Background: Homelessness has become one of the most visible and intractable problems, magnifying the social and structural shortcomings of all societies around the globe. Homelessness captures not only those without a roof over their heads, but those who are locked into any number of maladies and disabilities including econommic hardship, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic failure, unemployment and social stigma. Foreground: While the focus of helping the homeless has been on housing, research reveals that 20-30% of the homeless population is veterans, 50% of whom are reported to have mental illness and 70% who are reported to suffer from substance abuse. In 2009, it was estimated that there were more than 136,000 homeless veterans. Although these numbers declined to nearly 76,000 in July 2011 they are expected to rise again as more veterans return home as the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts wind down. Unfortunately, it has been found that though the need is great for medical care by homeless veterans, up unitl very recently only 20% of have taken advantage of DVA healthcare entitlements; an outcome that exacerbates their long term health. EBP Framework: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) initiatives at the highest federal executive and congressional levels have charged the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to end veteran homelessness by the year 2015. Theoretical Models include those of Larrbee, Lewin, Kotter, Maslow and Schein. Methods: As an integral part of this new initiative, this capstone project has been organized and proposed to increase the access of homeless veterans to DVA homeless services by providing IPC in remote regions through the implementation of region coordinators whose job is to facilitate several key new policies including: 1) no wrong door; 2) coordination of an enhanced homeless program staff through regional teams; and 3) increased collaboration with and between the DVA and community partners. A survey instrument was utilized to evaluate the IPC of the regional team staff. Findings/Results: As compared to the literature, IPC, although with relatively few studies, has positive results in patient outcomes and staff collaboration. Implementation of Regional Coordinators has led to decreasing barriers to access to care and increased collaboration across homeless programs. Conclusion/Recommendations: Project outcomes include increased access to care for homeless veterans, increased interprofessional collaboration and communication of regional team members, and enhanced community partnerships.
