Vietnam Veterans of San Diego

Since its founding in 1981, Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (VVSD) has grown from a small, $5,000-a-year service provider into a multi-million dollar operation that continues to embrace homeless veterans and help them rebuild their lives.

The program target population is homeless veterans who need substance abuse treatment. VVSD, now known as Veterans Village of San Diego, works very closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), United Way, area homeless shelters, medical programs and employment assistance specialists. Programs that are available to homeless veterans due to funding through the VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) include transitional housing in a secure environment, drug treatment, mental health services, medical services, case management support, employment training and job placement assistance. Since the first year of GPD funding, VVSD has expanded its medical services program, and now provides on-site nursing staff and a Nurse Practitioner at its largest site. VVSD has further developed its case management practices to provide more specific treatment goals for clients receiving treatment for mental illness and trauma.

Since 1996, VVSD has received GPD funds to implement four programs in four different locations, including Mahedy House ($95,000); New Resolve ($275,000); the Veteran Rehab Center ($750,000); and Veteran Family Program ($65,000). Mahedy House and New Resolve originally received GPD funding in 1996. Veteran Family Program opened and received GPD funding in 1999, and the Veteran Rehab Center opened in 1991 and received GPD funding in 2000.
  
VVSD operates an 87-bed licensed alcohol and drug treatment center near downtown San Diego for homeless male and female veterans of all wars and eras. The Veterans Rehab Center (VRC) offers residents a safe, clean and sober village-like residential setting for several months to a year, depending upon individual needs. The supportive housing program is integrated with structured case management and mental health therapy, and simultaneously addresses the addictions, mental health problems, medical needs, family issues, spiritual development and employment training and placement requirements of each resident.

This multi-service approach is divided into three phases: Recovery Services, Employment Development, and Community Reintegration. Abstinence, following a 12-step model, is the "sine-qua-non" essential; nurturing of individual strength and pride through community participation is the organizing principle; and full employment, independence and reintegration into the San Diego community is the ultimate goal.

VVSD also offers affordable housing for employed graduates of the VRC. Mahedy House is a restored mansion located in the Golden Hill area of San Diego with safe, comfortable living quarters for 14 people. Residents of the sober living house access counseling services and sober recreational activities at the VRC, helping them maintain their new positive lifestyle.

North County residents with a minimum of 60 days sobriety, who are homeless and motivated to gain steady employment are eligible to enroll in the New Resolve Residential Program. New Resolve offers transitional housing in a structured community setting. Residents provide their own governance through an elected Resident Council, and through participation in house and community meetings. Participants develop and follow a solid personal recovery plan, engage in individual and group therapy, and improve their independent and social living skills. Areas of counseling support include goal development, 12-step programs, self-esteem, management of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), individual issues, parole issues, anger management, relationships and family problems.

The program includes working with a case manager to plan and maintain a healthier, more productive lifestyle. New residents work with the Job Development Team to become employed within 45 days of entering the program. The team works closely with numerous employers, temporary agencies, and job training programs. They help residents prepare for employment by providing vocational counseling, and courses in job preparedness, dressing for success, resume writing, interview skills, job search skills and budgeting.

Homeless veterans with substance abuse issues who have maintained a minimum of 90 days sobriety and who are employment-motivated are – with their family – eligible for the Veteran Family Program. The program helps provide homeless families with the tools necessary to set and attain goals leading to independent living. Clients are provided with transitional shelter and are taught the skills necessary to seek, obtain and maintain permanent employment. The Family Program assures that each client has the working knowledge required for success in independent living.
 
Program components are similar to those of the New Resolve Residential Program. Welcome Home Family Program provides transitional housing through a HUD grant, and GPD-assisted housing is located in a structured community setting in which residents are held accountable for maintaining their apartments and facility grounds.

Other funds for VVSD’s GDP-funded programs come from the California Department of Corrections for parolees, County Alcohol, HUD and the San Diego housing commission. VVSD houses more than 300 homeless veterans per year in a year-round program. During the last 10 years, approximately 80% of graduates have moved into permanent housing, and most of the others are still in transitional housing. Approximately 60% of graduates were initially employed with a job that started at an average of $11 per hour, and had moved up to $13 per hour six months later. A year after graduation, approximately 75% of graduates are sober, have no new arrests, and are no longer homeless. Comprehensive services, one-on-one case management, and a focus on sobriety and employment are responsible for VVSD’s success.

VVSD launched the nation’s first Stand Down for homeless veterans, a three-day event held each summer that provides clothing, food, shelter, legal and medical assistance, referrals to jobs and housing, and veterans benefits counseling for about 700 homeless veterans in a self-contained tent community . The San Diego Stand Down was the first to include comprehensive medical services and, through a partnership with the San Diego Superior Court, the first to offer the Homeless Court Program, which helps veterans clear legal barriers to accessing housing and employment.

Employment services offered by VVSD include career assessments and guidance, job search and training assistance, transportation and help with acquiring tools to ensure job readiness and successful placements. In its more than 20 years of serving veterans in need, VVSD has developed an extensive network of partners that deliver supportive services and provide employment opportunities to clients with severe and multiple barriers to economic independence.