The SC Veteran Network is a community project that focuses on Veteran outreach and collaboration in South Carolina. As a Veteran founded and operated organization, Inspire Real Change research discovered information and service delivery gaps in connecting Veterans to resources. The SC Veteran Network has three distinct components, which are Homeless Veteran Outreach, Community Assessments and Case Management, and Resource Navigation and Referrals.
Homeless Veteran outreach is a critical aspect of community engagement and service delivery. Inspire Real Change staff are engaging homeless Veterans and Veterans at-risk of homelessness in the community. Many Veterans in need of services are in rural areas of South Carolina, which have limited resources. Inspire Real Change staff receive information from the community regarding the location of a homeless Veteran and travel to meet the Veteran where they are. Through street outreach, our staff not only engages homeless Veteran but also share information to increase community awareness.
Community assessments and case management is conduct during street outreach engagements and through our on-line platform. During engagements, staff members will establish a one-on-one rapport and permission to conduct an assessment to better understand the Veteran’s needs. Our staff utilizes a biopsychosocial (BPS) assessment, which is an interdisciplinary model that analyzes the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. This assessment is completed and a service plan developed based on needs, motivation, and goals. Veterans can connect with Inspire Real Change online, as staff will conduct assessments and case management with Veterans by phone and/or email.
Inspire Real Change staff conducts resource navigation and produces referrals utilizing a network of 150+ community resources. These resources include Veteran housing, healthcare, and employment services. Inspire Real Change staff will coordinate with community service providers to support Veteran service engagement, participation, and service/recovery outcomes.
All events, activities, and engagements are documented in the SC Veteran Network data form for activity monitoring. The data form is utilized for follow-up meetings, resource navigation, and outcome development. The project goal is to engage one hundred (100) Veterans in South Carolina, conduct assessments, and navigate Veterans to homeless recovery. There are significant opportunities to engage and support our homeless Veteran population toward recovery.
With additional support, the SC Veteran Network goal to engage Veterans and reduce the number of homeless Veterans in South Carolina can be achieved. We are requesting funding to support transportation costs for our homeless Veteran outreach efforts. Thank you for your consideration and please contact me with any additional questions.
