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HUD-VASH: The VA Perspective

HUD-VASH: The VA Perspective

Teresa S. Pittman, LCSW

HUD-VASH Program Analyst

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Eliminating Veteran HomelessnessEliminating Veteran Homelessness

• President Obama and Secretary Shinseki are committed to eliminating homelessness for our nation’s Veterans.

• Eliminating Veteran homelessness is a very high national priority.

• VA has developed a comprehensive Five Year Plan to achieve this goal.

• HUD-VASH is a prominent element of the Five Year Plan.

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Program DesignProgram Design

• The HUD-VASH program was developed to provide case management and supportive services paired with a “Housing Choice” Section 8 voucher to eligible homeless Veterans

• HUD-VASH case managers work to maintain Veterans recovery and independence

• HUD-VASH has the opportunity to provide permanent, stable, and safe housing to homeless Veterans

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VA Side of HUD-VASHVA Side of HUD-VASH

• HUD-VASH is a partnership between the VA and HUD and VA case managers and PHAs

• Both sides need to work together to have good and timely outcomes

• For VA, case management is the heart of this program

• VA also needs other community partnerships to successfully implement this program – referrals from community, landlords, assistance with deposits, furniture, etc.

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Size &ScopeSize &Scope

• Over 20,000 housing vouchers– 10,150 allocated in FY08– 10,290 allocated in FY09

• Almost 600 case managers – 291 case managers funded in FY08– 292 additional case managers funded in

FY09

• 283 FY08 Case managers are hired (97%)

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Progress on FY08 Allocation Progress on FY08 Allocation

• 20,295 Veterans have been screened

• 13,825 Veterans have entered case management

• 11,970 Veterans have been referred to the PHA

• 10,707 Veterans have been issued vouchers

• 6,906 Veterans have been housed as of September 30, 2009

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FY 08 Allocation ProgressFY 08 Allocation Progress

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Number of Veterans screened for Casemanagement

Number of veterans entering VASH casemanagement

Number of veterans referred to PHAs

Number of veterans issued vouchers

Number of veterans under lease

Sept. 30, 2009 TotalsCase manged 13,825 Issued vouchers 10,707 Housed 6,906

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EligibilityEligibility

Priority focus for HUD-VASH

• Chronically homeless with SMI

• Homeless Veterans with dependent Children (OEF/OIF)

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EligibilityEligibility

• VA determines clinical eligibility

• PHA determines legal eligibility

٭ Meet income requirements

٭ Not on lifetime sexual offense registry requirement

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Program RequirementsProgram Requirements

• VA Health Care Eligible Veteran

• Homeless (McKinney Act Definition)

• Needs case management to obtain and sustain independently housed in the community

• Must agree to participate in the case management portion of the program

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Program RequirementsProgram Requirements

• Sustained periods of sobriety are not prerequisites for admission to HUD VASH

• Case managers are to coordinate and collaborate with MH and SUD providers to co-manage the treatment needs of the Veterans

• HUD VASH is about promoting and sustaining access to treatment and housing and other supports that nourish the Veterans Recovery and enhance their quality of life

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VA Case ManagersVA Case Managers

• “Community Reintegration Specialist”

• Evolving to team approach – CM, SUD, Peer Support, Housing Specialist

• Will network with community advocacy groups, service providers, landlords, and local homeless Continuum(s) of Care

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VA Case Management IntensityVA Case Management Intensity

• Target case management Ratio is 35:1 but program needs to match intensity of services with the needs of the veteran.

• Chronic homeless and families may require more intensive services especially during the engagement & stabilization phase

• VA moving toward the evidence based Critical Time Intervention case management model

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VA Case Manager FunctionsVA Case Manager Functions

• Promote recovery from homelessness

Mental health٭ Substance use٭

Physical health٭

• Assist Veteran to obtain treatment or services, as indicated

• Provide access to benefits & vocational services• Assist with housing needs

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Vital Functions of Case ManagementVital Functions of Case Management

Throughout the case management process:

• Assessment/ Reassessment ٭ Functioning

٭ Stability

٭ Progress on established goals

• Developing and revising mutually agreed upon goals and actions to accomplish those targets

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Screening

Admitted

Referred for Non-HUD-VASH

assistance

Case Management Task: “Housing Ready”AssessmentHousing and Service PlanReferral for concurrent MH, SUD, PCCIncome AssistanceCWT/ Employment ServicesVA and SS BenefitsMoney Management/ Credit RepairPHA Application and DocumentationPHA Referral

Meet With PHAVoucher Issued

Veteran not eligible for Voucher

Case Management Task: “Housing Search”Landlord developmentLocate suitable housing unit InspectionLease Move In to housing unit

Voucher Returned to PHA

Case Management Task: Sustain HousingRecovery in MH, SUD, Physical HealthTransition Time Skill Development/ PracticeFoster Independence Monitor Stability and Functioning

Outreach to Veterans and Community

Connected with other programs and/or services: HCHV, RRTP, GPD, MH, SUD, Inpatient, Community Services, etc. for assistance

Referral

HUD-VASH Flow ChartHUD-VASH Flow Chart

Exit HUD-VASH

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VA Case Manager BasicsVA Case Manager Basics

• Provide case management services in: ٭ VA setting ٭ Veteran’s home Community settings٭Group settings٭

• Face to face meetings at least weekly

٭ Stop code 522Group meetings count as face to face٭

• Telephone contacts ٭ Stop code 530

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Exit from Case ManagementExit from Case Management

• Veterans ready to exit from case management will have:

٭ Developed skills ٭ Achieved sustained recovery from clinical symptoms٭ Demonstrated ability to live independently

• Stage transition – fewer visits, longer time between visits

• Communicate with PHA at all stages

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Exiting from HUD-VASHExiting from HUD-VASH

• Why Veteran may be exiting HUD-VASH:

– Veteran no longer needs case management or voucher

– Veteran refuses to participate in case management– Veteran is incarcerated– Veteran loses voucher due to PHA rule violation– Veteran evicted from housing unit

• All reasonable efforts will be made to assist Veteran to keep the Veteran involved in theProgram, unless program not needed

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Community PartnershipsCommunity Partnerships

• PHAs• HUD – Field Offices/ National Office• Landlords• Homeless Service Providers• Veteran Service Organizations• Law Enforcement/ Justice System• Faith Based Organizations• Local Homeless Continuum of Care• Community at large

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FY 2010 HUD-VASH DashboardFY 2010 HUD-VASH Dashboard

• Must be accurate - shared with HUD and Congress

• Monitored by the year of the award

(FY 08 and FY 09)

• Four primary sections:

– Hiring status information (internal to VA)

– Cumulative implementation of the program

– Current number of Veterans with vouchers and number of Veterans housed

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DASHBOARDDASHBOARD

• VISN

• Site identification information

• Voucher awards

• Case manager allocations

VISN Site NameSite

Code

Numberof

Awarded Vouchers

Numberof

Awarded FTEE

2 ALBANY 528A8    

2 ALBANY 528A8    

2 ALBANY 528A8    

FY 09 Total ALBANY 528A8 70 3

2W NEW YORK HCS

(Buffalo) 528    

2W NEW YORK HCS

(Buffalo) 528    

FY 09 TotalW NEW YORK HCS

(Buffalo) 528 70 2

2CANANDAIGUA

(Rochester) 528GE    

FY 09 Total CANANDAIGUA 528A5 35 1

2 SYRACUSE 528A7 35 1

2 SYRACUSE (Rome) 528GM 35 1

FY 09 Total SYRACUSE 528A7 70 2

FY 09 VISN Total   245 8

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FY 09 DashboardFY 09 Dashboard

Current Hiring StatusStart Date??/??/??

Target Start Date  11/15/09

Interviewing  

Recruiting  

 Posted and Closed  

Awaiting HR   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

StatusDev Functional Statement

Awaiting HR

On Hold

Posted

Posted and closed

Recruiting

Screening Applicants

Interviewing

Selection Made

Pending HR Approval

Position Offered

Credentialing

Target Start Date

Filled

Recently vacated

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DASHBOARDDASHBOARD

Cumulative Veteran Involvement in HUD- VASH Program (FY 2009 vouchers)

Veterans Screened for HUD-

VASH Program

Veterans Entering HUD- VASH

Case Management

HUD-VASH Veterans

Referred to Local Public

Housing Authority

(PHAs)

HUD- VASH

Veterans Issued

Voucher from PHAs

Veterans Housed in

HUD-VASH

Performance Monitor: % of

Vouchers Issued

Performance Measure % Housed

Returned Vouchers

               

               

               

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

               

               

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

               

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

0 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0

• Cumulative Data

• Automatic Calculations for:

= Pink ٭Performance

Monitor

= Purple ٭Performance

Measure

VISN Totals ٭

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DASHBOARDDASHBOARDCurrent Status

CurrentVouchers

in Use

Actual %Vouchers

Issued

Current Number ofVeteransHoused

Actual %Housed

       

       

       

0 0% 0 0.0%

       

       

0 0% 0 0.0%

       

0 0% 0 0.0%

0 0% 0 0.0%

0 0% 0 0.0%

0 0% 0 0.0%

0 0% 0 0.0%

• Current Data

•Automatic Calculations for:

Current Vouchers in ٭Use

Percentages٭

VISN Totals٭

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HUD-VASH Outcome GoalsHUD-VASH Outcome Goals• End homelessness for Veterans through permanent

supportive housing

• Veterans will sustain housing and will: Remain stable and in Recovery٭ (Improved quality of life)

٭ Learn and use new skills and strategies

٭ Participate in cultural and social activities

٭ Be good tenants

٭ Engage in healthy practices

Make thoughtful and appropriate decisions٭

Gain independence٭

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HUD-VASHHUD-VASH

• Low Barrier Access

• Maintain Hope for Veterans

VHA Handbook 1162.05 • Internet

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/• Intranet

http://vaww1.va.gov/vhapublications/Sharepoint:

http://vaww.national.cmop.va.gov/MentalHealth/HUDVASH/Forms/AllItems.aspx

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Contact InformationContact Information

Please contact me if you have questions or want to discuss specific program concerns:

Teresa Pittman

VA Central Office

810 Vermont Ave. NW

Washington, D.C. 20420

202-461-7308

Teresa.Pittman@va.gov