The Veteran’s Directed Care (VDC) program is a consumer directed home and community-based services program designed to keep veterans in their communities. Veterans served through this program can self-direct their own care and receive services in their home from the caregiver of their choice.
VDC is a partnership between the department of Aging and Disability Services – Bureau of Aging, the VA CT Healthcare System and the five Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). All clients served through the VDC program must first be referred by and then pre-screened by the Veteran’s Medical Center (VAMC). If appropriate, the VAMC will refer the veteran to the correct AAA for further assessment and service coordination.
The five AAAs work with a fiscal management service to coordinate payroll for personal care attendants (PCAs) hired by veterans, assist with management of individualized budgets and assist veterans with employer related paperwork such as tax forms.
You qualify if you:
- Are a veteran;
- Reside in Connecticut;
- Need home and community-based services to remain at home and out of an institution;
- Wish to self-direct home and community-based services;
- Are willing and able to serve as an employer and hire, fire and manage a personal care assistant (or have a representative able to fulfill these tasks);
- Are determined good candidates for this program based on assessments conducted by the VA and the Area Agencies on Aging.
Preference is given to veterans who have a service-connected disability.
What services can the VDC provide?
VDC provides veterans the opportunity to self-direct their own care. Through this program veterans employ their own PCAs, who can be family members. A fiscal agent helps manage their individualized care plans and budgets.
Veterans utilize PCAs of their choosing and/or go through a licensed agency to receive services that include but are not limited to the following:
- An assessment;
- Options counseling/support services (including care management);
- Personal care (can be physical or verbal assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, transferring);
- Community inclusion;
- Homemaker (cleaning, laundry, meal planning & preparation, shopping);
- Adult day care;
- Assistive technology (emergency response system, electronic pill minder);
- Home-delivered meals;
- Caregiver Support (counseling, training);
- Respite care;
- Environmental support (yard care, snow removal, extensive cleaning);
- Other goods and services needed to remain safely in the community (small appliances, grab bars, ramp, lift chair, etc. & some non-traditional services such as life skills training, supervision at a job site etc); and
- Fiscal management services.
How can someone get more information or a referral to the VDC Program?
Veterans already connected with the VA health care system can talk to their VA health care provider or VA case manager.
If you are not connected, your first step is to register with the Veterans CT Healthcare System. To register you can contact: 203-932-5711 X 3131. You will need a copy of your discharge paperwork, DD-214, to register. You can request your DD-214 online.
How do I know what Veteran benefits I may be eligible for?
Each town or city in Connecticut has either a Municipal Service Representative or Veterans’ Advocate that has received training to help veterans within their city or town. You can contact your city or town to be connected to your representative or you can contact the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Advocacy and Assistance at 860-616-3683 or visit their website Office of Advocacy and Assistance. Veterans are encouraged to download a free application named “VACT” to access information through their cellular telephone.
Veterans’ may be eligible for State benefits, Federal financial benefits and or Federal health benefits. Service Advisor groups provide free assistance to veterans seeking financial benefits from the Federal disability pensions or Aid and Attendance benefits. Veterans can manage their Federal VA benefits and healthcare online at www.va.gov.
The Area Agency on Aging serving your town may also provide additional information about the VDC program (1-800-994-9422).
For additional information and/or questions please contact Jennifer Switalski -VDC Program Liaison, 860-424-5023 or email: Jennifer.Switalski@ct.gov .