For our August meeting we’ll have a couple of organizations that will be speaking about their work with veterans that are homeless or potentially experiencing homelessness.
The Lamb Center
Deacon Deb Haynes, Assistant Director of Case Management with The Lamb Center, will be in attendance and speaking more about the services they provide in Fairfax for our homeless populations. They’re a group of caring and determined creative problem-solvers who want to make a difference with a mission to serve the poor and homeless, transform lives, and share God’s love. They have a variety of services they provide including hot meals, showers, clean laundry, haircuts, resume assistance, ID cards & document recovery, transportation, mail and messaging services, phone & computer access, legal assistance, dental and optical referrals, tax prep assistance, social security assistance, medical and mental health specialists, on-going AA meetings, and of course, counseling for overcoming obstacles, finding employment, dealing with addictions and even Bible Studies. The Lamb Center sees a variety of veterans and helps to connect them to various veteran programs, benefits and services.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake
Michele Porter Will, Program Director for Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Veterans Families Program (Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties) will be in attendance to discuss their veteran services program that supports Veterans and their families in regaining their independence.
In 2016 the program assisted 252 Veterans and their families from diverting homelessness or becoming stably housed. VOA Chesapeake facilitated access to community resources and services to help each Veteran family address issues and barriers that prevented them from obtaining housing and help them maintain permanent housing.
To improve housing stability, the VOA Chesapeake provides eligible Veteran families with outreach, case management, assistance obtaining VA and other benefits, and supportive services including:
| *Healthcare services referral | *Fiduciary and payee services referral |
| *Daily living services referral | *Legal services referral |
| *Personal financial planning services | *Childcare services referral |
| *Transportation services (staff mileage) | *Housing counseling and search services |
| *Income support services (job & benefits assistance) | |
The Veteran Services has a VA SSVF program that is designed to provide supportive services to help each family increase and develop self-sufficiency within their housing environment. Comprehensive case management is of primary importance and a case manager is assigned to each family unit and is responsible for providing a comprehensive assessment of needs, formulation of a Family Services Plan (FSP), and the implementation and management of the FSP. All family members have involvement in this process. Both short immediate and longer term goals are identified with objectives or measurable action steps and interventions toward goal achievement. The family is to work steadily towards their identified goals throughout their affiliation with the program. Regular meetings with the Case Manager to discuss progress are required. The case manager will assist the resident in obtaining access to needed resources, offered within the program or in the community. Resources to be provided within the program include:
Case management
Transportation assistance to interviews, appointments, etc.
Referrals to community services and resources
Crisis intervention
Mental health services referrals
Substance abuse and recovery services referrals
Referrals to life skills training on issues such as parenting, budgeting, health care and home maintenance
Income support services—employment services & benefits support/assistance
Employment and/or education referral and assistance
Assistance with securing donations such as furniture and clothing
Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
Stephanie Carl with Fairfax County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness will be in attendance to provide insight on the work the county does to help veterans that are experiencing or might be potentially approaching homelessness. OPEH provides oversight and manages homeless services, including Emergency Shelter, Hypothermia Prevention Services, Supportive Housing Services, by providing support in the implementation of the Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Fairfax-Falls Church community. OPEH has been designated as the lead County agency and manages all aspects of the Continuum of Care program as well as grants received from HUD. Collaborates with other County agencies, the Governing Board, non-profits, faith and business communities, and consumers.