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Eligible Veterans can get free Portal Facebook video calling devices
Resource is Provided By: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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These devices help Veterans connect with their Caregivers, families and friends to reduce isolation and improve social connectivity.
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Stress Zones
Yellow Orange
Overview
Caregivers and families can request the Portals through the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at the Red Cross website. Use Google Chrome for the best experience.
This resource is intended to serve individuals in the following stress zones
About the Staff
This resource is staffed by
Unspecified
Description
Eligible Veterans can now receive free Portal from Facebook video calling devices thanks to a partnership with Facebook and the American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network.
The devices help Veterans connect with their Caregivers, families and friends to reduce isolation and improve social connectivity.
Facebook donated over 7,400 Portal video calling devices for Veterans and their Caregiver or family member. Veterans and families in VA’s Office of Caregiver Support program, VA’s Geriatric Services and Extended Care program, or individuals identified as at-risk for suicide by a VA provider are eligible to receive Portals through this program.
“Veterans, families and caregivers will benefit through an increased support system,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Our goal is for Veterans to feel less isolated through more communication. We believe this technology will help Veterans who might otherwise be unreachable.”
The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide, or PREVENTS, office initiated the partnership.
“As a proud supporter of the military and Veteran community, Facebook is committed to providing Veterans with meaningful ways to connect with the people they care about,” said Payton Iheme, Military and Veteran Policy Lead at Facebook. “We hope that by using these Portal video calling devices Veterans and their caregivers will be able to feel less isolated and more present with their friends and family no matter where they are.”
About the devices
Portal from Facebook is a home video communications device that makes it easier for people to connect with each other. The Portal video-calling devices have a Smart Camera that keeps up with the action so people can move and talk hands-free.
Veterans and their caregivers can use Portal to makes video calls to their contacts on Messenger and WhatsApp. This allows them to easily video call with friends and family even if they don’t have Portal.
The devices do not come with Internet service provided. Both the Veteran and the Caregiver or family member must have a 2.4GHz or 5GHz WIFI capability. This can include a cell phone with hotspot connectivity. Facebook will provide free help desk services and technical assistance for Veterans and their Caregiver or families. Users must have a Facebook or WhatsApp account to use the devices.
Getting a device
The American Red Cross Military Veterans Caregiver Network website will host the link to request a pair of free Portals by Facebook. The American Red Cross will store and ship the Portals on behalf of VA. Veterans, Caregivers and families can request the Portals through the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network/request-your-va-facebook-portal.html. Use Google Chrome for the best experience.
This resource can be accessed anonymously
no
This resource can serve individuals in the following languages
English
This resource can be accessed/delivered
Over the Internet or via email
Service Area
National
Relationship to Military
Former service members/veterans (no longer serving)
This resource can serve veterans no longer in uniform and/or family members
Regardless of branch or component
This resource can serve veterans no longer in uniform and/or family members with the following discharge/separation statuses
general
honorable
This resource can serve veterans no longer in uniform and/or family members
any
This resource can serve veterans no longer in uniform and/or family members who served in
Any era of service
This resource can serve veterans no longer in uniform and/or family members
Regardless of deployments
Are there any other requirements or additional details about this resource relating to the above questions?
Veterans and families in VA’s Office of Caregiver Support program, VA’s Geriatric Services and Extended Care program, or individuals identified as at-risk for suicide by a VA provider are eligible to receive Portals through this program.
Associated Costs
For anyone, regardless of connection to the military:
Has no costAge
This resource can serve individuals of any age
Subtopics:
Mental health wellness
Services:
Online information & resources (website, app) Other complementary or alternative therapies
Subtopics:
Overall family stress Care (in home or in a facility) Caregiving (providing care to another person) Aging and elder care
Services:
Crisis response Information & referral Online information & resources (website, app)
Subtopics:
Benefits
Services:
Direct assistance Online information & resources (website, app)
Subtopics:
Wellness
Services:
Wellness Navigation Education/information Online information & resources (website, app)
