The Rehabilitation Program involves many moving parts and understanding how they all fit together is key for achieving success. Our goal is to ensure you have a clear understanding of the program and to support you in feeling confident and informed throughout your rehabilitation journey.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is the program decision maker  they are responsible for determining eligibility, setting the program framework, and making all decisions about the rehabilitation services you receive. Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS), works on VAC’s behalf to coordinate and administer the program. This means that while PCVRS supports you by organizing assessments, developing your Rehabilitation Plan within VAC’s guidelines, and connecting you with qualified rehabilitation professionals, all program decisions ultimately rest with VAC. Together, these roles ensure that your rehabilitation experience is structured, consistent, and focused on your needs.

Understanding the Team Around You: Roles and Responsibilities

Successful rehabilitation requires team effort. Here's a breakdown of who is responsible for what:

1. Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC):

Role: VAC is the program decision maker; they set the program parameters to deliver needs based, time-limited rehabilitation services to address Veterans barriers caused by their program eligible health problems are determined by VAC.

• Your VAC Case Manager is your primary VAC contact and the program decision-maker who reviews and approves your personalized Rehabilitation Plan in line with program intent and VAC policies, while helping you understand your options and connecting you to appropriate supports.
  • To learn more about the role of your VAC Case Manager see our January blog on Roles and Responsibilities in your Rehabilitation Journey.

2. Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS):

Role: PCVRS is responsible for the coordination and administration of VAC's Rehabilitation Program. We manage a national network of highly qualified Rehabilitation Service Professionals (RSPs) and Rehabilitation Service Specialists (RSSs). We conduct assessments, develop your personalized rehabilitation plan with you based on the program’s framework. We coordinate your rehabilitation services, and monitor your progress. We aim to ensure the rehabilitation services you receive are tailored to your needs and aligned with best practices.

• Your RSS is your main PCVRS contact who coordinates your Rehabilitation Plan, arranges assessments, develops your personalized plan with you and your VAC Case Manager, and regularly checks in on your progress.
• Your RSPs are the hands-on rehabilitation professionals who deliver services like physiotherapy or counselling, conduct assessments and treatments, and work with your RSS to tailor support and track your progress toward your rehabilitation goals.

To learn more about the roles of your Rehabilitation Service Specialist (RSS) and Rehabilitation Service Professional (RSP) see our January blog on Roles and Responsibilities in your Rehabilitation Journey

3. You, The Participant – The Heart of the Journey:

Role: You are the most important member of your rehabilitation team! Your active engagement, commitment to your rehabilitation plan, and open communication with both your VAC Case Manager and your PCVRS team are crucial. Your insights, preferences, and feedback directly impact the effectiveness of your journey. You have a voice, and we encourage you to use it.

We understand that questions can arise, and experiences can vary. Please know that your VAC Case Manager and your PCVRS team are here to support you. Don't hesitate to reach out to your VAC Case Manager or your PCVRS RSS if you have questions about your plan, your progress, or the services you are receiving.

Your Rehabilitation Journey: A Clear Path to Progress

While every Participant's path is unique, your rehabilitation journey within VAC’s Rehabilitation Program follows a structured, goal-oriented process designed for functional improvement. As we've highlighted in previous blog posts, it typically involves:

1. Referral: Your rehabilitation journey begins when the VAC Case Manager determines you are eligible for the Rehabilitation Program. They will explain the Rehabilitation Program to you and refer you to PCVRS.
2. Initial Assessment: Your RSS will recommend that you attend rehabilitation assessments based on your eligible health problems. A PCVRS Rehabilitation Service Professional (RSP) conducts a comprehensive functional assessment to understand your current abilities, challenges, and goals.
3. Personalized Rehabilitation Plan: Based on the assessments and in collaboration with you and your VAC Case Manager, a tailored Rehabilitation Plan is developed.
4. Service Delivery: You engage in services with various RSPs (e.g., physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists) as outlined in your plan. These services will be specific to the rehabilitation goals that have been created with you. They may include services for your mental health, physical health or help with employability.
5. Progress Monitoring & Adjustments: Your rehabilitation team regularly monitors your progress, and your plan is adapted as needed to ensure you're always moving towards your goals.

For more information on the rehabilitation journey click here.

Participant Check-In Surveys:

Your feedback matters! Participant Experience Check-in surveys are sent to you by your RSS three times during your rehabilitation journey:

• After your Rehabilitation Plan is approved
• At the half-way point of your Rehabilitation Plan
• After your File Closure Meeting

Participant Experience Check-in surveys consist of a series of questions in which you rate your level of satisfaction within 10 categories (timeliness, respect, accessibility, excellence, accuracy, family/ support person, collaboration, RSS  service delivery, PCVRS service delivery and rehabilitation progress) and provides an opportunity to leave comments about your experience in the Rehabilitation Program.  All data collected is anonymous and helps VAC understand where improvements can be made and ensure the program continues to meet the needs of Canadian Veterans. We are committed to continuous improvement and creating the best possible rehabilitation experience for you.