July 25, 2012http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov

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““A Guided Tour of the Rural A Guided Tour of the Rural Veteran Outreach Toolkit”Veteran Outreach Toolkit”Nancy K. Dailey, MSN, RN-BC

WELCOME TO THEWELCOME TO THEORH WEBINAR SERIES!ORH WEBINAR SERIES!

July 25, 2012July 25, 2012

A Guided Tour of the Rural Veteran A Guided Tour of the Rural Veteran Outreach ToolkitOutreach Toolkit

A collaborative approach with A collaborative approach with communities for serving Rural Veteranscommunities for serving Rural Veterans

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Your Tour GuideYour Tour Guide

Nancy K. Dailey, MSN, RN-BC Deputy Director,

Veterans Rural Health Resource Center- Western Region

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

At the conclusion of the webinar, attendees will understand:

• A process for building a relationship between VA and rural communities

• The scope of resources which describe benefits and services available to Veterans

• How to improve outreach to Veterans living in rural areas, using the Rural Veteran Outreach Toolkit as a guide.

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OutlineOutline

• Rural Veterans• What is RVO?• Rationale for RVO• Brief History of RVO• RVO Toolkit• Questions

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Rural Veteran DemographicsRural Veteran Demographics

• 22+ million US Veterans (US census)

• 7.8 million enrolled in VA, 4.9 million active patients

• About 40% live in Rural or Highly Rural areas

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What is the Rural Veterans Outreach What is the Rural Veterans Outreach (RVO) Program?(RVO) Program?

• Purpose– Improve rural Veterans’ access to benefits through community

partnership • Promotes partnership between VA and community

– Shared goal of serving Veterans• More than outreach:

– Understanding local Veterans’ needs by learning about the community– Developing an enduring VA presence in the community through non-

VA agencies– Outreach activities promote partnership between VA and the

community

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Why Community Partnerships?Why Community Partnerships?

• VA lacks a physical presence in every community • Expands VA’s reach• Capitalizes on local

– Enthusiasm– Expertise– Resources– Relationships

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History of RVOHistory of RVO

• VISN 19 Tribal Veteran Representative Program

• Focus groups with rural community agencies

• Pilots in 3 rural and highly rural areas

• Lessons– Network of willing partners in

many rural communities• They know many Vets

– Information about VA sorely needed

• VA is a black hole

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RVO CommunitiesRVO Communities

MosesMoses Lake, WA

Oakhurst, CAOakhurst, CAVisalia, CAVisalia, CA

Blythe, CABlythe, CA

Kodiak, AKKodiak, AK

Silver Spring, NVSilver Spring, NV

Price, UTPrice, UT

Abilene, TXAbilene, TX

Alpine, TXAlpine, TX

Uvalde, TXUvalde, TX

Brownwood, TXBrownwood, TXSan Angelo, TXSan Angelo, TX

Eureka, CAEureka, CA

Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ

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Rural Veteran Outreach Toolkit 1.0Rural Veteran Outreach Toolkit 1.0

http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/docs/western-region/toolkit/toolkit.pdf

• Step 1. Selecting a Community • Step 2. Understanding the Community • Step 3. Planning a Community

Information and Referral Workshop • Step 4. Planning an Outreach Event • Step 5. Sustaining a Partnership

Appendices • Timeline for Community Information and

Referral Workshop (p. 18)• Timeline for Outreach Event (p. 22)

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Partnership—Part of Our MissionPartnership—Part of Our Mission

“Lastly, we will concentrate on delivering value-driven working partnerships with DoD, DOL, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Small Business Administration (SBA), VSOs, and other government and non government partners.”‑

VA Strategic Plan FY 2010 – 2014

“VA is proud to partner with the community organizations that share our dedication to serving those who served this Nation.”

Erik Shinseki (October 5, 2011)

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ResourcesResources

• Rural Health RVO Toolkit– http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/resource-centers/western/outreach-toolkit.asp – www.ruralhealth.va.gov

• Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Western Region (Salt Lake City)– Nancy Dailey – Chris Turner– Bret Hicken– Brian Warren– Matt Byers

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This Concludes Our Tour…This Concludes Our Tour…

• Questions

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Please feel free to ask questions or share your comments about this presentation.

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QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

July 25, 2012http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov