Bay Pines VA Social Workers Go Above and Beyond, Break Barriers in Support of Veterans
There may be no better example of a team traversing the complex needs of Veterans everyday than the 200 social workers at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.
“This team continues to work with Veterans and teams across our organization to break barriers that prevent Veterans from having the best quality of life possible,” said Alisha Stanton, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System social work chief.
“Most recently, our social workers helped the Department of Veterans Affairs exceed a national goal of permanently housing 38,000 Veterans by working with the Veteran Homeless Program and HUD-VASH team to exceed Bay Pines VA’s and the VISN 8’s goals by changing the lives of 638 Veterans across central and southwest Florida!”
Stanton offered that three leaders on her team – Lacey Brown, Alicia Dudley, and Carolyn Wilson are tremendous examples of social workers who have been instrumental in leading others within the organization to help Veterans break barriers.
“Lacey, for example, made sure a Veteran who had relocated to an area with no place to live or any health care, was engaged with VA so she could receive medical care, lab appointments, and mental health support,” added Stanton. “She was able to help this Veteran move out of her car and obtain stable housing.”
Brown served in the Air Force from 1995 – 2007, and admitted that nine years ago, she had no idea how to register for her benefits or receive care.
“I asked for help and VA helped me navigate the system and get enrolled,” offered the Patient Aligned Care Team Social Worker. “I am repaying the kindness every day that was exhibited to me as a Veteran.”
Donna Sherman who leads the organization’s Women Veteran Program specifically reached out to Stanton following a conversation with a female Veteran. Through her discussions with a female Veteran, Sherman learned that Dudley had been instrumental in helping the Veteran navigate the VA health care system and receive the critical help she needed which allowed the Veteran to remain at home and live independently.
“This Veteran had several health care needs, and Alicia worked with the her on a regular basis – often weekly, to connect the Veteran with a primary care team and other specialty providers,” added Sherman. “Alicia embodies the I CARE Core Values, and this demonstrates just one example of her dedication to working with Veterans in her continued service.”
Dudley also served in the Air Force as a clinical social worker for eight years, prior to joining VA. The former military officer said there are two things that inspire her daily as a social worker.
“At Bay Pines VA, we get to touch base with so many Veterans who may be new to VA, and provide resources to support their health care, and work alongside them and their families if they are struggling,” said the senior social worker for Sarasota and Bradenton. “Also, as a supervisor, I get to help and mentor my front-line social workers who are assisting Veterans daily.”
Wilson spent seven years in the military and works out of the Lee County Health Center as the senior social worker for the HUD-VASH Program. Her ongoing advocacy and support has helped Veterans work toward increases in service-connected disability, admissions to college, and emergency housing assistance.
“I didn’t choose social work; social work chose me,” said the Army Veteran, who benefited from VA-led support services, including social work, following her discharge from active duty. “I realized social workers who were prior service understood military culture and the unique challenges Veterans face; I wanted to help Veterans like myself and affect change, so becoming a VA social worker was the obvious choice.”
Lacey, Alicia, Carolyn, and the entire social work team are standing by to help Veterans and their families manage stress-related problems and find VA community resources to meet their needs on our official website.