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Removing Barriers: The Process of Going From Unsheltered to Housed

Penny Miller, LCSW, Phoenix VA Health Care System

Barbara Goe, U.S. VETS, Phoenix

This session will focus on VA homeless services and how veterans can move from homelessness to obtaining secure housing. The presenters will discuss components of the Hub for VA Homeless Services, identify three ways to access homeless care services, highlight available housing resources including Supportive Services For Veteran Families (SSVF), define the Veterans By Name List and its purpose, and look at two main events that assist in addressing ending Veteran homelessness.

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Transportation Programs United: Successes and Barriers in Rural Transportation

Kent Ellsworth, Verde Valley Caregivers Association
Christopher Vertrees, SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO)

This session will focus on community supported transportation programs in rural areas of the state, successful partnerships and overcoming barriers. Presenters will share two successful transportation programs for veterans in rural Southeastern Arizona, and Verde Valley, which offers transportation from Northern Arizona to health care providers in urban and metropolitan areas of the state. Participants will learn how to volunteer in their local areas with organizations supporting transportation programs in the state.

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Transition Truths & MilSpouse Survival Strategies

Anthony Reed, PhD, Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Sonia Vasquez, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

Presenters will provide information about the military-civilian transition process, and how supporting the military spouse and family during that transition is key. They will provide an ‘in the trenches’ first-hand account of the TAP program, how Be Connected complements TAP, and how providers can understand the mindset during this timeframe (intrinsic vs. extrinsic). Attendees will learn how the transition process caters to the service member and their spouse or partner to ensure a successful transition.

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The Intersection of Traumatic Brain Injury and Intimate Partner Violence

Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix VA Health Care System & The CACTIS Foundation

When intimate partner violence (IPV) becomes physical, the assaults often focus on the head, neck, and face, putting victims at high risk for concussion/traumatic brain injury (TBI). Victims of IPV experience the psychological and physical effects of the trauma, as well as the physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional consequences of TBI. TBI from IPV occurs with greater frequency and more intensity than TBI reported for other causes. Yet, most treatment professionals focus exclusively on the effects of the trauma and don’t screen for TBI. The neurological symptoms of repeated TBI add to the challenges of overcoming IPV. This session will elevate awareness for the intersection of TBI and IPV in order to provide assessment(s), referral for care, and community support for victims.

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VA Benefits Overview

John Guse, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Phoenix Regional Office
Kimberly Kordik, MACCJ, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Phoenix Regional Office
Michael Watson, PhD, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Phoenix Regional Office
William Glennon, VSD Central Region Manager, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

This session will offer a general overview of VA Benefits to include: how to apply for benefits, requesting discharge upgrades, and exploring specific markers when applying for benefits with Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) related claims. Presenters will ensure that participants understand the essential elements for claim approval, including the required nexus for service-connected disabilities. This session will also identify the wide variety of no-cost services provided by the State of Arizona’s Veteran Benefits Counselors (VBCs) and how to access additional State benefits and resources available to Arizona's service members, veterans and family members.

• VBA and Arizona Benefits for Veterans

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Resources to Address Food Insecurity in the Military Connected Community

Isabel Kozak, DNP, ANP-C, RN, Phoenix VA Health Care System
Kristen Ellis, RDN, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

This session will provide information on the “Veggies for Veterans” program to address food insecurity for Veterans in transitional housing who are enrolled in the Phoenix VA. Presenters will also discuss the “Patriot Pantry” at the Tucson VA which began in 2021 to help relieve food insecurity for Veterans enrolled in VA services. The story behind this program will be discussed, how it currently operates, how it has expanded, and the possible future of the program. The team of dietitians and diet technicians at SAVAHCS identify food insecure Veterans and meet with them to provide an emergency food supply, grocery store gift cards, produce vouchers, and community resources.

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Interactive Solution Session: Removing Barriers to Housing

Joanna Carr, Arizona Housing Coalition
Joselyn Wilkinson, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

This will be an interactive discussion with the Arizona Housing Coalition and Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. Statewide data will be shared during this session and involve deeper dive discussions with community members and frontline workers in this field. We welcome attendees to join us in the discussion during this facilitated solution session.

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Interactive Solution Session: Developing a Successful Rural Transportation Pipeline

Kent Ellsworth, Verde Valley Caregivers Association
Christopher Vertrees, SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO)

Rural communities have encountered challenges coordinating internal and external resources to address veteran transportation issues. In this discussion, participants intend to cultivate output/action items for future goals in rural areas. We welcome attendees to join us in the discussion during this facilitated solution session.

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Interactive Solution Session: Creating Financial Stability for Military Spouses

Anthony Reed, PhD, Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Sonia Vasquez, Arizona Coalition for Military Families
Ayla Linder, Arizona Coalition for Military Families

This will be an interactive discussion with the Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and Arizona Coalition for Military Families’ Career Navigation Team. Survey results have shown that there is a high degree of financial instability due to a lack of advanced placement portable career opportunities for military spouses while their spouse is stationed in Arizona. This conversation will review common truths about military-civilian transition, and provide survival strategies for military spouses to help them create success during the process. We welcome attendees to join us in the discussion during this facilitated solution session.

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Interactive Discussion on Brain Injury in Intimate Partner Violence: Making Connections

Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix VA Health Care System & The CACTIS Foundation

Given the high prevalence of TBI in IPV, identification of TBI is critical in delivering appropriate services and supports to those who need them. As a follow-up to the presentation by Dr. Lifshitz’s earlier on the “Intersection of Interpersonal/Intimate Partner Violence and TBI”, this session Subject Matter Experts will engage the participants in: understanding the connection to BI and IPV; connecting to resources in the military and brain injury communities to address this topic ; engage the participants in a dialogue on making those connections to expand the community response to victims of BI in IPV in the military.

• Brain Injury in IPV Web Resources

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Veteran Spiritual Healing: Building Spiritual Strength

Linda MacLeish, LPC, E-RYT, Franciscan Renewal Center - Casa Military Ministry
Irene Harris, PhD, VA Maine Health Care System

This session will introduce the audience to the VA designed Building Spiritual Strength Program and show its benefits. This includes an introduction to the program by Dr. Irene Harris of the VA. She conducted the research which led to the approval by the VA of the BSS Program, and she continues to be the leader of this program. It also includes a panel of BSS facilitators and participants facilitated by Linda MacLeish, a member of the Franciscan Renewal Center’s Veteran Ministry and leader of the team that has brought this program to Arizona.

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VA and Community Caregiver Support Programs

Laura Priest, MPA, LCSW, Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
Carol Combs, Phoenix VA Health Care System
Jennifer Hopek, LCSW, Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System

This session will introduce the audience to the VA Caregiver Support Program, with an overview of available clinical programs, eligibility criteria and application processes. It will include a discussion of key differences in services available throughout rural Arizona with a focus on long term care services and supports. Presenters will make a call to action on inclusive care and community support availability. This is a call to action on inclusive care and community support availability. Discussion of several community resources for support will be included.

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Wednesday Lounge Closed