SYNERGY The National VA Social Work Newsletter

Transcription

1 SYNERGY The National VA Social Work Newsletter FALL 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Social Work & Care Giver Leadership From the Director, and Deputy Director Education, Training National Conference Caregiver Support Line Caregiver Website Peer Support Noteworthy Fisher House Program Hero Miles Program Caring for Our Veteran Students Portland s Cancer Survivor Day From The Field Hospice/Palliative Care Support Group for Caregivers Peace at Home Evidence-Based Classes to Support Caregivers Two Amazing Caregivers Steppin Out of the Box" to Meet Caregiver Needs Paul s Story Lessons Learned Supporting an Uphill Battle Special Thanks Editor Extraordinaire Congratulations to Lorn Gingrich Laura Taylor Kathleen Dinegar Monthly SW Calls Caregiver Support Program By Deborah Amdur, LCSW...Chief Consultant, Care Management and Social Work Service Deborah Amdur, LCSW Chief Consultant One defining factor of VA Social Work is its role as a focal point for program development in VA. The list of innovative new programs that Social Work has taken the lead in is truly amazing: programs to end Veteran homelessness, medical foster home, adult day healthcare, residential care, justice outreach, the Fisher House program, are just a few. It should come as no surprise that when groundbreaking legislation for new benefits and services for family caregivers was signed into law in May of 2010, VA leadership looked to Care Management and Social Work to head up the development of the plan for implementation and the roll out of the new program. The trust and faith in Social Work to take the lead is a true reflection of the extraordinary work that VA Social Workers do each and every day. It has been a whirlwind of activity for over a year now. It gives me great pride to say that together we have put into place new programs and services that are having a significant impact in the lives of family caregivers and the Veterans they care for. Without these unsung heroes, countless Veterans would not have the option of remaining at home in their community, surrounded by family and friends. Our Family Caregivers make significant contributions to our health care system by improving the health and well-being of Veterans and by reducing health care costs. It is our challenge and duty to find ways to ease their burden and develop programs that meet the needs of our Veterans, and their family caregivers. One of the challenging aspects of Public Law the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, is the limitation of the key new benefits to family caregivers of seriously injured post 9-11 Veterans. As Social Workers we know this only scratches the surface when it comes to individuals who have made major sacrifices to keep ill and injured Veterans at home and out of institutional settings. Recognizing this, Secretary Shinseki has ensured that we have adequate funds not only to implement the new stipend program, but also to enhance services and programs that support caregivers of Veterans from all eras. We have been able to place caregiver support coordinators at all VA medical centers; develop a Caregiver Support Line that has responded to over 20,000 calls for assistance since opening on February 1, 2011; create a caregiver website that is full of helpful information on a wide range of topics relevant to family caregivers, and serves as a forum for sharing stories and experiences among caregivers. We are expanding REACH VA, designed to educate and support caregivers of Veterans with Alzheimer s disease, for use with other conditions, such as spinal cord injury. We are looking at other evidence based practices to include in our menu of services and benefits that support Family Caregivers. This edition of Synergy highlights national, VISN and local program initiatives that support Caregivers. Thank you for what you do each and every day in support of Family Caregivers what better way to support and enhance the lives of the Veterans we care for. Let us all join in celebration of National Family Caregivers Month this November. Thank you for what you do each and every day in support of Family Caregivers what better way to support and enhance the lives of the Veterans we care for. Let us all join in celebration of National Family Caregivers Month this November. Deborah Amdur

2 From the National Caregiver Support Program Leadership Keith A. Welsh, LCSW National Director Caregiver Support Program Family Caregivers provide crucial support in caring for our Nation s Veterans by allowing them to stay in the homes and communities they defended, surrounded by the loved ones they fought for. With the expanded services for eligible post 9/11 Veterans provided under Public Law (PL) , VA added several new services to a continuum of care that already provides more than two dozen services to Caregivers of Veterans of all eras. The media coverage of our expanded post 9/11 Caregiver services has called attention to our existing VA Caregiver services. It is truly outstanding to hear about Caregivers of Veterans from all eras who are now participating in VA services they were not previously aware of. Our National Caregiver Support Line receives more than 150 calls per day and more than half of these calls are from Caregivers to Veterans of all eras. Early in 2011 we were directed to develop an application process, a system to track each stage of it, and procedures for paying stipends to Family Caregivers along with CHAMPVA health insurance benefits. There were additional procedures such as core Family Caregiver training and a home visit to assess that training and the safety and care environment in the home. This required formalization of additional logistical steps and procedures. Our program has received incredible support and it has been very rewarding to collaborate with other teams of professionals from Chief Business Office, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Mental Health, 10N Operations and others as we successfully designed the systems, established supporting documentation or software systems, designed and facilitated training, and managed the final implementation. As we enter Fiscal Year 2012, we are quickly approaching our anticipated target of over 3,000 post 9/11 Family Caregivers eligible for the expanded services offered under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance. I believe what we ve accomplished as a VA team has been truly groundbreaking and I do believe we are part of a pioneering effort that is changing modern healthcare. I would like to thank all the individuals at VA Central Office, the other national program offices and all those in the field at VA Medical Centers including leaders, medical professionals, Caregiver Support Coordinators, and everyone who has assisted in creating this dynamic new program for our Veterans and their Caregivers. I do believe we are part of a pioneering effort that is changing modern healthcare. Meg Kabat, LCSW-C, CCM Deputy Director Caregiver Support Program The VA s Caregiver Support Program has multiple components designed to assist and support Family Caregivers of Veterans of all eras. Caregiver Support Coordinators (CSCs) are located at each VA medical center and serve as the champions of the Caregiver Support Program, bringing all of the components together. Caregiver Support Coordinators are clinical experts on caregiving and support Family Caregivers, but also help to integrate Caregiver sensitivity into every aspect of the medical center. They participate in team meetings, provide outreach both within the VA and at community venues, and serve as the voice of the Caregiver throughout the medical center. They will be establishing local Caregiver Support Program Councils made up of Veterans, Caregivers, medical center staff, and community partners, to discuss all aspects of supporting Family Caregivers at the medical center and in the community....being the Caregiver We know from a study published in November 2010 by the National Alliance for of a Veteran is like Caregiving (Caregivers of Veterans Serving on the Homefront) that Caregivers running a marathon. of Veterans face unique challenges from those who are caring for non-veterans. Caregivers of Veterans report higher levels of both emotional and physical stress. Caregivers of Veterans are also more likely to be in the caregiving role for more than 10 years and are more likely to live with the Veteran they are caring for, which, in many cases, means that caregiving has become a full time job. Caregiver Support Coordinators must work closely with our Family Caregivers, ensuring that they have access to all of the services and benefits that they and the Veteran they are caring for are entitled to. Caregiver Support Coordinators are able to view situations through the Caregiver s eyes allowing them to partner with Caregivers and ensure the best care for the Veteran. They link the family to resources and community agencies, brainstorm about ways to utilize neighbors and friends to assist, and perhaps most importantly, ensure Caregivers are taking care of themselves, in whatever way they need to, in order to be there for the long haul. The phrase may be overused, but being the Caregiver of a Veteran is like running a marathon and Caregivers need to pace themselves in order to keep meeting the needs of the Veteran. They must plan and utilize their resources, and our Caregiver Support Coordinators are there to assist in any way they can. If you haven t met the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your medical center yet, please make a point to get to know them. Plan an event or educational class together. Discuss the Caregivers in the population that you work with and brainstorm new and creative ways to support those Caregivers. Together, we can make the most of this important partnership!

3 From the National Caregiver Support Program Leadership Meg Campbell-Kotler, MPH, RN Caregiver Education and Training Program Manager Caregiver Training is a required and essential component of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. P.L mandates that primary and secondary Family Caregivers be offered instruction, preparation, and training appropriate for the Family Caregiver to provide personal care services to the eligible Veteran. To meet this mandate, VA contracted with Easter Seals to develop a Core Curriculum for Family Caregivers. It is available in three formats: selfinstruction with a print Workbook and CD/DVD, on-line, or face-toface in a classroom. Caregivers are able to select the format best suited to their learning style and personal situation. In August, the self-instruction workbook and classroom training were launched in Spanish. The Core Curriculum is offered in six modules. Module 1 covers Caregiver Self-Care and includes the basics of adequate rest, nutrition, body mechanics. An enhanced stress management portion provides techniques for meditation, mindfulness and journaling. This module also addresses the family s response to the Veteran s injury; especially its impact on children and adolescents. Module 2 addresses Home Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Module 3, Caregiver Skills, covers the taking of vital signs, skin care, infection control and universal precautions, and medication management. Module 4 covers Veteran Personal Care and activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and assistive devices. Module 5 addresses Managing Challenging Behaviors and provides general guidance with regard to anger, depression and communications; suicide prevention is presented in greater depth. Module 6, Resources, includes topics such as the Caregiver as an advocate, HIPAA, advance directives, legal and financial terms important for Caregivers, and VA Caregiver Resources. After completing the training, Caregivers complete and submit a Final Self-Assessment Tool to Easter Seals. The Caregiver receives a certificate of completion and a copy of the certificate is mailed to the Caregiver Support Coordinator. The National Caregiver Support Conference: Caring For Those Who Care For Our Veterans Alice M. Boone Program Specialist This training conference was held August 2-4, 2011, in Washington, DC, and highlighted VA s support to Caregivers. Staff from VA Medical Centers across the country were in attendance and offered best practices and gained new understanding of the unique challenges faced by family Caregivers of Veterans from all eras. The National Caregiver Support Conference offered additional training and dispensed information to VA staff about services and benefits for all our Caregivers. The Information Booth welcomed attendees, participants, and visitors to programs such as VA Liaisons, OEF/OIF/OND, Fisher House, and Social Work and Caregiver Support Program Support Line. Veteran Service Organizations and community partners including non- VA resources were also in attendance with information in support of Caregivers. The centrally located Information Booth functioned flawlessly at the hotel and served as an informal meet and greet venue for all. The Caregiver Support Program team did a remarkable job staging the lobby of the hotel with directional signs, pull-up banners, and break room tripods ensuring smooth navigation in and around the Conference events. In essence, the Information booth provided a free, informational public service. After spending four days away from their respective VA s, all concurred that the Conference was a raving success. The materials promoted at the Information Booth provided the attendees with win-win solutions in caring for our Nation s Veterans! To date, 2,080 Family Caregivers have completed the Core Curriculum training. The majority of Caregivers have selected the Workbook and CD/DVD for their training. Those who participated in the classroom have found the experience invaluable to share with other Caregivers, discuss challenges and to receive support. If a Caregiver has completed the core curriculum using the Workbook or on-line, they are also encouraged to participate in a classroom training. Easter Seals has developed a schedule of sites offering classroom training Sept-Nov If your site has 5 or more eligible Family Caregivers interested in classroom training, contact Easter Seals at to arrange for training in your community. For questions or comments I can be reached at or Margaret.Campbell-Kotler@va.gov

4 From the National Caregiver Support Program Leadership National VA Caregiver Support Line Pamela Wright, LCSW-R National Program Manager, VA Caregiver Support Line On February 1, 2011 VA launched the new toll free National VA Caregiver Support Line ( ) at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center campus in upstate New York. The Support Line is available to respond to inquiries about the new Caregiver benefits associated with Public Law , Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, as well as serve as a resource/referral center for all Veteran caregivers, Veterans and others seeking caregiver information; provide referrals to local VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Coordinators (CSC) and VA/community resources; and provide emotional support to callers. VA values the sacrifices Caregivers make to help Veterans remain at home. Caregivers are the critical link to ensuring Veterans have the highest quality care and optimal wellness. The Support Line hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8am-11pm and Saturday 10:30am-6pm Eastern Standard time. The Veterans Crisis Line serves as a back up to the Support Line and takes calls when all lines are in operation and during non-operational hours, taking messages and reporting immediately back to the Support Line with caller contact information. Callers receive call backs within one hour from a Support Line social worker who is specially trained in caregiver issues, Public Law , VA supportive services, community resources and supportive counseling. Caregivers are the critical link to ensuring Veterans have the highest quality care and optimal wellness. The social worker evaluates the urgency of the Caregiver s needs and determines what VA supportive services and community resources would best meet the specific needs, tailoring interventions and education to the individual caller. A discussion then takes place to include evaluating support from family and friends, local resources, and VA services currently utilized. Education about VA supportive services, local community agencies and brainstorming options help to problem solve the caller's immediate concerns and issues. A referral is offered to the local VA medical center CSC for all callers. If a referral is accepted an assessment will be completed by the Support Line social worker and sent to the Caregiver Application Tracker (CAT) computerized program which tracks all Veteran caregivers. The CSC will receive a computer alert that a Support Line assessment has been entered. The CSC then has two business days to respond to the caller and report back interventions and outcomes to the Support Line. The CSC assists callers in connecting to the many VA services available to Veterans that assist caregivers, to treatment teams, specialty teams, processes caregiver stipend applications as well as link them to vital community resources. The CSC and Support Line staff members work as a team to meet the needs of Veteran caregivers. Cari Malcolm, LCSW, is the local Support Line Program Coordinator and manages the daily staffing and operations of the line. Pamela Wright, LCSW-R, is the National Program Manager overseeing the program from a Central Office prospective. If you have questions about the National VA Caregiver Support Line please call The Support Line is staffed with fourteen licensed independent social workers as call responders and four health technicians who gather call outcome data from CSCs and provide follow up call backs to callers. Support Line social workers are experts on Caregiver issues and are knowledgeable of both VA and non-va support services and benefits available for Veterans and their Family Caregivers. The Support Line calls are answered by a social worker who quickly establishes rapport with the caller and then asks specific questions to better understand the caller's needs.

5 From the National Caregiver Support Program Leadership Jennifer Henius Health Systems Specialist The Caregiver Support Program launched its new VA Caregiver Support website May 31 st, This exciting new web site serves as one of the primary outreach tools for Caregivers and Veterans of all eras to help them understand the benefits and services available to them. The website is one tool among many in the Caregiver Outreach Campaign Tool Box aimed to reach all generations of family Caregivers to demonstrate that a caring and responsive community exists for family Caregivers through VA and its partners. In many instances, Social Workers are the first point of contact for Veterans and their Caregivers to the VA health care system and it is important that we demonstrate that VA is here to help. Referring them to the Caregiver web site for information and resources is a great place to start. The web site serves as a virtual community that provides information and resources that address challenges and questions from the Family Caregiver s perspective, and offers an online space to connect with other Family Caregivers of Veterans. The website currently averages more than 1,481 hits per day, 4.5 pages viewed per visit, for a total of at least 6,649 pages viewed daily. The website includes a zip code search feature to locate the nearest VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator, links to existing VA social media, and information on future Caregiver-specific social media features. Michelle.Stefanelli National.Program.Manager Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Program The vision of the Peer Support Mentoring Program is to provide personal support to Caregivers and to establish peer relationships in a non-clinical environment by matching Caregiver peers. Peer Mentoring is defined as a helpful relationship between two individuals who have shared a similar experience. The Peer Support Mentoring Program provides personal support and establishes peer relationships by matching Caregivers to each other. Peer Mentors can also be bridge builders for Caregivers by empowering them to form new supportive relationships and linking them to resources available within VA and in the community. The Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Program met in September to begin the establishment of the program by hosting a national Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Focus Group. Six Caregivers from all Veteran eras representing a cross section of geographical regions participated in the Focus Group and serve as members of an ongoing planning workgroup. The Caregiver Peer Support Mentoring Focus Group will focus initially on ways to strengthen interpersonal relationships between a peer Caregiver, provide a support mechanism for social networking, and empower Caregivers to help one another. The Focus Group members not only serve as mentors, but also provide essential input into the development of the program and contribute to the overall vision of the Peer Support Mentoring Program: to provide an opportunity for peer mentors to receive guidance and to share experiences, wisdom, skills, and passion with other Caregiver peers. Click to visit CareGiver Webpage Please take time to become familiar with our new site, its available resources, and the touching stories shared by our courageous Caregivers. The website is in its first phase of development. We look forward to expanding our outreach capabilities to include a mobile app, social media, and messaging. We are certainly open to your creative ideas to enhance our efforts. For more information please contact Jennifer Henius, LCSW Sr. Health Systems Specialist Caregiver Support Program Jennifer.Henius@va.gov

6 From the National Fisher House and Family Hospitality Program Leadership DC VA Medical Center Fisher House Dedication Jennifer Wengryn, National Fisher House and Family Hospitality Program Manager In 1994, The Fisher House Foundation constructed and donated the first VA Fisher House on the grounds of the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. Fisher Houses enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times- during hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or recovery from injury. Veterans, Active Duty Service members, their families and caregivers receive accommodations in a Fisher House at no cost, allowing them to focus on wellness in a supportive environment. In 2010, The VA Fisher House Program provided lodging to 9,075 families and caregivers, including 606 families of Post 9-11 Active Duty Service members. Currently, there are 56 Fisher Houses internationally within DoD and VA, 20 of which are located at VA Medical Centers. The Washington DC VA Medical Center Fisher House was dedicated on September 8 th, This Fisher House is the 19th operational VA Fisher House and can accommodate up to 20 families and caregivers. Each suite consists of a bedroom and private bath. The house also has common areas such as the kitchen, family and living room, special community dining room, family style laundry facilities, in-room telephone and TV/DVD player and computer access. Located within sight of the Nation s Capital, the Washington DC VA Medical Center (DCVAMC) is known as the Flagship of VA Health Care. DCVAMC is a tertiary care, Complexity Level 1a facility. It provides comprehensive primary and specialty care in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry. The Medical Center has 174 acute care beds, 30 Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment (PRRTP) beds, and an adjacent 120-bed Community Living Center (CLC), providing a full-spectrum of extended care services including geriatric and Poly-trauma rehabilitation, long-term care, hospice and palliative care. DCVAMC is a clinical study site for functional-mri supporting Veterans with TBI and PTSD. The hospital serves over 84,000 enrolled Veterans residing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, which includes suburban Maryland, southern Maryland, and Northern Virginia. In addition, Robert A. Petzel, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans Affairs delivered a keynote address. This Fisher House will ensure that many families who must travel long distances to receive specialized treatment at the Washington DC VA Medical Center are provided with care and comfort in a supportive environment. Fisher House Foundation Hero Miles Program In 2004, several senior military spouses recognized a growing concern about the cost of travel for Servicemembers receiving medical care away from home. As a result, The Fisher House Foundation created the Hero Miles Program. The Foundation administers the "Hero Miles" program for the Department of Defense in accordance with Public Law , Section 58, of the 2005 Defense Authorization Act. The Hero Miles Program provides free airline tickets to Veterans, Active Duty Servicemembers, their family members and caregivers who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA Medical Center related to Post 9-11 military service. The program is comprised of individual airlines whose passengers donate frequent flyer miles to assist Veterans, Servicemembers and their families. Airline partners include: Air Tran Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. Since inception, The Hero Miles program issued over 23,000 Hero Miles tickets, (over $38M in airline travel cost savings for Veterans, Servicemembers and families). Eligibility for Hero Miles includes but is not limited to the following: Veterans and Servicemembers may be given free round trip airline tickets to enable family or close friends to visit them while they are being treated at a medical center. Veterans must be 100 percent Service Connected, or receiving treatment for an illness or injury suffered during active duty post Servicemembers with approved leave of five or more days may be given a free round trip airline ticket for a trip from the medical center to their home and return if they are not eligible for government funded airfare. In order to apply, Veterans, Servicemembers or their family members should contact the Social Work staff at the medical center. The referring Social Worker is responsible for verifying eligibility criteria and submits the Hero Miles application to the Fisher House Foundation Hero Miles Program Director, Tish Stropes, and the airline ticket will be issued. For More information about the Fisher House Program or the Hero Miles Program, please contact Jennifer Wengryn, National Fisher House and Family Hospitality program Manager at or Jennifer.Wengryn1@va.gov. For more information about the wonderful work of the Fisher House Foundation please visit Click the magazine to see the Fisher House Publication with stories of Fisher House guests and updated Fisher House Foundation and DOD/VA information.

7 From the Field... Field Notes Hospice/Palliative Care Support Group for Caregivers By Sue Pataky LCSW, MPH Pittsburgh Healthcare System Death can be an everyday occurrence in medical care, but it is unforgettable for the person s caretaker. When a patient dies and the caretaker must move on, it can be overwhelming for the caregiver. Providing a safe, intimate, confidential group to share support can have a lasting positive effect on the caretaker. The loss of a partner, financial advisor, traveling companion, date, and lover are just a few of the possible adjustments a caretaker endures as a person becomes permanently ill. Not being able "to reach the can of peaches on the top shelf" can bring a caretaker to tears due to the loss of the partner's ability to help, but the caretaker's feelings are always trumped by the needs of the patient. "How can I be upset about my feelings when he is dealing with cancer?" An additional loss for a caretaker occurs when the patient is placed outside their home. In addition to caring for their home alone, they have to arrange visits to their loved one around the schedule where the patient now resides. These challenges can be dwarfed by the guilt of not being able to care for their loved one at home. As the patient's condition continues to deteriorate, hope declines. Defense mechanism may occur in the patient in unexpected ways but this is also true of the caretaker. Support is offered to the patient and caretaker but the caretaker is still putting the patient's needs first. Some caretakers have the privilege of being present at the last breath of their loved one. Those who do not may experience this as yet another loss. Some have sat vigil for weeks, only to have their loved one pass when they left to use the bathroom. Through no fault of their own, they are denied the opportunity for this unique opportunity for closure. When their loved one dies, the focus shifts from patient to caretaker. They may be a widow, a child, a sibling, significant other, relative or friend, but they share one important thing: they loved the patient who is no longer present in this world. One caretaker informed me, "A priest declared us as one, 60 years ago, for better or worse. How do I go on without half of me?" The loss and bereavement of a caretaker is a two edged sword. They not only lost a person they loved but they also lost the role of caretaker which had become more and more time consuming as the patient deteriorated. This can result in new empty spaces of time in the caretakers life, in addition to their ongoing grief. They must adjust from having complete responsibility for all their loved one s needs to the whirlwind of funeral arrangements, and emptiness. The unique aspect of the hospice/palliative care support group is that any caretaker can attend when they choose, at any time of the illness or death. The group is offered upon recognition of caretaker need, even if the patient is still at home. Flyers are distributed widely, caregivers on the palliative care unit are consistently encouraged to attend, and no one is turned away. Members continue to come after the death of their loved one as long as they choose, some because they have been there and want to help the new members through this difficult time. One widow informed me, "You can be honest here. If you tell your kids you aren't fine, they will bug you until you tell them you are! You know they love you but they can't handle your pain." Loss is always painful, no matter how you experience it. Having support when you want it in this difficult journey of loss, is a gift that special support groups can offer. (Left and above) Two of the sitting rooms in the hospice Thanks to Sue Pataky for sending this from Pittsburg VA!

8 From the Field... Field Notes Peace At Home Marsha Blevins, LCSW James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mt. Home, TN Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. This quote exemplifies the benefits of the VA Caregiver Support Program. As Caregiver Support Coordinator at Mountain Home VAMC, I received a call from the Wounded Warriors Program in July, referring Mrs. Cynthia Fletcher to the Caregiver Support Program. Cynthia had been caring for her husband Larry, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and OEF/OIF Veteran since he returned from deployment. They had been struggling to find different living arrangements. She named several different triggers for PTSD in their neighborhood and mentioned several times, I think he would do better If I could find a place to live in the country; I ve got to get him out of the city. I completed the initial home visit with the Fletchers and found them to be struggling emotionally in their current environment. Cynthia reported that Larry kept post on the front porch most days, coming in only for food and coffee. She indicated that he often saw activities in the neighborhood that triggered his PTSD. I found them to be discouraged over the lack of attention from their landlord, lack of finances, and feelings of powerless to make a change. Photo Courtesy of Ed Hurd Shortly after admitting the Fletchers to the program, I received a call from Cynthia stating that she and Larry had moved to the country. After she learned they would be receiving the stipend she immediately found a house to move into now that she had the financial means to help her husband. I completed a home visit to see their new surroundings and found a much brighter, happier, and more relaxed couple. I stood inside the Fletcher s home and watched Larry through the window as I visited and talked with Cynthia. Larry had again made post on his front porch, but this time he was not watching for possible problems, but enjoying his surroundings. When I sat down to talk with Larry about their new home, he told me about all of the wildlife that he had spotted from the porch and directed my attention to two hummingbirds on his bird feeder. Larry was also quick to invite my family and me back to their home for meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Cynthia said it best, He will never be at peace in his mind but he is at peace in this HOME! Supporting the Family Caregivers with Evidence-Based Psycho-educational Classes Viara Stoilova, MSW, LCSW and Dana Melching, MSW, LCSW VA Greater Los Angeles HCS/Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) is a psycho-educational workshop geared toward improving the caregiver s ability to engage in self-care by better managing the challenges of care-giving. The workshop is an evidence-based education program; delivered as a 6-week series in weekly 90 minute sessions. Caregivers face many challenges such as financial hardship, difficult feelings and emotions, making placement decisions, driving issues, legal issues, their own health, inadequate support, etc. In the PTC class, caregivers develop tools to reduce stress and to maintain well-being as they provide care for their loved one. Topics discussed in the six weekly classes include: Self-care; Identifying and Reducing Personal Stress; Communicating Feelings, Needs and Concerns; Communicating in Challenging Situations; Learning from Our Emotions; and Mastering Caregiving Decisions. One spouse of a Post-Korean Era Veteran with Parkinson's disease said the workshop helped her realize that caregivers do not have to "totally lose their identity". She said that she learned, "I am a person, with my own needs and frustrations. It is not all about him, (the husband who needs care), it is also about me". She noted that caregivers take care of themselves so that they can continue to care for their loved one. She learned to find something to do for yourself, every day." In her feedback for the class she expressed how helpful it was to talk with others who were also striving to keep going and do what is best for their husband, and not get absorbed and become a non-person." She mentioned that some of the tools she learned from the PTC class were the guided imagery and breathing exercises, taking time for herself, and ways to deal with feelings like anger and guilt. She said that it was important to understand that there are times when caregivers will lose their tempers, and then feel guilty. We are not robots, it is normal, we shouldn t dwell on the guilt. Practicing positive self-talk allows one to be assertive, not aggressive, and to balance a loved one's needs as well as one s own. The Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshop is also offered at the other VA Medical Centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics part of the GLA HCS, and across other VA facilities, by Certified Class Leaders. PTC was developed and implemented in the community by Legacy Caregiver Services, a non-profit healthcare organization, and introduced to the VA in 2008 as a result of the VISN 22 Caregiver Support Program's efforts to offer caregiver support services and their collaboration with Legacy Health. Dana Melching, MSW, LCSW or Viara Stoilova, MSW, LCSW, can be reached at (818) ext or ext.4203.

9 From the Field... Two Amazing Caregivers Field Notes "Steppin Out of the Box" to Meet Caregiver Needs By Nicholle Bair, MSW, LISW-S Caregiver Support Coordinator, Dayton Ohio I have worked with many family caregivers, as Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Dayton VAMC since I started in this position in April. Here are two of my most rewarding encounters with caregivers: I received a call from a general caregiver, caring for both her mother and father at home, and she Nicholle Bair was at wit's end. Her father has Parkinson's disease and her mother has dementia. She stated that she was the only member in her family that was willing to care for her parents. She shared her struggles, and asked for advice and assistance. I provided her with many resources, including referrals for home health aide and home maker services, skilled nursing home health care, respite, nursing home care, Medicaid Passport services, aid and attendance, general Veteran benefits, and support groups here at the Dayton VAMC and in the community. I spoke with this caregiver for over an hour on the telephone. She needed someone to talk with most of all. Not only was she caring for her parents, she was running a household and working as well. She is a shining example of the amazing caregivers in our communities caring for our Veterans. A day or two after the program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers was available for eligible Veterans, one of the OEF/OIF case managers suggested that I contact the family of a young Veteran with severe pain and mobility issues from a service connected back injury. When I met with this Veteran's spouse, she informed me that she has always been the "bread winner", but she had to quit her job to care for her husband. The Veteran and caregiver easily qualified for the Family Caregivers Program. After the inhome assessment was completed by our Home Based Primary Care team, I informed the Veteran's caregiver of the monthly stipend that she would receive. After I told her the amount, she asked "Are you kidding?" I replied that she will receive that amount as long as her husband needs the care and as long as she is providing the care. She began to cry and shared that they have been struggling for months, since she quit her job. She stated that they were behind in their mortgage and that their car was up for repossession. She thought that she would only receive about $500 a month. She thanked me profusely for the good news and stated that I "made her life". The family has been able to remain in their home and catch up on their car loan payments since receiving the stipend. I am so thankful that I can be a part of such an amazing and needed program. By Debra A. Volkmer, LCSW Caregiver Support Coordinator and VISN 6 CSC Lead Salisbury, North Carolina The Caregiver Support Program guided by PL was implemented in February We quickly recognized that meeting the challenges and keeping up with the growing demand of both family and general caregivers would require stepping way outside of the box. Several innovative programs have been implemented at Salisbury, North Carolina, and within VISN 6 to meet the demand. A Caregiver support group has been implemented for caregivers of all era veterans and includes the ability to dial in via VANTS line. Caregivers have hailed the group with comments such as I have been attempting to find the support of like caregivers for the past 5 years and There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who need caregivers. Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady now it has happened. The group meets monthly and over 50 participants have been invited. At first, it was difficult to determine program eligibility so a multidisciplinary clinical team was assembled to evaluate the more challenging applicants on a weekly basis. The team consists of a Post Deployment Physician, Mental Health providers, Health Administrative Services, Social Work and Nursing staff. For the November 2011 Caregiver Support Month we are stepping out of the box by hosting an educational seminar at each of three CBOC's, culminating in a one-day training at the parent station for Veterans of all eras, their families, and caregivers. Activities will include chair yoga, resiliency training, entertainment, refreshments, and guest speakers from the community as well as from the VAMC. Finally, we are looking at innovative changes to the respite program to better assist caregivers. One caregivers suggested taking her husband on vacation with her because he deserves a vacation too. We are looking at the possibility of agencies going into the hotel to provide assistance for the caregiver/veteran. Another caregiver indicated a desire to be out of the home for ten to fourteen hours, I would like to go to Caro Winds and then come home. We are arranging this to allow the caregiver respite according to her needs. Implementation of a new program is always a challenge, but if there is a willingness to work with the clients and remain open to change, programs such as the new caregiver support can provide a much needed service to caregivers of all ages. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter sums it up best: There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who need caregivers. Care-giving is universal.

10 From the Field... Field Notes Paul s Story Sandra Jorgenson, Milwaukee VA Medical Center Each and every veteran has a story to tell and if we are lucky enough, the veteran will grace us with a glimpse of his/her life. Many of those stories involve enormous challenges that they face and, perhaps those of their loved ones. Mr. Paul Scardino, a veteran, willingly and eagerly shared his story of being a care provider for his aging father who has been battling bone cancer for the last 15 years. Four years ago, Paul found it necessary to quit his job and move in with his father to assist with doctor s appointments, house cleaning, grocery shopping and medication management despite his own disability. Paul described his father as loving, forgiving, supportive and strict when he needed to be. Paul spoke of his father with fondness and was quick to add that his father raised him and his brothers, having obtained custody of them in 1963, which was very unusual for the times. Paul s father, Joe Scardino, served in the Army from in the field of communications. Paul followed in his father s footsteps and enlisted in the Marine Corp at the age of 17. Following his discharge from the military, Paul held several jobs that allowed him an opportunity to use his skills in mechanics and home/business repair. On November 3, 1988, Paul was working as a painter on a roof of a factory in Waukesha when his ladder came into contact with a live power line. Approximately 26,400 volts of electricity entered his body through his right arm and exited through his left leg. He sustained severe damage to his arm, and his leg was so badly damaged that it would require amputation from the knee down. Paul was not expected to survive. He spent 363 days in the hospital, had a total of 17 operations and was given last rites on three different occasions. His road to recovery required him to learn how to live his life again. After the accident, Paul found himself learning how to walk with a prostheses, how to tie his shoes and eat with his left hand and how to live without the physical ease that he had before the accident. Paul s father was a source of support throughout this time. Paul also sought solace in alcohol and with it, came more problems and complications from drinking. Paul eventually entered treatment and is now two years into his recovery. He faced the battle of addiction with the same courage that he used to meet all of his other challenges. > Following his father's discharge from the hospital, health care providers came into his home on scheduled shifts to assist with daily care needs. Paul had to be there 24 hours a day to provide support and to help move his father to and from his bed. Paul acknowledged how difficult it was to watch his father's health decline. After reciting his story, Paul said We re tough guys, again with pride in his eyes. This statement could not be more true. Through his words and reflections, he made no secret of the love and respect that he has for his father. No obstacle would be too large or too much to overcome for him. On September 8th, 2011, Paul's father lost his battle with cancer, and Paul was with him when he passed. His father was laid to rest on September 12th, Paul provided this picture that was used in his obituary and requested that it be submitted with his story. This was the way he wanted his father to be remembered. Lessons Learned Zsa Zsa Sanders, LCSW, VA Long Beach Healthcare System offers caregiver support groups and evidenced based patient/family centered care, including: Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a 6-week psycho-educational workshop providing coping strategies to reduce stress; Support & Family Education For Family Members, a weekly group for families coping with loved ones who have mental health difficulties; Bereavement group, for individuals experiencing loss and/or grief; Reach VA Dementia, in home intervention, telephone support for caregivers; and Peer Mentoring/Support for spouses of OEF/OIF/OND, telephone support for coping skills, improving communication and increasing resilience Caregivers contact me through the Caregiver Support Line, call me directly, or walk in to learn about VA services. As a Caregiver Coordinator, I have an open door policy and give caregivers my full attention. Caregiver stress is something often overlooked by individuals themselves, as they juggle all of their responsibilities. Through continued education and teamwork with VA staff, we empower the veterans and their caregivers to advocate and obtain needed care. The Lessons: Acknowledge that the caregiver s needs are important. Involve the Veteran and Caregiver for good patient / provider relationships. Remember to encourage and remember not to judge. Listen for questions they might not ask. Ask how the Caregiver is doing; ask again if everything is okay. Respect the right of Caregivers and Veterans to think things through before making important decisions when urgent medical care is not needed.

11 From the Field... Field Notes Supporting an Uphill Battle Nancy S. Kovell Pittsburg VAMC GEM Clinic and Spinal Cord Injury Coordinator The hill was steep and the motor scooter went fast!! In his younger days, Henry was famous for taking the neighborhood children on scooter rides. He rode his motor scooter each day to his job at the steel mill where he worked as a clerk for over 30 years. After work, it was back to the neighborhood where excited children awaited his arrival. His scooter became an amusement park ride for daughters Marie and Lisa as well as their neighborhood friends. Every child that waited got their much anticipated ride up and down the hill before Henry entered his front door. The well-kept home that Henry, an Army Veteran of two wars, and wife Sarah share, sits at the bottom of a steep hill in a quiet rural community. They ve been there together with family and neighbors for 59 years. Across the street live their daughter Marie and her family. Located a few miles away is the fire station where, for 50 years, Henry was a volunteer fireman. Around the bend from the fire station is the small Catholic Church where Henry and Sarah s families attended and Henry once sang in the choir. Faith has been essential in their lives from family funerals, to weddings, to senior fellowship activities. Lifetimes of cherished family and community experiences are affixed to this home and neighborhood, but for Henry the memories are rapidly disappearing. At age 86, the combat veteran, community servant, and family man has Alzheimer disease. Children still play in the streets and the neighborhood is vibrant but inside the walls of Henry s house, wife Sarah and daughter Marie wage a daily battle against his progressing disease. Lately they re getting some support with their battle from an unexpected source. After a comprehensive assessment by the Geriatric and Evaluation Management (GEM) team at the Pittsburgh VA, Henry was referred to the GEM team by his primary care physician who recognized the family s high stress level as they disclosed problem behaviors Henry was exhibiting at home. The family s objective is to keep Henry safe, comfortable and in the home and neighborhood he loves. Henry s sense of family commitment first developed during days of childhood hardship growing up during the great depression. His family struggled financially. Blindness limited his father s ability to support them. The children wore only hand me downs. Pieces of cardboard replaced worn out soles in Henry s shoes. At times his family meal was one slice of bread. The youngest of six children Henry, like his older siblings, desperately sought work at first opportunity to help support the family. Henry s family persevered through the long days of the depression only to be caught up in World War II. The beginning of the war saw Henry and three of his brothers enter the military. Before young Henry got swept up in WWII war he met the love of his life, Sarah. She lived in the same neighborhood less than a mile from him. Sarah was eighteen and Henry was twenty four when they were introduced to each other by Henry s niece. They attended the same Catholic Church where Henry and his friends sang in the choir. Sarah shares that Henry s departure on that first deployment during World War II was rough. They consistently wrote letters. Henry was stationed in the European Theatre serving in the Army 5th Medical Battalion. Sarah worked in a local steel mill. When Henry s battalion landed on a beach in France, he unexpectedly encountered one of his brothers where he learned the devastating news that their father had died. Henry was forced to deal with the grief of his father s death while facing daily combat. When the War ended, Henry returned home to his widowed mother and Sarah. As Henry and Sarah s romance flourished, war separated them a second time. Henry returned to the Army Medical Corps at the beginning of the Korean War in At the time, Henry held a private deep conviction which prevented him from asking Sarah to be his wife. Later he shared openly that it was no life for a lady to be married to a soldier while the country was at war. During his Korean War deployment Henry remained in the states but across the country in the state of Washington. After two wars and much waiting Sarah and Henry happily married in 1952 and Sarah moved into Henry s family household. She smiled warmly when noting they are still living in this same house at the bottom of a large hill in a busy neighborhood. Directly across the street is the home of one of the couple s two daughters. Daughter Marie is married with three grown children. She shares stories of her father and states emphatically he was kind, very good to his children, you wouldn t want a better father. Henry liked building things out of wood. Once he and a neighbor built Adirondack chairs in Henry s basement but after the chairs were constructed they realized they couldn t get them out of the basement without taking them apart. The Adirondack chairs remain on her porch to this day. (Cont d)

12 From the Field... Field Notes Noteworthy Supporting an Uphill Battle (cont d) Marie describes a recent Valentine s Day that her mother encountered a difficult night with Henry s out-of-control behavior. She locked herself in her bedroom as he pounded on the door. It was a turning point for the family who didn t know where to seek help. Marie called the Alzheimer s Association who suggested the geriatric services of the Pittsburgh VA. There, Henry s primary care doctor guided them to the GEM clinic. The primary care social worker detailed VA services and began an application for Aid and Attendance. The GEM team conducted a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment followed by a conference to educate Henry and family on the results. A prime recommendation from the GEM team was a referral to the Dementia Caregiver Support Program. Initially reluctant to accept help, Sarah now describes this program as her lifeline. It encompasses a team approach between the caregiving family, the social worker, and the nurse in a long term partnership. Initial home visits are made to explain the program. Then a caregiver monitor machine is connected via the home telephone service to VA s receiving monitor. Sarah answers daily questions on the caregiver monitor about her stress level. Her answers are reviewed by the Dementia Caregiver Program center staff. Sarah speaks to her assigned nurse on a weekly basis and whenever her stress levels are high. Sarah and her nurse discuss problem behaviors exhibited by her husband and sort out new solutions. The nurse offers practical suggestions, empathy, and encouragement. Today Sarah and her daughter Marie, along with Marie s husband and children put enormous effort into caring for Henry. The family has bonded even more deeply as caregivers against Henry s devastating disease. Occasionally, Sarah and Henry head to the local mall to sit and watch the shoppers. Marie adds that her father just light ups when his 16 month old grandson visits. Although Henry s memory has faded, the baby is a source of delight. Marie elaborates that these visits with his grandson are like medicine, quickly erasing his sullen mood to a more joyful expression. Sarah describes bedtime as the greatest hurdle of the day. Henry is frightened to go to sleep at night. The wonderful father, veteran of two wars, and courageous fire fighter is very distressed and agitated at bedtime. Sarah s strategy is to sit patiently at his bedside each night until sleep takes over. She is a committed and caring wife. Through it all, Sarah, at age 80, still smiles often and radiates health. She speaks tenderly of her their relationship past and present. Sarah is anchored to daughter Marie for support. They are clearly committed to caring and keeping Henry at home as long as possible. The Pittsburgh VA has become strategic in this family s daily battle. Armed with vital information and caring VA staff, Marie summarizes, I don t feel like we are on our own any more, we can reach out and they (VA staff) are there to help us. Caring for Our Veteran Students Lawanda Vanhorn, LGSW Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Throughout the country, numerous Veterans are facing challenges returning to school after their separation from the military. Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center (TVAMC) was selected as one of five sites in the country to develop an initiative to help to make these Veteran- Student s academic journeys a success. The Veteran-Student Academic Wellness Program (VSAWP) serves as a safe-haven for Veterans who have decided to pursue higher education and who need the support of their fellow peers to deal with the transition back to civilian life. A unique aspect of the VSAWP is the Peer Support Volunteers who offer their personal time to contact our Veteran-Students and offer reassurance and the encouragement that they can succeed. As a social worker, it is a privilege to care for those who have fought the battle. Encounters with these students is extremely rewarding. Through programs such as the VSAWP, the Tuscaloosa VAMC consistently honors its commitment to serve America's heroes by improving their health and well-being through Veteran and Family Centered Care. For additional Information about the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center's Veteran-Student Academic Wellness Program, please contact: Ms. Lawanda Vanhorn at (205) ext. 3791

13 Special Thanks... Synergy Editor Extraordinaire Profile on Erica Taylor By Erin Butler, LCSW San Francisco, CA Erica Taylor's position is Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker at the Seattle, WA VAMC. However, you may have known her work without even realizing it, as the Synergy Editor, with Susan Reusser (Fort Wayne, IN) and the Synergy Assistant Editor, with Jennifer Summers Erica Taylor (Northampton, MA). She returned as Synergy Editor again for the past year with Jermaine Butler (VACO). She passes the torch on to Laurel Holland, Synergy Editor (Bedford, MA) and Lesley Reece, Synergy Assistant Editor (Salisbury, NC) with this edition. Erica came to Synergy with some graphic design classes "a long time ago," and applied because she was interested to know more about the VA and how it worked. In her roles as Editor and Assistant Editor, she collected stories and articles, compiled and edited the articles, and formatted the newsletters devoting much of her time and energy to this intensive job. She feels Synergy helps connect social workers in different areas with a common goal Synergy helps connect and mission, reminds us of social workers in different what we can areas with a common goal do, and encourages us to try and mission, reminds us new ideas. She says the most of what we can do, and challenging part of her positions encourages us to try new as Synergy Editor(s) was ideas." that her couldn't hold Erica Taylor, past Editor everything everyone sent, so she was constantly deleting her messages. Erica recalls two projects that stand out for her in recognizing social work as a significant contributor to the VA. The Special Edition on Hurricane Katrina as a forum for personal experiences from social workers helping with the efforts, was a valuable way to highlight what social workers can do in time of crisis. The Special Edition on Successful Social Workers, and preceding columns, with profiles of social workers in leadership positions, was interesting to see how social workers achieve higher level positions and how Social Work can be used and valued. All the leaders were gracious and eager to share their experiences. Erica states she is grateful for the opportunity to serve on Synergy. We are grateful to have had the benefits of her hard work and leadership. Hurricane Katrina Special Edition, January 2006: (click the newsletters to read them online). Jan/Feb 2007 Special Edition on Leadership, with an article about Debbie Amdur (talk about foreshadowing!): March 2006 VA Social Worker Success Story Project October 2006 A Case Study of a Reconstructed Social Work Service

14 Congratulations... Lorn Gingrich Lorn Gingrich Accepts National Social Work Manager Position Care Management and Social Work Service is very pleased that Lorn Gingrich, LCSW-R, has accepted the National Social Work Program Manager position in Central Office. Lorn brings to this position a unique combination of experience and leadership. He served eight years as the Social Work Executive at the Stratton VAMC in Albany, NY and twelve years of clinical practice prior to that in areas ranging from geriatrics to medicine to behavioral health, both hospital and community based. He has had many experiences at the national level serving on National Social Work Committees, working on national projects and serving in VACO Social Work on details throughout the past few years. With his wealth of experience we are delighted that Lorn has joined our national social work team in Care Management and Social Work Service. Congratulations Lorn! 2011 Under Secretary for Health Award Excellence in Social Work Practice Kathleen Dinegar The recipient of the Excellence in Social Work Practice Award was Kathleen Dinegar, LICSW, VA Liaison for Healthcare at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC. Kathy was recognized for her outstanding clinical practice and expertise in ensuring smooth transitions for the most severely injured and ill Servicemembers to VA facilities nationwide. She has quietly and unpretentiously changed the face of VA-DOD interaction and has effectively laid the foundation for genuine seamless transition of care across multiple domains. Congratulations Kathleen! Kathleen Dinegar Arranged By: Lesley Reece If Social Workers don t step up to the plate other professions will, shared Laura Taylor, SW Executive and Director of Extended Care at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, recent Laura Taylor recipient of the Excellence in Social Work Leadership award. She goes on to share that she feels honored and humbled by the announcement. In reflection, she acknowledges the wonderful staff that she has the honor of leading and how hard each of them work every day to take care of Veterans, families and caregivers. According to Robert Emmart, Supervisory Social Worker in Extended Care line, In her 5 year tenure in her current position, she developed and expanded the service line of approximately 8 staff members, to a wide variety of programs and disciplines with over 100 staff members to meet increasing Veterans needs. In the nomination it states, Due to her encouragement and support, her staff are well represented in the local Leadership Effectiveness Accountability Development (LEAD) program every year as well as in the VISN LEAD program." Taylor supports staff and facilitates their education to move to coordinator, supervisor, and director positions. Social workers have a unique skill set and perspective that is invaluable in a system such as the VA. Plus, the opportunities for career growth and expansion are endless within the VA system, says Taylor. When asked what feedback she would offer to a Social Worker new to the system, she recalls advice she received early in her VA career, a mentor once told me, if you are going to advocate for anything in VHA, make sure it is Veteran-focused. The rest is necessary, but doesn t matter so much. So far, this has not failed me. Taylor enjoys her role as a mentor, instructor and clinical supervisor. The stronger the clinical skills of our workforce, the better care they can provide our nation s heroes, she states. Emmart adds that for social workers to have the opportunity to be promoted from staff to coordinator or supervisor positions, advance practice social work licensure is required. In Kansas, part of the requirement for this licensure is 150 hours of clinical supervision with a practitioner at the advance practice level. Taylor is generous sharing her expertise by providing clinical supervision to social work staff members. Currently she is providing group supervision to four social workers, the maximum number allowed by state regulations. She wants to help the most social workers possible so they can benefit from clinical growth, as well as be prepared for leadership opportunities. Laura has an amazing ability to envision services and programs needed to meet Veteran needs, and to lead staff toward accomplishing goals, say her coworkers. Let us congratulate Laura Taylor on her well deserved award Under Secretary for Health Award Excellence in Social Work Leadership - Laura Taylor Congratulations Laura!

15 Noteworthy Cancer Survivor s Day Unites Chiefs of Social Work Services at the Portland VAMC. In 1997, Jean Herrera, Chief of Social Work Service (SWS), began Cancer Survivor s Day (CSD) observance at Portland VAMC. CSD is a national celebration held throughout the country to celebrate cancer survivorship. I have been the Chair of the Planning Committee for 11 years. Social Work Service (SWS) has been in charge of this annual celebration since inception. However, SWS could not make this event a success without a team of dedicated, talented, and compassionate staff donating their time and energy. I have the pleasure of working with and witnessing this team work miracles each year! Michael D. Moody, who works in Medical Media Service, was our media wizard. Everyone appreciated his caring approach and the moving pictures he used for a rolling slide show. This year our participation increased by 40% with up to 350 Survivor s and family members attending. Vendors included public transportation, Aging Services, VBA, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Cancer Society, who provided fun giveaways and information. We even had a massage college provide free massages. Our biggest problem? We need more space! We have a project in progress to use our technology to provide live feeds throughout the medical center to the Chemo unit, inpatient services, and smaller rooms and outdoor locations for those who would like a quiet space. Social Work Service has been closely involved each year with CSD, but diversity throughout the medical center makes it a celebration! Don Callender, Retired Social Work Chief PVAMC (left) was the emcee in As you can see, he had a wonderful time! This was a few months before his retirement and he was even more fun than usual. (l-r) Hazel Hagen, Joyce Willison, Jennifer Wesner, Carol McCuan, Victoria Neindow. Planning Committee Our team consisted of Carol McCuan, Computer Specialist with Facilities Management Service, who was an absolute wonder to watch organize. Jennifer Wesner, Hazel Hagen, and Eric Dubois from the Cancer Data Center have worked with us for many years. Jennifer came up with an idea to involve employees in a competition to donate what we loosely call baskets, which are judged in eight categories for door prizes. These baskets range from barbeque sets, which include chairs and any item you could want or need for a barbeque, wheelbarrows full of gardening items, and any other donated theme basket you can imagine. Hazel quietly organized all the behind the scenes needs and Eric, who retired this year, volunteered again! Larry Seaver, a former PVAMC employee, helped anywhere he was needed. Tom Green joined the Data Center and CSD this year and we loved his energy and positive attitude. Victoria Neindow, Program Support Assistant in Suicide Prevention, made the complicated registration process fun for all, and welcomed the Veterans and participants to the celebration. This team even recruited and organized volunteers for their particular area, such as parking or registration. Chris Theonnes, a Primary Care LPN, was a natural Emcee; he was spontaneous, entertaining, and hilarious for the full four hours! Submitted by Joyce Willison, LCSW Portland VA Medical Center Cancer Care Social Work Coordinator or , ext Matthew Schobert (right) began at PVAMC in May of this year. Just weeks later, he and our Medical Center Director John Patrick (left) kicked off the 14 th Annual Cancer Survivor s Day. Welcome Matthew!

16 National Social Work Monthly Calls Sponsored by the National Social Work Program in Care Management and Social Work Service and the Social Work Leadership Council November 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat H December 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat H January 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Data Bytes Nov 16, Dec 21, Jan 18, 1:00pm ET , code The Social Work Data Management Committee hosts a monthly question & answer (Q&A) session for the field featuring guest speakers who discuss data management topics of concern to VA Social Work managers. If you have specific questions that you would like addressed please send them to the Social Work Data Management Committee prior to the call so that we can be as helpful as possible. The call is held the third Wednesday of the month. Moderator: Melissa Harding, Assistant Chief of Social Work, VA Eastern Colorado HCS SW System Redesign Round Table Call Nov 28, Jan 30, 1:00pm ET , code These Round Table presentations and discussions are designed for dialogue among Social Work staff and are open to all social workers to share information and discuss experiences with System Redesign and to learn from one another. The call is held the fourth Monday of each month. New SW Leaders Coaching Call Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 20, 1:00pm ET , code This call is designed for new Social Work Chiefs and Executives. The call is held the third Friday of each month. Moderator: Bruce Tucker, Social Work Executive, Bath VAMC, NY Social Work Managers Call Dec 9 1:00pm ET , code This conference call is designed for Social Work Chiefs and Executives. The call is held the second Friday of each month. VA/DoD SW Education Training Consortium Nov 9, Dec 14, Jan 11, 1:00pm ET , code Monthly calls held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Social Workers can earn 1.5 CEU s per session. Moderator: Carol Sheets, National Director Social Work, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services, VACO SW Career Development Cal Nov 22, Dec 27, Jan 24, 2:30pm ET , code Brought to you by the Social Work Career Development Task Force. These calls are designed to provide career development to social workers interested in leadership and expanded roles within VA.. Moderator: Taylene Watson, Director of Social Work VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. The call is held the fourth Tuesday Tuesday each month SW Quarterly Training Call January 13, 1:00pm ET , code This call focuses on Social Work Practice services and programs. The call is held the second Friday of each quarter for 1.5 CEU credits. To download this page to your desktop, click here, then save.

17 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Laurel Holland, LICSW, ACSW, C-ASWCM, BCD, DCSW Grant & Per Diem Liaison, Edith Nourse Rogers VAMC, Bedford MA Assistant Editor: Lesley S. Reece, MSW, LCSW Clinical Social Worker, W.G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC, Salisbury, NC Publisher: Editorial Board: Jermaine T. Butler, MS Program Specialist, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services, VACO Carol Sheets, LICSW, ACSW National Director of Social Work, Care Management and Social Work Service, Office of Patient Care Services, VACO Joanna Kadis, MSW, LCSW Chair, Social Work Leadership Council, Chief Social Work Service, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System Kimberly Scheer, MSW, LCSW Chair, Public Relations Committee, Program Coordinator/Case Manager HUD/VASH, Edward Hines Jr. VAMC Lorn Gingrich, LCSW-R, BCD Social Work Program Manager, Care Management and Social Work Service Office of Patient Care Services, VACO Jana O Leary, LCSW Women Veteran Program Manager, Central Texas VA Healthcare System SYNERGY provides an excellent opportunity to share information with thousands of Social Work peers and VA stakeholders. SYNERGY welcomes articles on leadership and innovation in practice relating to Social Work within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The next edition of Synergy will focus on Patient Centered Care! Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) provide accessible, coordinated, comprehensive, patient-centered care and allow Veterans to have a more active role in their health care. What s working at your facility? What best practices can you share? We invite submissions from chiefs, executives, and front line staff for consideration for this coming issue. Submissions should be sent to Laurel.Holland1@va.gov and Lesley.Reece@va.gov by December 9, Also, talented social work photographers are encouraged to submit digital photography that can be used in Synergy. Although there is no compensation, photo credits will be listed, and you will be contributing to the quality of our National Newsletter. All articles and photographs that reference Veteran information must be accompanied by a signed Release of Information form. Contact editors Laurel.Holland1@va.gov and Lesley.Reece@va.gov for more information. Questions and feedback are always welcome!