Veterans Off-Grid has partnered with Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the Together With Veterans: Rural Veteran Suicide Prevention Program in Taos County.

The goal is to create a veteran-majority team in collaboration with the community to reduce veteran suicide. Objectives include coordinating services to better support veterans; providing suicide prevention training for community members, veterans, and primary care providers; and community development of effective suicide prevention strategies for veterans.

New Mexico Together With Veterans Taos is a community initiative of local nonprofits, veterans, community members and elected officials working together to address veteran suicide and veteran issues in Taos County.

TWV Taos Milestones

2022

April 2022

VOG signed into contract with Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) as fiscal agent and administrator to bring the VA funded Together With Veterans Rural Veteran Suicide Prevention Program to Taos County. It is the first TWV program in New Mexico. TWV Taos has developed a Steering Committee with representatives from local government, non-profits, and Building Healthy Military Communities (in Albuquerque).

October 2022

NM Together With Veterans Taos community SWOT analysis on Veterans and Community Risks in Taos County, to discuss Veteran suicide prevention.

2023

January 2023

Community Readiness Assessment

March 2023

Visible Network Labs (VNL) in partnership with the VA surveyed TWV Taos’ network of associates in suicide prevention in Taos County and provided a report and asset map. Download the PDF here:

March 11, 2023

Discussed the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis results and began collaboration/development of a Taos County Strategic Action Plan.

May-June 2023

Taos County’s active military and veteran community were welcomed to participate in a new series of learning-based arts projects consisting of four workshops sponsored by NM Arts and the Paseo Project in partnership with Together with Veterans Taos. “METAL / FIBER / WOOD / STONE” featured four, half-day workshops, with Taos County artisans and craftspeople, providing hands-on experience in the mediums of metal, fiber, wood and stone.

2024

january–April 2024

TWV Taos Steering Committee presented at the Taos Behavioral Health Providers Breakfast, Carson Cafe, and Cerro VFW. These community forums brought in local behavioral health providers, veterans and agencies to discuss the work of TWV Taos and receive input on the 6 Strategies.