Safe Haven Beds for Homeless Veterans

SERVICE REQUIRED Safe Haven Program for 12 beds in Akron, Ohio A Safe Haven Model is a 24-hour/7-days-a-week community-based early recovery model of supportive housing that serves hard-to-reach, hard-to-engage homeless individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders who are on the streets and have been unable or unwilling to participate in supportive services which are referred to as a "low demand" model. The program places no treatment participation demands on residents but expects them to transition from unsafe and unstable street life to permanent housing and re-engage with treatment services. Housing in this program provides private or semi-private accommodations and allow's a 24-hour residence which are typically six (6) months with the option to extend based on clinical needs. In July 2010, under the leadership and direction of the Veterans Affairs National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, the National Homeless Program Office funded four Safe Haven model development projects to develop and implement a model that could be replicated throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs, broadening the agency's homeless continuum of care. The Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) anticipates award of an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity firm-fixed price contract, based on the contents of this solicitation. BACKGROUND Ending homelessness among Veterans by 2015 is a national priority. The goal and plan for achieving it were introduced by the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary in November 2009 at the National Summit on Ending Veterans Homelessness. In June 2010, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, which is fully aligned with this goal. Safe Haven Model is one of evidence based practices to help homeless attain safe and stable housing. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), plan to end Veteran homelessness calls for enhancing current homeless service capacity as well as developing new programs and initiatives in concert with community and federal partners. The intent of this Performance Work Statement (PWS) is for Cleveland VAMC to engage community provider(s) to offer homeless Veterans services through a "Safe Haven" model of residential care. Through its Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program, the Cleveland VAMC provides case management and outreach services to Veterans and facilitates their access to a broad range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services. HCHV's goal is to engage homeless Veterans in treatment and place them in a safe and secure environment that supports their rehabilitation goals. Cleveland VAMC's HCHV Program, an essential and critical part of Veterans Health Administration (VHA), is vital for providing a gateway to VA and community supportive services for eligible Veterans who are homeless. The HCHV Contract Residential Program for homeless Veterans is a vital program focused on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and at-risk homeless Veterans. Ensuring that Veterans can be placed in community-based programs which provide quality housing and services that meet the needs of this special population is a particular focus of the HCHV program. Recent national trends in service provision for the homeless outside of the VA system include the utilization of Safe Havens as an alternative to shelter care or as a placement post unsuccessful discharge from an inpatient or residential treatment program due to relapse-related issues. A Safe Haven is a form of supportive housing that serves hard-to-reach homeless persons with severe mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders who are on the streets and have been unable or unwilling to participate in more traditional supportive services. The VA is limited by current grant authorities and existing program structures and practices and cannot fund harm-reduction treatment models. The VA has been unable to provide the types of services focused on shelter diversion and early stabilization in community-based environments. Place of Performance: Akron, OH (Summit County)