Peak Military Care Network Kate Hatten, Executive Director

Peak Military Care Network (PMCN) MISSION To connect the needs of our community’s military service members, veterans and their families to the highest quality resources by providing a central source for information, navigation and integrated services. VISION Health and well-being for all military service members, veterans, their families and the communities of the Pikes Peak region. PURPOSE The purpose of the PMCN is to create bridges across systems that improve access, leverage resources, build collaboration and ensure the highest standards of care for all military service members, veterans and their families.

PMCN Goals & Objectives 1. Provide centralized information and assistance2. Increase awareness of, and access to, community resources3. Facilitate/streamline connections to resources4. Build a collaborative network of partner agencies5. Increase understanding of military and veteran culture 6. Provide broad-based leadership and serve as a leading resource for the community 7. Improve outcomes for individuals and families and the communities of the Pikes Peak region

How We Meet Our Goals & Objectives “It helps me as a veteran because everything is going to be in one area so I can find what I need for education, disability, what I might need for my family, job opportunities...n ow I can go to this one (place) and get it done at once." Ruth, Army Veteran

How We Meet Our Goals & Objectives 25 partner agencies to-date; serving 25,000 + service members, veterans and their families across a full spectrum of needs

How We Meet Our Goals & Objectives *Results of PMCN professional development evaluation, December 2014 (Peak Research) With PMCN, “I can connect with fifteen organizations that want to work with me. I couldn’t do it in any other forum. We’re doing more information sharing, opening up direct communication channels.” Kevin Walda, Assistant Director, Veterans Upward Bound

How We Meet Our Goals & Objectives 6. Provide broad-based leadership and serve as a leading resource for the community (through the PMCN Advisory Board)

How We Meet Our Goals & Objectives More than 500 calls to PMCN Call Center since launch 70% of callers – veterans 46% of callers – OIF/OEF/OND veterans 55% of callers rank was E1-E4 38% of callers rant was E5-E6 62% sought financial assistance (food, utilities, etc.) 16% sought housing assistance (rent, homelessness) 18% connected to navigation services for multiple/complex needs 7. Improve outcomes for individuals and families and the communities of the Pikes Peak region “The Police Department interacts with the military/veteran community every day in a variety of circumstances. The work PMCN does for our military makes our jobs a little easier.” Pete Carey, Chief of Police, City of Colorado Springs

PMCN: A Community Force Multiplier Community “in-processing” & reintegration Network of Care website – comprehensive services in one location PMCN Call Center – personalized assistance/advocacy and “triage” PMCN partner agencies – working together to understand and meet needs and streamline access to multiple services PMCN Advisory Board provides high-level engagement and guidance across multiple sectors A central source for trusted information Partnerships with AspenPointe and Rocky Mountain Human services for longer term support; “warm hand-off” and follow-up focused on outcomes for individual/family Navigation assistance A holistic approach to address complex/interrelated needs A coordinated system of care, instead of fragmented, piecemeal assistance, supports family stability and community health and well-being Integrated services

PMCN’s Impact Health and well-being for service members, veterans and their families – and the communities in the region Economic benefits through cost-avoidance and leveraging resources: Cost savings by reducing behavioral health hospitalizations and veteran homelessness Increased tax base and decreased costs to Army/state government for unemployment benefits Support for children and families (every $1 spent on early care and education results in $7 in economic benefits to the community) Service members remain focused on mission because community supports full needs of families It helps me as a veteran because everything is going to be in one area so I can find what I need for education, disability, what I might need for my family, job opportunities... now I can go to this one (place) and get it done at once." Ruth, Army Veteran

PMCN’s Way Ahead Expansion of Services Additional partner agencies and trainings; access to more services Call-in assistance to triage/connect to services More proactive navigation support Partnerships for walk-in assistance Proactive Community Transition Support Partnerships with military installations for opt-in navigation support, prior to separation Managing expectations of transitioning service members Enhanced communication/coordination between military, business and community providers (holistic support and cultural competence) Program evaluation/outcomes measurements (at systems, program and individual level)