The 122,000 veterans participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs' vocational rehabilitation and employment program are now able to connect with counselors via video consultations, the agency announced Nov. 30.
The vocational rehabilitation and employment program at the VA connects veterans with counselors to discuss job training, employment accommodations, resume development and job seeking skills. The VA said offering these sessions virtually will improve veterans' access to vocational services, in part by reducing potential costs associated with traveling to in-person appointments.
"We strive to provide veterans with access to personalized, interactive face-to-face care and services regardless of where they live," VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said. "[The vocational rehabilitation and employment program's] tele-counseling service is another example of how VA continually modernizes in support of veterans' needs."
The tele-counseling application was developed in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration's VA telehealth services, and is available through the agency's telehealth application, VA Video Connect.