Vet Centers Case Study

Although Congress was specific in outlining how Vet Centers should function and made funding available for the process, many challenges were experienced during the first few years, ranging from misunderstanding and confusion to misappropriation of funds and assigning Vet Centers to VA Mental Health, which was created stigma due to the sharing of information with the greater VA (Blank, 2016). Since its inception, the Vet Center has overcome hurdles, but ultimately, flourished in providing quality mental health services, military sexual trauma counseling, and bereavement services to family members who were killed during active duty (Blank, 2016). The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 extended the eligibility for VA readjustment …show more content…
Vietnam Era veterans who have accessed care at a Vet Center prior to January 1, 2004,” according the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs website on Eligibility requirements. Proof of service must be established, however, the veteran can be seen before proof is established to meet the need individual need of the veteran (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2016b). Today there are more than 300 Vet Centers, located in every state, and 80 Mobile Vet Centers that can offer immediate support, specific outreach, and referrals. With a budget of over $7 billion, Vet Centers are able to focus mental health treatment of PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma, and service members families mental health needs (White House, 2015). Vet Centers are taking extra precautions to prevent suicide, including the addition of crisis lines, ongoing training for service providers and case supervision, and non-traditional hours. (United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015a).
Value-Critical …show more content…
Each Vet center must conduct surveys with the veterans and their families, to be able to make improvements in the services provided (Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, 2009). Vet Centers were created to provide readjustment counseling, referrals, and outreach to combat veterans, regardless of their race or social economic status. Making Vet Centers accessible in this way adheres to the original mission of the policy. Many veterans face numerous barriers to obtaining services and Vet Centers work to reduce those barriers, to reach as many veterans as possible. Vet Centers offer weekend and non-traditional hours (evening hours), a 24 hour call center for veterans to talk about issues they are facing in their readjustment where they can reach other combat veterans or family members of veterans, and socialization activities and outreach during hours work for veterans (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,