Work-Therapy (CWT) and Compensated Work-Therapy Transitional Residence (TR) Programs

27 Feb Work-Therapy (CWT) and Compensated Work-Therapy Transitional Residence (TR) Programs

Using the Work-Therapy (CWT) and Compensated Work-Therapy/Transitional Residence (TR) programs, VA provides employment chances and managed therapeutic housing for those homeless ex-soldier who might have a mental, physical or drug addiction problem. VA works together with both the public and private sector to look for work for the ex-soldiers, ensuring that they learn a new job skill, re-learn skill so as to regain their self-esteem and self-worth. The employed veterans get salaries, which helps them maintain and take care of themselves. To know more about this program visit: www.va.gov/health/cwt/.

Those in the CWT/TR program usually work for around thirty-three hours a week and get an estimated salary of 732 USD every month, and they pay an estimated 186 USD for maintenance of the residence. The estimated duration for one to stay is around 174 days. There are sixty –six homes with over 520 beds, which VA supervises. Nine of the areas with eighteen homes cater for the homeless ex-soldiers only, including two-thirds of all CWT & TR beds are for the homeless veterans. On a nationwide basis, there more than 110 CWT operations.

Equipped with a business model, VI/CWT works with facility management, production personnel, and human resources so as to cater for the labor force shortages. For years now, various VI/CWT ex-soldiers have been worked in numerous prestige positions, including IT, warehousing, health care, clerical, retail, manufacturing and services delivery.

An estimate of 14,000 veterans take part in the CWT program every year. The National Cemetery Administration and Veterans Health Administration at VA have joined hands with national cemeteries, where homeless ex-soldiers were able to get therapeutic services, at the same time providing the VA cemeteries with the additional workforce.

To get more details on this, get in touch with:

• McGeough in Dallas, Texas, email: Charles.McGeough@va.gov
• Veteran Services: Donna Tasker inBiloxi, Mississippi, email: Donna.Tasker@va.gov
• Transitional Residence: Jamie Ploppert in Hampton, Virginia, email: Ploppert2@va.gov

Stand Downs

The first stand down for the displaced ex-soldiers were designed once the stand down idea used during the Vietnam War, so as to cater for a safe retreat for army unit coming back from combat operations. The soldiers were able to cater for their personal hygiene, get a change of clothes, eat well, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters and enjoy the company of friends at a secure and safe environment. Stand Down played an important role in motivating a soldier from battle and improving their sense of well-being.

This is the same reason for the Stand Down for the displaced ex-soldiers and to accomplish this, it needs enough support services and time. The program is ideal since it will bring all the services to one area, making it easier for the homeless to access them. Stand Downs are initiatives that last for one to three days and are managed by the local Vas together with other government and community agencies that cater for the homeless. In numerous areas, Stand Downs offer health checks, plus permanent treatment solutions, benefits counseling, ID cards and other services, so as to meet the needs so the ex-soldiers. Annually, VA takes part in more than a hundred Stand Downs, where an estimate of 23,000 ex-soldiers and family members took part in, with over 13,000 volunteers.

Stand Downs aim at helping the ex-soldiers with permanent programs from VA. More info can be found at www.va.gov/HOMELESS/StandDown. Or www.nchv.org/standdown.cfm.