VA Homeless Programs

Nominated by: Desmona Johnson, HCHV Program Coordinator

I am recognizing the Outreach Team because, like many others, they have faced significant challenges over the past few years. We have 3 Outreach staff members who cover 23 parishes in Louisiana. Each of those staff members have additional responsibilities that take them away from Outreach. With the recent hurricanes to hit Louisiana, causing massive widespread destruction coupled with the fallout of COVID-19 and rising inflation resulting in more homelessness, our Outreach Team has stepped up to ensure that our homeless Veterans are not left behind.

The Outreach Team has met to brainstorm ways to increase the outreach efforts while still managing their additional responsibilities. Through this process, different strategies to locate homeless Veterans are being utilized, such as visiting the local parks in all parishes and putting HCHV flyers in public restrooms and other public areas that homeless Veterans may utilize, participating in community education events, and sharing our resources with other providers throughout VA.

As a result of the Outreach Team’s continued commitment to our Veterans, outreach efforts have increased by approximately 18% compared to pre-COVID and pre-hurricane times. As a result of the increased outreach efforts and newly identified outreach strategies, HOMES Assessments and identified homeless Veterans have increased by 24% compared to pre-COVID and pre-hurricane times.

“Stepped up to ensure our homeless Veterans are not left behind”

Southern Arizona HUD-VASH Specialty Team

Workplace and VISN:

Alexandria VA Health Care System, VISN 16

How long have you worked at VA?

The Outreach Team has a total of 17 years of experience at VA.

What do you like about case management? How are you “Setting the Standard for Patient-Centered Care”?

HCHV case management. The HCHV Outreach Team understands that homeless Veterans are some of, if not the most, at risk of the Veteran populations. Helping these Veterans, who deserve so much more than we could ever provide, brings them joy and satisfaction. These men and women have sacrificed so much for us and it’s an honor to be able to serve them in their moments of need.

Those in the military often speak of never leaving a fallen soldier behind. Our goal is to never leave them behind, feeling lost and broken. It’s our honor and our pleasure to be of service to them. Our Outreach Team, like many others, have faced significant challenges over the past few years.

Tell us some fun facts about yourself! What else would you like to share?

Our Outreach Team is like any other group or team. They grind through challenges and differences and celebrate successes. But we try to keep the Veterans and their needs front and center. Each team member has areas of Outreach that they prefer more than other areas, and as a team, we work together in accomplishing those tasks. The best part of Outreach in Louisiana is our lunch breaks—because we all know that Louisiana cuisine is far superior to the food anywhere else in the country!