Homeless Veteran Program

If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail, the Durham VA Health Care System can help you. Contact a social worker or homeless services care coordinator to get help.

You will find social workers in all program areas in VA medical centers who are ready to help you with most any need. If you have questions or problems, the social worker will be able to help you or can refer you to the right person for help. Here are just some of the ways that VA social workers can help:

Assisting with transitioning and adjusting to civilian life
If you are having marriage or family problems
If someone close to you has passed away and you want to talk about it
If you have problems with drinking or drug use
If you feel that someone is taking advantage of you or if you feel mistreated in a relationship
If you are feeling angry, sad, depressed or anxious
If you are feeling stressed because of your health or because your medical condition interferes with your daily activities
Help Veterans and their families understand and adjust an illness or disability
Financial or housing assistance
Getting help from the VA or from community agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, so you can continue to live in your own home
Applying for benefits from the VA, Social Security and other government and community programs
Making sure your doctor and other VA staff on your treatment team know your decisions about end-of-life issues, generally called advance directives and living wills. Things like whether you want to be on life support equipment, whether you are an organ donor, and which family member or other person you have chosen to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make those decisions yourself
Arranging for respite care for your caregiver so she or he can have a break or go on vacation without worrying about who will be caring for you
If you would like help with moving to an assisted living facility, a board and care home or a nursing home.
If you are a parent who feels overwhelmed with child care
If your parent or spouse is in failing health
If you really aren’t sure what you need, but things just don’t feel right

Assessment

The first step is generally for the social worker to meet with you, and often with your family. The social worker will ask you questions about your health, your living situation, your family and other support systems, your military experience and the things you think you need help with. The social worker will then write an assessment that will help you and your VA health care team make treatment plans.

Crisis Intervention

In a crisis situation, social workers can provide counseling services to help you get through the crisis. The social worker will then help you with more long-term needs.

The social worker can help you apply for services and programs in your community and through the VA to meet emergent needs.

High-Risk Screening

Social workers work particularly closely with those veterans who are at high risk, such as those who are homeless, those who have been admitted to the hospital several times, and those who cannot care for themselves any longer.

Discharge Planning

When you are admitted to a VA hospital, the social worker will help you make plans for your discharge back home or to the community. If you need services in your home or if you can no longer live at home by yourself, the social worker can help you make arrangements for the help you need.

Case Management

Social workers often provide long-term case management services to veterans who are at high risk of being admitted to a hospital, those who have very complex medical problems, and those who need additional help and support. They are available when needed to provide and coordinate a variety of services you may need, including counseling or support services or just helping you figure out what you need and how to get it.

Advocacy

Sometimes it can be hard for a veteran to speak up for himself or herself. And sometimes veterans are confused by such a big, bureaucratic agency like the VA. Social workers can advocate for you and go to bat for you when you have a hard time doing it by yourself.

Education

Social workers can help educate you and your family about your health care condition, what services and programs are available to you, how you can live a more healthy life, how you can deal with stress and loss, and how you can find support groups and other self-help programs in your community. Social workers also educate other staff in the medical center and in the community about VA programs and services and about how problems veterans may be having in their personal lives can impact their health.

Psychotherapy

Clinical social workers provide individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy to address emotional, behavioral and mental health needs.

All Social Workers at the Durham VAMC have a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW). Most of the social workers are licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Social workers are available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm except on holidays. Referrals to Social Work Service may be made by physician, nurse, patient representative, self-referral, family member significant other, or community agency.

Primary Care and Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC)
Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs
- Medical Foster Home
- Caring for Older Adults and their Caregivers at Home (COACH)
- Community Living Center
- Geriatric Clinic
- Contract Nursing Home
- Home Maker Home Health Aide Program
Inpatient Medical/Surgical
Mental and Behavioral Health Services
- General Mental Health Clinics
- Psychiatric Acute Recovery Center (PARC)
- Psychiatric Emergency Clinic
- General and Intensive Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Clinics
- PTSD Clinic
- Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program (MHICM)
Homeless Programs (view the list of VA Programs for Homeless Veterans)
Transitions Care Management (OEF/OIF/OND) Program
Spinal Cord Injury
Women Veterans Program
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program
Military Sexual Trauma
Employee Assistance Program

Contact: Lindsey Jordan Arledge
Title: Chief, SWS
Phone:

Contact: Judith Davagnino
Title: Supervisor, Geriatric Programs
Phone: Ext. 176258

Greenville Health Care Center/Morehead City CBOC

Contact: Yolanda Soney
Title: Social Work Supervisor
Phone: 1- Ext. 143226

Home and Community Services

Contact: Ivey Chavis
Title: Supervisor, Home and Community Services
Phone: Ext. 176178