Veteran Engagement Committee: Care, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Service

McCoy MR. Veteran Engagement Committee: Care, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Service: Briefing before the VA Secretary McDonough; 2023 Nov 2; Virtual.

The Care, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Service (CTRS) is a tiny shelter community enabling over 140 Veterans experiencing homelessness to live in 8x8 ft. private lockable sleeping cabins with lights, heaters, and air conditioning and access on-site hygiene facilities (e.g., showers, toilets, sinks, and laundry) and three meals a day while case management assist them through the housing continuum. To partner with Veterans to improve health and housing services at CTRS, a Veteran Engagement Committee (VEC) was formed by 3 peer supports specialists with lived expertise of homelessness and a VA medical anthropologist in April 2022. This VEC holds weekly meetings to gather Veterans' input on services and inform iterative quality improvement. VEC meetings bolster communicative pathways between VEHs, CTRS management, nursing, and the on-site primary and mental healthcare teams to report urgent needs, offer improvements, and emphasize the positive aspects of healthcare and social service delivery. VEC facilitates visits with physicians, mental health clinicians, VA Whole Health coaches, and occupational therapists to discuss how to organize and increase access to healthcare services. Since April 2022, the VEC has held > 55 meetings (on average, 10 Veterans attend each meeting) Veteran Engagement Committee (VEC) Achievements Veteran Community: Increased Veterans' perceived sense of community and offered a non-hierarchical safe space to speak candidly about needs and experiences Improvements: Acquired material items (e.g., coffeemakers, headphones, increased outdoor lighting), improved food quality and variety, designated a women Veteran-only tiny structure row, and increased recreational activities (e.g., bingo, art) Knowledge Exchange: Informed Veterans about important services (e.g., on-site vaccinations, blood draws, mental health care, mindfulness, and trainings in substance use harm reduction practices)