PHILADELPHIA FORENSIC HOUSING PROGRAM FOR VETERANS

This 15 bed transitional housing program for veterans opened its doors in March of 2011. The Program is funded by the VA's Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem Program and is a partnership with the Philadelphia VA Medical Center (PVAMC). The service model for this program was developed to work with several homeless veteran populations to include veterans referred by the VA's Healthcare for Re-entry Veteran's initiative (HCRV), The Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) initiative, and veterans with on-going legal issues. In short this program is a very effective alternative to incarceration for veterans with non-violent criminal histories related to drug abuse, alcoholism, homelessness, and mental illness.

When a veteran presents for services at Fresh Start he is immediately assessed for safety and the need for triage services. If a Fresh Start case manager feels the veteran is not safe the veteran will immediately be transported to the local VAMC for evaluation. Once the veteran is in the care of the VAMC, the PVAMC grant & per diem liaison and/or HCHV social worker will be notified.

Each veteran will have a 30 day blackout period upon admission to the program. During this time he is not permitted to leave the facility without an escort and may not take social passes. During the initial days of a veteran's stay Fresh Start will open the line of communication with all parties involved in the veteran's care. This will include, PVAMC staff, the forensic service environment to include probation and parole officers, lawyers, judges, and various other legal agencies. Each veteran will be referred to PVAMC substance abuse outpatient program. He will also be given a PVAMC primary care physician to attend to his ongoing medical needs. Once initial needs have been met and the veteran has been acclimated to the program Fresh Start care managers will begin to set goals and discuss vocational and educational, and future housing aspirations with each veteran.

Our treatment philosophy is rooted in the cognitive behavioral theory of helping. Taking a holistic approach to helping our goal is to assist our residents in making the necessary changes to lead a healthy and productive life. The following services make up the program model:

1. Safe, supportive housing in a clean and healthy environment.
2. Three nutritional meals a day, and nightly snacks.
3. Upon acceptance, veterans will be given immediate necessities such as: clothing, shoes, toiletries, showers, and linens.
4. Comprehensive assessments to address areas of need and to identify areas of strength..
5. Transportation to and from local VAMC, The Phila VA Regional Benefits Center, and other appointments within reason.
6. Recreational activities such as: day trips, movies, conventions, summer picnics, and holiday celebrations.
7. In-house recovery and relapse prevention groups
8. Spiritual guidance
9. Coordinating medical and mental healthcare with PVAMC and other area VAMC's.
10. Linking veterans to financial resources.
11. Monitoring the veterans's life skills to include: cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, maintaining personal hygiene, etc..
12. Daily medication monitoring including evidenced based practices such as: Saboxone, naltrexone, in coordination with PVAMC staff.
13. Money management and saving.
14. Linking veterans to educational opportunities such as : GED classess, tech schools, college courses and prep clasess, and various vocational and work restoration resources within the VA and community-based service environments.
15. Collaboration with PVAMC SUD treatment outpatient program to coordinate the veteran's treatment.
16. Peer-to-peer guidance, and support.
17. Linking veterans to possible employment opportunities to include VA based employment programs such as: CWT, supported employment, IT, and job searching.
18. Access to free legal services
19. Open and on-going communication and correspondence with the Probation officers, parole officers, judges, and attorneys of each resident.
20. Access to community-based health care and social services.
21. Access to on-site and outside self-help groups to include: NA, AA, CA, etc.
22. Linkage to permanent housing opportunities and housing assistance and placement agencies to include the VA's HUD/VASH program coordinator.

If you have further questions about this program or you would like to make a referral please contact us at (215) 425-5976. You may also click the "contact us" button at the top of this page and make your inquiry. Referrals for this program can also be made to the PVAMC homeless outreach social work team or veterans justice outreach worker at (215) 823-5800.