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VIReC Using Data and Information Systems in Partnered Research

Playing Cards and Graphic Medicine: Connecting Veterans to Housing and Mental Health Services through Innovative, Veteran-Facing Products


by Allison Bond, LCSW ; Ray Facundo, MSW ; Katherine Juhasz, MS ; Elizabeth Williams, MSN
Seminar date: 4/21/2020

Description: Through a virtual panel discussion format, we present on two separate quality improvement (QI) projects funded through innovative, non-research mechanisms—one by VA’s Innovators Network and National Center for PTSD and the other by VA’s National Center on Homelessness among Veterans. Both projects engaged key stakeholders—including Veterans, VA Operations Partners, and local VA staff—to develop, pilot test and refine, and disseminate innovative, Veteran-facing products to inform and educate Veterans about VA and community resources and services to address housing insecurity and related needs. Each project resulted in a tangible product—a set of playing cards called Cards for Connection and a graphic medicine booklet—that have been disseminated nationally through support from operations partners in VA’s Innovators Network, National Center for PTSD, and Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program. We share our experiences with obtaining funding, developing and maintaining partnerships between a variety of stakeholders, and disseminating our products to VA providers and Veterans. Objectives: • Review several non-research VA resources to obtain funding for QI projects. • Discuss strategies to engage key stakeholders throughout various stages of a QI project. • Demonstrate value of VA researchers partnering with VA operations partners to disseminate QI products nationally. • Present innovative formats to educate and inform Veterans about VA and community housing and mental health resources.



DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript


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