312664
Implementation and Successes of VA Homeless Model Development Programs, National Center on Homelessness among Veterans
The National Center on Homelessness among Veterans and VA Homeless Program Office have implemented and supported model development programs which have assisted in the reduction of homelessness among Veterans nation-wide, such as; Community Resource and Referral Centers (CRRC), Safe Havens, Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (H-PACT) and the Veterans Homeless Prevention Demonstration Program (VHPD). Through these programs Veterans have received case management, supportive wrap around services, access to a "one-stop" resource and referral center, early intervention homeless prevention and a "medical home" model catering to the needs of homeless Veterans.
Currently 17 CRRCs are in operation across the United States. In FY 2012 a total of 6,452 Veterans were served through the CRRC network.
During FY 2012, the Safe Haven model development project enrolled 268 unique Veterans. Among those Veterans who exited the program, almost 57 percent were characterized as positive or neutral exits. Specifically, more than 40 percent left the Safe Haven to move into permanent housing and almost 32 percent experienced an increase in income during their time in the Safe Haven. Prior to the development of Safe Haven many of these Veterans fell back to homelessness.
At the end of FY 2012, 3,549 homeless Veterans had been enrolled in H-PACTs at 29 sites. VA also observed a 66 percent reduction in emergency department use in their first 6 months of H-PACT enrollment compared with the 6 months prior.
In FY 2012, VHPD provided services to over 730 Veteran families, of which 26 percent were female and 37 percent were OEF/OIF/OND Veterans.
It is with the continuation of these programs and the dedicated commitment of VA and community partners that the numbers of homeless Veterans will continue to decrease and the goal will be reached in ending Veterans homelessness by the end of 2015.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programsOther professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Describe case management practice skills (generic, discipline specific and model specific).
Assess state-of-the-art treatment models, programs and best practices; and
Discuss best practices and program adaptation for special populations, 'not yet reached' and hard to reach homeless Veterans
Keyword(s): Homelessness, Veterans' Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a licensed clinical social worker with the Department of Veteran Affairs for 7 years and have been the Clinical Project Coordinator for the National Center on Homelessness among Veterans over the past 3 years. I am currently involved in the model development programs and edcuation of the CRRCs, Safe Havens and served as a clinical coordinator of the VHPD program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.