Military & Veteran Connection Initiative

Connecting Those Who Serve to the Support They Deserve.

At The Family Tree, we recognize that military service can bring unique experiences, challenges, and transitions that affect not only service members and Veterans, but also the families who support them. Access to mental health services, reliable support systems, and community resources can make a meaningful difference in navigating these challenges and promoting long-term well-being.

Through funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), The Family Tree is expanding its suicide prevention and supportive services through the Military & Veteran Connection Initiative (MVCI).

Serving Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families across Southwest and Central Louisiana (LDH Regions 4 and 5), MVCI is designed to strengthen connections between military-connected individuals, their families, and the services available within their communities.

The initiative takes a comprehensive, community-based approach to suicide prevention by focusing on early identification of needs, individualized support, case management, and connections to essential resources. Recognizing that mental health and overall well-being are influenced by a variety of factors, MVCI seeks to address challenges that may contribute to increased stress, isolation, or suicide risk.

Through collaboration with community organizations, healthcare providers, Veteran-serving agencies, and other local partners, MVCI works to improve access to support, reduce barriers to care, and strengthen the networks that help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges.