Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center - Richmond, VA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking decisive action to end Veteran homelessness. All Veterans at risk for homelessness or attempting to exit homelessness must have easy access to programs and services. VA offers a variety of resources, programs and benefits to aid in this mission.

This mission of the Homelessness Veterans program at McGuire VAMC is to promote recovery-oriented care for Veterans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. The program is part of a national resource that informs practices designed to meet the VA’s Five Year Plan to End Homelessness among Veterans.

Health Care for Homeless Veterans Coordinator:  Raymond Patterson 804-675-5000, Ext. 4191 Raymond.Patterson@va.gov Health Care for Homeless Veterans Outreach Clinician: Candice Ratledge 804-675-5000, Ext. 4188 Candice.Ratledge@va.gov National Homeless Veterans Hotline: 1-877-4AID VET

HCHV OUTREACH: 

The VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program provides a gateway to VA and community supportive services to eligible Veterans. Through the HCHV Program, Veterans are provided with case management and residential treatment and housing in the community. The Program also conducts outreach to Veterans in the community whou would otherwise have barriers to obtaining hospital- wide services on their own. This program provides community outreach, case management and a range of other services to help homeless veterans to gain secure housing. The catchment area is comprised of 52 counties to include Petersburg, Emporia, Fredericksburg, and Charlottesville. Homeless Social Workers facilitates site visits at local shelters and missions, and responds to day centers, soup kitchens and per referral to 21 county areas to reach, assess and refer homeless Veterans for shelter and services.

VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH:

VETERANS JUSTICE OUTREACH:  The VJO (Veterans Justice Outreach) Specialist is responsible for direct outreach, assessment, and short term case management of eligible justice-involved Veterans in the local courts and jails. The VJO Specialist links justice-involved Veterans to appropriate VA and non-VA programs and services. The VJO Specialist is also a liaison for local justice system partners including probation officers, attorneys, Judges, criminal justice staff, etc. The VJO Specialist also provides and/or coordinates training for law enforcement personnel on Veteran specific issues. Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist: S. Christopher Woods 804-675-5000, Ext. 2116

Healthcare for Re-Entry Veterans Initiative:

 The Health Care for Homeless Re-entry Veterens Initiative is a national program which offers outreach to incarcerated homeless veterans in state and federal prisons who are within six months of release. The purpose of the initiative is to educate inmates about VA services and foster a relationship between the incarcerated veterans and the VA as well as other agencies in order to ensure support in their transition into life outside prison. Providing outreach and supportive services for re-entry veterans is in best interest of the veterans themselves, their families, and the larger community. Other services include referrals and linkages to medical, psychiatric, and social services, including employment services and transitional housing, as well as short term case management assistance, and outreach and pre-release assessment services. Contact: James Temple 804-675-5000, Ext. 5333 James.Temple2@va.gov

 
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS (Contracts, Grant & Per Diem Program):

Currently there are 58 transitional (GPD and contract) beds available in our catchment area to include The Daily Planet, the Home Again Veteran’s Transitional Program, and the Freedom House located in Richmond, Virginia. Clinical Social Worker-Grant/Per Diem Liaison: Barbie Wilson 804-675-5000, Ext. 3494

Housing & Urban Development/Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program:

 The HUD-VASH program is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) program to help homeless veterans and their immediate families find and maintina affordable, safe, and permanent housing in the community. This is done using HUD Section 8/ “Housing Choice” rental assistance vouchers and VA’s intensive case management services.  The program is designed to improve each Veteran’s health and mental health and to enhance each Veteran’s ability to remain stable, housed, and integrated in their local community. Contact: Sarah Richards 804-675-5000, Ext. 4188 Sarah.Richards3@va.gov and Howard Lebavitz 804-675-5000, Ext. 2117

Homeless Veterans Supported Employment Program:

The HSVE Program is a CWT Program that will be offering supported employment-based vocational rehabilitation services to Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. This is currently a time-limited program lasting until 2014. The HVSE Program is a result of Secretary Shineski’s 5-year plan to end homelessness, which mandated that homeless be considered through vocational rehabilitation specialist’s positions in CWT Programs nationwide. Contact: Charles Brown 804-675-5000, Ext. 5152 Charles.Brown11@va.gov and William Wilson 804-675-5000, Ext. 5152  William.Wilson6@va.gov 

HOMELESS STANDDOWNS:

Working within our communities to reach homeless Veterans with resources.  For more information, please contact 804-675-5000, Ext. 4191.