Since 2020, the GROVE Center has supported researchers to authentically engage Veteran and Caregivers to collaborate on research and qualitative improvement projects.
Our team of experts offer a number of services and resources to VA researchers:
- Engagement Consultation Service
- Communities of Practice
- Rural Veteran Engagement Boards
- Online Resources
- GROVE HUB: Opportunities for Veteran Partnership
Engagement Consultation Service
GROVE offers free consultations to VA research and quality improvement projects.
Our team can help:
Educate and Empower Researchers on Veteran Engagement
- Learn how to reach rural Veterans and their networks.
- Create lasting connections with Veterans & Caregivers.
- Brainstorm participatory research methods.
- Identify resources for Veteran Engagement activities.
- Compensate Veterans, Caregivers and others.
Develop Roles for Veterans & Caregivers
- Learn how to include Veterans in research design and dissemination.
- Start or sustain a Veteran Engagement Group or panel.
- Engage Veterans and their communities to help recruit participants.
- Develop positions for consultants, peer mentors or peer champions.
Support Veteran Engagement Initiatives
- Brainstorm and evaluate Veteran Engagement activities and events.
- Find resources for facilitators and group liaisons.
- Connect with established Veteran Engagement Groups.
To learn more or to request a consultation with our team, email: Raymond.Facundo@va.gov
top ⇧
Communities of Practice (for VA & Veterans)
Veteran Engagement Jam Sessions
Examples of topics discussed in these meetings include:
- Recruiting and onboarding, and group dynamics for new board members
- Compensating your members
- Preparing researchers for meeting VEGs
- Discussion of “best practices” to strengthen engagement activities and efforts
To sign up or for more info, email Kenda.Steffensmeier@va.gov.
Vet Jam
Examples of topics discussed in these meetings include:
- Issues that Veterans face when collaborating with researchers.
- What is participation and what is true partnership?
- What research is important to member and why?
- How do Vets and Caregivers influence research priorities?
To sign up or for more info, email Raymond.Facundo@va.gov
top ⇧
Rural Veteran Engagement Boards
GROVE organizes and facilitates 2 rural-focused Veteran Engagement Groups (VEGs) who invite researchers to engage a group of Veterans about ideas, grant proposals, or current projects.
Each unique Veteran Engagement Group can help you:
- Gain innovative ideas and approaches.
- Increase relevance to Veterans.
- Improve design, methods or materials.
- Broaden the audience for your work.
- Build trust and rapport with Vets and their communities.
Rural Colorado Veteran Research Engagement Board
- Rural Veterans from across Eastern Colorado catchment area.
- Board meets every other month.
To request more info or a meeting, contact: Gretchen.Stage@va.gov
Rural Midwest Veterans Panel
- Rural Veterans from across the Midwest United States.
- Board meets every other month.
To request more info or a meeting, contact: Kenda.Steffensmeier@va.gov
top ⇧
Resources
Strengthening Excellence in Research through Veteran Engagement (SERVE) Toolkit
The Strengthening Excellence in Research through Veteran Engagement (SERVE) Toolkit was built to support VA Research Centers and investigators in efforts to include Veterans and other stakeholders in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research studies.
Find the toolkit and more at:
https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/for_researchers/serve/.
top ⇧
Our Team
VHA Researchers and Staff
Denver VA
- Kelty Fehling, MPH (Project Lead) – Denver COIN
- Leah Wendleton, MPH, MSW (Project Co-Lead) – Denver COIN
- Ray Facundo, MSW (Project Manager) – Denver COIN
- Gretchen Stage, MS – Denver COIN
- Kathryn Nearing, PhD – ECHCS GRECC
Milwaukee VA
- Jeff Whittle, MD
- Mark Flower
VA Connecticut
New Orleans VA
- Gala True, PhD – South Central MIRECC
Iowa City VA
- Kenda Steffensmeier, PhD – Iowa City COIN
Veteran Partners
In addition to our VHA researchers, GROVE hires multiple Veteran consultants as part of our team each year, to gain new perspectives to enhance our team and work.
Contact Us:
Email us at: VHAGROVECenter@va.gov
top ⇧
GROVE HUB: Opportunities for Veteran Partners
Are you a researcher looking for Veteran Partners?
GROVE wants to help Project Leaders and Investigators connect with the right Veterans and Caregivers for their projects through a regularly updated database of opportunities. Veterans who wish to collaborate with researchers and VA funded projects can read about the projects posted and reach out to you!
To post a virtual flyer:
- Fill out our Veteran Engagement Opportunity (Virtual Flyer) request form
- GROVE Staff will review your request and ask for edits/changes if necessary
- We will post your virtual flyer in GROVE HUB for 30-60 days.
Are you a Veteran looking to partner with Researchers?
Do you want to contribute your wisdom, individual knowledge and lived experience as a subject matter expert, to projects that explore new ways to improve VA and Veteran care? Opportunities for engagement can include individual consulting, meeting occasionally or regularly with researchers as part of an engagement group, or helping with various activities to reach the project’s goals.
Veterans can help researchers recruit participants for their studies, maintain relationships and perform outreach in their communities, and help the research teams present and deliver the study results to the people who need to see them.
Researchers: Want to find Veterans and Caregivers to partner with?
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OUR WEB-BASED REQUEST FORM.
Here you can tell us about your project and what kind of partnership or collaboration you are looking for.
Veterans & Caregivers: Want to see projects that are looking for partners?
Visit GROVEHUB and check out what opportunities are available today!
COMING SOON!
top ⇧
