# Presentation: 027704

## Eastern Colorado Health Care System   OEF/OIF Program

- Jeriann Ascione, RN, MSN
- Program Manager
- Bradley McClure, LCSW
-   Case Manager

## OIF/OEF Program Flow Sheet Description

- The OIF/OEF Program is a transitional program to help these combat veterans enter the VA system and get the services they need.
- The Program manager is the single point of contact for veterans entering the program.
- The Case manager helps those veterans get to the services they need. “Severely Injured” veterans (30% or more SC, SCI, Burns, Amputee, or TBI with only a single injury or illness) will be followed at least quarterly by the case manager for two years. Other veterans will be connected to the services they need, may be contacted a few times, but then closed.
- The Ft. Carson Liaison works with the staff on Ft. Carson to identify and arrange the transition of veterans who have injuries and/ illnesses that will need follow up after discharge.
- The Patient Transition Advocate assists the Liaison in transitioning those veterans to the VA Health Care System.

## OIF/OEF Program Process for VISN 19

- Program Manager
- Jeriann Ascione, RN, MSN

- Ft. Carson Liaison
- Vacant

- Patient Transition Advocate
- Vacant

- Social Work Case Manager
- Bradley McClure, LCSW

- TBI Case Manager
- Joni Pfeffer, LCWS

- Polytrauma Case Manager
- Joni Pfeffer, LCSW

- MH Clinics and CBOCS

- Primary Care

- Specialty Care i.e. Pain Clinic, Ortho, Prothstetics, ect

- Other type of referral i.e. self, command, family, Comp and Pen, VTA, PEB, ect.

## OEF/OIF Veteran Program

- Over 3000 OEF/OIF Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care
- Veteran Tracking Application and Physical Examination Board  monitoring has identified (and we have contacted) over 540 severely injured and medically boarded veterans
- Wait list are monitored to remedy any outliers; Currently there are no OEF/OIF Veterans on the wait list.
- OEF/OIF Veterans accounted for 20,000 encounters from 10/06 - 5/07.
- Weekly Hotline Call to review soldiers of concern
- Army Wounded Warrior Coordinator and a Social Security Disability representative participate in call

## OEF/OIF Veteran Program

- A Steering Committee meets weekly to monitor the progress of meeting the OEF/OIF Action Plan
- Developed and implemented a MS Access Database to more accurately capture and track OEF/OIF veterans.
- Plan outreach and welcome activities
- Participated in over 20 outreach events; Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) sessions, Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP’s) and Family retreats.
- These events reached over 600 military personnel, 200 family members, 775 professionals and 250 other interested persons

## Welcome Home Events

- Efforts are made to identify units that are redeploying and attend their welcome home events.
- There is continues contact between the Colorado National Guard and Army Reserve units and staff of the OIF/OEF Program in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System.

## Future Plans

- Implementation of registration clinic at the Compensation & Pension Clinic - target October, 07
- OEF/OIF Clinic to be offered weekly that will include after hour appointments - target September, 07

## What can you do to Help the OEF/OIF

- Connect OEF/OIF with the needed resources i.e. employment, vocational rehabilitation etc
- Know the names of the OEF/OIF staff and the numbers they can be reached.
- Thank these returning combat veterans for their service
- Resolve OEF/OIF veteran issues at the point of concern

## Conclusion

-  Thank you for your continued dedication to our nations veterans!