FAQ

The Answers You Need

IS ZERO8HUNDRED AVAILABLE TO ME?

Yes, the zero8hundred web portal is available to anyone looking for resources that are specifically designed to address the needs of transitioning service members, recent veterans and their families. The site supports over 1,000 visitor sessions per month, as transitioning service members, veterans and their families self-navigate to resources.  We encourage visitors to register for our email updates at the “Subscribe to Newletter” tab so they can be included in additional news and transition tips.

WHAT DOES THE ZERO8HUNDRED WEB PORTAL PROVIDE?

The web portal provides vetted community resources to address the four pillars of veteran’s wellness: Education and Jobs, Basic Needs, Physical and Mental Health and Wellness, and Personal/Social Connections. The portal also has a “Resources” tab that allows visitors to search an unlimited number of categories to discover 6000 other vetted resources available in the San Diego community.

CAN I SIGN UP FOR ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTION WITH A ZERO8HUNDRED PEER NAVIGATOR?

This portion of the zero8hundred program is designed for transitioning service members, recent veterans and their spouses, who are within 9 months of separation from active duty or up to 12 months post-separation, who enroll in the program through their on-base mandatory military transition class, at an off-base military spouse transition class, or by registering on the website Home Page through the "Enroll Here" button. The program is also available to Reservists and California National Guardsmen and their spouses, living, working or going to school in the four county area we serve, if they have transitioned from an activated status within the past 12 months or separating from service. Once enrolled, program participants have the option to request a Resource Specialist who will contact them periodically during their transition to assess, address and assist with their concerns. The Resource Specialists will work with them on the phone or in person to overcome their transition challenges.

I’M MAINLY CONCERNED WITH ADVANCING MY EDUCATION AND GETTING A JOB. WHAT IS THE VETERANS WELLNESS MODEL?

The “Veterans Wellness Model” is something we kept in mind as we developed this community plan to support transitioning service members, veterans and their families.  zero8hundred was designed to address the model’s interrelated areas of employment/education, physical/mental health and well-being, fulfillment of basic material needs, and development of social/personal relationships. From the onset of this project, employment has been a central focus of the work. Clearly, education and employment are driving forces to achieving success, but all of these areas – what we call zero8hundred’s “pillars” - are interrelated and critical to ensuring a successful transition to civilian life.

IS ZERO8HUNDRED JUST AVAILABLE FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS OR IS IT AVAILABLE FOR THEIR SPOUSES TOO?

Both. This initiative recognizes that for many service members, the transition from military service impacts the entire family. Transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses are all encouraged to use the zero8hundred web portal. Spouses who attend the mandatory military transition classes or the off-base spouse transition classes are encouraged to sign up for transition assistance from a zero8hundred Resource Specialist. Spouses may also register on the website Home Page through the "Enroll Here" button to receive Peer Navigation services as well. The ultimate goal is to engage the whole family to ease the transition process.

ARE THE RESOURCES LISTED IN THE PORTAL SCREENED OR VETTED?

Yes. The resources are vetted to help insure the quality of services available to transitioning military families. The zero8hundred Portalis linked to 2-1-1 San Diego’s list of 6000 resource providers, and the standard national Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) inclusion/exclusion criteria is utilized to include organizations in the data system. The criteria identifies key elements of an organization based on their self-report and due diligence by 2-1-1 staff. In addition, external assessment of many of the organizations is conducted by The Patriot’s Connection, a Rancho Santa Fe Foundation program. This vetting process measures programs in 7 areas: legal and organizational status, accreditations, financial condition, efficiency, transparency, accountability, governance, leadership and staff commitment, and measuring effectiveness. Organizations are awarded “qualified” or “provisional” status.

HOW DOES ZERO8HUNDRED DIFFER FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO VETERANS?

There are many organizations that provide a wide range of services and support to veterans and their families. The goal of zero8hundred is to make a connection between the transitioning service member, recent veteran or spouse and these existing services and provide a road map for them to find the resources uniquely suited to their individual needs. zero8hundred is specifically designed to address challenges and opportunities for those transitioning from active duty service into the San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Imperial communities. This is done through a portal that was built to leverage existing community resources, and also by use of well-trained Resource Specialists who are available for those enrolled in the program. These Resource Specialists are all either veterans or military spouses who have direct experience with military culture and transitioning from active duty service. 

Unlike many organizations that support veterans “from separation to cemetery,” zero8hundred is focused on assisting recent veterans and their families during a critical 21 month transition time, from nine months before they leave the service through twelve months after separation. We are convinced that helping members overcome challenges and identify opportunities during this time will set them up for success for years to come.