Strengthening and Connecting Veterans’ Peer Support Programs Statewide

Grantee Name

Clear Path for Veterans

Funding Area

Veterans’ Health

Publication Date

February 2026

Grant Amount

$155,019

Grant Date:

April 2024

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For many recently transitioned veterans, the shift from military service to civilian life can be especially challenging, as they often face relocation, uncertainty, and a perceived loss of purpose. Despite these challenges, veterans often do not seek help until they are in crisis and may be reluctant to speak with someone they believe would not understand their circumstances. Many feel more comfortable opening up to a fellow veteran. This dynamic makes peer-to-peer programs an effective approach, as peers are equipped to offer practical skills and information, as well as shared experience, social connection, and hope.

In New York State, the most widespread peer mentor program for veterans is the State’s flagship Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, which reduces isolation, increases social connectivity, and connects veterans with community-based resources. In 2022, the State roughly tripled the program’s overall budget and paved the way for statewide expansion. In 2024, NYHealth awarded Clear Path for Veterans a grant to maximize the impact of this investment, expand high-quality peer-to-peer services, spread best practices, and educate policymakers about ways to sustain and scale effective programs.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Fully staffed, trained, and made operational a Centralized Navigation Team to ensure that every veteran who utilizes Clear Path’s peer mentor programming receives a comprehensive intake and is connected to any additional culturally responsive services they may need.
Ensured participants receive a follow-up assessment every 90 days throughout their engagement with peer mentor services, including a 30-day follow-up upon completion of any program.
Integrated the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale into program intakes to ensure that any individual identified as being at risk is immediately referred to a mental health professional for appropriate suicide prevention services.
Provided culturally appropriate services to more than 3,700 veterans and family members, reflecting a 7% increase in participation from the previous year.
Increased engagement by focusing outreach efforts on historically underserved segments of the veteran community, including women, BIPOC veterans, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Partnered with Cornell University to conduct an in-depth evaluation of Clear Path’s peer mentor programming, outlining best practices for effectively engaging three underserved veteran subpopulations: veterans with children, veterans at high risk of suicide, and unhoused veterans.
Strengthened organizational intake processes to include questions related to mental and behavioral health, immediate family, and suicide risk screening.
Shared evaluation findings and best practices with policymakers, community members, and key stakeholders through partnerships with New York State’s Department of Veterans Services and participation in events across the State.
Expanded organizational leadership and expertise as the primary provider of peer-to-peer services under the State’s Joseph P. Dwyer program in seven counties and as a leading provider of the Department of Veterans Affairs SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.

The Cornell evaluation affirmed several best practices that Clear Path had recently implemented and provided actionable recommendations to further enhance service delivery. In particular, the report reinforced the importance of comprehensive intake and ongoing assessment processes in identifying veterans’ needs and connecting them to appropriate supports. These findings strengthened Clear Path’s capacity to deliver responsive, high-quality services and positioned the organization as a statewide leader in veteran peer support programming.

Co-Funding and Additional Funds Leveraged: N/A

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