The Los Angeles County Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) is a collaborative effort that will unite the community through partnership, support, and engagement across all levels of government, business, nonprofits, philanthropy, and the general public.
Battleship IOWA is the VPAN program provider for L.A. County Department of Mental Health within L.A. County Supervisorial Districts 2 and 4. For more information on the program, please visit https://dmh.lacounty.gov/veterans/.
Led by veterans for veterans, VPAN helps you navigate often complicated systems so that you receive the services you deserve.
The first-ever community-driven support network serving veterans and their families in the U.S., the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) connects County departments, non-profits, the VA and LA City programs.
The network embodies the #YouMatter ideal – that veterans deserve hope, well-being and a greater quality of life as valued members of the LA County community.
Resources available include:
- Mental Health – Treatment for trauma from combat exposure, military sexual trauma, relationship and intimacy issues
- Substance Misuse Support – Treatment for substance use disorders, including misuse of alcohol, prescription medication and other drugs
- Housing – Temporary and permanent housing for veterans and their families, help locating housing
- Workforce Development and Employment – Help with developing interview skills, resume creation, job coaching, plus volunteer and job opportunities
- Healthcare – Enrollment into VA healthcare, transportation to appointments, ensuring access to prescription medications
- Education – Support with school enrollment, vocational training, tuition assistance
- Miscellaneous – Food, childcare, transportation, financial assistance and more
- Legal Services – Help with eviction prevention, discharge upgrade, applying for VA benefits, etc.
- Social Connection/Recreation – Opportunities to connect with other veterans in a variety of settings
Veteran and Military Support Line – Having difficulty associated with COVID-19 or just need someone to talk to who can relate to what you’re going through? The Veteran and Military Support Line – with supports and resources for veterans, military members and their families – is here for you. Call (800) 854-7771, ext. 3, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
If you are interested in getting connected to resources yourself, please fill out the VPAN Assistance Request form. Additionally, anyone may call the Help Line at 800-854-7771 (*3 for Veteran and Military Support Line) to either request resources for yourself or for someone else. (Interested in volunteering for the Veteran and Military Support Line? Please fill out this questionnaire.)
Upcoming Events
Peer Support Specialist Richard Douglas hosts a weekly AA meeting. Please join us Wednesday nights from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM aboard Battleship IOWA.
Meet the Team
Program Manager – Brittany Eppler (Military Family Member – Army)
Assistant Program Manager – Hershell Hardimon (Navy)
Service Coordinator – Verenise Medina (Military Family Member – Army)
Service Coordinator – Jerrie Johnson (Military Family Member – Army)
Squad Leader – Richard Douglas (Army)
Squad Leader – James Schotter (USMC)
Squad Leader – Chris Clark (Army)
Peer Support Specialist – Bryant Root (USMC)
Peer Support Specialist – Elizabeth Lopez (Military Family Member – Army)
Peer Support Specialist – Chris McCurdy (Navy)
Peer Support Specialist – Sergio Marquez (Army)
Peer Support Specialist – Ruth Pena (Army)
Peer Support Specialist – Curtis Rhodes (Army)
Peer Support Specialist – Jeffrey Jackson (Navy)
Peer Support Specialist – Rodrigo Barreto (Navy)
The Battleship IOWA is in District 2 & 4. Other districts include:
- District 1: Job. Vision. Success (JVS)
- District 3: Goodwill Southern California
- District 5: Job. Vision. Success (JVS)
Contact Information
Veterans West/The Rally Point at Battleship IOWA
National Museum of the Surface Navy
250 S. Harbor Blvd.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Phone: 1.888.MIL.VETS (645-8387)
Email: vpan@veteranswest.org
CAPs
(Community Access Points)
SD2 CAPS
U.S. Vets – Inglewood
733 Hindry Ave. Inglewood
L.A. Air Force Base
483 N. Aviation Blvd. El Segundo
Vet Center
1045 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. Gardena
Inglewood One-Stop
110 S. La Brea Ave. Inglewood
SD4 CAPS
U.S. Vets – Long Beach
2001 River Ave. Long Beach
Downey CMVR
11121 Brookshire Ave. Downey
Artesia Community Center
18750 Clarkdale Ave, Artesia
The Salvation Army
5600 Rickenbacker Rd. Bell
Paramount Community Center
14400 Paramount Blvd. Paramount
SELACO WDB
10900 E. 183rd St. Ste 350. Cerritos
SD4 Rally Point
Battleship IOWA
250 S. Harbor Blvd. San Pedro
Phone: 1.800.854.7771, PRESS *3
Email: veterans@dmh.lacounty.gov
Please direct media queries to
https://dmh.lacounty.gov/press-center