HandicappedVets.org // HVASocial.org Our mission is to:
-Build Community
-Address Veteran Su***de
-Solve Healthcare Problems
Our Stakeholders are:
-Veterans rated 30% or more disabled that are followed in VA Clinics1
-Affiliated Veteran Service Organizations
-Individual VA Clinics
Needs that we address:
Community
" ... military veterans present unique experiences of loneliness and social isol
ation, ... . This requires specific attention outside of campaigns targeted at the non-military population."2
Su***de
“America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP) recently released a striking report concluding that the veteran su***de rate is 2.4 times greater than the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimates. According to AWP’s findings, 22-24 veterans ages 18-64 commit su***de each day and 18-20 veterans in the same age group die per day by self-injury. Combined, this points to at least 40-44 veterans taking their lives every day.”
Healthcare
“At least 40 U.S. veterans died while waiting for health care at the Phoenix VA, ... according to a CNN report. The "elaborate scheme," implemented by top management, was an effort to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans waited months to see a doctor, said CNN, citing a former Veterans Administration doctor and other agency staff. ...”3
Veterans Administration:
The Veterans Administration has made great advances in addressing these three vital needs over the past decade: However, the lack of an effective membership management/feedback tool limits their reach and effectiveness. HVASocial is that tool. As a Third Party Survey Provider4 HVA has designed a unique, HIPPA compliant, member based Social/Advocacy web platform to carry out our mission. How It Works:
Community
Members recapture a measure of the camaraderie that they lost at separation as they:
Visit, chat and vent on our private social timeline
Interact online in a variety of healthcare blogs and groups
Attend local and regional events sponsored by the VA and fellow VSOs
Su***de
"Social networking sites for su***de prevention can facilitate social community among peers with similar experiences." Luxton DD, June JD, Fairall JM. Social media and Su***de
The VA and fellow VSOs are invited to provide qualified timeline monitors to identify individuals in distress, intervene when necessary and refer when appropriate. In their absense, the membership will nominate and elect monitors from among themselves or local providers that meet VA practitioner standards. Healthcare
HVA provides Third Party Survey Provider services to VA Clinics. Members:
Vote in their Clinic's 'How Was Your Day at the VA?' poll
Give an 'Atta-boy to their Clinic, or an employee
Discuss healthcare problems with others of the same clinic
Respond to online surveys
Request advocacy under the Member Initiated Reporting Process (MIRP)
The MIRP process is managed by representatives from each Stakeholder type, and begins with a courtesy call between a HVA Member Rep and the Clinic's Patient Representative; then up the chain of command as necessary. In summary, HVASocial offers its Stakeholders a new and exciting place for members to meet, interact and heal; and a vital management resource to assist the VA in solving Veteran su***de and healthcare problems.
