Minneapolis VA
Healthcare System
MH Homeless Programs
Ending Homelessness Among Veterans
Summit, November 9th, 2011
Housekeeping Items
• Agenda
• Restrooms
• Break and Networking
Purpose and Objective for Today…
Purpose:
• Overview of 2011 and moving forward in 2012!
• VA's goal is to synchronize our plan with MN/WI
state plans, as well as the US Interagency Council on
Homelessness plan
Objectives:
• Identify strengths
• Identify new opportunities where VA could better
serve veterans who are homeless in all communities
Pillar I: Outreach and Education
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Development of the Community • Development of VROC – Veteran
Advisory Council and the Veteran Resource Outreach Center
Advisory Council
• Increase outreach for newly returning
• Increase in National Call Center veterans – partnering with OIF/OEF
utilization
• Increase outreach with community
• Rural Outreach in Rochester hospitals
• Veteran Treatment Court trainings • Rural
• Increase in-reach, develop a
competency for staff regarding
homelessness and services
OUTREACH DATA
In FY2011, we saw
1,012 new veterans
with 3, 497 visits
(individual and group
sessions).
Pillar II: Treatment
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Tailoring services to veteran • Implementation of treatment services
preferences at VROC
• New contract residential • Development of Peer Support program
• Triage system • CARF (Commission on Accreditation
of Rehabilitation Facilities) 12/7-
• New groups, expanded into 12/9/11
community
• Looking at what groups we
• Substance Use Disorder services provide/gaps in service delivery,
increased AA/NA, financial literacy, peer
support
Pillar III: Prevention
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Veteran Justice Outreach Specialist on • Development of new courts
board and creation of several new
courts • Health Care for Re-Entry Specialist
joins team with focus on jails/prisons
• Child Support Initiative
• Grand rounds on prevention services,
VJO, HCRV, SW Brown Bag
• Supportive Services for Veterans and
Families (SSVF) Grant Award to
MACV • Partnering with Suicide Prevention
Yellow Ribbon events
• Tenant Education series –
• Financial education services at VROC
collaboration with CSH
• Collaborating with SSVF (MACV)
Veteran Justice Outreach
"The purpose of the VJO
initiative is to avoid
unnecessary criminalization of The VJO program has 3 focus
mental illness and extended areas:
incarceration among Veterans • Courts & Attorneys
by ensuring that eligible ▫ Hennepin County – 1st
Veterans in contact with the Veterans court in VISN 23
criminal justice system have ▫ Chippewa Valley Court - Eau
access to VA mental health Claire, Dunn, Chippewa
and substance services." Counties
▫ Pierce County, WI
▫ Washington County
▫ Planning Ramsey, Rice &
Mankato
• Law Enforcement
• Jail Outreach
Health Care for Re-entry Veterans
(HCRV)
HCRV is designed to address the
community re-entry needs of
incarcerated veterans. It's
goals are to prevent
homelessness, reduce the The HCRV has 3 focus areas:
impact of medical, psychiatric
• Outreach and pre-release
and substance abuse problems
assessments for Veterans in
up community re-adjustment,
prison
and decrease the likelihood of
re-incarceration of those • Referrals and linkages to
leaving prison. medical, psychiatric, and
social services (includes
employment)
• Short term case management
assistance upon release
Justice Specialists
VJO Specialist – David
Holewinski, LICSW, CBIS
612-467-5082
HCRV Specialist – Ariana
Hart, LICSW
612-467-1752
Pillar IV: Housing Support Services
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Contract Residential award to House • Peer support and voluntary services
of Charity for 8 beds
• Triage and low barriers for entry
• Additional HUD VASH vouchers for
FY12, 75 (50 in Minneapolis, 25 in St. • Navigating housing transitions for
Paul) – 290 total veterans
• Focus of HUD VASH – most • Bridging – need for furniture referrals
vulnerable, chronically homeless
• Spiritual – Chaplain services
• Grant and Per Diem transitional
programs – 69 beds total
Grant and Per Diem DATA
FY 2011
Average Length of Stay 289
days
56 admissions
62 discharges
61% successful
HUD VASH Specifics
Minneapolis
205 Total Vouchers
153 Vouchers Issued
119 In permanent housing
15 Referrals in process Totals
St. Paul 290 Total Vouchers
85 Total Vouchers 77% Vouchers Issued
70 Vouchers Issued
85% In permanent housing (out
57 In permanent housing of vouchers issued)
5 Referrals in process
54 % Chronically
Homeless
HUD VASH DATA
68 family members
(spouses & children)
13 OEF/OIF
In FY2011, we had
4,107 individual,
community and
group sessions.
HUD VASH Criteria
• Veterans must meet eligibility for VA healthcare
• Expected target population is the vulnerable chronically homeless
veteran, who often has severe mental or physical health problems
and/or substance use disorders
• The HUD-VASH case manager is to assess each case on an
individual basis; must be demonstrated that the veteran has an
identified need for case management services
• Priority is given in the following order:
▫ Chronically homeless with children in their custody
▫ Chronically homeless potentially getting custody of their children
▫ Long-term chronically homeless
▫ Chronically homeless veterans who are either women, disabled or served in OEF/OIF
▫ Non-chronically homeless veterans who either women, disabled or served in OEF/OIF
Pillar V: Income, Employment and
Benefits
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Benefits training provided by VBA • Benefits present at VROC
• Homeless Veteran Supportive • Further development of HVSEP
Employment Program - HVSEP
• TAPS at VROC, DOL at VA or VROC
• SOAR training
• Mini computer classes
• Eligibility claims expedited
Pillar VI: Community Partnerships
Highlights in 2011 Focus in 2012
• Increase in educational community • Develop strategies and guidelines
trainings regarding improving current
relationships and reaching partners
• Community Advisory Council we have not yet established frequent
collaboration with.
• Partnered with suicide prevention to
provide education to providers in the • Increase time and focus toward
community education to the VA and community.
• Continue to build relationships with
landlords and other community
service providers
Veteran Resource
Outreach Center (VROC!)
How Did we get here?
• 5 Year Plan to End Homelessness Among
Veterans
• This will be one of 16 centers nationally.
• Our hope is to work collaboratively with our
community partners in providing
comprehensive services.
Vision/Mission of the VROC
• The mission of VROC is to assist homeless or near homeless
veterans to support them in returning to independent and
productive lifestyles.
▫ Access, respect and hope is promoted through recovery based
programs, outreach and community collaboration.
▫ VROC will promote mental and physical health stabilization and
maintenance, assist veterans in securing housing, and work with
veterans to achieve increased independence and functioning in
the community.
• We realize when veterans have the right tools, change can
happen. That’s why at VROC, we will focus on providing what
is needed to assist veterans in reclaiming their dignity and
rebuild their lives:
▫ food, clothing, access to medical care, counseling, vocational
rehabilitation, and shelter/housing referrals.
The Details…
• Downtown Minneapolis, 9,500 Square Feet
• The following VA services will be on site:
Homeless Programs, primary medical care,
mental health rehabilitation, and employment
support.
• Space for community
partners
VROC and Community
Collaboration
VROC Community Partner Meeting Update
What are essential services the VAHCS cannot provide and who is best
equipped to offer them:
• Job Club/Employment search
• Legal services:
▫ Expungement resources
▫ Probation services for Vet's Court
▫ Tenant's rights/foreclosure
• Computer classes
• Access to education
• Prevention services
• AA/NA/Recovery groups
Community
Updates
Veteran Advisory Council
Brainstorm!
• Identify major recommendations to
improve our facility plan and any
particular strengths
Contact Information
Jonelle Draughn, LICSW
Mental Health Homeless Programs
Program Coordinator
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
1J-117A
612-467-1702
Jonelle.Draughn@va.gov