DONT GIVE UP

Just like the ones we serve, we don’t turn away anyone, regardless of their discharge status, or their eligibility for VA health care or housing assistance.

Our Services

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

A military unit’s strength is in its numbers, and the same goes for our community.

Our Partners

SERVING THOSE
WHO SERVED

We’re here to serve veterans and active duty, Reserve and National Guard military family members (MilFam). Serving those who served is the best way to honor their service. We’re committed to connecting them to mental health services, as well as housing assistance and other critical support.

WE STAND WITH THOSE IN NEED

Regardless of discharge or service status, we’re here to assist our nation’s veterans and MilFam.

About Us

WE DON’T GIVE UP

Just like the ones we serve, we don’t turn away anyone, regardless of their discharge status, or their eligibility for VA health care or housing assistance.

Our Services

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

A military unit’s strength is in its numbers, and the same goes for our community.

Our Partners

SERVICE AREAS

Due to the large size of L.A. County (4,300 square miles), VMFS services has been organized into eight (8) geographic Service Areas. These distinct regions allow our department to plan, develop, and provide services that are better suited to meet the specific needs of the residents in these different areas. The network embodies the #YouMatter ideal – that veterans deserve hope, well-being and a greater quality of life as valued members of the L.A. County community.

Service Area 1 (Antelope Valley)

Service Area 2 (San Fernando Valley)

Service Area 3 (San Gabriel Valley)

Service Area 4 (Metro LA)

Service Area 5 (West LA)

Service Area 6 (South LA)

Service Area 7 (East LA)

Service Area 8 (South Bay)

OUR SERVICES

Clinical mental health

Providing case management, medication support and counseling.

Learn More

Housing

Connecting those experiencing homelessness with emergency, transitional and permanent housing.

Learn More

Employment

Helping the unemployed and underemployed get on the path to full-time employment.

Learn More

Peer Support

Non-clinical, peer-to-peer, veteran-to-veteran support to help navigate resources.

Learn More

Groups

Community-based socialization and emotional support groups for improved life skills and coping mechanisms.

Learn More

Street Outreach

Meeting veterans and their families where they are.

Learn More

Transportation coordination

Providing linkage to transportation resources so clients can make their appointments on time and access needed services.

Learn More

Veterans Claims

Referring those in need of VA claims assistance to accredited Veterans Service Officers at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Learn More

GET THE HELP YOU DESERVE

VMFS is here to provide mental health treatment and to assist veterans and military family members with connecting to services, such as peer support, non-urgent mental health linkage, housing, etc.  If you or you think someone else is experiencing a medical or behavioral health emergency, please dial 9-1-1 immediately.  If the individual you are referring to VMFS is experiencing suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, and or is gravely disabled, please call the 24/7 LACDMH Help Line or the Veteran Crisis Line for immediate assistance. The LACDMH Help Line can also help you connect to one of our mental health providers throughout L.A. County for an appointment.

MAKE A REFERRAL

Need to talk to someone directly? Need assistance submitting a referral?

Fill out the VMFS Referral

VISIT US

In-person support is also available at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa St. (6th Floor), Los Angeles, CA 90015 (map link)

Online support for veterans is available through our partnership with iPrevail.

GET SUPPORT

For additional mental health resources, call the LA County Department of Mental Health 24/7 Help Line.

(800) 854-7771

For any general questions related to VMFS, please email us at veterans@dmh.lacounty.gov

By the numbers

JANUARY – MARCH 2025

SUPPORT LINE CALLERS

776

SERVICE TYPE BREAKDOWN

  • Mental Health Services 43% 43%
  • Benefits Navigation 23.4% 23.4%
  • Housing and Shelter 18% 18%
  • Income Support 8.6% 8.6%
  • Employment 4.7% 4.7%
  • Legal 2.4% 2.4%
  • Money Management 0.8% 0.8%

Clients Served

206

TOTAL CASES

261

SUPPORT LINE CALLERS

776

CLIENTS SERVED

206

TOTAL CASES

261

SERVICE EPISODE BREAKDOWN

  • Mental Health Services 43% 43%
  • Benefits Navigation 23.4% 23.4%
  • Housing and Shelter 18% 18%
  • Income Support 8.6% 8.6%
  • Employment 4.7% 4.7%
  • Legal 2.4% 2.4%
  • Money Management 0.8% 0.8%

VMFS QUARTERLY News

VMFS Quarterly Dispatch
Winter Edition

This inaugural edition of the rebranded VMFS Quarterly Dispatch features a Q&A with the leadership team, a housing success story involving a Korean War vet, hitting the streets with our PATH members and more!

Read More

VMFS Quarterly Dispatch
Spring Edition

Program Director Higgins addresses multiple changes taking place, plus VMFS houses an Army/Navy vet in the Antelope Valley, we visit some new & innovative outreach groups and then take a minute to profile Janet Saber.

Read More

VMFS QUARTERLY News ARCHIVE

VPAN Quarterly Dispatch – Summer 2024 (FINAL)
VPAN Quarterly Dispatch – Spring 2024 (FINAL)
VPAN Quarterly Dispatch – Winter 2024 (FINAL)
VPAN Quarterly Dispatch – Autumn 2023 (FINAL)
VPAN Quarterly Dispatch – Summer 2023 (FINAL)

VMFS Success Stories

FINALLY HOUSED

Navy vet Daniel had been homeless for 8yrs. He also didn’t have a phone. Despite this, VMFS Psychiatric Social Workers Jorge & Matt were persistent and assembled a team of community partners to get Daniel in a motel & then finally housed. Thanks to Long Beach VA, Long Beach Multi-Service Ctr & Mental Health America Los Angeles SSVF!

NO MORE LIMBO

Community Health Worker Ryan recently connected with a homeless Army veteran living in Palmdale. He’d been stuck in limbo for a couple months, but working with the Homeless Organization of Los Angeles and the Long Beach Housing Authority, Ryan was able to get him into The Cove, a new veteran affordable housing complex in Long Beach. After SSVF handled the security deposit and the furniture, this vet is no longer in limbo.

CHANGED LIFE

Medical Case Worker Wayne encountered a Navy vet who worked at the VA with homeless vets until he found himself homeless after Covid. Through HUD-VASH, Wayne got him permanently housed but then found out the vet had been turned down by his healthcare provider for an electric wheelchair, so he got to work and solved that too. As the vet said, it changed his life.

PERSISTENCE

Medical Case Worker Pedro had been working with an Army vet living in his van for several months when the vet disappeared. So Pedro remained in touch as best he could through the vet’s 80yo mother. That approach eventually worked & after reconnecting w/ the vet he was able to get him housed @ the brand-new Main Street Apts w/ the help of JVS-SSVF (security deposit) & VOALA (case mgt).

OFF THE STREETS

Navy vet, his partner & their dog had been living in their car since the pandemic. Referred to DMH VMFS for mental health assistance & met fellow Navy vet & Medical Case Worker Valerie who, after connecting him with USAF vet/Psychiatric Social Worker Julie for therapy, helped get them housed through Union Station SSVF program. Now they’re safely home in a 2BR apt in El Monte!

NEW PLACE

Army vet w/ 2 tours in Vietnam met Psychiatric Social Worker/USMC vet Matt at the Bell shelter. Facing eviction after repeated stays in the hospital put him behind on rent, he needed a new place to call home. Working w/ Melanie @ Bell, Matt matched him to the brand-new Huntington Plaza 55+ community. New place found!

WORKING THROUGH THE CRISIS

LACDMH VMFS Community Health Worker Ryan had a Navy vet in transitional housing at West LA VA north campus when they were evacuated because of the encroaching Palisades fire. The vet was evacuated to Patriotic Hall around 1 AM and stayed there for three days. Ryan continued working his case through the crisis. “It was definitely a roadblock in assisting with his permanent housing case so during that time we tried to work with the paperwork to which we had access to ensure his bases were covered.” The vet has a voucher and is currently applying for places in Culver City.

HOUSED AND WORKING

Rancho Cucamonga native & USAF vet lost job and fell behind on rent, then faced eviction. Self-referred to SSVF, qualified, and moved into a new apartment in West Covina. SSVF helped pay rent, PLUS covered the deposit and moving costs! Heard about VPAN through Chapter 13 counselor and applied; fully employed one month later working in field of interest while pursuing a master’s degree.

CHANGED LIFE

Unemployed, no income, homeless, and hungry, USAF vet Maurice walked into a VPAN SD3 outreach event with nothing and walked out with VA benefits he never received after discharge 20 years ago. Squad Leader Alex (Goodwill-SD3) and Battle Buddy Manuel changed Maurice’s life, in one day: “He came into our office not expecting anything and he left linked to VA benefits, health care, housing, & disability claim.”

ABOUT US

Staffed by veterans and their families for other veterans and their families, VMFS helps you navigate often complicated systems so that you receive the services you deserve. The network embodies the #YouMatter ideal – that veterans deserve hope, well-being and a greater quality of life as valued members of the L.A. County community.

Rhonda Higgins, Psy.D

Program Director

Dr. Rhonda Q. Higgins is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist currently serving as a Countywide Division Chief with the L.A. County Department of Mental Health. She is responsible for overseeing the following programs: Veteran & Military Family Services, Enhanced Care Management, Preventing Homelessness Promoting Health, and Women’s Wellbeing.

Read More

Anh Tran

Program Manager

Anh Tran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and currently a Program Manager with Veteran and Military Family Services (VMFS), a Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) veteran specialty mental health program charged with assisting veterans and their families in need.

Read More

EVOLUTION OF THE PROGRAM

2008

DMH changes policy allowing veterans to be seen regardless of discharge status.

2010

DMH Veteran Outreach Services established.

2012

Veteran and Loved Ones Recovery (VALOR) launches as the first-ever veteran-specific mental health program in L.A. County serving all veterans and their families, regardless of their eligibility for Veterans Administration benefits.

2016

VALOR becomes a Full Service Partnership [FSP] for more-intensive care serving chronically homeless veterans in the community.

2019

VALOR becomes Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN), the first peer-to-peer model designed to serve all veterans and their families.

2020

VPAN launches support line staffed by veterans and their families for linkage to supportive services and mental health.

2021

Contracts awarded to Community Based Organizations for administration of VPAN in the field.

2023

Veteran Suicide Review Team holds first mortality review for purposes of suicide prevention.

2024

Administration of VPAN migrates to L.A. County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs while DMH transitions to Veteran and Military Family Services.

OUR PARTNERS

OUR PARTNERS

Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder

MENU

DMH Home
About DMH
LA VMFS Linktree
DMH Services
For Providers
VMFS Event Calendar
Get Help Now

USEFUL LINKS

CalVet
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Change Reaction
April Parker Foundation
U.S.VETS
Volunteers of America Los Angeles
Village for Vets
Pups4Patriots™

Contact

Veteran Support Line
 (800) 854-7771, *3
(9AM – 6PM, 5 days a week)
In-person Support
Bob Hope Patriotic Hall
1816 S. Figueroa St. (6th Floor), Los Angeles, CA 90015 (map link)
Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Hospital
Behavioral Health Center
12021 Wilmington Ave, Floor 4D
Los Angeles, CA 90059 (map link)
Referral Support Support
Click Here
Follow Veteran & Family Military Services

Get 24/7 help: LACDMH Help Line (800) 854-7771 or 998