Together With Veterans

The Together With Veterans (TWV) Toolkit is a comprehensive implementation resource designed to support rural communities in developing and sustaining community-based suicide prevention programs for Veterans. Grounded in a public health approach and aligned with the VA National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, the toolkit provides communities with the practical guidance, materials, and resources needed to successfully implement the TWV program. The toolkit includes all core materials necessary for program implementation and is accessible through the TWV Web Portal or with support from a TWV Coach. Resources within the toolkit include detailed descriptions of leadership roles and responsibilities for the Steering Committee, Facilitator, Coordinator, and TWV Team; overviews of each phase of the program; step-by-step protocols for required meetings and activities; presentation slides with speaker notes for community trainings and meetings; and a variety of tools and resources to support ongoing program implementation and sustainment.

The Together With Veterans (TWV) Coaching Manual is a comprehensive guide designed to support coaches who assist rural communities in implementing and sustaining community-based Veteran suicide prevention programs. The manual outlines the evolving and essential role of the TWV coach. Coaches serve as advisors, mentors, facilitators, and connectors who help communities establish steering committees, complete implementation tasks, access resources, avoid common challenges, and build sustainable local leadership. The manual emphasizes that successful TWV programs rely on shared leadership, community engagement, and long-term sustainability rather than dependence on a single individual or organization.

In addition to describing coaching responsibilities, the manual explains the five phases of TWV program implementation and highlights that implementation is an ongoing, flexible process requiring continuous recruitment, training, and sustainment activities. It provides practical guidance, lessons learned, conflict-resolution strategies, milestone checklists, training materials, job aids, and implementation tools developed from the experiences of highly experienced TWV coaches with more than 60 years of combined leadership experience.