W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

VETERANS'healthy living

VA New England Healthcare System

Finding a Place to Call Home

Dear Veterans,

As another year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect upon all we have to be grateful for. For many of us, that means family, health care, food, and housing — necessities we often take for granted. But for some in our Veteran community, those necessities are just out of reach. An estimated 40,000 Veterans every night are homeless. We are committed to reaching as many Veterans as possible and sharing resources to support them and their families when they need us most.

In support of that goal, VISN 1 is proud to work with Volunteers of America and other organizations to create a unique community in Maine for Veterans in need of housing. Cabin In The Woods (pages 4-5) was built to provide housing for homeless Veterans and their families. Other housing support in the community comes from HUD-VA Supportive Housing program vouchers and the annual Homeless Stand Down Event in Maine (page 5).

But our programs can only succeed when we can reach the Veterans who need us. That’s where our innovative Outreach team steps in. Along with coordinating Veteran-oriented events, VA New England’s Outreach team creates a VA presence at local events to reach Veterans who may not be aware of the resources available to them. Read more about this inspiring team on page 3.

Finally, the success of all the programs at VA New England is a result of the dedication of the unique and caring individuals who make up our team. One individual who embodies the spirit of VISN 1 is Master Sergeant Kara Vautour. You can read about the difference she makes on page 6.

With thanks for your service,

Ryan Lilly, MPANetwork Director

Ryan Lilly, MPA

Veterans’ Healthy LivingEDITORIAL BOARD

Maureen HeardVISN 1 Chief Communications Officer / Public Affairs Officer

Carol SobelVISN 1 Public Affairs Specialist

WEBSITE: www.newengland.va.gov

Veterans’ Healthy Living is published as a patient education service by VA New England Healthcare System. The publication is intended to provide information to help you maintain good health and learn about the many health services available through VA. This publication is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, which should be obtained from your VA health care provider. All articles may be reproduced for educational purposes.

ON THE COVER:Two homes at Cabin in the Woods sit on 11 acres of the 500-acre VA Maine Healthcare System Togus campus.

VA MISSION:Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health

care that improves their health and well-being.

Message from the Network Director

2 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Winter 2018

Sometimes, one of the biggest challenges to providing benefits to Veterans is finding the Veterans. There are many misconceptions about what benefits are available and about who meets the requirements to utilize them. Many Veterans who have earned benefits don’t know it. Some aren’t aware of how many outpatient clinics are nearby, or what a high standard of care the VA New England gives. Still others may have caretakers who don’t know to reach out to the VA for help.

That’s where the VISN 1 Outreach Team steps in. This one-of-a-kind team attends hundreds of local events every year to ensure that as many Veterans and caregivers as possible are receiving the benefits they’ve earned. Paul Corbett, VISN Deputy Outreach Program Manager, explains that they especially strive to have a presence at non-Veteran events, where they are more likely to reach Veterans who don’t use the VA than at VA events. They have visited everywhere from a tattoo convention to a flower show. “We’ll try anything once,” says Corbett.

Outreach Team Hits the Road

Along the way, they share the truth about VA benefits and care, debunking myths that may have kept some away and enrolling Veterans on the spot. They’ve used focus groups to identify barriers to using VA healthcare, and are dismantling those barriers one Veteran at a time, helping them receive the benefits they deserve.

The Outreach Team is often the first interaction a Veteran has with the VA and that makes it especially important to put their best foot forward to establish relationships. Every member of the team is a Veteran, a fact that helps to build trust with a population that may have trust issues.

The goal is to reach as many Veterans as they can. They don’t limit outreach to local Veterans or assume that older Veterans already use the VA; they’ve enrolled Veterans from as far away as Arizona, and as old as 102. Location and age don’t matter; removing barriers does.

To further their reach, the team also creates ads for radio, TV, and websites, as well as a mobile app and literature to help Veterans understand and access their benefits. Both the app and the literature are being updated in 2019 to stay current and to be even easier to use.

For more information, including events, the VA New England Mobile App, and printable literature, visit www.newengland.va.gov/outreach.

The Outreach Team at New Hampshire Motor Speedway greeting NASCAR fans.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 3

Cabin in the WoodsHelping Homeless Veterans HealAccording to 2017 data, the number of homeless Veterans is up over 40,000 — reflecting the first increase in 7 years. Some contributing factors are health issues, lack of affordable housing, difficulty finding jobs, and limited access to healthcare and support services. The VA is dedicated to addressing these barriers and ending Veteran homelessness.

To that end, VA New England has collaborated on an innovative way to provide healthcare, affordable housing, and support services all in one place: Cabin in the Woods.

Cabin in the Woods is a community of 21 ADA accessible cabins built on a quiet 11-acre site on the Togus campus. It was built on land leased from the VA through the Enhanced-Use Lease program that allows the VA to lease out underutilized land to build housing for Veterans who are homeless or at-risk.

The project was led by Volunteers of America Northern New England, along with the VA and many community partners. Together, they developed 1- and 2-bedroom homes in a therapeutic wooded setting. The project is a first of its kind, and the first in Maine to provide housing for both male and female Veterans and their families.

The community consists of 16 1-bedroom cabins and 5 2-bedroom cabins, another for staff to use, and a large 4,000 square foot version for community and office space. Individual homes are cozy — under 800 square feet. The community was designed to provide as much privacy as possible to foster a peaceful, healing environment for Veterans and their families.

4 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Winter 2018

But the Cabin in the Woods project isn’t just about housing. It also happens to be within walking distance of the Togus VA Medical Center, providing convenient access to medical care and services. Along with providing affordable housing and resources, the project focuses on finding employment and rebuilding families. Partners and children are welcome. Cabin in the Woods will work with a variety of organizations to support those goals and help Veterans get back on their feet.

Medical staff train in PALS

The Cabin in the Woods community opened its doors to Veterans and their families recently. But currently, medical care is only provided for adult Veterans; however, leadership recognized that children will be living on the property and made the decision to train staff in PALS – Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Jim Worcester is a Patient Care Coordinator and nursing supervisor. He took on the role as PALS trainer the minute he heard about the Cabin in the Woods project.

“Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn are creating a whole host of younger Veterans and with the increased availability of women’s health care at VA Maine we have the potential to have children on station at any time. If one of these children were to have a medical emergency or get hurt while here, it is great to know we have the skills and equipment to stabilize them for transport to an appropriate medical facility,” said Worcester.

The staff hope to never need to use PALS, but will be prepared if the need arises.

Annual Homeless Stand Down

VA Maine held their annual Homeless Stand Down Event on October 13, hosting homeless Veterans from across the state. The full-day event offered services and resources to Veterans that are homeless or in transitional housing. Some of the resources offered included food, free boots and clothing, personal care items and housing assistance.

The event identified 133 Veterans in need, and placed 62 in permanent housing that day, while continuing to work on placements for the rest.

Know someone who may need help? Contact VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 5

Providers Who Served:Kara Vautour, OT When Master Sergeant Kara Vautour went back to school to become an Occupational Therapist (OT), her goal was to work at the VA. During her deployments to Iraq and Germany, she saw the firsthand effects of war and wanted to give back to the generations who came before her. “So many men and women laid the path for me to have had the incredible life changing experiences I have been blessed to be a part of,” she said. “If I can put those experiences to use to connect with another Veteran and help them feel more comfortable or safe during their time in rehab then it’s the least I can do.”

Vatour joined the Air Force Reserve in 2003 and is currently stationed with the 439th ASTS at Westover ARB in Chicopee. She is a Medical Technician with an Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

She also works as an OT in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Services department of the VA Boston Healthcare System’s West Roxbury campus. Her experiences at West Roxbury have led her to volunteer with the Adaptive Sports and Recreation program, which uses adaptive activities and sports to promote rehabilitation.

Camaraderie and surrounding yourself with people you trust and checking in on them has been key for resiliency. People ARE the mission and your battle buddy gets you through the tough times and helps you find the positive. Find your tribe and love them hard.”

Master Sergeant Kara Vautour, Air Force reservist, provides medical care to a solider.

She continues to give back as a member of the local chapter of Team RWB, a national organization that bridges the gap between Veterans and Civilians through physical and social activities.

When asked what important lessons she’s learned in her career, Vautour says “I think it will be years, if ever, before I even truly realize how much I have learned from the military. Some of the biggest are resiliency and hope, which go hand and hand.

“Working in the medical field

and interacting with so many injured day in and day out; hope is vital.

Never lose hope.”

6 Veterans’ Healthy Living » Winter 2018

Upcoming Events around VISN 1Boston RV Show Jan 18-21Boston, MA

Saltwater Fishing ShowMar 22-24Providence, RI

Hunting & Fishing ShowMar 29-31Hartford, CT

New England Fisher Houses:Home Away From HomeVA New England is a proud home of three Fisher House locations, providing temporary housing at no charge to eligible families of patients at nearby VA medical centers. The houses, donated by the Fisher family and Fisher House Foundation, provide a home away from home for families while their Veteran is receiving treatment through the VA. Eligibility and criteria for stays are determined by the medical center where each house is located. For questions about requirements, contact the manager of the specific house.

Fisher House Boston, the first in New England, opened in 2010 on the campus of the West Roxbury VA Medical Center. It houses twenty suites. For more information,

contact House Manager Beth St. Pierre, (857) 203-4000, elizabeth.stpierre@va.gov

The sixteen suite Fisher House Connecticut, located on the West Haven campus, was dedicated on May 4, 2018 and began hosting families the

same week. For information, contact House Manager Amanda Salthouse, (203) 937-3438, amanda.salthouse@va.gov

A groundbreaking ceremony was held August 8 for New England’s newest Fisher House, located on the Togus Campus. The 16-suite, 13,500 square foot home will be

completed in 2019.

More Housing Vouchers aid Homeless VeteransIn April, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program granted 27 new rental assistance vouchers to Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. The additional vouchers bring the total in that area to 436 to provide homes to Veterans in need. The additional vouchers come at a time when homelessness has increased for the first time in seven years in the Veteran population.

The program is a collaboration between HUD and VA to provide rental assistance and supportive services through VA to homeless Veterans and their families. Over 93,000 vouchers have been awarded through the program since 2008, helping over 150,000 homeless Veterans.

Thank you for your service. Now let us serve you. 7

VETERhealthANS

y living'

VISN 1 CommunicationsDepartment of Veterans Affairs200 Springs RoadBedford, MA 01730

VA MEDICAL CENTERS

CONNECTICUTVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemNewington Campus555 Willard Avenue Newington, CT 06111 (860) 666-6951

West Haven Campus950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 (203) 932-5711

MAINEVA Maine Healthcare System1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 (207) 623-8411 (877) 421-8263

MASSACHUSETTSEdith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hosp.200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730 (781) 687-2000

VA Boston Healthcare SystemBrockton Campus940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 (508) 583-4500

Jamaica Plain Campus150 S. Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02130 (617) 232-9500

West Roxbury Campus1400 VFW Parkway West Roxbury, MA 02132 (617) 323-7700

VA Central Western MA Healthcare System421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053 (413) 584-4040

NEW HAMPSHIREManchester VAMC718 Smyth Road Manchester, NH 03104 (603) 624-4366 (800) 892-8384

RHODE ISLANDProvidence VAMC830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 (401) 273-7100 (866) 590-2976

Martha’s Vineyard Hosp.One Hospital RoadOak Bluffs, MA 02557(508) 771-3190

New Bedford CBOC175 Elm StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740(508) 994-0217

Pittsfield CBOC73 Eagle StreetPittsfield, MA 01201(413) 499-2672

Plymouth CBOC116 Long Pond RoadPlymouth, MA 02360(800) 865-3384

Quincy CBOC110 West Squantum St.Quincy, MA 02171(774)-826-3070

Springfield CBOC25 Bond StreetSpringfield, MA 01104(413) 731-6000

Worcester CBOC605 Lincoln StreetWorcester, MA 01605(508) 856-0104

NEW HAMPSHIREConway CBOC71 Hobbs StreetConway, NH 03818(603) 624-4366, ext. 3199(800) 892-8384, ext. 3199

Keene CBOC640 Marlboro StreetKeene, NH 03431(603) 358-4900

Littleton CBOC264 Cottage StreetLittleton, NH 03561(603) 575-6700

Portsmouth CBOC302 Newmarket StreetPortsmouth, NH 03803(603) 624-4366, ext. 3199(800) 892-8384, ext. 3199

Somersworth CBOC200 Route 108Somersworth, NH 03878(603) 624-4366, ext. 3199(800) 892-8384, ext. 3199

Tilton CBOC630 Main Street, Ste. 400Tilton, NH 03276(603) 624-4366, ext. 3199(800) 892-8384, ext. 3199

RHODE ISLANDMiddletown CBOCOne Corporate PlaceMiddletown, RI 02842(401) 847-6239

VERMONTBennington CBOC186 North StreetBennington, VT 05201(802) 440-3300

Brattleboro CBOC71 GSP DriveBrattleboro, VT 05301(802) 251-2200

Burlington Lakeside CBOC128 Lakeside Ave., Ste. 260Burlington, VT 05041(802) 657-7000

Newport CBOC1734 Crawford Farm Rd.Newport, VT 05855(802) 624-2400

Rutland CBOC232 West St.Rutland, VT 05701-2850(802) 772-2300

VERMONTWhite River Junction VAMC215 North Main Street White River Junction, VT 05009 (802) 295-9363

COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS

CONNECTICUTDanbury CBOC7 Germantown RoadDanbury, CT 06810(203) 798-8422

New London CBOC4 Shaw’s Cove, Suite 101New London, CT 06320(860) 437-3611

Stamford CBOCStamford Health System1275 Summer StreetStamford, CT 06905(203) 325-0649

Waterbury CBOC95 Scovill StreetWaterbury, CT 06706(203) 465-5292

Willimantic CBOC1320 Main StreetTyler Square (next to Social Security Office)Willimantic, CT 06226(860) 450-7583

Winsted CBOC115 Spencer StreetWinsted, CT 06098(860) 738-6985

MAINEBangor CBOC35 State Hospital StreetBangor, ME 04401(207) 561-3600

Lincoln CBOC99 River RoadLincoln, ME 04457(207) 403-2000

Calais CBOC50 Union StreetCalais, ME 04619(207) 904-3700

Caribou CBOC163 Van Buren Road, Ste. 6Caribou, ME 04736(207) 493-3800

Fort Kent CBOCMedical Office Building197 East Main St.Fort Kent, ME 04743 (207) 834-1572

Houlton CBOCHoulton Regional Hospital20 Hartford StreetHoulton, ME 04730(877) 421-8263, ext. 2000

Lewiston/Auburn CBOC15 Challenger DriveLewiston, ME 04240 (207) 623-8411 Ext. 4601(877) 421-8263 Ext. 4601

Mobile Medical UnitMain StreetBingham, ME 04920(866) 961-9263

Portland CBOC144 Fore StreetPortland, ME 04101(207) 771-3500

Rumford CBOC431 Franklin StreetRumford, ME 04276(207) 369-3200

Saco CBOC655 Main StreetSaco, ME 04072(207) 294-3100

MASSACHUSETTSCauseway Street CBOC251 Causeway StreetBoston, MA 02114(617) 248-1000

Fitchburg CBOCPhillip J. Philbin Federal Bldg.881 Main StreetFitchburg, MA 01420(978) 342-9781

Framingham CBOC61 Lincoln Street, Suite 112Framingham, MA 01702(508) 628-0205

Gloucester CBOC199 Main StreetGloucester, MA 01930(978) 282-0676

Greenfield CBOC143 Munson StreetGreenfield, MA 01301(413) 773-8428

Haverhill CBOC108 Merrimack StreetHaverhill, MA 01830(978) 372-5207

Hyannis CBOC233 Stevens StreetHyannis, MA 02601(508) 771-3190

Lowell CBOC130 Marshall RoadLowell, MA 01852(978) 671-9000

Lynn CBOC225 Boston Street, Ste. 107Lynn, MA 01904(781) 595-9818

Fort Kent

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Conway

Colchester

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Keene

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LowellFitchburg

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Burlington

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MAINE HCS

Calais

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2018/634-033/64012