The VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) program – better known as Vet Centers – is asking veterans, servicemembers (including Guard and Reserve members) and their families to take a brief online survey to help the VA better understand the level of awareness of these centers and any barriers preventing access to services.

Your input is anonymous and important to the VA; department officials are particularly interested in knowing more about those who do not use Vet Center services. MOAA encourages our members and their families to take the survey, and to spread the word on the survey to others in the military and veteran community.

VA officials plan to use survey feedback not only to improve communication and enhance services, but also to ensure those they serve know where to turn for support before they are in crisis.

Click here to take the short survey before Nov. 30. If you have questions or comments related to the survey or other VA concerns, you can reach out directly, 24/7, to the Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-927-8387.

More About Vet Centers

Vet Centers were created in 1979 to help veterans returning home from the Vietnam War. The centers offer a wide array of services, including counseling on military-related issues, bereavement, military sexual trauma, and substance abuse assessments and referral, as well as screening for medical issues like depression and traumatic brain injuries.

[RELATED: VA Vet Centers Need Longer Hours and More Promotion, MOAA Tells Congress]

The VA has continued to expand Vet Center services and promote awareness of what some have called the “best-kept secret” in its health care system.

Demand for services has grown in recent years thanks to congressional focus, as well as resources and improvements in RCS forecasting and staffing models. RCS has established a demand forecasting model to be more agile in meeting community needs — this could be setting up temporary outstations, for example, or moving to a brick-and-mortar facility with full time staff.

In addition, VA has expanded its mobile Vet Center fleet with 84 sprinter vans that deploy to geographically limiting locations to offer care to regions where access or ability to maneuver is difficult.

[RELATED: VA and Marine Corps Join Forces to Support Servicemembers, Veterans and Families]

Help the VA continue to expand access and awareness of this important program by clicking here to take the short survey.