Thinking About Volunteering?

What are the requirements for individual providers to volunteer?

To serve as a volunteer, providers must:

1. Hold a current license in good standing that is authorized by the appropriate state licensing board in Oregon and/or Washington. If you are currently an intern working toward licensure, read our additional requirements below.
2. Be covered by current malpractice insurance for your practice/clinic.
3. Participate in a Welcome Call and complete two hours of online orientation. Veterans or SBHP providers may be eligible to bypass the online orientation.

 

What are the requirements for clinics to volunteer?

To serve as an volunteer clinic, the clinic must:

1. Hold a current license in good standing that is authorized by the appropriate state licensing board in Oregon and/or Washington. Volunteer intern providers must be currently supervised by a licensed and insured provider.
2. Participate in a Welcome Call and complete two hours of online orientation. Each provider who is volunteering at the clinic is required to complete orientation. Veterans and a SBHP provider may be eligible to bypass the online orientation.

Clinics that are approved for service will be asked to sign an MOU. See our sample clinic MOU.

What specialties do you accept for volunteer providers?

• Acupuncture
• Art therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Drug and alcohol counseling (CADC I, CADC II, and CADC III)
• Massage therapy (LMTs must have a public office space to serve RVP Clients)
• Mental health and Counseling (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist, and Psychiatrist)
• Music therapy
• Naturopathic medicine
• Physical therapy

Are intern providers able to volunteer?

We welcome providers currently working towards state licensure as part of their post-graduate, state-contracted work. Volunteer intern providers must be currently supervised by a licensed and insured provider. Each supervisor is required to provide proof of licensure and malpractice insurance. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Board-Approved Psychologist Intern
• CSW Associate
• LPC Registered Intern
• LMHC Associate
• MFT Intern

 

How do I get started?

You can become an RVP Volunteer in three easy steps:

• Application. Apply to volunteer online or by calling 503-954-2259
• Orientation. Complete a 2-hour orientation (a welcome phone call and online training).
• Profile + Booking. Create your online profile so RVP Clients can connect with you. When you’re accepting new RVP Clients, you’ll field inquiries from RVP Clients and book them when it fits your schedule. Once you start seeing RVP Clients, you’ll log into your online profile each month to report your volunteer hours.

Applying as a clinic? Use our clinic application >

What will I be doing when I volunteer?

You choose who, when, and how often

You’ll offer free, life-changing (and even life-saving!) health services to veterans and military families in need. Through our online portal, you’ll indicate when you’re accepting new RVP Clients. Interested RVP Clients will use our online directory to find your services and contact you directly.

If you and an RVP Client agree to work together, you’ll schedule appointments when they fit with your schedule. You’ll serve your RVP Client(s) in the same way you serve your other clients and you’ll work together as long as you both deem appropriate.

 

How often will I be expected to volunteer?

One of the best parts of being an RVP Volunteer Health Provider is that you’re in control of your schedule. You’ll chose when you serve, how many RVP Clients you see, and how much you volunteer.

Our volunteers choose how many RVP Clients to see and volunteer when it fits their schedule. How much you work with a RVP Client will depend on your client’s needs and the services you provide. Some volunteers support one RVP Client at a time, whether appointments occur every week or every few weeks. Some volunteers support several RVP Clients at the same time.

Once you start seeing RVP Clients, you’ll log into your online profile each month to report your volunteer hours.

What are expectations for serving RVP Clients?

We expect you adhere to the same ethical and professional standards as you would for any other client served in your general practice, including your policies for no-shows, cancellations, and ending services.

You are responsible for screening RVP Clients to determine if they are an appropriate match for your scope of training, education, and experience. Refer anyone you are unable to support, for any reason, to the Returning Veterans Project. Please instruct the client to call our office at 503-954-2259 or use our online provider directory.

See our Volunteer Provider Agreement >

Do RVP Clients need a referral from the Returning Veterans Project?

No. We do not provide referrals for RVP Clients. Our confidential service model authorizes RVP Clients to contact providers themselves through our online directory. To ensure their services are free, RVP Clients are responsible for informing the provider that they were referred by the Returning Veterans Project. 

You are responsible for screening RVP Clients to determine if they are an appropriate match for your scope of training, education, and experience. Refer anyone you are unable to support, for any reason, to the Returning Veterans Project. Please instruct the client to call our office at 503-954-2259 or use our online provider directory.

Can I ever charge an RVP Client for services?

No. Services must always be free for RVP Clients. Never accept insurance or payments from a Returning Veterans Project Client. If an RVP Client insists on paying for services (even if they have terminated services and then returned in the future), please direct them to donate to the Returning Veterans Project.

What does the Returning Veterans Project do?

We support the healing and health of our veterans and military communities by connecting post-9/11 war zone veterans, service members, and their military families with free, confidential mental and physical health services. Returning Veterans Project (RVP) clients use our online directory to access individualized care from a network of highly-qualified volunteer health providers, without any fees or strings attached. Since our founding in 2005, we are removing the barriers to mental and physical health services so that those we serve can have free, confidential access to the care they need.

Why does RVP exist?

We exist because post-9/11 war zone veterans, service members, and their military families face many challenges when accessing the mental and physical health services they need. Our program is designed to ensure that access to care, stigma of receiving support, and cost of services are never barriers for members of the veterans and military communities.

Why aren't post-9/11 veterans getting the care they need?

There are many reasons why post-9/11 veterans and their military families aren’t getting the health services they need. Half of post-9/11 veterans aren’t enrolled in Veterans Administration (VA) services. Many aren’t getting critical health care because they can’t find a provider they trust, or there are too many hurdles to jump. For many veterans, access to the health services they need are blocked by issues like cost, stigma, and selflessness. You can read more about these barriers here >