Emergency Contract Beds for 290 Status Veterans Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)

BACKGROUND.



Through the HCHV program, VACCHCS provides case management services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain offers for Contractors in Fresno, Tulare, Merced and Madera Counties who can provide housing, care, treatment and rehabilitative services to homeless, and 290 status (sex offenders) Veterans suffering from mental illness into community-based residential facilities offering a safe and secure environment that supports their goals for housing. The Contractor will be required to provide a therapeutic and rehabilitative milieu and attendant services targeting the underlying factors contributing to homelessness. The contractor will not be required to provide detoxification or other hospital level treatments.



Through the HCHV program, VACCHCS provides case management services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, community resources, and rehabilitative services in the Fresno, Tulare, Merced and Madera Counties. HCHV program also coordinates with contractors in placement of homeless and 290 status (sex offender) Veterans suffering from Homelessness and other variations of Mental Health, and drug dependency into community-based residential housing. The Contractor will also be required to provide therapeutic and rehabilitative milieu and attendant services targeting the underlying factors contributing to homelessness. The contractor will not be required to provide detoxification or other hospital level treatments.

A. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

OUTREACH: Contractor shall engage in outreach in the community both independently and in collaboration with VACCHCS Homeless Program Designee(s). The Contractor shall maintain a minimum of a 70% occupancy rate but a preferred rate of 90%. If this rate is not consistently attained a corrective action plan will be developed as part of the QASP and/or as a process improvement plan.

BASIC SERVICES. The contractor shall furnish each Veteran referred for care under this contract with the following basic services:

a. ROOM AND BOARD: Room and Board shall be accessible to the Veteran 7 days a week and 24 hours per day. Accommodations will include a bed, a dresser, storage, personal linens (towels and bed sheets), and other furnishings as required. At least three meals, 7 days a week will be provided for the Veteran. In addition, there will be nutritious snacks consistent with USDA dietary guidelines (e.g. fruits and vegetables) made available between meals and at bedtime for those requiring or desiring additional food, when it is not medically contraindicated. There shall be no more than a 14 hour span between the evening meal and breakfast the following day. Food shall be prepared, served and stored under sanitary conditions in compliance with USDA Food Safety Guidelines. The facility shall provide storage space in an onsite refrigerator for Veterans to store personal food. The facility shall establish and maintain sanitary procedures for washing dishes, cleaning equipment and work areas, and disposing of waste.



b. LAUNDRY FACILITIES: Free laundry facilities shall be provided for residents to do their own laundry. There will need to be a 6;1 ratio for washers and dryers. Veterans will be provided a minimum of 4 hours on 2 different days a week, with minimum of 48 hours between the two days to wash clothing. Bedding and laundry provide by contractor will not be included in the Veterans laundry schedule.

c. THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES: The Contractor shall provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services determined for each individual Veteran referred for services as stated in the plan developed by the Contractor, VACCHCS Homeless staff, and Veteran. The contractor shall provide:

(1)Group Activities: Structured group activities as appropriate two times per month - examples include group therapy, life skills training, social skills training, vocational/peer support counseling and physical activities as appropriate.

(2)VA Coordination: Collaboration with the VACCHCS program staff as needed to provide supportive psychosocial services.

(3)Case Management: A written care plan shall be developed within 72 hours of Veteran's placement into the contractor's facility. The care plan shall include individual case management and/or professional counseling four times per month, focusing on self-care skills, adaptive coping skills, financial planning, permanent housing search, referral for financial benefits, and vocational rehabilitation counseling.

All Veterans shall be referred to VACCHCS for Primary Care and Mental Health appointments and contractors will support Veterans in making initial and subsequent appointments. Efforts shall be documented in the care plan.

In addition, special attention- shall be taken to address High Risk Safety issues. These plans will be completed in collaboration with VACCHCS staff with any High Risk Veterans who have been identified through the eligibility process. The contractor case manager will review the High Risk Safety Plan weekly with VACCHCS Staff.

(4)Permanent Housing Search: Assistance to develop housing resources shall be provided two times per month either in groups or through one to one case management staffing in collaboration with VACCHCS staff. Examples include education about how to obtain free credit reports, completing tenant portfolio documents, reviewing affordable housing lists, and any other community resources assisting with Permanent Housing search.

(5)Financial Planning: The Contractor shall facilitate referrals to all eligible financial resources (e.g. SSI, NSC pension, GA). These activities shall include; support of monthly development of short term and long term plans to understand current financial situations and how to improve upon them. These activities may be accomplished in group or through individual case management services.

(6)Discharge Planning: To secure permanent housing is the discharge goal for every Veteran. Compliance with all VACCHCS regulations regarding discharges. Contractors/case managers will provide assistance with discharge planning for every Veteran and report all discharges within 24 hours. Completed discharge documentation of a Veteran from an HCHV housing is required to be submitted within 72 hours to VACCHCS staff. Assessment of housing needs will be provided within 72 hours of admittance into the program and resources will be coordinated for discharge to a community placement throughout the duration of the Veteran's stay. Please see QASP for additional details.

(7)Extensions: - All extensions beyond 90 days must be submitted in writing by the Contractor to HCHV coordinator or designated VACCHCS staff 7 business days prior to discharge date.

(8)Medication Management: Medications and narcotics shall be properly stored, controlled, issued and recorded in compliance with physician's orders.

(9)Critical Incident Reporting: - All critical incidents shall be reported within 24 hours.