VA Maine HCS

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program Carol Kulesza, LICSW HCHV Coordinator

2013 Point in Time Survey Data

 Portland CoC   Veterans represented 8.5% of adults N = 43  Maine Balance of State CoC   Veterans represented 10.8% of adults N = 121

VA Maine HCS Response

 Emergency Shelter Bed Contract ◦ 12 beds ◦ Bread of Life Shelter, Augusta  Grant and Per Diem Sites ◦ 18 units ◦ ◦ Partnered with Volunteers of America and Community Housing of Maine Saco and Biddeford

 Grant and Per Diem Sites, cont.

◦ Opening in 2014 ◦ ◦ ◦ 20 units Partnered with Veterans, Inc.

Lewiston  HUD/VASH ◦ 145 VASH Section 8 Vouchers ◦ ◦ Administered by MSHA and Portland Housing Authority Case managers based at the Togus VAMC and the Bangor, Lewiston and Portland Clinics

SSVF

 Supportive Services for Veteran Families ◦ Three agencies awarded grants:    Preble Street Resource Center Veterans, Inc.

Washington Hancock Community Agency  Grants can serve up to 594 in Maine

Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program

 Department of Labor Grant ◦ ◦ Awarded to Veterans, Inc.

Three employment and training specialists based in Augusta, Lewiston and Portland

Togus Regional Office Homeless Outreach

 ◦ ◦ ◦ Team of workers conduct regularly scheduled outreach to shelters throughout Maine ◦ Assist Veterans obtain paperwork Provide education about VA benefits Assist with filing claims Provide follow up assistance

Additional VA Initiatives

    Homeless - Patient Aligned Care Team ◦ Based at the Portland Clinic ◦ ◦ Weekly outreach to Shelter and specific clinic hours Team includes MD, RN, social worker and medical support assistant HCHV Outreach ◦ Outreach to York Co. Shelter/Alfred added in 2013 Homeless PoC at clinics throughout the state Homeless Veteran Networking Group

Community Partnerships

  Too numerous to specifically mention Unparalleled