Center for Health Optimization & Implementation Research
Initiatives
Bedford Node of the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans
Director: David Smelson, Psy.D
Research in the Bedford Node of the National Center for Homelessness Among Veterans focuses on the identification and treatment of homeless Veterans. The Bedford Node particularly focuses on addressing the mental health and substance abuse needs among homeless Veterans to prevent them from falling back into homelessness. Specifically, the Bedford team has developed and implemented an evidence-based co-ocurring disorders treatment called "Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking- Veteran Edition" (MISSION-Vet). The Bedford Node has also helped with idenitfying and addressing needs of Veterans involved in the criminal justice system who are at risk for homelessness, as well as in the standardization of care in several national VA Homeless Programs. Within the area of standardization, the Node has expertise in manual development, co-occurring disorders treatment research, the use of peer support, and the use of mobile technologies to promote treatment engagement.
Information on the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans may be found at: http://www.va.gov/Homeless/nationalcenter.asp
All of the Node's research projects are directly aligned with Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, as well as with the VA's broader goal of ending Veteran homelessness.
