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Benilde Hall and the Veteran's Administration have developed a transitional living program which places emphasis on two transitions for the homeless veteran who is a substance abuser:
1) the transition from medical treatment to residential treatment; and
2) the transition from residential treatment to independent living.
In addition to providing substance abuse counseling with qualified substance abuse counselors, Benilde Hall has put together a Transition Team that provides intense efforts to prevent the homeless veteran from falling through the cracks as he makes these two very difficult transitions.
The Transition Team is responsible for mustering whatever resources are needed to bridge these gaps. The critical areas that are stressed include: the resolution of legal problems, the resolution of financial problems, increased socialization with the family, gaining of educational skills related to work, the obtaining of job training skills, retention in employment, identification of affordable housing, and existence as an independent person. The level of completion of substance abuse treatment is related to the degree these transition issues are addressed.
A full array of supportive services are offered. Some examples of how these are provided are outlined below:
Intensive outreach- Several Board members and volunteers from the community, who have experience with sweeping locations unfit for human habitation and with substance abuse, participate in contacting and working with homeless veterans to increase the referrals to the VA and other detox agencies and subsequently to Benilde Hall as beds become available. This volunteer outreach team implements Benilde Hall's outreach strategy and performs intensive outreach on the streets and under bridges as the need is identified in cooperation with the VA Medical Center and other community agencies.
Nutritional counseling- The Transition Team provides education on how to eat fast food nutritiously, examine eating habits that promote a well body, and provide counseling for each individual on their individual nutritional needs.
Legal assistance- The Transition Team works with the veteran in identifying the steps the individual needs to take in admitting, dealing with, and eliminating legal problems. Depending on the individual's needs, the Team may walk the individual through the system or make referrals to other agencies, which ever increases his independence and his responsibility.
Financial education and counseling- We work with Consumer Counseling and other agencies in the community that provide financial education and counseling in order to provide effective group education on financial issues such as budgeting for the homeless veteran and to counsel each individual in his unique financial challenges.
Education and job training- Through the initial work of the Transition Team, the veterans are able to stay in the program long enough to receive classroom training or on-the-job training through the Full Employment Council and adult education through the Kansas City Missouri School District to increase work-related learning.
Employment counseling- Veterans in the program are required to work unless a medical condition identified by the VA Medical Center prevents them from working. The Transition Team coordinates job placement efforts with the Missouri Job Service and the Full Employment Council in placement as well as in assuring retention on the job. Special issues related to homelessness, substance abuse, and employment are addressed on an individual basis.
Housing counseling- The Transition Team not only helps identify affordable housing for the veteran, but the Team is also "family" in assisting with the move, furnishings, and meal preparation as needed during the first month that the veteran is in independent housing.
Substance abuse treatment-Individual Counseling: This is a goal-oriented process whereby the participant interacts with the counselor in accordance with the treatment plan. Group Counseling: This is provided to groups of more than one (1) but not more than ten (10) veterans. The group counseling services are directly related to the attainment of objectives in the treatment plan for each participant. Group Education: This covers relevant subjects which relates to the treatment plan objectives of the participants.
Nutritional meals- Clients receive 3 hot meals and snacks per day.
Other supportive services provided include the following:
• referral to medical services at the Veterans Administration
• house supervision
• security for the protection of the residents
• transportation
• advocacy
• assistance in obtaining other Federal, State, and local assistance
• entertainment events and recreational opportunities
Benilde Hall is committed to provide adequate supportive services to make the transitions successful to help veterans have residential stability, sufficient employment income, and personal responsibility.
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