36C24118Q0379-0001001.docx

VA Connecticut Healthcare System Fy18 Mental Health Service Line

Performance Work Statement Mental Health Service Line of VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Contractual Services for the Provision of Substance Abuse Beds and Emergency Shelter Beds for our Homeless Veterans

I. Introduction:

VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service Line is committed to meeting the temporary housing needs of our homeless veterans. Mental Health is an integral component of overall health care and housing is a critical piece which is often missing.

The temporary emergency housing needs subsumed under this scope are normally provided by numerous housing sources which cumulatively do not have adequate availability to serve our ever growing homeless veteran population. VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service Line, Errera Community Care Center Firm/ Teams within the outpatient setting provides mental health evaluation assessment, treatment and housing assistance for our veterans working on their own individual recovery plan. These additional temporary shelter housing beds located with the West Haven/Milford/Bridgeport community are needed to better serve our homeless population struggling to work on their own individual mental health recovery needs. These beds offer additional access to serving our homeless veteran. These temporary shelter beds for Homeless Veterans are needed and being sought within the West Haven, Milford, Bridgeport communities in Connecticut and need to be able to accommodate and serve men, women and families.

II. Service Provision & Nature of Responsibilities

· Provide access for 3 Substance abuse beds with a LOS up to 90 days and monitored and tracked with VA Liaison.

· Provide access for 3 emergency shelter beds with a LOS up to 90 days for our Homeless Veterans which will be monitored and tracked with a VA liaison.

· Bed utilization and referrals are for both men and/or women Veterans as well as families.

· Facility will provide all linen including sheets, towels, pillows and blankets during LOS.

· 3 meals per day including a hot lunch at noon.

· Collaborate with the designated VA clinical liaisons for all veteran referrals.

· Obtain a signed release of information from the Veteran for verbal communication during LOS, reciprocal with VA. If release is rescinded, Veteran is to be removed from the VA bed status.

· Provide case management services in collaboration with the VA Mental Health providers while the veterans are housed in the designated beds.

· Assessment, Evaluation, Discharge and Referral Assistance as needed and indicated.

· Maintain safe environment and pass pre-and annual inspection of facility by VA approved site team.

· Collaborate with VA outpatient Mental Health providers to arrange for follow-up and aftercare services.

· Collaborate daily with VA Liaison regarding bed occupancy and bed availability.

· Communicate to the VA liaison who will in turn communicate to the MH provider if veteran is discharged &/or doesn’t return to the bed status within 24 hours.

· Comply with VHA confidentiality and HIPPA guidelines.

· Work in concert with the MH Service Line Manager &/or designee of VA Connecticut Healthcare System and the Firm Director, Errera Community Care Center

· Accept veteran transfer post evaluation with a VA Connecticut’s Mental Health provider.

· Agree to return veteran back to VA Connecticut Healthcare System if medically indicated for inpatient hospitalization as long as it’s not deemed medically emergency at which time 911 would be contacted and transfer to the nearest and most appropriate hospital is warranted.

· Maintain current professional liability insurance

III. Reporting All providers will comply with agency directives, circulars, procedures and policies, maintain records and statistics, and carry out assigned caseloads and treatment for veterans referred for service provision under this agreement. Comply with JCAHO reporting standards and documentation requirements.

IV. Work Environment The mental health providers will be working to focus on serving the immediate housing needs of our homeless Veteran population. The work may require a combination of settings from his/her personal sedentary office to shared space in the residential care setting. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled facility. May require occasional travel for transfer assistance &/or treatment consultation. All providers are expected to follow safety procedures and utilize good judgment at all times.

V. Physical Demands.

The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required.

VI. Purpose of Contacts Contacts are to provide mental health referral services and assistance to veterans as referred under this agreement. Providers/Case Managers will liaison with VA agencies which may include consultants, contractors, primary providers, program officials, &/or business executives.

VII. Customer Service Meet the needs of our homeless veterans referred for temporary housing and receiving treatment at VA Connecticut outpatient services while supporting the VA and Mental Health Missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VHA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established mental health policies and procedures. Handles conflicts and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

VIII. Confidentiality Protect printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy, JCAHO and HIPPA. Protect the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Signed releases are required for the sharing of verbal &/or written information between VA and SCRC under this agreement.

IX. VA Connecticut Agrees to Provide:

· Clinical Consultation & Guidance as needed to collaborate and assist each veteran.

· Provide collaborative assistance for transfer assistance and coordination.

· Provide as needed appropriate transportation &/or transportation assistance i.e. bus tokens for transfer from VA Connecticut to Vendor for service assistance.

· Obtain necessary release of information for referral assistance and communication.

· Allow any provider under this scope to attend educational training and seminars provided or sponsored by VA Connecticut, which would improve or enhance the staff’s expertise and provide skill building.

· Perform daily contact with Vendor liaison to discuss bed availability. VA agrees to allow the facility to utilize any of the 7 unoccupied reserved beds for their need if and only if VA liaison &/or designee notifies the facilities Liaison of VA’s lack of intent to occupy any of the beds during a 24 hour period. VA agrees to release any of the three unused beds by 5:00 p.m.

· VA only agrees to financially reimburse the Vendor for BDOC (Bed Days of Care-utilization) occupied by veterans under this agreement via the standard five reserved bed status. If any of the five beds remain unoccupied, VA is not financially responsible.

· We reserve the right to increase the need of emergency beds as the need arises with modification.

Sub abuse beds and Emergency Homeless Beds-- contractual scope of service 1