PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Erin Verrier, Manager of Policy and External Affairs at Community Healthcare Network
1:03:10
·
145 sec
Erin Verrier from Community Healthcare Network (CHN) testified about their Military Family Wellness program, which provides health and social services to veterans. The program offers mental health screenings, referrals for various services, and partners with the Veterans Advocacy Project for legal support.
- CHN is a federally qualified health center with 14 sites citywide serving underserved communities.
- The program has successfully helped veterans with mental health concerns, housing instability, childcare, and employment issues.
- CHN expressed gratitude for the City Council's support and commitment to continuing the program.
Erin Verrier
1:03:10
Yes.
1:03:11
Hi, everyone.
1:03:12
Thank you for the opportunity to test to Fi.
1:03:14
My name is Erin Vary, and I am the manager of policy and external affairs at Community Healthcare Network, otherwise known as CHN.
1:03:22
We are federally qualified health center with 14 site citywide that provide critical primary care and social services for patients in underserved communities.
1:03:30
While our services are many, I'm here today to speak about the work that we do for veterans supporting their health and mental well-being.
1:03:38
Our military family wellness program connects active and former service members to health and social services.
1:03:44
Each participant is screened and assessed for mental health needs by a licensed clinical social worker and can receive referrals for services like individual and family counseling, psychiatry, medication management, as well as medical care, dental services, and other social services.
1:03:58
Including legal support services provided by our program partner Veterans Advocacy Project.
1:04:03
With the Veterans Advocacy Project, our program participants can receive assistance for public benefits, VA claims, discharge upgrade applications, housing support, and other civil legal issues.
1:04:14
The Veterans Advocacy Project works closely with CHN staff to ensure continuity of care and also provide CHN staff training on cultural competency when working with veterans and understanding their legal needs.
1:04:26
To speak to our program's impact, In one example, a forty four year old army veteran was referred to our program given his mental health concerns and housing instability.
1:04:34
A CHN social worker provided a mental health assessment, identified the need for a higher level of care, and helped him schedule an initial intake appointment at the VA for treatment.
1:04:44
The social worker also referred to the patient to Veterans Advocacy Project for assistance with rental arrears.
1:04:49
The patient is now attending regular talk therapy and psychiatric appointments at the VA while receiving legal representation for his housing concerns.
1:04:57
In another example, a thirty three year old US Navy veteran and single mother of 2 was referred to our program given her childcare and employment concerns.
1:05:06
With CHN, she learned how to apply for a childcare voucher, how to contact the veteran's sender for employment assistance.
1:05:12
Patients is now approved for child care vouchers and is working closely with the veteran center to attend career events and build relations with future employers.
1:05:19
All of this to support their eventual well, their current civic engagement.
1:05:24
So we're proud and honored overall to work with our veteran population, and we greatly appreciate city council support for our program.
1:05:30
We're committed to this program's continuation and look forward to sharing our progress in the year ahead.
1:05:35
Thank you.
Robert F. Holden
1:05:35
Thank you so much for that.
