VA grant allows Pathways to help end veteran homelessness

"It is not a handout; it is a hand up'

Pathways Community Health Supported Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Case Manager Lisa Patrick knows service men and women are trained to be strong against even the worst odds. She learned this as a U.S. Navy airman, working on fighter jets in the late '80s.

Now, her SSVF clients living within her five-county territory, including Miller, are veterans, and they show that strength seeking program housing, financial and supportive service assistance with gratitude and humility.

"I have been told from veterans that they hate asking for a handout, but this is not a handout. As I've heard through my training and from others involved in the program, and tell my clients, "It is not a handout; it's a hand up,'" she said. "Through this program, veterans are given renewed hope."

Pathways Community Health recently received a $554,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide housing assistance and referrals for mental health and addiction recovery services in its 15 counties through the SSVF program. Now, three homeless veterans have secured housing through Pathways' SSVF program since it was implemented in October.

In addition, Pathways' SSVF program is part of a nationwide goal to stop homelessness for veterans by the end of 2015. According to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans, 13 percent of homeless adults are veterans, 50 percent of homeless veterans have a serious mental illness, and 70 percent have substance abuse problems.

There are many reasons veterans become homeless, including poverty, lack of support from family or friends, substance use, or mental health challenges that may develop or worsen as a result of trauma they experienced while serving in the armed forces, according to Pathways.

"The grant is for the year, and we are already in the process for reapplying for the grant for the 2014-15 range. Our grant for Pathways SSVF program ... is to assist 180 veterans, which is also our goal," Patrick said, noting the program is funded 100 percent through the grant including salaries, training and assistance to the veterans. "The grant runs through October 2014, and we hope to have placed 180 veterans in homes by that time. I think we will."

Qualifying for SSVF

Criteria for assistance in the SSVF program are minimal. SSVF program eligibility is as follows:

• Individual/head of the household OR his/her spouse must be a U.S. veteran who served in active military, naval, or air services, discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

• Must fall below 50 percent of area median income.

• Must be at risk of becoming homeless OR currently homeless.

• Must reside or plan to reside in the 15 county-region (Benton, Camden, Cooper, Henry, Johnson, Laclede, Lafayette, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Saline and Texas).

Patrick said once a veteran contacts the organization or is referred, they begin the process for SSVF qualification with an interview and checklist. The above criteria is reviewed and met, and Patrick said their DD214 discharge papers are needed. She did say Pathways will assist in getting copies of the DD214 if the veteran does not have them; however, it may delay the qualification process.

Patrick also noted the client's financial requirements are reviewed, as well, and if they fall below the 30 percent of area median income, they are considered for immediate assistance.

"Then we ask questions about their current housing and financial status, such as "Where did you sleep last night?'" Patrick said. "We also look at their demographics and then see if they qualify. We know within 24 hours if they do and get them back into our office or go to them to start assistance."

Patrick said as part of the program, case managers work with the veterans to provide a housing plan and budget plan. She said they look at their budget and see how much they may earn and what they can afford for housing and utilities.

Patrick said they often talk with the landlord to see if they are able to assist with back payments or if repairs are needed within the home that will help lower utilities. Of course, if veterans are not living in a home, they locate suitable shelter for them.

In Miller County, Patrick said, most of the clients need utility or other benefit assistance, as they have shelter. However, she said that often the SSVF program helps with those utilities and other expenses that will keep that house, apartment or shelter inhabitable.

Patrick said they also ask questions to determine if they can utilize other resources. For example, if they are not on Medicaid and can qualify, Pathways' SSVF can help them sign up. In addition, the program also has certified SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) representatives that can assist veterans in applying for disability benefits through an accelerated process. She said they also see if they need mental or behavioral assistance, which can be given through Pathways.

Amounts paid to help with, for example, back rent, initial deposits and first month's rent, or utilities, are capped at a final amount for each veteran and paid directly to the landlord or utility company.

Each case is different, however Patrick said the once veterans qualify, SSVF assists with the housing and budget plan, which can be ended by the client. Patrick said goal of the program is to resolve the housing crisis in 90 days or shorter. However, the SSVF program strives to provide the right amount of service at the right time, which may require some services to last longer.

"We don't force help on them; it is a support system and guidance to back to where they were before," she said. "There is always something we can do to assist our veterans, regardless of whether or not they qualify for services, through our referral network."

Spreading the word on SSVF

Initial pushes in outreach and publicity have spread the word about SSVF. As a result, Pathways' SSVF three case managers have received numerous referrals and are currently helping more than a dozen new clients.

Following their initial training, Patrick, along with Larry Billingsley and Jay Couch, who each cover five counties within the 15-county Pathways coverage area, continue to canvass their territory and alert local law enforcement, veterans organizations, churches, emergency services, non-profit organizations, medical centers and others about SSVF.

"We are also compiling a list of landlords and utility companies that are willing to work with our veterans in the various counties we cover," Patrick said.

She said they are also working closely with organizations such as Welcome Home in Columbia and Salvation Army, which assist in SSVF programs and other veterans' services to help as many homeless veterans as they can. They often refer clients to one another that may be outside of their territorial reach, ensuring they receive the help they need.

"We have seen a lot of organizations assist us, such as those we have outreached, too, as well as other organizations providing items for our veterans," Patrick said. "For example, there was a veteran who did not have anything for his new home. The Friends of Animals Thrift Store in Eldon gave a bunch of silverware and kitchen items to us for the veteran, just to help him get started."

A hand up, not handout

Most of the veterans Pathways has assisted have been soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation New Dawn (OND). However, they have also assisted Vietnam and even Korean War veterans.

Patrick said she and her fellow case managers have received lots of hugs and notions of appreciation. However, she also has seen veterans feel embarrassment when seeking assistance or afraid they will endure judgment for their current financial position. Patrick assures them this is not the case.

"We have absolutely no judgment going into the SSVF process. It is a safe place for veterans to get help they need and get that hand up to independence, shelter and financial stability," she said. "One client said, "I'll pay you back the money.' I explained that this program is not about that; it is designed to assist you and others who served our country."

"These veterans were trained to be independent. They want to be independent and stand on their own two feet. They are often reluctant to ask for help, but they don't need to feel that way. We are helping them gain their independence and thanking them for the service they performed for our country."

For more information or a pre-screening assessment, call 888-403-1071. For more information about Pathways and its services, visit www.pathwaysonline.org.