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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
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Behavioral Health News
- To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began operation of a national suicide prevention hot line for veterans on July 25, 2007 at a temporary location in Rochester, New York. Over 50 VA staff members from VISN 2 have volunteered to work at the temporary location providing coverage 24/7. They have taken toll-free calls from across the country and work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers. The toll-free hot line number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). VA’s hot line will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y beginning August 15, 2007.
- Dr. Terri Julian, Ph.D. of the Batavia VA PTSD Treatment Program, was nominated by the Department of New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars for the VA Employee of the Year award. Dr. Julian was presented with this nomination at the June 21-24 VFW Spring Convention in Binghamton, NY to which she was invited to close out the year of the PTSD Program as the State Commander’s Special Project. The Special Project raised approximately $70,000.00 in product and monies to support the Batavia VA PTSD Men’s Combat Trauma and Women’s Trauma Programs.
- The VISN 2 Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program has done it again!! The program’s was recently surveyed for a 3rd time by a CARF Employment and Community Services team and was found to have NO Recommendations. Homeless programs at Albany, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Rochester and Syracuse were surveyed over a 3-day period. CARF surveyors cited 9 examples of Exemplary Conformance to Standards:
- The organization utilizes a dedicated staff position to continually assure that the homeless program provides services that meet or exceed the requirements of the CARF standards.
- Goes beyond the standard requirements of completing annual performance analysis.
- The program offers comprehensive training to staff which the program needs for changing cultural and demographic landscapes.
- Staff training is available on line, providing staff access and also requires competency training at the end of training that feeds into the HR database.
- The efforts to find each and every veteran that needs help – dedication to outreach.
- Rigorous review of quality markers. Veterans have a system to complain and the program reviews them monthly, documenting the review and outcomes in their monthly minutes.
- Staff goes beyond the mandated requirements to help veterans obtain the needed services in the community when they are not eligible for VA services.
- Commended on the program’s efforts to provide case management services in a variety of locations that are respective of the needs of the veterans.
- Very impressed with your program, and have seen very few that have received no Recommendations.
Additionally, they cited approximately 15 Strengths noted on survey. This is the only HCHV Program in the nation that has a multi-site CARF survey.
- Mary Schohn, Ph.D., Acting Director of Behavioral Health, Robert Van Keuren, Sheila Harris, and Frank Ernenwein of the VISN 2 Homeless Program, met with a broad spectrum of community mental health, substance abuse, veterans service, and housing providers in Ithaca on 6/12/07 to discuss opportunities to improve services to homeless and at risk veterans. Over 40 people were in attendance. Several ideas were put forth including working more closely with our CBOC for referral of homeless veterans for assistance, having homeless staff participate in the community mental health and continuum of care meetings, and exploration of the concept of having homeless staff make regular scheduled visits to provide assessment and referral of homeless veterans in the Ithaca area. This was the first meeting of its kind specifically targeting the issues of homeless veterans and grew out of special Tompkins County proclamation highlighting the needs of homeless veterans.
- On 6/2/07, five hundred US Marines in the IRR force mustered at the Clarion Riverside Hotel in response to the orders of their Commanding General. At this time these American Heroes updated their demographic and military information for the Corp and were presented briefings by their commanding officer and his staff regarding the process for recall to active duty that some of these Marines may receive. Eighty-five percent of these men and women have been in combat at least once in Iraq or Afghanistan and over 50% have had two tours of combat. These young men and women are indeed American heroes and role models for the world to see. The Canandaigua VAMC was present throughout the day to offer information on services and health care benefits due to these veterans. Kai Chitaphong, Acting Manager for the OIF-OEF Program; Michael Freeman, Clinic Coordinator for Behavioral Health Outpatient Services; Kurt Palmer, from the Vocational Rehabilitation Program; and Lisa Wild from the Veterans Service Center, presented the various programs, services, and benefits that were available for these Marines and offered the opportunity to sign up during the Muster time allotment. Veterans Benefit Office, Veterans Outreach Center, and Behavioral Health Care Line social workers from Canandaigua and ROPC were also available for questions and assistance.
- The Veterans Outreach Center (VOC) in Rochester, New York, collaborated with the Canandaigua VA Medical Center to conduct a Stand Down in the Canandaigua area, as part of their outreach efforts from their Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). The Stand Down was conducted at St. Mary’s church in Canandaigua, and veterans from throughout the Finger Lakes region participated in this event. The VA provided a vast array of medical services and supports, including audiology, podiatry, diabetes education, blood pressure screening, infection control information, services from the Veterans Service center, OIF/OEF outreach efforts, Civil Service hiring opportunities, information for women veterans, vocational rehabilitation services, homeless outreach services and supports, and substance and mental health programming. The VOC provided information on their many services and programs that they provide to veterans, with continuing support from the VA, including residential programming, vocational programming, and drug court alternative programming. Other community services providers included the Vet Center from Rochester, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, the County Veterans Service Agency, the NYS Department of Labor, and the Social Security Administration. Many veterans were able to take advantage of the vast array of services available. This was the first comprehensive effort of its’ kind with both agencies, and has set the prototype for future Stand Down events to be held in the Finger Lakes region.
- Congratulations to the VA WNYHS Behavioral Health Community Day Programs for achieving the Mental Health Association of Erie County, Inc., 2007 Program Award! Jean Dittman, Program Manager, Clifford Mahler, Day Treatment Coordinator, and Herbert Wittmeyer, Homeless Program Coordinator, will accept the award on behalf of the three programs under the Community Day Programs umbrella (Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Day Treatment, and Health Care for Homeless Veterans). Community Day Programs was selected for the award based on the comprehensive continuum and excellent coordination of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services offered for veterans. The award was presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Mental Health Association held at the Buffalo Convention Center on Tuesday, May 15, 2007.
- 0n 4/24 & 4/25/07, the Syracuse Health Care for Homeless Veterans program (represented by Frank Ernenwein , Coordinator, and Mark Nowakowski, Rome CBOC HCHV Outreach worker) in cooperation with VISN 2 Incarcerated Veteran’s program Coordinator(Jonathan Pollack) made 4 presentations to over 200 veterans at 4 NYS Correction facilities in Oneida County(Oneida, Mohawk, Marcy, and Mids t ate). Other representatives presenting were from the NYS Veterans Affairs, NYS Dept of Labor, NYS Dept of Corrections and Parole, the Workforce Investment Board, Jobs and Hope Program, and Small Business Development. These presentations are occuring throughout the VISN 2 network in order to advise incarcerated veterans who are scheduled for release within 6 months of veterans benefits and healthcare services. Additional input would be that Network 2 has developed very positive working relationships with various providers of service to incarcerated veterans and looks forward to a long and productive partnership with the NYS Department of Corrections (DOCS) and the NY State Division of parole.
- It is with great pride that Recreation Therapy announces that we have 4 finalists in the 2007 National Veterans Creative Arts Program – Visual Arts division. They are:
Glen Iorio, Craft Coloring Kit, “Country Road”
Raymond Smalls, Paint by Number Kit, “Brilliance in Fall”
Virginia Backus, Carving, “Swamp Life”
Lawrence Teed, Crocheting/Knitting, “Welcome Back”
The actual pieces of art will be sent to the St. Louis VAMC where the judges will determine first, second, and third place in their respective categories. This is a great honor for both the Canandaigua VA and the artists.
- Vocational Staff at Bath have been assisting veterans in getting their high school diplomas through Operation Recognition. Operation Recognition is a program that awards high school diplomas to veterans who served in the eras of WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam and have not previously earned one. It is open both to veterans who did not finish school and those who earned a GED, but not a diploma. To be eligible, a veteran must have wartime service, but does not need to have served in combat. A DD214 is required as proof of service. This wonderful program is a great self-esteem booster for veterans who may not have had many successes lately. The veterans who have received their diplomas, at staff meetings, have always been grateful and have a real sense of accomplishment.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: March 27, 2008 |
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