VHA Homeless Programs – Ending Veteran Homelessness

This month, we are joined by Dr. Ryan Holliday, clinical research psychologist at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention, and Katie Stewart, national coordinator for Veterans Justice Outreach to learn about the intersections of homelessness and suicide risk. Our guests talk with us about why Veterans with a history of homelessness and justice involvement are at increased risk for suicide and what VA is doing about it.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP29.pdf ===============================Check out suicide prevention resources: https://www.va.gov/REACH/Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessRead VA’s 2023 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdfListen to our episode on military sexual trauma: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep5-supporting-survivors-of-military-sexual-trauma--51040228Listen to our 2022 episode on suicide prevention: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep17-reducing-the-risk-for-suicide-among-homeless-veterans--56725334Find your nearest Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist: https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp ===============================VA does not endorse and are not responsible for the following websites.Association of lifetime homelessness and justice involvement with psychiatric symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt among post-9/ 11 veterans: https://texasbarsections.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Holliday-et-al.-2020_Justice-involved-Veterans-and-Suicide.pdfDialectical behavior therapy for justice-involved veterans (DBT-J): Feasibility and acceptability: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-85638-001

We’re joined by Jill Albanese, Senior Advisor and Director of Clinical Operations to learn more about VA’s new response plan for coordinating with local agencies during homeless encampment closures.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_Bonus_Aug24.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessCheck out our response plan: https://www.va.gov/homeless/encampments.asp

We’re bringing you a special three-part mini-series introducing you to Veteran homelessness.In Part 3, we provide you with overviews of all of VA’s homeless programs and services.Follow along with our helpful PDF: https://www.va.gov/hOMELESS/docs/podcast/Intro_to_Vet_Homelessness_Part3.pdfVeterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_P3.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessRead our One Team Approach Implementation Toolkit: https://www.va.gov/homeless/oneteam-toolkit.aspRead our Coordinated Entry Fact Sheet: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf/docs/VA_Coordinated_Entry_Fact_Sheet_February2018_Final.pdfCheck out coordinated entry guidance from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness: https://www.usich.gov/news-events/news/resource-roundup-implementing-coordinated-entryCheck out coordinated entry guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/coordinated-entryCheck out the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/hchv.aspView our upcoming stand down events: https://www.va.gov/homeless/events.aspFind your nearest Veterans Justice Outreach specialist: https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.aspFind contracting opportunities: https://sam.gov/Check out the Grant and Per Diem program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.aspCheck out the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.htmlCheck out the HUD-VASH program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.aspCheck out the Legal Services for Veterans programs: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/LSv.aspFind a pro-bono legal clinic near you: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/lsv/MLP_LC_List.pdfFind your nearest Community Employment Coordinator: https://www.va.gov/homeless/cec-contacts.aspCheck out the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team, or HPACT, program: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/HPACT.aspRead our mobile medical unit launch press release: https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-launches-mobile-medical-units-to-increase-access-to-health-care-for-homeless-veterans/Check out our partnerships page: https://www.va.gov/homeless/stakeholders.asp

We’re bringing you a special three-part mini-series introducing you to Veteran homelessness.In Part 2, we provide you with information about the Veterans we serve, their demographic trends, and which subpopulations may need particular attention.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_P2.pdf=============================== Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessListen to our episode on racial equity: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep22-why-racial-equity-is-critical-to-ending-veteran-homelessness--58614677Check out VA’s Center for Women Veterans: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/Check out VA’s LGBTQ+ Health Program: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/lgbt/Listen to our episode on aging and disabled Veterans: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep10-growing-older-together-how-va-is-evolving-to-support-aging-veterans--52694068Read more about VA’s Homeless Aging and Disabled Veterans initiative: https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash_GEC_Partnership.aspCheck out VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care: https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration resources for aging individuals: https://www.samhsa.gov/resources-serving-older-adults

We’re bringing you a special three-part mini-series introducing you to Veteran homelessness.In Part 1, we provide you with a high-level overview of Veteran homelessness: what the definition of homelessness is, what the factors are that increase a Veteran’s risk of becoming homeless, and the progress to date.Follow along with our helpful PDF: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/podcast/Intro_to_Vet_Homelessness_Part1.pdf Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_P1.pdf =============================== Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homeless

This month, we’re joined by Jill Albanese, Senior Advisor and Director of Clinical Operations with the VHA Homeless Programs Office to learn about VA’s One Team approach.Ms. Albanese talks about how homeless response systems operated prior to the One Team approach, what the approach is, and why it’s critical to end Veteran homelessness.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP28.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessRead our One Team Approach Implementation Toolkit: https://www.va.gov/homeless/oneteam-toolkit.aspView a chart visualizing the reduction in Veteran homelessness from 2010 to 2023: https://news.va.gov/126913/veteran-homelessness-increased-by-7-4-in-2023/#post/0Listen to our episode on coordinated entry: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep16-solving-the-coordination-problem-in-your-community--56320162Read the 2021-2025 Homeless Programs Office Strategic Plan: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/strategic-plan.asp

This month, we’re joined by Drs. Marissa Sia and Sara Wong, clinical psychologists from the VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System to learn about houselessness among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Veterans.Our guests talk about cultural humility, the negative impacts of generational trauma, and why the term “houselessness” is a better fit for this community.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_Bonus_Jul24.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessCheck out additional resources (VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the following linked websites):https://aanhpi-ohana.org/resources/downloadable-tools/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/20/us/hawaii-las-vegas-migration.htmlhttps://usafacts.org/articles/aapi-demographics-data-on-pacific-islander-ethnicities-education-and-income/https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/05/aanhpi-population-diverse-geographically-dispersed.htmlhttps://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2023-01-23/more-native-hawaiians-flock-to-mainland-cities-and-leave-hawaii-citing-high-costs

This month, we’re joined by Masaki Hirayama, Health Systems Specialist with the VHA Homeless Programs Office to learn about unsheltered surge events.Ms. Hirayama talks about how dangerous unsheltered homelessness can be for Veterans, how surge events in late 2023 helped connect unsheltered Veterans to housing resources, and important lessons learned that other communities should consider.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP27.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessRead our blog on unsheltered surges: https://news.va.gov/128912/tackling-homelessness-veterans-where-they-are/Read our white paper with detailed recommendations from the unsheltered surges: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/White_Paper-Unsheltered_Surges_2023_508c.pdf

This month, we’re joined by Dr. Jillian Weber, National Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) Program Manager, and Dr. Aayshah Muneerah from the VA Oklahoma City Healthcare System to learn more about VA’s new mobile medical units (MMU) for Veterans.  Our guests talk about what HPACT does, what MMUs are, and how both help bring medical care services directly to homeless Veterans living out on the street.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP26.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessListen to our very first episode of Ending Veteran Homelessness featuring Dr. Jillian Weber: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep1-caring-for-the-health-of-homeless-veterans-during-covid-19--49740594Read our press release announcing the launch of VA’s new mobile medical units: https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-launches-mobile-medical-units-to-increase-access-to-health-care-for-homeless-veterans/Read about, and view pictures of, the MMU Oklahoma City, OK: https://www.va.gov/oklahoma-city-health-care/stories/oklahoma-city-vas-big-blue-van-hits-the-road-delivering-care-to-unhoused-veterans/Read about, and view pictures of, the MMU Birmingham, AL: https://news.va.gov/128877/birmingham-va-launches-mobile-medical-unit/

News update! Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, provides an update on ALL INside, a first-of-its-kind initiative to address unsheltered homelessness across the country.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_NewsUpdate_5-29-24.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessListen to our episode on All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep9-what-the-new-federal-strategic-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness-means-for-veterans--52344616Listen to our episode on unsheltered homeless: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep13-how-va-helps-unsheltered-veterans-come-inside--53754756Learn more ALL INside: https://www.usich.gov/federal-strategic-plan/all-inside

This month, we’re joined by Meredith Malpass, Regional Coordinator for the HUD-VASH to learn about Harm Reduction.Ms. Malpass talks about what Harm Reduction is, how you may already be using Harm Reduction in your daily life, and how it can help Veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability better engage in their care.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP25.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessListen to our episode on Housing First: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s1ep21-what-s-the-big-deal-with-housing-first--58200313Learn more about risk factors for Veteran homelessness: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25595171Read the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-dataRead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Harm Reduction resources: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-reduction=============================== VA does not endorse the University of California and is not responsible for the content of the following linked websites:Read the University of California San Francisco’s Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative’s California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness: https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our-impact/studies/california-statewide-study-people-experiencing-homelessness

This month, we’re joined by Karen Guthrie, David Martino, and Dave Chesley from the VA Boston Healthcare System’s Care Coordination, Advocacy, Treatment, and Connections to Housing, or CATCH, program to learn more about trauma-informed care.Our guest talked about what trauma-informed care is, how the CATCH program lives out trauma-informed values, and how all of this helps Veterans keep their power and personal voice. Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP24.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessRead research on the health impacts of trauma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/Download the Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-06-05-005.pdf

News update! Jill Albanese, director of clinical operations for the VA Homeless Programs Office joins us with more exciting news about VA’s fiscal year 2024 Homelessness Goals!Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_NewsUpdate_3-14-24.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessHear the results of VA’s 2023 Homelessness Goals: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/news-update-va-housed-46-000-homeless-veterans-in-2023--58461159Learn more about renting to homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homeless/landlords.aspLearn more about hiring homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homeless/cec-contacts.asp

This month, we’re joined by Jessica Blue-Howells, Deputy Director of Veterans Justice Programs to learn about Project CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups).Ms. Blue-Howells talked about what CHALENG is, how feedback submitted through CHALENG improves coordination and services, and how you… yes YOU… can participate!Take the 2024 CHALENG Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CHALENG2024Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_S1EP23.pdf===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessLearn more about Project CHALENG: https://www.va.gov/homeless/chaleng.aspWatch our presentation on the legal and policy foundations of VA Homeless Programs: https://players.brightcove.net/2851863979001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5989356062001Read our white paper on effective implementations of Project CHALENG: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/White-Paper-Effective-Implementations-of-Project-CHALENG-508.pdf#Read our white paper on permanent supportive housing for Veterans with a history of sexual offense: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/docs/White-Paper-Palo-Alto-HCS-PSH-for-Veterans-with-Hx-of-Sexual-Offense-FINAL.pdf#Learn more about the Homeless Veterans Dental Program: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/dental.aspLearn more about Legal Services for Veterans Programs: https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/LSV.aspLearn more about Supportive Services for Veteran Families: https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html

We’ve got a special bonus for you today from our sister podcast, She Wears the Boots.She Wears the Boots is a VA podcast sponsored by the Office of Women’s Health in the Veterans Health Administration. Women Veterans are a growing and diverse group featuring professionals, mothers, and retirees of varying ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. She Wears the Boots highlights how VA partners with women Veterans and their health by interviewing experts from VA on numerous topics, representing a broad range of VA programs.Their February 2024 episode featured Sean Clark, national director for Veterans Justice Programs in the Homeless Programs Office. During the episode, Sean talks about the VA programs available to justice-involved Veterans, the pathways to access those programs, and what Veterans can expect if they decide to enroll. We’re bringing you the episode in its entirety to you here.Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance.Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/EVH_Bonus_SWTB.pdf ===============================Find your nearest VA: https://www.va.gov/find-locationsLearn more about VA resources to help homeless Veterans: https://www.va.gov/homelessSubscribe to She Wears the Boots: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/she-wears-the-boots-a-podcast-for-women-veterans--4604047Learn more about Veterans Justice Outreach Programs https://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp