Fox SPGP Training 3.0

Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) Training

START

Training Outline

5. Referrals 6. Enrollment 7. Service8. Exit

1. Overview
2. Fox Forms Site Intro
3. Eligiblity
4. Intake/Screening

Overview

1.

Overview

The SSG Fox SPGP (Suicide Prevention Grant Program) allows the VA to provide resources toward community-based suicide prevention efforts to meet the needs of Veterans and their families through outreach, suicide prevention services, and connection to VA and community resources.

Overview

1.

What it does

Fox participants are eligible for a copay-freeVA mental health assessment and up to 90 daysof mental and behavioral health care! This applies regardless of whether the person is enrolled in VA health care or not. Where appropriate, third-party billing for the above assessment and services will be completed by the VA. You can review the VHA Notice here.

Overview

1.

Our Role

Our Role

1. Screen all Emergency Assistance, Residential Program, & Street Outreach participants. While it's required as part of intake, you may screen multiple times.
2. Refer any eligible participants to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or another community mental health service provider.
3. Enroll eligible Veterans in the program, which includes Mental Health Assessment forms at pre- and post-, as well as a service and safety plan.

1.

Overview

Screening consists of the Fox Intake form and two assessments: Psychosocial and Columbia.

Enrollment consists of starting a Fox Participant Packet, completing Service and Safety plans, filling out the Baseline Mental Health Assessments, and making referrals to the VHA and/or community partners.

Enrollments should last between 90-120 days. Each month the service plan should be reviewed and monthly service reports forms need completed. Any referrals are documented through the form.

Exiting consists of completing the Exit page in the Fox Participant Packet, filling out Post Mental Health Assessments, and submitting the Status Update form.

Overview

1.

Our Role

1.

There are two ways we track the Fox program:

1. The Fox Forms Site, which includes digital forms which are used for screening and program enrollment/exit.
2. The Fox Participant Packet, which is a physical file that is started for each Fox program participant. This is not necessary for everyone who is screened, just people who prove to be at risk and who are eligible.

2.

2.

Fox Forms Site Intro

• Access the Fox Forms site- HERE

• It is housed in VCP's SharePoint site, on the Veteran Support Services Page. Just click the button on the Fox banner.

• Bookmark the site so you can easily access it when you are doing an SSG Fox SPGP screening

Fox Forms Site Intro

2.

Eligibility

3.

Verification Failure

Veteran Verification

Veteran verification must be completed prior to screening. This can be accomplished by one of the following documents:

• VBA Statement of Service
• VA photo ID card
• DD-214 or NA Form 13038
• VBA award letter
• Current military, retiree, or dependent ID card
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) website
• SQUARES printout
• State-issued ID card with Veteran status and matching photo

If the Veteran cannot be verified through any of the previously outlined means, don't stop trying.

• For a missing DD-214: Go to https://www.archives.gov to complete an SF-180 request to retrieve the DD-214. Document the confirmation number and date requested in Clarity.
• For ID issues: Help the Veteran get a birth certificate at www.usa.gov. Direct them to their local license office (DOR, DMV, etc.) for other IDs. Document in Clarity accordingly.

Eligibility

3.

• A Veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101

The Veteran fulfilled their active duty contract and did not have a dishonorable discharge.

• An individual described in 38 U.S.C. 1720I(b)

Those who have Other Than Honorable or special Court Martial discharges, but served at least 100 days AND served in a combat zone OR were victims of Military Sexual Trauma. This includes Reserve and National Guard service members.

• An individual described in 38 U.S.C 1712A(a)(1)(C)(i) through (iv)

Veterans and family members who are readjusting to civilian life post-deployment and need mental health services.

After reviewing the criteria with the Veteran, they may not meet the SSG Fox SPGP requirements, and that's OK. The good news is that they still qualify for VCP services!

Eligibility

3.

Assess Veterans Crisis Severity

The SSG Fox SPGP is for Veterans NOT actively in crisis.

IF a Veteran is in active crisis, THEN VCP should contact local law enforcement and/or a partner agency for mitigation and ensure that a "warm handoff" occurs. Personally connecting the Veteran and the partner agency goes a long way in the eyes of those we serve.

Yes

Veteran Crisis evaluation

Is the Veteran in immediate crisis?

IF a Veteran is stable and doesn't appear in crisis. THEN proceed.

No

Eligibility

3.

Veterans Experiencing Crisis

Don't

Do

• Obtain as much identifying information as possible. (example: Full name, DOB, contact information, height, weight, identifying attributes)
• Stay with the Veteran unless they become hostile.
• Have another staff member call local law enforcement, preferably a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
• Direct the Veteran to a safe place away from others and potential weapons.
• Remain calm and attempt to defuse the situation.

• Ask permission to do things (Is it ok if I take notes? Can I get you water?).

• Mock, belittle, or laugh at the Veteran.
• Ignore or isolate the Veteran (unless violent).
• Leave them in a crowded area where they could cause greater harm or become further escalated.
• Try to physically engage the Veteran or put your hands on the Veteran unless absolutely necessary.
• Match the Veteran's elevated speech and body language.
• Assume you have been through and understand exactly their situation.
• Make promises to the Veteran.

Intake/Screening

4.

• Prior to filling out the Intake form, please click Current Roster and search for the Veteran's name.
• We ask this just to avoid duplication in the system.

Intake

Intake/Screening

4.

• Prior to filling out the Screening Assessments, you must complete the Fox Intake form.
• If they mark that they are currently enrolled at the VHA, they are still eligible to continue with the program.
• For the discharge category, they must answer anything besides dishonorable in order to be eligible.

Screening

Intake/Screening

4.

• Screening includes two assessments: Psychosocial and Columbia
• To be eligible, the Veteran must score:
• Over 1 on the Psychosocial AND
• Low, Moderate or High Risk on the Columbia
• If the Veteran screens as "No risk" in the Columbia, then you are done with their Fox Screening.

Columbia: Risk-Levels

Intake/Screening

4.

Columbia: Risk-Levels

Columbia Risk Level Notes:

• For High-risk, you are required to refer to the VHA!
• The instructions you will see on the next slides for each risk-level will appear when you are completing the Columbia form.

Columbia: Low-Risk

Intake/Screening

4.

Columbia: Low-Risk

If Low-Risk:

• Facilitate VHA registration and complete the Mental Health Assessments (MHA)
• Schedule an appointment or relay walk-in options
• Provide local ER contact and the Veterans Crisis Line (or National Suicide Lifeline for a Family Member) - 988 for both is provided
• If VHA care is refused, or it is a Family Member, the VSS staff member must coordinate outside community resources.

Columbia: Moderate-Risk

Intake/Screening

4.

Columbia: Moderate-Risk

If Moderate-Risk:

• Facilitate VHA registration and complete the Mental Health Assessment (MHA)
• Encourage a same-day appointment and provide close follow-up to ensure a soon appointment
• Provide local ER contact and the Veterans Crisis Line (or National Suicide Lifeline for a Family Member) - 988 for both is provided
• If VHA care is refused, or it is a Family Member, the VSS staff member must coordinate outside community resources
• Consult with a mental health provider

Columbia: High-Risk

Intake/Screening

4.

Columbia: High-Risk

Facilitate immediate assistance.

• Local VHA or non-VHA ER.
• Same-day VHA MH walk-in clinic may be appropriate.
• Call ahead/provide a direct report; also ensure follow-up.
• May involve transportation.
• Call the Veterans Crisis Line (988) or 911* if the person is unable to maintain themselves safely.
• The VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPCs) are NOT available 24/7. An email/voicemail does NOT replace appropriate crisis intervention which is the VSS staff's responsibility to facilitate and confirm.
• Consider involving trusted support or Family Members in getting the person to the clinic or ER safely.

Screening

Intake/Screening

4.

• The Eligible page shows how many Veterans have screened eligible, but have not Enrolled or exited the program via Status Update.

• The yellow number gives you a real time count of Veterans with this status.
• This list should be monitored weekly.

Screening

Intake/Screening

4.

Screening

Intake/Screening

4.

• To remove the Veteran from the list, complete the Enroll form or submit a Status Update.

Referrals

5.

• Since the Fox program is largely about connecting Veterans to crucial services, it is vital that referrals are tracked.

• Complete a Referral form at enrollment (at a minimum for Mental Health Services and Crisis Line)
• Complete the form if additional referrals are made during monthly check-ins with enrollees.

Referrals

5.

• When you refer to the VHA, you must complete the Hannon 201(n) Registration/Enrollment Request form.
• You will send it to your local VHA Eligibility/Enrollment staff.
• The VA encouraged grantees to reach out to your contact to iron out details for sending forms. They have been trained on the forms, but it might be new for them!

Referrals

5.

• When referring to the VA, you must also complete the VA Release VA 10-5345 form.
• Your local VA intake contact can assist you with completing the form.
• Both forms are in Tab A of the Fox Participant Packet
• Links can be found on the Fox Form Sites at this link:

Enrollment

6.

• When you enroll someone in the Fox program, you must start a Fox Participant Packet for the Veteran
• Complete the checklist on each tab as you progress through the program
• At enrollment, this includes following the High Risk and/or Crisis instructions if applicable, as well as going over the Fox Program Agreement, Grievance Policy, and Religious Clause.

Enrollment

6.

• Links to the Participant Packet documents can be found under Resources on the Fox site.

Enrollment

6.

Complete the Enrollment form on the Fox Forms site. This is important as it will assist you with monitoring the enrollment over time.

Enrollment

6.

Complete each of the assessments under Baseline Mental Health Assessments. This should be done within 2 weeks of program enrollment.

3.

Enrollment

6.

Once the assessments are complete, mark the scores in the Fox Participant Packet.

Service

7.

In the Fox Participant Packet, complete the following with the Veteran:

• Service Plan
• Safety Plan

Both forms need to be signed and dated by both the Veteran and Staff.

Service

7.

• The VA expects enrollments to last between 90 and 120 days.
• You are expected to check in with the Veteran every 30 days
• Check-ins require:

• Reviewing the Service Plan
• Completing the Monthly Service Report
• Submitting any Referrals

Service

7.

• In the Fox Participant Packet, the Monthly Service Form Checklist should be completed each month.
• For a list of Fox Eligible service activities, see the Fox Grant Activities Overview document.

Service

7.

• The Enrolled page provides a way to monitor the Veteran's progress through the program.
• It shows:
• Mental Health Assessment completion
• Days since baseline completed
• Referrals made

Service

7.

The first checkmark or X represents Baseline assessment. The second represents Post.

This section provides a summary of change between the Baseline and Post assessments, by assessment. The 👍or 👎indicates if the change is positive or negative. Use this when marking progress in the Fox Participant Packet.

This section provides an overall change summary

Exit

8.

To formally exit the Veteran from the Fox program, all Post Mental Health Assessments must be completed within 90 to 120 days of enrollment.

Exit

8.

Once the assessments are complete, mark the scores and whether they improved in the Fox Participant Packet.

Exit

8.

On the Fox Forms Site, complete the following:

• Final Monthly Service Report
• Exit Form
• Status Update.

Exit

8.

Participant is not returning communications

• If a participant is not returning communication, and if the participant's initial Columbia score was low or moderate, at least two attempts of communication following the missed appointment within the week (7 business days). Attempts on multiple platforms (call, text, email). • If the participant's Columbia score was high, at least three attempts within 3 business days of the missed appointment must be made. If no contact, a wellness check call must be made on the participants' behalf. Following the wellness check, at least three attempts of communication following the missed appointment must be made at least 3 business days apart. Attempts on multiple platforms (call, text, email). • At least one follow-up call for the next 3 weeks, if no communication is received. A final attempt to reach participant on the third week advising that case will be closed on a specified date. • Status Update can be completed and filed along with exit checklist, monthly service plans and all cases in connection with the participant can be closed.

Exit

8.

The final step is to sign and date the Exit checklist in Tab C of the Fox Participant Packet. If exiting for other reasons besides a successful exit, staff should sign and date and add applicable notes (can be a print out from Clarity).

Successful Exit

Exit for Other Reasons

If exiting for other reasons besides a successful exit, staff should sign and date and add applicable notes (can be a print out from Clarity).