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If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we can help. We offer many programs and services, including free health care. And we can help you connect with resources in your

community. How Social Workers Help Veterans How Do I Know I Need A Social Worker? You will find social workers in all program areas in VA medical centers who are ready to help you with most

any need. If you have questions or problems, the social worker will be able to help you or can refer you to the right person for help. Here are just some of the ways that VA social workers

can help: * Assisting with transitioning and adjusting to civilian life * If you are having marriage or family problems * If someone close to you has passed away and you want to talk about

it * If you have problems with drinking or drug use * If you feel that someone is taking advantage of you or if you feel mistreated in a relationship * If you are feeling angry, sad,

depressed or anxious * If you are feeling stressed because of your health or because your medical condition interferes with your daily activities * Help Veterans and their families

understand and adjust an illness or disability * Financial or housing assistance * Getting help from the VA or from community agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, so you can continue to live

in your own home * Applying for benefits from the VA, Social Security and other government and community programs * Making sure your doctor and other VA staff on your treatment team know

your decisions about end-of-life issues, generally called advance directives and living wills. Things like whether you want to be on life support equipment, whether you are an organ donor,

and which family member or other person you have chosen to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make those decisions yourself * Arranging for respite care for your caregiver

so she or he can have a break or go on vacation without worrying about who will be caring for you * If you would like help with moving to an assisted living facility, a board and care home

or a nursing home. * If you are a parent who feels overwhelmed with child care * If your parent or spouse is in failing health * If you really aren’t sure what you need, but things just

don’t feel right How Can Social Workers Help Veterans with Problems and Concerns? Assessment The first step is generally for the social worker to meet with you, and often with your family.

The social worker will ask you questions about your health, your living situation, your family and other support systems, your military experience and the things you think you need help

with.  The social worker will then write an assessment that will help you and your VA health care team make treatment plans. Crisis Intervention In a crisis situation, social workers can

provide counseling services to help you get through the crisis. The social worker will then help you with more long-term needs. The social worker can help you apply for services and programs

in your community and through the VA to meet emergent needs. High-Risk Screening Social workers work particularly closely with those veterans who are at high risk, such as those who are

homeless, those who have been admitted to the hospital several times, and those who cannot care for themselves any longer. Discharge Planning When you are admitted to a VA hospital, the

social worker will help you make plans for your discharge back home or to the community. If you need services in your home or if you can no longer live at home by yourself, the social worker

can help you make arrangements for the help you need. Case Management Social workers often provide long-term case management services to veterans who are at high risk of being admitted to a

hospital, those who have very complex medical problems, and those who need additional help and support. They are available when needed to provide and coordinate a variety of services you

may need, including counseling or support services or just helping you figure out what you need and how to get it. Advocacy Sometimes it can be hard for a veteran to speak up for himself or

herself.  And sometimes veterans are confused by such a big, bureaucratic agency like the VA. Social workers can advocate for you and go to bat for you when you have a hard time doing it by

yourself. Education Social workers can help educate you and your family about your health care condition, what services and programs are available to you, how you can live a more healthy

life, how you can deal with stress and loss, and how you can find support groups and other self-help programs in your community. Social workers also educate other staff in the medical center

and in the community about VA programs and services and about how problems veterans may be having in their personal lives can impact their health. Psychotherapy Clinical social workers

provide individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy to address emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. All Social Workers at the Durham VAMC have a Master's Degree in

Social Work (MSW). Most of the social workers are licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Social workers are available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am

to 4:30 pm except on holidays. Referrals to Social Work Service may be made by physician, nurse, patient representative, self-referral, family member significant other, or community agency.

VA SOCIAL WORKERS CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL OF THESE TYPES OF SERVICES, PLUS MANY, MANY MORE.  IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM OR A QUESTION, YOU CAN ASK A SOCIAL WORKER. WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU! VA Social

Workers Program Involvement * Primary Care and Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) * Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs * Medical Foster Home * Caring for Older Adults and their Caregivers at

Home (COACH) * Community Living Center * Geriatric Clinic * Contract Nursing Home * Home Maker Home Health Aide Program * Inpatient Medical/Surgical * Mental and Behavioral Health Services

* General Mental Health Clinics * Psychiatric Acute Recovery Center (PARC) * Psychiatric Emergency Clinic * General and Intensive Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Clinics * PTSD Clinic *

Mental Health Intensive Case Management Program (MHICM) * Homeless Programs (view the list of VA Programs for Homeless Veterans) * Transitions Care Management (OEF/OIF/OND) Program * Spinal

Cord Injury * Women Veterans Program * Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program * Military Sexual Trauma * Employee Assistance Program  Master Social Work (MSW) Trainee Recruitment

Contacts SOCIAL WORK SERVICE - PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT Contact: Lindsey Jordan Arledge Title: Chief, SWS Phone: GERIATRIC SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS Contact: Judith Davagnino Title: Supervisor,

Geriatric Programs Phone: HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Contact: Ivey Chavis Title: Supervisor, Home and Community Services Phone: HOMELESS VETERAN Contact: Ellecia Thompson Title: Homeless

Programs Manager Phone: or ext. 175087 MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES Contact: Marsha Alishahi Title: Supervisor, Medicine Section Phone: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Contact: Larry Rhodes Title:

Supervisor, Mental Health Section Phone: TRANSITIONS CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (OEF/OIF/OND) Contact: Susan Watkins Title: Program Manager  Phone:  The Durham VA Medical Center also has Social

Workers in: Care we provide at VA Durham health care We help homeless Veterans, or those at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or

transition from jail. Contact one of our care coordinators to get help with: * Immediate food and shelter needs, including both transitional and permanent housing * Job training, life skills

development, and education * Justice system navigation and community reentry from jail * Financial support to prevent homelessness * Addiction and depression treatment * Health and dental

care Learn more and connect with a care coordinator