Blog Kick off!!

I'm still learning many of the intricacies of "blogging", but hey, that's why I'm here. Today I asked myself, "Is there an ideal vet for HUD-VASH? If so, what are their characteristics?"

Conveniently, the HUD-VASH manual spells it out under a section entitled "Target Population". The manual describes the vet as follows:

1. chronically homeless ("chronically" meaning homeless for 1 year or more, or 4 episodes of homelessness within the last 3 years)
2. suffers from either a metal or substance abuse disorder
3. is disabled
4. has dependents
5. is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom (or both!)
6. is female (for obvious reasons, being homeless and female carries a very different set of issues)

None of these factors are requirements. In fact, the only requirements are that a) you're a veteran b) you're homeless and c) you make your appointments. However, these factors guide the case managers in selection of vets based on the greatest need.

Most homeless vets will satisfy more than one of these factors. The key however, is documentation. The vet who walks into a mental health facility with documented proof that he is chronically homeless, receives precedent over the vet "claiming" to be chronically homeless.

This is where I come in. Discouragement is one of the major reasons vets do not fulfill the necessary requirements when entering the program. With knowledge of what the VA is looking for, my goal is to prepare the vets with the right documentation and ultimately the right attitude before they even make the first trip to the facility.

That's the plan anyway... (pessimism)

Monday, I'll post fliers in the transitional housing facility to try and identify how many vets I have to work with. I'll schedule meetings with them on Wednesday and Friday. I know there are a couple, maybe a few, but mostly, this is the big unknown...

Jason Watkins