Outcomes and experiences of jail diverted veterans receiving integrated or non-integrated housing, trauma treatment, and peer support services

The Veteran's Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery pilot in Bexar County, Texas provides jail diversion at Intercept Point 1 (pre-diversion), an evidence-based trauma treatment (Navajits, Seeking Safety, 1992), and a variety of other supports including housing, peer support, and mental health and substance abuse services to participating veterans. Veterans enrolled to date (n=80) are primarily male (88.8%) and represent multiple eras of military service including Vietnam (n=27), post-Vietnam (n=42), Persian Gulf (n=12) and Iraq/Afghanistan (n=15). The majority of these veterans are homeless (78%) when they enter the program and screen positive for trauma (80%). Depending on the eligibility of the veteran, they are offered a variety of housing options including a homeless shelter, vouchers for supported housing, and a sober living environment that incorporates peer support and trauma treatment. The experiences and outcomes of veterans assigned to these different housing programs will be explored to determine if a more integrated approach (a sober living environment that incorporates peer support and trauma treatment) is more effective than the others which offer treatment separately from housing.