Become a Peer Sponsor: Intro to Military Transition Support
The Department of Veterans Affairs & Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) provides this manualized, certification training to individuals interested in supporting service members and veterans as they transition from military service.
Modules/Weeks
Weekly Effort
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School
Format
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Course Description
The Department of Veterans Affairs & Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) provides manualized, certification training to individuals interested in supporting service members and veterans as they transition from military service. The VSI is an evidence-based program designed to reduce transition stressors by matching service members with a community-based sponsor who helps them rejoin their civilian communities by assisting with housing, employment, educational opportunities, and access to mental health support. Participating in this course will equip you with the foundational skills needed to best support military service members and veterans in their transition journey.
To learn more, you can take the following courses in this series:
What You Will Learn
- Module 1: Introduction
- Explain the need for peer sponsorship of TSM/V
- Identify the Deadly Gap
- Summarize the responsibilities of a peer sponsor
- Module 2: Establishing Positive Interpersonal Relationships
- Identify the skills to establish a positive interpersonal relationship with a TSM/V
- Explain the concept of empathy and how it relates to building a meaningful bond
- Demonstrate active listening skills and skills associated with empathy
- Module 3: VSO's & SMARTER Goals
- Identify the steps in creating SMARTER goals
- Explain how Sponsors can incorporate Veteran Service Organizations into their work with a TSM/V
- Demonstrate how to facilitate goal development with a TSM/V
- Module 4: Suicide Prevention
- Identify some of the signs associated with suicidal ideation
- Explain the sponsor protocol for responding to a TSM/V in a crisis situation
- Demonstrate the sponsor protocol for engaging a TSM/V in crisis
- Module 5: Mindfulness & Closing Comments
- Identify how to download the VA mindfulness application
- Explain how mindfulness may be a useful practice for transitioning service members
- Describe the concept of mindfulness
- Module 6: Final Assessment
- Complete the final assessment
- Module 7: Congratulations and Next Steps
- Explain how to enroll in the Onward Ops program to become a sponsor
- Identify the resources available to you as a sponsor
- Describe the sponsor live certification registration process
Instructors
Before joining the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration as a Curriculum Designer in 2016, R.J. served as an Associate Dean of Students at Columbia University’s School of General Studies where he directed the Academic Resource Center and served as the lead instructor for University Studies, a transition course for first-year, non-traditional students. An award-winning teacher, R.J. has advised college students at Columbia, Cambridge, and Harvard Universities, and has taught courses in English and American literature, literary history, close reading, academic skill-building, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. R.J. holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and anthropology from Columbia University (2003), a Master of Letters in English literature from the University of Cambridge (2005), and is currently pursuing doctoral work in English literature.
Watch R.J.'s 2023 TEDx Talk on imposter syndrome.
Natesha Smith-Isabell, PhD, is an Army Veteran and dedicated professional with nearly two decades of experience in academia. She has a diverse background in research, student affairs administration, and curriculum development. Currently, as the Director of Education for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) Peer Sponsor training, she specializes in supporting women veterans, implementing suicide prevention programming, and promoting holistic, trauma-informed care. Natesha's expertise and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset in the fields of education and Veterans affairs.