Jacquline Bethany, Ph.D. Joseph Absher, VRS Robert Maddox, VRS April 11, 2012 Adapted from HVSEP presented by Donna Tasker at VISN 12 HVSEP VRS Conference on March 19, 2012

 VA developed a plan to end homelessness among Veterans with a goal to assist every eligible and willing homeless Veteran to receive services  The Plan proposed expansion of existing programs and development of new initiatives starting in FY 2011  FY 2011 VA Medical Centers received funding to develop the Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP)

 HVSEP was designed to provide vocational assistance, job development and placement, and on-going employment supports to improve employment outcomes among homeless Veterans  VA Medical Centers received funding to hire new Homeless Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists  Innovative Job Development Technique: VA Medical Centers were required to recruit and hire Veterans who were homeless, formerly homeless, or at-risk of homelessness utilizing the Schedule A Non-Competitive Appointing Authority

 Mainstream job in community  Pays at least minimum wage  Work setting includes people who are not disabled  VRS provides time-limited, individualized support  Intended for Veterans in a homeless program who are interested in employment

 VRS provides only employment services  Caseload size: 25:1 1 st year; 50:1 after 1 st year  VRS performs all phases of employment services  VRS is integrated with 1 to 2 homeless teams and receives all referrals from these teams  VRS staff form a vocational unit with weekly client-based group supervision

 Benefits counseling is provided by experts in VA and SSA  VRS develops relationships with vocational partners (community partners including DOL and VBA) and uses these resources  Eligibility is based on zero exclusion criteria (Veteran must be receiving VA homeless services and interested in working in a competitive job to be eligible regardless of disability, Substance-Related Disorders, psychiatric symptoms, and legal histories)  VRS routinely discusses advantages and disadvantages of self-disclosure with Veterans as part of an ongoing conversation

 VRS conducts “Person-Centered Assessments” via gathering information from the Veteran and significant people in the Veteran’s life by exploring the Veteran’s interests, strengths, abilities, dreams, and aspirations  These assessments are ongoing work-based assessments  The majority of employer contacts are made with specific Veterans in mind, which can be supplemented by generic job development activities with employers

 All jobs are successes, and transition from one job to another are considered opportunities to learn and adjust the vocational plan  Whenever possible, Veterans are assisted in leaving jobs appropriately and VRS assist Veterans in obtaining future jobs without penalty  VRS makes employer contacts based on job choices, which reflect Veteran’s preferences rather than the job market

 The majority of the jobs obtained by Veterans are permanent, competitive jobs  Follow-along supports are individualized, but time-limited  Veterans are not terminated from HVSEP until 1. there is evidence of a period of job stability (minimum of 3 months) 2. there is evidence of natural supports and treatment team members are available to provide ongoing support

 VRS spends 70% of time in the community  Diversity of jobs/diversity of employer is not an element of HVSEP  Discharge from HVSEP is not based on missed appointments or fixed time limits. Once it is clear that the Veteran no longer wants to work or continue HVSEP services, the team stops outreach. Assertive engagement strategies are not routinely utilized

 Joseph Absher  Robert Maddox

Given a choice between work and idleness, people will almost always choose work. Regardless of our station in life, the conditions of our bodies and minds, or the amount of money in our bank accounts, the need to work remains one of our strongest drives. Work is central to our lives, and as such, gives a large measure of structure to our days. Common sense tells us that we feel better about ourselves when we are working regularly. -Robert Drake, MD, PhD