Project Grant 18SDWCO002

SILVER KEY IS HONORED TO PROVIDE THIS APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION TO APPLY FOR THE VA CHOOSE HOME SENIOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (SDP), A THREE-YEAR PILOT WITH THE GOAL TO IMPROVE AND STREAMLINE THE VA CARE PROCESSES USED FOR ASSESSING AND ASSIGNING VETERANS TO NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE PROGRAMS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING AN INTEGRAL PARTNER TO THE VA IN THIS UNIQUE PILOT DESIGNED TO DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE VETERAN, CAREGIVER AND FAMILY EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING VETERANS WITH THE CHOICE TO RECEIVE SERVICES AT HOME. WE CONCUR WITH THE SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND WAY FORWARD, RESULTING FROM THREE RECENT VA CHOOSE HOME COMMUNITY FORUMS (COLORADO SPRINGS, PITTSBURGH AND LAS VEGAS) AS REPORTED BY THE VHA OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CENTER FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE INNOVATION. THOUGH THE SDP, SILVER KEY ESTIMATES 100 CHOOSE HOME VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE VETERANS. ALL CHOOSE HOME SDP VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE RIDES FOR VETERANS WHO NEED ACCESS TO LOCAL MILITARY BASES FOR MEDICAL AND BENEFITS APPOINTMENTS; RIDES FOR SHOPPING, SOCIAL MEAL LOCATIONS AND ROUND TRIPS TO FITZSIMMONS ARMY MEDICAL CENTER IN AURORA, 75 MILES NORTH; DELIVERING MEALS TO VETERANS; AND PROVIDING COMPANIONSHIP AND ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE HOUSING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL LIVING NEEDS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, A NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, WILL REPORT HAVING INCREASED SOCIAL TIES AND INCREASED PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $417,000 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF $50,000 OF NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES. EL PASO COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGES OF VETERANS IN THE NATION WITH INCREASING NUMBERS OF SENIOR VETERANS NEEDING SERVICES ANNUALLY. OUR ORGANIZATION'S VISION - TO MAKE THE COLORADO SPRINGS AREA THE BEST IN THE NATION TO AGE - INCLUDES EMBRACING OUR VETERANS WHILE CONTINUALLY STRIVING TO ACTIVATE NUMEROUS INNOVATIVE, EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WAYS TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AS AGING AMERICANS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE VHA AND CNCS IN THIS NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.