36C24118Q0388-0001001.doc

VA Connecticut Healthcare System

Mental Health Service Line

Performance Work Statement Mental Health Service Line of VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Contractual Services for the Provision of Shelter Beds for our Homeless Veteran Population 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 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/New Haven 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. Temporary Shelter Beds for Homeless Veterans within the West Haven/New Haven area of Connecticut.

II. Service Provision & Nature of Responsibilities

· Provide access for up to 5 emergency shelter beds (Not Cots) for our homeless Veterans for a period up to 90 day LOS within 3 mile radius of VA Connecticut.

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

· Vendor/Facility provides all linen including sheets, towels, pillows, and blankets during the entire Length of Stay.

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

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

· Assessment, Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Discharge and Referral Assistance

· Maintain JCAHO accreditation status.

· 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 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

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

· 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 and JCAHO accredited status 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:

· Payment to the housing provider at the rate as agreed upon per individual bed occupied by a Veteran appropriately referred and accepted for up to 5 beds per night as documented and invoiced monthly for each Veteran referred for temporary housing under this agreement.

· 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 Columbus House 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 Columbus House 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 only agrees to financially reimburse Columbus House for BDOC (Bed Days of Care-utilization) occupied by Veterans under this agreement via the standard five 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.

Emergency Homeless Beds—Statement of Work Fy18