Nation’s Finest mobile services unit (Photo: nationsfinest.org)
CalVet has awarded a grant to Nation’s Finest, a Santa Rosa-based nonprofit, to strengthen mental health services for California Veterans.
The funding, announced in September through the department’s California Veterans Health Initiative (CVHI) Mental Health Support program, is designed to reach state Veterans who face barriers to accessing care. The grant arrives as Veterans suicide rates continue to climb in California. In 2024, 570 Veterans in the state lost their lives to suicide, signaling a critical need for expanded mental health services and support.
Chris Flaherty, CEO of Nation’s Finest, said the launch of services under this grant allows the organization to broaden its outreach and provide more comprehensive care for Veterans. The funding will support expanded services in California’s North Valley region, including outpatient clinical care, individual and group therapy, family and couples counseling, peer support, and health care navigation. Two Mobile Service Units in Eureka and Santa Rosa will deliver these services directly to Veterans in rural and remote areas, where access to mental health care is often limited.
Per Flaherty, the funding will enable Nation’s Finest to connect Veterans to additional resources, such as housing assistance, employment guidance, and long-term wellness programs. The aim is to provide Veterans with a stronger foundation for self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life. The expanded efforts include increasing staffing with clinicians and peer support specialists to ensure timely intervention and ongoing follow-up care for Veterans experiencing mental health challenges.
Roberto Herrera, Deputy Secretary of the Veterans Services Division at CalVet, said the department is proud to partner with Nation’s Finest to expand mental health support across the state. He added that these efforts will help fill gaps in services and strengthen California’s capacity to provide timely, accessible care for Veterans and their families.
For over 50 years, Nation’s Finest has supported Veterans and their families by addressing housing, health, and employment needs. The nonprofit operates 31 locations across 15 communities in California, Arizona, and Nevada, serving more than 3,000 Veterans each year.
Nation’s Finest also operates several ongoing mental health initiatives, including a suicide prevention team in Santa Rosa. Clinicians, peer specialists, and health care navigators provide direct support to Veterans, while Mobile Service Units bring essential care to underserved communities. With this grant, the nonprofit should be able to expand its outreach efforts, offering more Veterans access to life-saving mental health services and the resources they need to thrive.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
