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National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships

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VHA National Community Partnership Challenge

The VHA National Community Partnership Challenge (CPC) is an annual event recognizing outstanding partnerships that advance the health and well-being of Veterans and their communities. The CPC is facilitated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary for Health.

Since 2014, the CPC has recognized recipients for their efforts in a variety of areas, including suicide prevention and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) – the social, economic, and physical factors in people's surroundings where they live, work, socialize, worship, and age. These partnerships play an instrumental role in closing gaps in care and improving the health and well-being of Veterans.

Announcing the Winners of the 2023 National CPC

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The theme for the 2023 CPC was “Accelerating VHA’s Journey to High Reliability Through Partnerships,” which aligns with VHA’s Health Care Priorities of promoting patient safety, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and utilizing proactive strategies to prevent errors and adverse events.

The submission period for the 2023 CPC ran from January 3 to March 10, 2023, and 42 organizations submitted applications that met the required judging criteria and posed innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for Veterans and their families. VHA employees at medical facilities, health care centers, community-based outpatient centers, clinics, and program offices were eligible to submit an entry.

The 2023 CPC Awards Ceremony was held on August 17. The following 3 winners were selected for their alignment with the principles of a High Reliability Organization, filling critical gaps in services and care to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

GreaterLosAngeles

The Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Healthcare System partnership with AyZar Outreach, Brentwood School, U.S. VETS and Village for Veterans was recognized for providing temporary and permanent housing for Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness.

Q: Why is this partnership important and how does it directly contribute to supporting the health and well-being of Veterans?

A: “Given the lack of direct authority to provide housing, it was absolutely critical for VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System to partner with community partners in our efforts to provide the first-ever, VA-operated emergency shelter program for Veterans experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Without the generous donation of more than 140 shelter units, the innovative Care, Treatment and Rehabilitative Services program would simply not have been possible. This partnership has dramatically improved the lives of Veterans, providing them a safe, secure and sanitary environment to rebuild their lives with 665 Veterans and 29 spouses/significant others transitioning to more stable housing options.”

-Dr. Steven E. Braverman, M.D., Interim VISN 22 Network Director, VA GLA Healthcare System

Syracuse

The Syracuse VAMC partnership with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) and Clear Path for Veterans was recognized for providing comprehensive educational support to Veterans through a family and peer program.

Q: Why is this partnership important and how does it directly contribute to supporting the health and well-being of Veterans?

A:“Veterans and their families are able to get the care and support they need from passionate and engaged helpers through our partnership, and we wrap around the entire family with no red tape to jump through. Just come as you are, and we are here to give the support. We’ve worked for years to navigate this road— to make care more accessible for the entire family and get our Veterans and their families [the] help that they need how they actually want it.” 

-Ann Canastra, MS, NCC, LMHC, ACS, LMSW, LPC, Local Recovery Coordinator, Syracuse VA, VISN 2 Peer Supervisor POC

WestPalmBeach


The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System partnership with Delray Beach Community Center, Vet Centers, and the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office was recognized for their Veterans and police crisis intervention initiative.

Q: Why is this partnership important and how does it directly contribute to supporting the health and well-being of Veterans?

A: “At the Awards ceremony, we quoted Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, where he said ‘the world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here,’ adding that “they” are the Vietnam Veterans, and other Veterans, who are willing to stand up in front of 30 plus police officers bearing their souls, every three to four weeks, to express to the police what it is like to suffer from PTSD for decades, and how the Veteran’s lives are changed. In doing this, a bond of understanding is fostered between the police and the Veteran community. The effects on the community are palpable, and also measurable by the decrease in violent incidents between the police and veteran communities.”

-Kenneth Dempsey, Ken Dempsey, RN, EdD, Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator, WPB VAHCS

Celebrating 10 Years of the National Community Partnership Challenge

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A decade of innovation, collaboration, and impact – that's what the VHA National Community Partnership Challenge has achieved as it marks its tenth anniversary. For 10 years, this annual event has been a beacon of excellence in fostering partnerships among VA medical centers, health care centers, community-based outpatient centers, clinics, program offices, and VHA employees, bringing together the spirit of service and commitment to improve the lives of Veterans and their families. Veterans who have found stable housing, received crucial mental health support, and gained new job skills are a testament to the transformative power of partnerships.

HAP proudly celebrates a decade of the VHA National Community Partnership Challenge and acknowledges the countless success stories that have emerged from collaborations. HAP looks forward to leveraging successful VHA partnerships to further enhance the well-being of Veterans in 2024 with the tenth anniversary of the CPC. Please look out for announcements for the 2024 CPC submission period next spring.


For more information, contact VHA_Partnerships@va.gov.

 

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