Outreach and Engagement with Veterans What is Outreach? Getting - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Outreach and Engagement with Veterans

What is Outreach?

Getting personnel into the area where people live (streets, parks, alleys,etc)

Outreach Fundamentals

• Safety for you and client
• Outreach Philosophy
• Engagement
• Common Presentations
• Linkage to VA and community providers

Safety

• Know your environment
• Know your client
• Be comfortable with your level of discomfort

– your level of discomfort will affect your engagement with clients

• Go out with others
• Contingency Planning

Outreach Philosophy

• “Get Dirty”
• “I may be the only person to have an opportunity to get

this person off the street”

– Discuss Personal Experiences

• “ We are all a few bad breaks away from being (this

person).”

Engagement

• Meet client at their level

– Find common ground – Physical proximity/engagement

• Don’t take rejection personally
• Give before expecting to connect

– Basic necessities

• Create an objective no matter how simple
• Broker Expectations
• Differences between clinical/non clinical

– Lived experience, clinical perspective, etc.

Common Presentations

General

• Poor hygiene
• Odorous
• Unkempt
• Poor self-esteem, self-

efficacy

• Poor transportation
• Low frustration tolerance
• Hope/helplessness

Healthcare

• Substance use disorders

– Meth, EToH, Crack

• Mental Health Issues

– PTSD, Depression, Psychosis, PxDx – No meds desired

• Medical Issues

– Ineligible for VA healthcare – Lack of treatment

• Poor follow up w/ providers

Linkage to VA & Community providers

• VA Eligible?

– Anthony @ 310-478-3711 ext 47889

• VA locations
• Vets’ experiences at the VA

– Personal experiences at 402

• GPD program
• VALOR
• Know your SA Emergency Response Teams