- June 22, Vincent Schillaci, LCSW, Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist (VJO) for the Canandaigua VAMC and the VA ROPC attended a 5k and horse show event at the Equicenter in Honeoye Falls, NY. The Equicenter offers the Heroes and Horses program, a therapeutic equine approach to helping the physical and mental needs of wounded Veterans. Mr. Schillaci provide information at a military services table, including material and contact information for the VJO Program, the Veterans Crisis Line, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (NCCHV), VITAL Program and Telehealth services offered by the VHA. Over 100 people took part in the 5k and other activities at this event.
- June 21, Canandaigua VAMC, Kelly Mohrman, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, attended the Veterans Resource Picnic outreach event at the Penfield Veterans’ Memorial Park. Approximately 50 people attended this event. Information was given to 40 Veterans and families on Suicide Prevention and the Veterans Crisis Line. My HealtheVet, Tele-mental health, VITAL, and Women Veterans Materials were also given to Veterans and their families at this event. Suicide Prevention will continue to outreach to Veterans of all Eras and their loved ones to assist in the safety of our Veterans.
- June 6th, 13th, and 20th Courtney Slade, LCSW of the Albany VA Veterans Justice Outreach Program, as well as Officer Gerald Russell, and Chief Articolo of the Albany VA Medical Center Police Department provided training to the 2014 New York State Trooper Class at the State Police Training Academy. This collaboration was in conjunction with the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Police. Over 150 officers in the class were briefed over these three dates on the Veterans Justice Outreach Program, signs and symptoms, treatment resources, and how to assist a Veteran in need of treatment and care.
- May 31, Jenny Lopez, Canandaigua VA, VITAL CVT Social Worker, and David Andrews, Peer Specialist, attended the Veterans Helping Veterans outreach event at the American Legion. Over four hundred people attended this event. Information was given to 20 Veterans on Clinical Video Tele-heath and VITAL programming. Ten Veterans accepted healthcare enrollment applications and expressed interest in receiving healthcare at the VA. VITAL will continue to outreach to Veterans of all Eras to ensure increased access and engagement in VHA services.
- May 2, David Andrews, Canandaigua VITAL Peer Specialist, attended the Veterans Benefits Fair hosted by the Palmyra VFW and sponsored by the Veterans Service Advisory Committee of Wayne County. During this event, Veterans that were looking for jobs and /or benefits were able to find the resources needed to assist them with their current needs. Twenty Veterans were in attendance at this event and were provided with information about services offered at the VHA. VITAL will continue to work with the Veterans Service Advisory Committee of Wayne County to ensure student Veterans are provided with services available to assist them in meeting their educational goals.
- April 26, David Andrews, Canandaigua VITAL Peer Specialist, volunteered with Monroe Community College Veterans Club members at Nuccor House. During this event Veterans that reside at the Nuccor House were educated about the VITAL program and benefits available at the VHA. Seventeen people and 14 Veterans were in attendance and received information. VITAL will continue to work with Monroe Community College, the MCC Veterans Club and the community to ensure Veterans are aware of eligible benefits.
- April 27, Albany VAMC, OEF/OIF/OND Program Manager and Peer Support Apprentice participated in Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) Midtour Family Briefing for the 42nd CAB. Information and tabling on VA Benefits and Programs for veterans and their families was provided to approximately 30 family members and their children.
- April 21 Albany VAMC, Dr. Michael O’Neill spoke to about 20 staff at Wesley Nursing Home regarding the management of challenging behaviors in residents with dementia. Staff included RNs, LPNs, SW and administrators. The talk included brief overview of dementia (definitions, etc.) and the presentation of several EBT models of challenging behaviors and case examples. Question and answer period followed.
- The Stratton VA Medical Center Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Joseph Hunter, PhD, LCSW, offered a presentation to the Saratoga County Veterans Peer to Peer Mentoring Program members on April 11, during a lunch-and- learn. There were 16 peer mentors present. The presentation included VA’s “Operation SAVE” training, as well as discussion of transitional challenges for Veterans and their families, tips for how to coach about successful reintegration, and a thorough review of Veteran resources (including VA’s Veterans Crisis Line, “Health Buddy,” Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Behavioral Telcare (BTC) & Telehealth.
- April 6, the Canandaigua VITAL team attended Military Appreciation Day at the Rochester Red Wings Home Opener. An information table was set up and information on VA resources, including the Veterans Crisis Line, was offered to attendees. Five hundred Veterans and Active Military personnel were in attendance. VITAL will continue to collaborate with our community to bring valued information to our Veterans on VHA resources.
- The Strengthening Cities, Communities and Homes Summit took place in Schenectady, NY on 4/10/2014. Kirsten Danforth, HCHV Program Manager, participated in a panel presentation regarding Federal Agency Updates along with representatives from US Department of Housing and Urban Development, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and US Department of Agriculture. VA initiatives to prevent and end Veteran homelessness were highlighted.
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