TWE, part of the VA’s Compensated Work Therapy Program, helped participants develop work restoration plans and provided a rehabilitative work setting within the VA, other federal agencies, or private businesses in the community. After their participation in TWE, participants moved into CE, during which they could receive standard VA services (including the VA health care, education benefits, home loan assistance, disability compensation, and vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance).

As part of the VA’s IPS program, an employment specialist worked with a larger team of clinicians and support staff to integrate mental and physical health treatment into the employment services of veterans experiencing homelessness. The employment specialist assessed participants’ vocational abilities and helped tailor an accelerated job search based on their strengths and preferences.

As part of the VA’s IPS program, an employment specialist worked with a larger team of clinicians and support staff to integrate treatment of underlying mental and physical health issues into the employment services for veterans experiencing homelessness. The employment specialist assessed participants’ vocational abilities and helped tailor an accelerated job search based on their strengths and preferences.

Individuals first worked intensively with a case manager to determine the most appropriate services to help them find employment, including attending an orientation; receiving assessments measuring their educational attainment, interests, and needs; and developing an individual employability plan.

Participants met with a public health nurse when they started the program to receive a comprehensive health assessment. The nurse also acted as a case manager to support and coordinate access to care, as well as to help participants manage and prevent diseases through primary care or referrals and health education. Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a two-hour information session about Medicaid. The program lasted nine months, and participants checked in with the nurse after three, six, and nine months.

Core EHS services, the early childhood developmental program services typically provided in pre-existing EHS programs, included intensive early childhood development services, family support, and health and mental health services.