celebrating 30 years in service to our nations veterans …keeping the promise celebrating 30 years...

Celebrating 30 Years in Service to our Nations VeteransCelebrating 30 Years in Service to our Nations Veterans …Keeping the Promise …Keeping the Promise

Readjustment Counseling Service...Readjustment Counseling Service...

WWII American TheaterCampaign Medal

WWII Asian PacificCampaign Medal

WWII European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

WWII Victory Medal

Korea Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Vietnam Service Medal SW Asia Service Medal

Kosovo Service Medal GWOT Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal

Navy Expeditionary Medal

USN/USMC Combat Action Ribbon

USMC Expeditionary Medal

Readjustment Counseling ServiceReadjustment Counseling ServiceDr. Alfonso R. Batres, Chief OfficerDr. Alfonso R. Batres, Chief Officer

Air Force Combat Action Medal

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_ribbon.svg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/World_War_II_Victory_Medal_ribbon.svg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/KSMRib.svg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Vietnam_Service_Ribbon.svg

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We are the people in VA who We are the people in VA who welcome home war Veterans welcome home war Veterans

with honor by providing with honor by providing readjustment counseling in a readjustment counseling in a caring manner. Vet Centers caring manner. Vet Centers understand and appreciate understand and appreciate

Veterans’ war experiences while Veterans’ war experiences while assisting them and their family assisting them and their family members toward a successful members toward a successful post-war adjustment in or near post-war adjustment in or near

their community.their community.

Mission StatementMission Statement



Readjustment counseling is a wide range of psycho social services offered to eligible Veterans and their families in the effort to make a successful transition from military to civilian life. They include:

• Individual and group counseling for Veterans and their families• Family counseling for military related issues• Bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death• Military sexual trauma counseling and referral• Outreach and education including PDHRA, community events, etc.• Substance abuse assessment and referral• Employment assessment & referral• Screening & referral for medical issues including TBI, depression, etc.• VBA benefits screening & referral

Services:



The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee broadly defined ‘the purpose of readjustment counseling provision is to make fully available – and to encourage and facilitate the full use of – the resources of the VA’s health-care system to those Vietnam-era Veterans who feel the need for counseling to help them in their readjustment to civilian life.’ United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Report 96-100 “Veterans’ Health Care Amendments of 1979”

The House Veterans Affairs Committee outlined ‘within the context of readjustment counseling, each Vet Center is tasked with three major functions: outreach, direct service delivery, and referral.’ United States House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Report 98-117 “Veterans’ Administration Health Programs Amendments of 1983”

Over the course of the last 30 years the eligibility for Vet Center services has expanded to include combat Veterans of all eras, Veterans sexually traumatized while on active duty, and families of service members killed on active duty.



What Works:

Vet to Vet Services

Confidentiality

Veteran focused

Veteran Satisfaction

Eligibility to see families

Listen to what Veterans and Families need and adjust

services

Adaptive/flexible

Culturally Competent Services

Outreach



Vet Center StaffVet Center Staff

• Over 72% of all Vet Center staff are Veterans and 47% are combat Over 72% of all Vet Center staff are Veterans and 47% are combat Veterans.Veterans.

• Over 31% of all Vet Center staff served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or both. Over 31% of all Vet Center staff served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or both.

• Over 60% of Vet Center direct counseling staff are VHA qualified mental Over 60% of Vet Center direct counseling staff are VHA qualified mental health professionals (Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Social Workers, health professionals (Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Social Workers, and Nurses).and Nurses).

• Over 42% of all Vet Center staff are women.Over 42% of all Vet Center staff are women.



Veteran SatisfactionVeteran Satisfaction

The Vet Centers are the gold standard of customer satisfaction in VA and the Government as The Vet Centers are the gold standard of customer satisfaction in VA and the Government as a whole. 97% of Vet Center clients would recommend the Vet Center to a fellow Veteran.a whole. 97% of Vet Center clients would recommend the Vet Center to a fellow Veteran.

2011 All Employee Survey (Employee Satisfaction)2011 All Employee Survey (Employee Satisfaction)

In the Job Satisfaction Index (JSI), Vet Center staff had statistically significant higher In the Job Satisfaction Index (JSI), Vet Center staff had statistically significant higher satisfaction scores than the larger VA in satisfaction scores than the larger VA in all 13 measures all 13 measures including:including:

In the Organizational Assessment Inventory (OAI), Vet Center staff had statistically significant In the Organizational Assessment Inventory (OAI), Vet Center staff had statistically significant higher satisfaction scores than the larger VA in higher satisfaction scores than the larger VA in 19 of the 20 measures 19 of the 20 measures including:including:



2011 All Employee Survey (Organizational Culture)2011 All Employee Survey (Organizational Culture)

The RCS profile was statistically significantly higher than the VHA in the The RCS profile was statistically significantly higher than the VHA in the following:following:

• Entrepreneurial (let’s find a way to do it better!)Entrepreneurial (let’s find a way to do it better!)

• Rational (We get the job done!)Rational (We get the job done!)

• Group (our people are our most important asset.) subdivisions. Group (our people are our most important asset.) subdivisions.

The RCS profile was statistically significantly lower than the than in the The RCS profile was statistically significantly lower than the than in the bureaucratic (follow standard operating procedures) subdivision.bureaucratic (follow standard operating procedures) subdivision.



In FY2010

• 191,508 Veterans and families provided 1,273,035 visits

• 74,666 (39%) of all Veterans receiving Vet Center services were not seen at any other VHA Facility

• Within the total services listed above 16,134 Veteran families were provided 72,717 visits



In February 2004 the Under Secretary for Health authorized In February 2004 the Under Secretary for Health authorized the Vet Center program to hire fifty (50) OEF/OIF Veterans the Vet Center program to hire fifty (50) OEF/OIF Veterans to conduct outreach to their fellow Global War on Terrorism to conduct outreach to their fellow Global War on Terrorism

Veterans. Due to the success of the initial 50 Outreach Veterans. Due to the success of the initial 50 Outreach Specialists, an additional 50 positions were authorized by Specialists, an additional 50 positions were authorized by

the Under Secretary for Health in April 2005. These the Under Secretary for Health in April 2005. These positions are located in all fifty states, the District of positions are located in all fifty states, the District of

Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Global War on TerrorismExpeditionary Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal





Elizabeth Lopez, El Paso Vet Center OEF/OIF Outreach SpecialistFirst Outreach Specialist Hired (May 16, 2004)

Iraq 2003 - Patriot Missile Crew Member - 11th Brigade, 552 Echo Bat.Iraq 2005 - TMT Gunner - NMCB 22 (Sea Bee)

Iraq (2nd Tour) 2005 Vet Center Outreach Event 2006





Vietnam 1966/67119th Air Assault

Iraq 2003Blackhawk Crew Chief

1-147th Aviation

Dave Hosking, Madison Vet Center OEF/OIF Outreach SpecialistVietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom





Jamie Hamilton, Austin Vet Center OEF/OIF Outreach SpecialistOH-58 D Kiowa Warrior/UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Mechanic/Crew Chief

Iraq 2003-2004 Afghanistan 2006-2007





Rafiq Raza, BSW - Orlando Vet Center OIF/OEF Outreach SpecialistAfghanistan 2001-2002 & 2002-2003

Intelligence Analyst – G2 10th Mountain Infantry Division (Light)

2001 / Afghanistan 2008 / VFW Convention - Orlando

Picture Performing Outreach



131,810

393,358

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

Outreach

In-Center

525,168525,168 OEF/OIF Veterans Cumulative through 03/31/11

The Vet Centers have touched over 39% of all separated OEF/OIF Veterans.

Veterans helping Veterans….



Doonesbury



Secretary's RCS T21 Project

RCS is hiring a Licensed Family Counselor at every Vet Center to extend services to families.



On August 5, 2003, VA Secretary authorized Vet On August 5, 2003, VA Secretary authorized Vet Centers to furnish bereavement counseling Centers to furnish bereavement counseling

services to surviving parents, spouses, children services to surviving parents, spouses, children and siblings of service members who have and siblings of service members who have

fallen while on active duty, to include federally fallen while on active duty, to include federally activated Reserve and National Guard activated Reserve and National Guard

personnel.personnel.



Initial MVC Demonstration for Congress, October 2008

50 Mobile Vet Centers are being utilized to provide access to VA for returning Veterans via outreach to 50 Mobile Vet Centers are being utilized to provide access to VA for returning Veterans via outreach to demobilization active military bases, National Guard, and Reserve locations nationally. The vehicles provide demobilization active military bases, National Guard, and Reserve locations nationally. The vehicles provide essential homeless Veteran services including participation in Stand Down events. The vehicles also support Vet essential homeless Veteran services including participation in Stand Down events. The vehicles also support Vet Center services to rural areas geographically distant from VA services. Center services to rural areas geographically distant from VA services. Each Mobile Vet Center is equipped with a state of the art satellite communications package that includes fully encrypted tele-health equipment, access to all VA systems (Computerized Patient Record System, MyHealthEVet) and connectivity to emergency response systems (Emergency Management Strategic Healthcare Group).



Response to Ft. Hood Tragedy, November 2009

• 4 Mobile Vet Centers arrived at the Killeen Vet Center on the day of the shooting to assist the veteran community and any assistance requested by Ft. Hood.

• The VHA Vet Center and VA Medical Center worked collaboratively to assist the community in the area.

• Vet Center staff provided services 8,200 Veterans, active duty service members, and families.



Response to Ft. Hood Tragedy, November 2009



Ft. Hood Veterans Day Parade, November 11, 2009



Homeless Stand Down Events 2009

Colorado Springs, CO

Tallahassee, FL

Ft. Walton Beach, FL

Boise, ID

Marysville, CA



Red River Flooding Deployment MAR/APR 2009 – Fargo, ND



Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, MT Flood Deployment June 2010



RURAL OUTREACH

Vet Center outreach being conducted at the 87th Annual Greeley Stampede in Greeley, Colorado. The 2009 Rodeo was dedicated to OEF/OIF Veterans. Vet Center outreach was coordinated by the Cheyenne Vet Center OEF/OIF Outreach Specialist Larry Little, a retired USMC Sergeant Major and Veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan.

87th Annual Greeley StampedeGreeley, Colorado



Vet Center Combat Veteran Call CenterVet Center Combat Veteran Call Center877- WAR-VETS (927-8387)877- WAR-VETS (927-8387)

• An around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.

• Product of VA leveraging technology to condense a national system of toll free numbers into a single modern center located in Denver, CO.

•The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as families members of combat Veterans.

• Like all Vet Center services this benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service.



Vet Center Combat Veteran Call CenterVet Center Combat Veteran Call Center877- WAR-VETS (927-8387)877- WAR-VETS (927-8387)

• Staff have received training from OI&T, VA National CrisisStaff have received training from OI&T, VA National Crisis Hotline, and the VA 24/7 Primary care triage hotline (Dayton, Hotline, and the VA 24/7 Primary care triage hotline (Dayton, Ohio)Ohio)

• Warm handoff capacity has been established with the VA Crisis Warm handoff capacity has been established with the VA Crisis Hotline and Dayton Primary care triage hotline Hotline and Dayton Primary care triage hotline

• The Call Center has already made referrals to the Suicide Hotline The Call Center has already made referrals to the Suicide Hotline and both the warm handoff and outcomes of the referrals has and both the warm handoff and outcomes of the referrals has worked out well.worked out well.



Collaboration With VA Medical Centers and CBOCs• Bi-directional referral process• Participation in VA Medical Centers Mental Health Councils• Joint Participation in VA and Community Events

• Medical Centers provide to Vet Centers:• External clinical supervision at a majority of Vet Centers

•Clinical Liaisons who coordinate the care for complex cases and shared Veterans and provide quality reviews of Veteran suicide and other critical events. • Administrative Liaisons to support fiscal, human resource, procurement, and engineering service functions.

• 14 Vet Centers collocated with CBOC’s.• At 47 Vet Centers, VHA medical staff provide regularly scheduled services.• 69 Vet Centers provide readjustment services at their supporting VAMC and/ or CBOC.



Further Collaboration

• RCS staff attend and contribute to the annual VHA Mental Health Conference.

• Partnered with OMHS and EES to develop an online course to train Vet Center Counselors to conduct brief motivational interventions for Veterans with substance abuse issues.

• Collaboration with OMHS, Social Work Service, and DoD to educate both VA and DoD on the Intransition Program.

• VHA Suicide Hotline Staff and RCA Call Center have warm handoff capabilities with each other. Locally, Medical Center Suicide Prevention Coordinators include Vet Centers in their catchment areas for training and outreach. Medical Center and RCS staffs collaborate to maintain contact with high risk Veterans.

• Partnered with VISN and VAMC staff to end homelessness among Veterans by providing services, outreach, and community education.



Vet Center, VA Medical Center, and VBA

Collaboration 2010 World Series, Game 4

Veterans, Family Members, and Concerned Citizens where able to:

• Learn more about VA services and benefits• Enroll for VHA Medical Services• Apply for VBA Benefits• Be referred to their closest Vet Center• Talk with a Readjustment Counselor in a confidential setting.



• Goal: All Vet Center Clinical Staff trained in relevant evidence based practices to better serve the needs of Veterans and their families.

• Currently 11 RCS Clinical Staff are certified to provide Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) training to other Clinicians.

• RCS will continue to conduct trainings and be equipped to provide in house supervision for those working toward certification.

• RCS will continue to research potential affective treatment modalities for inclusion in the Vet Center treatment process.

Evidence Based Practice



.

Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010

Section 401: Eligibility of Members of the Armed Forces who Serve in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom for Counseling and Services Through Readjustment Counseling Service

Expands the eligibility for readjustment counseling, as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1712A and provided at VA Vet Centers, to any current or former member of the armed forces, including federally-activated members of the National Guard and Reserve, who serves or served on active duty in OEF/OIF.

Section 402 : Restoration of Authority of Readjustment Counseling Service to Provide Referral and Other Assistance upon Request to Former Members of the Armed Forces Not Authorized Counseling

Permits Vet Centers to help Veterans with problematic discharges through referral to services outside VA or referral for assistance with discharge upgrades when appropriate.

celebrating 30 years in service to our nations veterans …keeping the promise celebrating 30 years...

Documents

combat veterans

vet center services

vet center clients

eligible veterans

veterans war experiences

families family counseling

group counseling

vietnamera veterans