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Homeless Veteran Treatment Programs, 1-888-725-3000
The VA considers the plight of homeless veterans to be a national tragedy. Every medical center in the VA NY/NJ Network has a range of specialized programs and services to assist the homeless veterans they identify through outreach as well as community linkages.
VISN3 Homeless Veterans Resources
• VA James J. Peters Bronx Medical Center Homeless Veterans Community Support Services Program
• VA Hudson Valley Health Care System Programs for Homeless Veterans
• VA New Jersey Health Care System Programs for Homeless Veterans, East Orange Campus
• VA New Jersey Health Care System Programs for Homeless Veterans, Lyons Campus
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System Homeless Programs, Brooklyn Campus
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System Homeless Programs, Manhattan Campus
• VA Northport Medical Center Homeless Veterans Services Program
Incarcerated Veterans Outreach Initiative
A MultiAgency Partnership to Create a Fresh Start for Incarcerated Veterans
The Incarcerated Veteran Outreach Initiative is a partnership between the US Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health Care Networks 2 and 3 serving upstate and downstate New York), Veterans Benefits Administration, New York State (NYS) Department of Correctional Services, NYS Department of Parole and NYS Division of Veterans Affairs.
This initiative was developed to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated veterans with histories of serious mental illness and/or substance abuse and who are homeless. While about 50% of the veterans in upstate prisons are from New York City, 70% of the veterans leaving these facilities return to NYC. Without adequate social or community supports, they are at risk for returning to criminal behavior.
By providing transition planning and linkage to treatment programs prior to veterans’ prison discharge, this program seeks to prevent chronic homelessness, return to criminal behavior and relapse of mental illness and/or substance abuse. The Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) counselor and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outreach worker coordinate the veteran’s transition plan with input from each agency involved. The VA outreach worker then provides short-term case management, providing outreach and discharge planning until the veteran is involved in outpatient or residential treatment and is linked to community supports.
Because this coordinated approach targets veterans immediately before their prison release, duplication of VA services is avoided and timely access to VA services is provided. Thus, veterans receive the supports necessary to maximize their chances of successful community reintegration.
Page Content Provider: Julie Irwin
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