Veterans Services
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates Veteran Services programs in Northern, north western, north eastern and south west Virginia. We support Veterans and their families in regaining their independence.
In 2016 our 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
