Homeless Veterans in America

Name
Institution

Part 1
Statistics show that there are between 130,000 and 200,000 homeless veterans in America. Homeless veterans amount to about one-fourth and one-fifth of the entire homeless population in America. Homeless veterans are a population of Americans who have at one time or the other served their country in war. An estimated 131,000 veterans spend a night homeless, and this population doubles if one considers the population of homeless veterans over the course of the year. An approximate of 40% homeless men are veterans that are a significant considering 34% of the general adult male population is composed of veterans. Besides being homeless, this population faces other problems which include; social, economic, and psychological problems (Alker, 2009).
Homeless veterans are more likely to suffer addiction as compared to the general population. According to Alker (2009), 76% of homeless veterans are alcohol or drug addicts. Because of the painful memories and the new reality of homelessness that dawn on them they turn to alcohol and drugs. Coupled with all the problems these homeless veterans experience social problems such as isolation. For this reason, they have no one to share their pains with and, therefore, they rarely receive help for treatable conditions such as addiction (Center for American Progress, 2008).
Economic stressors are a root cause of homelessness for American veterans. The skills acquired from their military service, for many, fail to translate to job marketable skills or experience. Subsequently, female homeless veterans are less likely than male homeless veterans to secure jobs (Alker, 2009). That being said, it does not help that many veterans may come from disadvantaged families that are unable to undergird them as they return to civilian life. Additionally, the existing economic stressors tend to render homeless veterans without access to proper health care. They, therefore, continue to suffer from physical, psychological, and neurological diseases (Williamson & Mulhall, 2009). If left untreated for a long time some of these medical conditions may prove to be fatal. The most common medical condition among veterans is traumatic brain injury. Closed head wounds are especially dangerous because they cannot be identified at a glance, and they may end up causing brain disorders (Williamson & Mulhall, 2009; Jaycox & Tanielian, 2008).
Psychological disorders are equally and sometimes fatal than physical injuries. Almost all homeless veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and or major depression. The post-traumatic stress disorders make them irritable and cause other problems such as insomnia because of the persistent memory of war. Major depression, on the other hand, makes them lose interest in life, causes feelings of hopelessness and causes feelings guilt (Williamson & Mulhall, 2009). Although both of these conditions are treatable, homeless veterans do not have access to psychotherapy because they cannot afford the sessions. Homeless veterans are, therefore, more likely to commit suicide as compared to the general population.
The Community Counseling Model | FACILITATING HUMANDEVELOPMENT | FACILITATING HUMANDEVELOPMENT | Focused Strategies | Counseling in Context Outreach to Distressed and Marginalized Clients | Client Advocacy Community collaboration | Broad-based strategies | Development/Preventive Interventions | Social/Political Advocacy for Macro-Level Change |

The four quadrants in the Community Counseling Model will be applied to counseling program. The program will run for at least three weeks. The counselor will apply strategies that will facilitate human development and community development. He uses the focused strategies to address the needs of the homeless veterans, as well as broad-based strategies.
In order to help the homeless veterans cope with the psychological problems, I would come up with a counseling program that runs at least three days a week. The program would need at least one qualified counseling psychologist for every ten homeless veterans. The psychologist would need to have some experience with post-war victims for the success of the program. The psychologist’s task would be to help the homeless veterans cope with the post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression by offering counseling sessions to the marginalized clients. The community will be required to collaborate with the counseling for the benefits of the program.
In order to help the homeless veterans cope with their economic problems, I would need psychotherapists with some basic knowledge of entrepreneurship. The program would run at least three days a week with each therapist handling a maximum of ten people. The purpose of these sessions would be to help the homeless victims understand that their financial problems are only temporary (Bailey, Pryce & Walsh, 2002). The therapist would also be expected to help the homeless veterans brainstorm ways of solving their financial problems. Helping the homeless veterans deal with their financial problems would inadvertently help minimize their likelihood of engaging in criminal activities such as robbery.
In order to help the homeless veterans cope with their social problems, I would need social workers with some knowledge of counseling psychology. The social workers would conduct meetings at least three times a week with each social worker handling a maximum of ten people. The purpose of the meetings would be to help the homeless victims relate well with the community. The social workers would be expected to collect information on why these people are experiencing isolation and the best way to avoid this (Bailey, Pryce & Walsh, 2002).
COMMUNITY COUNSELLING CHART
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Counseling
Preventive interventions
POST TRAUMATIC DISEASE DISORDER
Counseling programs
Preventive interventions
DEPRESSION
Client advocacy
Community collaboration
MARGINALIZATION

Social advocacy
Community collaboration

ISOLATION
POLITICAL PROBLEMS

Social/political advocacy
Macro-Level Change

RACISM
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Counseling
Preventive interventions
POST TRAUMATIC DISEASE DISORDER
Counseling programs
Preventive interventions
DEPRESSION
Client advocacy
Community collaboration
MARGINALIZATION

Social advocacy
Community collaboration

ISOLATION
POLITICAL PROBLEMS

Social/political advocacy
Macro-Level Change

RACISM

Part 2
The policy I will be discussing is called the “Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 (S.287).” It is a state policy applicable to all federal governments.
Purpose
The main purpose of the Act is to magnify the definition of a homeless veteran and highlight the benefits guaranteed by the constitution and administered by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. The Act is comprised of 13 sections, where section 1 is a short title describing the act. Section 2 states the definition of homeless veterans and explains the purpose of the Act. Section 3 deals with the improvement of the grant program while section 4 increases the per diem payments for the homeless veterans. Section 5 authorizes the payments, Section 6 necessitate the Veterans Affairs to evaluate inclusive service programs for the homeless veterans. Section 7 states the role of the VA authority in ensuring homeless veterans access dental care. Furthermore, section 8 provides insight to public and private partnerships that provide legal services to this vulnerable population (Woodside & McClam, 2011). In addition, section 9 deals with veterans’ data while section 10 highlights the procedure to conduct referral and counseling services for veterans. Nonetheless, section 11, 12 and 13 aims at annual reports, providing extension of authorities, and extending reduced pension respectively (Sanders, 2013).
History of the Policy
The senate passed the S.287 Act on November 6, 2013. The Bill was introduced to the senate by Mark Begich on 2nd February 2013 and proposed the amendment of title 38, U.S.C, with the aim of extending the definition of a homeless veteran. The original sponsors of the bill included Senators Boozman, Blumenthal, Pryor and Tester. Later on, Senator Shaheen was incorporated as a cosponsor. The bill was then passed to a committee. On 9th of May, the Committee hearing took place (US Department of Veterans Affairs, 2013). The sponsors of the bill offered testimony in support of the legislation. The committee reviewed the evidence and decided to amend version of S. 287. The Committee voted in unison by supporting the amendment, and the bill was designated to the senate for approval.
Policy Impact on the population
The S.287 Act helps the homeless veterans in numerous ways. In its definition, it includes individuals fleeing from domestic violence and those in life-threatening conditions. The policy has helped homeless veterans to obtain additional grants provided by the Grant and Per Diem program. The grants aim at maintaining the existing facilities of the homeless veterans by expansion or modification. The per diem payments for housing units are increased ensure permanent housing is put into place. The Act expects the VA to submit reports on the ability of the Grant and Per Diem for purposes of future planning. The interests of the veterans’ population are considered. However, the bill expands the homeless veterans’ population qualified to obtain Dental care, and this improves their health. Moreover, the population benefits from the partnerships brought up by the VA to ensure that the homeless veterans can access legal representation (Lewis et.al, 2011). The S.287 Act protects the people at the risk of homelessness by introducing outreach programs that ensure the life of homeless veterans is not at risk. The Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the comprehensive service programs aimed at improving the living standards of the homeless veterans. The vulnerable population has also benefited from referral and counseling services that reduce their probability of emotional problems. The population enjoys the Medicaid plans guaranteed in the Act since the pension of the veterans is reduced. The nursing services provide quality care to the veterans without any form of discrimination compared to the past where the rights of the homeless were ignored by health facilities.
Problem with an organization regarding the Act
The Capital Hill lawmakers have come into loggerheads with the Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013. They claim that the Act fails to provide a depth analysis that defines the needs of the homeless veterans. Additionally, the organization asserts that VA is struggling with the increased workload regarding disability compensation claims. The Act does not define the period of processing the claims of the vulnerable population, and the prospects of improvement remain indefinite (Govtrack.Us, 2013). The Act fails to push the Department of Veterans affair to perform its activities on a timely schedule that will accommodate the needs of the homeless veterans. The Act requires amending its sections to ensure that justice is never delayed to the targeted population.
Part 3
In the course of transition as the homeless victims re-enter the society they are likely to experience rejection. A reception of this sort may make them turn hostile towards other members of the community. Hostility may take the form of violence or other criminal activities because these homeless veterans feel that they are being treated unfairly. Homeless veterans may engage in antisocial behaviors without fear of any repercussions because they feel that things are bad enough as it is. Regardless of how much effort is put towards having members of the community accept these homeless victims get a good reception from the society rejection is inescapable. They will always encounter a few people who are not so hospitable.
The first step to dealing with this problem would be to help the homeless victims understand their position and how people feel about them. As a counselor, I would help them come to terms with this new reality and explain to them that they are an important part of the society. I would also help the understand that if they choose to respond to rejection in kind they stand to lose more than if they chose to respond differently. It would take some time but engaging these homeless veterans in group therapy would help them realize that the problems they face are not unique to any one of them.
In my opinion, it is impossible to prevent mental illnesses associated with the homeless veterans. Most of the vulnerable population comes from battlefields, and their mind and behavior is affected significantly. They develop fear, anxiety and depression after witnessing their fellow counterparts die during the war. It is not easy to accept the loss of personal friends and relatives, a factor that makes it hard for the veterans to cope with the activities of life. The most common mental illnesses that affect the homeless veterans include dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders among others. The challenge of mental health has remained a hurdle to the target population.
The procedure that I will use a counselor to help the vulnerable population cope with the transition is described herein. The most important thing is for the veterans to accept feelings towards handling the unusual behavior. The family members of the affected person must be accommodative and help the veterans despite presence of awkwardness in their behaviors. There is a need to establish a support network from organization that will assist in the provision of mental counseling and rehabilitations for drug abusers. In the end, the vulnerable population will understand the coping strategies that will help them to regain their personal strengths.

References
Alker, J. (2009). Heroes today, homeless tomorrow. Homelessness among veterans in the United States. National Coalition for the Homeless. 202, 462-4822. Print.
Govtrack.Us. (2013). Text of S. 287: Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 (Referred to House Committee version) - GovTrack.us. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s287/text
Jaycox, L.H., & Tanielian, T. (2008). Invisible Wounds of War; Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery. RAND Corporation; Santa Monica, CA. Print.
Lewis, J. A., Lewis, M., Daniels, J. D., & D'Andrea, M. D. (2011). Community counseling: A multicultural-social justice perspective (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning.
Sanders. (2013). HELPING HOMELESS VETERANS ACT OF 2013. 113 congress 1st session.
US Department of Veterans Affairs. (2013). Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.va.gov/homeless/
Williamson, V., & Mulhall, E. (2009). Invisible wounds: psychological and neurological injuries confront a new generation of veterans. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. 1, 3-18. Print.
Woodside, M., & McClam, T. (2011). an introduction to human services (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.
Bailey, C. E., Pryce, J., & Walsh, F. (2002). Trends in author characteristics and diversity issues in the Journal of Marital & Family Therapy from 1990 to 2000. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 28, 479-486.
Juhnke, G.A., Bordeau, W.C., & Evanoff, J.C. (2005). Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling submission patterns, topic areas, and authors: 1999-2004. Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling, 26, 52-58.