CASE STUDYA look into how Charleston, South Carolina is helping safely connect Veterans and theirfamilies experiencing food insecurity, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic byusing the latest technology with real-time outreach, data collection, and reporting.

VA/FEEDING AMERICA PARTNERSHIP

Veteran food insecurity is real

Although veterans represent 7% of the U.S.population, they represent 23% of thoseexperiencing homelessness.* This disproportion isalso apparent within this vulnerable population,where nearly 40% of those without stable housingalso experience food insecurity.** Within theveteran population that visit any VA Medical Center(VAMC), nearly 2% experience food insecurity.**

OVERVIEW:

Veteran food insecurity is realTimely access to services mattersResults of Charleston's pilot

The Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) and Feeding America areworking together for FeedingAmerica food banks and VA medicalfacilities to meet the real-timeneeds of Veterans and their familiesexperiencing food insecurity.

Learn how local leaders inCharleston, South Carolina (SC) arepioneering processes using thelatest technology. This case studyhighlights their progress, a nationaldata driven best practice.

*National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 2019**Veterans Affairs CPRS Operational Reporting, 2019

Pictured Above: Rebekah Afflick, Assistant Chief of Nutrition and Food Service,Ralph H. Johnson, VA Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina

Mr. Y is a 76-year-old Vietnam-eraVeteran living in low-income housingwith his disabled son, who is his onlycaregiver. Mr. Y requires monthlymedical treatments, but has no reliabletransportation to the medical center;therefore, he receives care through theRalph H. Johnson VAMC’s Home-BasedPrimary Care (HBPC) program.

It was HBPC Dietitian Karen Maherwho referred this food-insecureVeteran to Ralph H. Johnson VAMC’sFood Pantry. At the time he was eatingonly one meal a day and had lost asignificant amount of weight.

The family was buying food at the localgas station and mall, and had difficultycarrying it home.  Maher delivers foodfrom the VA Food Pantry supported byFeeding America during her HBPChome visits and has assisted the familyin accessing Meals on Wheels and othercommunity resources.

To receive the food, Mr. Y had to check-in, using any web-based device on aphone, tablet or computer. This isthrough a secure check-in tool throughthe VA/Feeding America partnershipthat Charleston, SC first began pilotingin 2019. Having pioneered other provenpractices, the goal was to increasinglyimprove access to quality care and applylessons learned nationally. During Mr.Y's first food pantry check-in, he wasvirtually asked a few questions, wherehe responded that he was at-risk of 

experiencing homelessness within the next 60-days, and interested in learning more about othercommunity resources such as food purchasingassistance (SNAP).

His secure check-in information, along withhundreds of others within the Charleston, SC,area is used to improve Veteran care. They resultin referrals to free food options that have freedmoney for the family to pay other bills, as well asenhanced their health and overall quality of life.Fortunately for Mr. Y, he is now connected tomore local services, and has since reported thathe's no longer experiencing housing instability.

"These virtual tools provides exactly what isneeded to the right teams. It also allows us tosafely distribute food during this COVID-19pandemic," says Margaret Bradbury, VA's Chiefof Nutrition and Food Service in Charleston, SC,who helps spearhead this effort locally. Ralph H.Johnson VAMC's Voluntary Service, along withtheir Social Work staff, also support this effortthat is committed to timely access of services.

Timely access to services matters

Pictured Charleston VA staff (left to right): Margaret Bradbury, Chief, Nutrition andFood Service and Sue Kerver, Voluntary Service Program Manager

Results of Charleston's Pilot

“The check-in tool is very helpful for Voluntary Servicein understanding staffing and donation needs (toaddress food insecurity locally)”. -Sue Kerver (VA Voluntary Service, Charleston SC)

“I've found this tool's client history reporting tabvery helpful to identify those interested in foodassistance through SNAP for connecting them to acase manager to follow-up”. -Marlo Ball (VA Social Work, Charleston SC)

Promotes safety of service providersand client through virtual check-ins Identifying unmet geographical areas ofneeds for mobile food pantriesOperational insights to improve care(e.g. frequency, demand, follow-up)90% provided a cell phone number foreffective virtual follow-up100% interested in SNAP with a cellphone contacted for supportReduces reporting time spent by 95%,now used for direct service31% experiencing housing instabilityidentified - now connected for support

Impact

Benefits

Identify unmet clientneeds and satisfaction

Improveoperational insights

Streamline Reporting

Easier clientfollow-up

Increase access to services

Find gaps inservice coverage