Spotlighting Social Work

This year’s theme is “Breaking Barriers”, which signifies the challenges social workers face in various situations yet always get the job done no matter what.

“Our social workers are always striving to get to ‘yes’ when it comes to supporting Veterans and their families. We go the extra mile in finding unconventional ways in breaking down barriers that negatively impact transportation, finances, housing, therapeutic programs, medical support, and issues involving interpersonal relationships,” said Jay Hills, chief of social work services at Wilmington VA Medical Center. “Social workers are very special people. They change lives daily and are compassionate. They’re completely focusing on the wellbeing of others, and it requires being a talent communicator who makes the impossible possible.”

There are roughly 120 social workers on social work and behavioral health teams who provide social, emotional, and psychological support to more than 41,000 Veterans throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey.

There are various types of programs within Wilmington VA’s social work and behavioral health teams. Each program has its own purpose and designed to meet Veterans’ unique needs. Below is a breakdown of each social work program, its function, and how you can get involved:

Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT)

This is the most common type of social work service provided at VA. PACT provides Veterans with comprehensive case management that is patient-centered and team-coordinated. Veterans enrolled in VA primary care are assigned to a PACT for continuity of care over time and are offered navigation to services and benefits for which they are eligible.

If you’re not yet enrolled in VA, consider enrolling today! Thanks to the passing of the PACT Act, many Veterans now have expanded health care services and benefits and can get screened for toxic exposures.

Caregiver Support Program

Caregivers are an essential part of VA’s mission! This social work program provides education, resources, and support to individuals providing care to Veterans. The program is separated into two sub-programs – the Program of General Caregiver Support Service and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

The Program of General Caregiver Support Service offers support and resources to a caregiver to ensure they have the adequate skills to provide care to their Veteran. Services range from one-on-one coaching, group support sessions, mentoring, and referrals to VA and community services. Any Veteran enrolled in VA health care who served in any era (i.e. Korea, Vietnam, Post-9/11, etc.) can apply for program. More details can be found here.

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers provides enhanced clinical and financial support for caregivers and their Veterans who are rated at 70 percent disability and in need of intense, day-to-day assistance for a minimum of six continuous months. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, review the eligibility criteria fact sheet. 

Homeless Veteran Program

The homeless veteran program combines VA health care services with resources from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Wilmington VA social workers secure housing by building partnerships with local landlords and rental properties and providing HUD vouchers to Veterans.

Social workers also venture into various communities where there are homeless populations. They identify which individuals are Veterans and help them enroll into VA health care, as well as provide basic needs and resources such as clothing, cell phones, and food.  

In 2022, VA exceeded its goal of housing 38,000 Veterans and successfully secured housing for more than 40,000 Veterans nationwide. Wilmington VA housed 141 Veterans in 2022 throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey.

If you or someone you know is homeless or at-risk of homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.    

Suicide Prevention Program

Wilmington VA has a team of social workers and mental health experts dedicated to suicide prevention. The team primarily focuses on engaging with Veterans with suicidal tendencies, hosting group and one-on-one sessions, and building coalitions with community partners to educate and spread awareness on the signs of suicide.

The team frequently educates Veterans, staff, and partners about VA S.A.V.E. training – know the signs of suicidal thinking, ask if the individual is thinking of hurting themself, validate their feelings, and encourage and expedite treatment.

Veterans in need of emergent suicidal care should visit their nearest VA or non-VA emergency room for treatment. Under the COMPACT Act, any Veteran – whether enrolled in VA or not – can receive free emergent suicidal care including transportation costs, 30 days of inpatient care and up to 90 days of outpatient care. Read more about the COMPACT Act and how it works.

The Veterans Crisis Line is also available 24/7. Call 988 and press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis.

Post-9/11 Military 2 VA

The Post-9/11 Military 2 VA team is focused on educating and supporting Veterans from 9/11 and onward who are transitioning out of their military service. The team helps bridge the gap between the Department of Defense and VA. Through this program, post-9/11 era Veterans have a go-to social worker who can help coordinate health care and explain the different benefits, services, and programs available.

Around 25% of Veterans at Wilmington VA served on or after September 2001. That number will continue to grow thanks to the PACT Act.

Veterans who served on and after September 2001, are eligible to receive enhanced VA health care benefits for five years following their military separation date. Whether or not you choose to use VA health care right after separation, you must enroll with VA within that five-year window to get health care benefits later on. One-time dentals care is also available to Veterans who recently separate from military service. Veterans must apply for a dental exam within 180 days of their separation date.

Contact your Wilmington VA Post-9/11 Military 2 VA team here.

Compensated Work Therapy Program (CWT)

The Compensated Work Therapy team contains elements of social work and mental health care support. The goal of CWT is to help Veterans overcome mental or physical barriers and recover from substance abuse through meaningful and purposeful employment. While in the program, Veterans receive mental health care and are assigned to a peer support specialist who guides them through their vocational rehabilitation journey.

CWT can be broken down into two functions – Transitional Work Experience and Supported Employment.

Transitional Work Experience is a community reintegration program designed to help Veterans transition into community employment. The program lasts four months and Veterans start a position at the Wilmington VA Medical. During employment, Veterans have an opportunity to hone their job skills and behaviors while in the program. To be eligible for the program, Veterans must be eligible for VA health care and active with the hospital, must be unemployed for at least six months, must be treatment compliant, and have not tested positive for illegal substances for at least six months.

Supported Employment is an evidenced-based model designed to assist Veterans living with significant barriers to employment such as post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental illnesses. Supported Employment provides intensive, ongoing services to ensure Veterans can succeed. This includes ongoing vocational assessments, individualized job search, job development and placement, assertive engagement and follow-along support provided in the context of clinical treatment.

To learn more how you can get involved with Compensated Work Therapy as a Veteran or employer, contact Jill.Bradford@va.gov.

Veterans Justice Outreach

The Veterans Justice Outreach team works extensively with community partners, law enforcement, and other legal partners to assist Veterans dealing with legal matters and disputes. The goal is to ensure justice-involved Veterans have access to health care, services, and other benefits to maximize their potential for success and stability in the community.

The team educates Veterans in local jails and court systems about resources and services available at VA, as well as refer Veterans to VA and non-VA services. Although the team cannot provide legal services or advice, the Veterans Justice Outreach can provide legal resources through local partnerships.

This program heavily relies on communication and relationships with local law enforcement. Law enforcement officials help identify and refer Veterans to the Wilmington VA to help reduce potential court or legal actions. Recently, the Wilmington VA Police team and Justice Outreach partnered with Delaware and southern New Jersey police officials to provide Veteran-centric intervention tactics aimed at deescalating tense situations.

Through these efforts and partnerships, the team saw a decrease in legal disputes and an increase in use of VA health care services such as mental health care and primary care. Because of their work, their findings and efforts were published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. Contact 302-824-9322 for more information.

Visual Impairment Services

Wilmington VA Medical Center has a social worker dedicated to providing case management and care coordination for those who are legally blind. Through this social work service, Veterans undergo an assessment for their vision. From there, the Veteran may be referred for low-vision or blind rehabilitation needs.

Talk to your primary care team or contact 302-994-2511 x4773 to determine if you’re eligible.

Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)

The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program works with Veterans, their families and caregivers, and medical center employees who use or experience intimate partner violence. IPVAP is a person centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approach to provide services to those impacted by intimate partner violence. The IPVAP coordinator’s role is to raise awareness about intimate partner violence, building community partnerships, and assisting those who experience and exhibit domestic violence.

Annually, Veterans are screened for initiate partner violence at their primary care appointments. This ensures health care teams are providing the best support and resources for those experiencing and exhibiting initiate partner violence.  

Intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm or stalking behavior by a current or former partner that occurs on a continuum of frequency and severity ranging from emotional abuse to chronic, severe battering, or even death. Intimate partner violence is a national health problem affecting one in three women and one in four men.

Veterans may be two times more likely to experience intimate partner violence. Women Veterans report even higher rates of intimate partner violence, as high as 74%. Research has shown that woman actually want their health care providers to ask about violence, and if asked, woman are four times more likely to use an intervention and 2.6 times more likely to exit the relationship.