Program helps homeless women veterans

The Homeless Women Veterans Program of the Veterans Health Administration (VAH) was initiated in August 2000 to end homelessness for female veterans through outreach, referrals for treatment, VA benefits and other services.

Some of its goals are to help women veterans access housing, employment and maintain stability.

Initial contact is made by referrals from the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, along with various community agencies. Since the program was organized in 2000, more than 325 female veterans have enrolled in the program and received services. The current active client list includes about 100 women and about 80 children.

Services provided by the program include referrals for housing, referrals for shelter, vocational rehabilitation, food and basic necessities and education and counseling.

Eligibility requirements

•Must be a veteran with an honorable discharge

•Must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

•Must have a mental illness, emotional or substance abuse problem

For more information, call Kathy Palmer, program support assistant, at 813-979-3557, or Dorann J. Lucas, case manager, at 813-979-3536.