Dr. CUSTIS. The report that we are submitting for the record gives some of the specifics to answer your question, Mr. Chairman. [Subsequently, the Veterans' Administration submitted the following information:]

COORDINATION OF VA/COMMUNITY SERVICES

The VA health care system has an established program which accesses, intearates and utilized the broad range of community health and welfare resurces to meet the needs of the full range of chronically ill and/or functionally impaired veterans. Through a wide range of community coordination and development activities, Social Work Service provides community information, referral, placement, and follow-up services to ensure the integration and support of family and community resources in the treatment, rehabilitation and continued care patients. Active participation by social workers in area health and welfare councils has developed effective referral networks, expanded knowledge and use of community resources and contributed to development of resources to fill gaps in the established community service network.

At each VA medical center, Social Work Service provides a focal point of contact between the VA health care system, the veteran, his family and the network of community services and resources. This includes a broad range of community development, information, referral, placement, and follow-up services provided to patients of all ages and diagnostic categories. Community resource information and directories have been developed which cover all medical and social agencies/resources within each primary VA medical center services area relevant to the needs of veterans and their families. These materials/resources are utilized by social workers and other health care personnel in providing treatment, discharge planning and aftercare services to patients within all inpatient, ambulatory and extended care programs.

Community health and social support services necessary and frequently utilized in the treatment and rehabilitation of our veteran patients are identified in Attachment A. Attachment B identifies points within the VA medical care system at which veterans are identified and referred to community health and social support services. Significant utilization of the community resource network is reflected in the following services provided by Social Work Service during FY 83:

Social Work Assisted Placement of Patients Treated by VAMC's:

The following are examples of specific actions taken by DM&S to further develop, utilize and coordinate services with the community:

Social Work has provided linkage with and participation on
community health and welfare planning councils, as well as
community planning groups for specific diagnostically related
groups (Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Spinal Cord Injury,
Visually Impaired, Dialysis).

Social Work staff perform over 900,000 miles of authorized
community travel quarterly in the provision of discharge
planning, outpatient treatment and follow-up services and the
full range of community planning and service integration.

Specific focus and services in relationship to aging veterans have
been provided through Information and Referral (I&R) services
in concert with Administration on Aging (AOA) and other agencies
since 1973.

During FY 83, 115 VA medical centers reported ongoing continued
contact with Area Agency on Aging (AAA) staff to improve coordination
of services and exchange of program information. Eighty-six
reported specific joint program or resource development activities
with AAAS, and 32 reported joint conference or training activities
with AAAS.

• During the last six months of FY 83, 1,947 VA volunteers were
utilized in community assignments and contributed a total of
approximately 75,000 hours of service.

Through joint efforts with the National Health Screening Council for
Voluntary Organizations, 14 VA health care facilities have
reported participation in community health fairs. Planning is in
process to increase VA's participation with NHSCVO and the private
sector in promoting health awareness and prevention.

• VA's Residential Care Program has facilitated the transition of
literally thousands of psychiatrically disabled and socially
at-risk veterans from hospital to the community. This
nationwide program (over 3,000 homes with approximate

ADC of 12,000) has demonstrated theraputic and cost effective value has potential for expansion to the aging, medical and socially at-risk patient.