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