36C24118Q0387-0001001.doc

Description/Specifications/Performance Work Statement VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service Line Homeless Beds with On-site Case Management Services I. Introduction:

VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service Line is committed to meeting the needs of homeless veterans. Mental Health is an integral component of overall health care and each component of care has implications for the other, physical health problems can affect mental health and mental health problems can exacerbate and even stimulate physical health problems. Housing is key to recovery. These beds will provide temporary housing in a supportive environment with on site support services, including recovery groups and individual case management. Services subsumed under this scope are conducted as part of the VA homeless expansion project. These Beds for Homeless Veterans needs to be within the West Haven area for ease of access to VA Connecticut.

II. Vendor Agrees to Provide:

· Access to five (5) Beds for VA referred homeless Veterans.

· Vendor provides all linen for the Veterans during their stay.

· VA staff liaison will maintain a waiting list for these beds, and work with vendor staff to ensure that beds are full at all times.

· VA staff will refer a Veteran for an open bed. Vendor staff maintains the right to refuse a referral if deemed inappropriate to their facility with discussion and justification provided to VA.

· Admissions will occur only on weekdays, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

· General length of stay for the Veterans referred is up to 90 days, although extensions may be granted if approved by both VA and Vendor staff.

· At the time of admission, a meeting will occur with veteran, VA clinical liaison and Vendor staff to create an action plan and steps /responsibility toward appropriate recovery goals.

· Collaborate daily with VA Liaison regarding bed availability

· Vendor staff will orient veterans to their house rules prior to admission and again upon admission.

· Agree to return veteran back to VA Connecticut Healthcare System if medically indicated for inpatient hospitalization as long as its not deemed medically inappropriate

· Vendor Staff will provide on-site daily case management services in collaboration with the VA Mental Health providers while Veterans are housed at the facility.

· Vendor staff and VA staff will continue to collaborate during the Veterans stay. Both will intervene if the Veteran shows signs of relapse, inappropriate behavior (i.e. disregard for rules). If veteran is not making progress toward his goals, Vendor staff and VA staff will meet with veteran to formalize an assessment and plan intervention(s).

· Vendor Staff will provide each veteran with a written copy of their house rules and a signed contractual agreement will be signed for

· VA and Vendor staff will determine frequency of rounds, but not less than bi-weekly.

· Reciprocal release of information’s will be signed and remain in effect the entire length of stay in this VA financially supported bed. If a veteran rescinds the release, discharge will result since this halts collaborative communication and intervention/referral assistance.

· Progress reports and recovery plans will be shared.

· Vendor Staff will provide Assessment, evaluation, treatment planning and discharge/referral assistance.

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

· Vendor provides three meals per day to each Veteran consumer in the (5) beds yet each Veteran consumer is expected to make their own breakfast and lunch with the food being provided and staff make dinner.

· Vendor will provide on site staffing 24 hour, 7 day per week in the program with additional mentors on site throughout the week.

· Communicate to VA Mental Health provider if Veteran is discharged &/or does not return to vendor facility at any time. Notification will be provided on next business day if after 4:30 p.m. or on weekends and holidays. Notification of any house rule violations or infractions will be communicated to VA within 12 hours of event or incident.

· Comply with VHA and HIPPA guidelines.

· Request Veteran’s cooperate with random urine tox screens

· Vendor staff does not administer medication, but will safely hold medications in a locked secured area, and document in a separate log any medications taken by the veteran consumer. If deemed necessary, a visiting nurse can be assigned to the consumer who is in need of medical care and/or medication.

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

· Collaborate with VA PAOD during after hours, weekends and holidays for psychiatric mental health assistance

· Invoice VA Connecticut monthly for services rendered.

· Inform VA Connecticut of any issues, concerns in a timely manner i.e. within no later than 24 hour

· Vendor will provide stable housing and utilizes the model of positive incentives to clients who adhere to the program requirements and model behavior conducive to recovery.

· Programs Treatment Methods which are to be Provided:

· Individual Counseling

· Case Management and ongoing Discharge assistance and planning

· Drug and Alcohol Education

· Relapse Prevention

· Development of social, living and vocational skills

· Meditation therapy

· Vocational Planning

· Next Step Housing Referral and assistance

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 needs of our veteran population while they strive to work toward their own recovery. They will function as treatment providers and as a treatment team in an outpatient community based treatment environment. 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 services and treatment to veterans as referred under this agreement. Providers may liaison with VA agencies which may include consultants, contractors, primary providers, program officials, &/or business executives.

VII. Customer Service

Meet the needs of our veterans referred and receiving treatment 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 Columbus House Inc. under this agreement.

IX. VA Connecticut Healthcare System Agrees to Provide and Support:

· VA Liaison to coordinate referrals in collaboration with Vendor Staff Liaison for these 5 beds.

· VA liaison will maintain a waiting list to help ensure maximum capacity and efficient bed utilization.

· VA agrees to pay a daily bed rate per day per bed up to five (5) beds for Veterans in these case management beds for a period of 90 days. An extension may be granted yet must be approved in writing by the VA liaison and veteran must be in good standing with the Vendor.

· Clinical Consultation & Guidance as needed on a referral basis.

· Obtain necessary release of information & forward at time of transfer a complete transfer packet including but not limited to: lab results, discharge summary, medication profile, and psychiatric evaluation & assessment, PPD results, and current individual service recovery plan.

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

· Perform daily contact with Vendor liaison to discuss bed availability. VA agrees to allow Vendor to utilize any of the 5 unoccupied reserved beds for their need if and only if VA liaison &/or designee notifies Vendor of VA’s lack of intent to occupy any of the beds during the next 24 hour period. VA agrees to release any of the 5 unused beds for the day only by 4:30 p.m.

· VA only agrees to financially reimburse Vendor for BDOC occupied by Veterans under this agreement via the standard five (5) pre-reserved bed statuses. If any of the five beds remain unoccupied, VA is not financially responsible.

· VA Liaison will maintain daily contact with Vendor Staff liaison to provide ongoing collaborative communication.

DF-SOW (5 Beds) MHSL Fy18 updated