Bay Pines VA social workers break barriers to support Veterans

There may be no better example of a team traversing the complex needs of Veterans everyday than the 200 social workers at Bay Pines VA.

“Most recently, our social workers helped VA exceed a national goal of permanently housing 38,000 Veterans by working with the Veteran Homeless Program and HUD-VASH team to exceed Bay Pines VA’s and the VISN 8 goals by changing the lives of 638 Veterans across central and southwest Florida,” said Alisha Stanton, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System social work chief.

Stanton said three leaders on her team—Lacey Brown, Alicia Dudley, and Carolyn Wilson—are tremendous examples of social workers who have been instrumental in leading others within the organization to help Veterans break barriers.

In the photo above, they are (L-R)  Alicia Dudley,  Lacey Brown, and Carolyn Wilson.

Helped Veteran move from her car to housing

“Lacey made sure a Veteran who had relocated to an area with no place to live or any health care was engaged with VA so she could receive medical care, lab appointments, and mental health support. She was able to help this Veteran move out of her car and obtain stable housing,” Stanton said.

Brown served in the Air Force from 1995–2007 and admitted that nine years ago she had no idea how to register for her benefits or receive care.

“I asked for help and VA helped me navigate the system and get enrolled. I am repaying the kindness every day that was exhibited to me as a Veteran,” Brown said.

Donna Sherman, who leads the organization’s Women Veteran Program, learned that Dudley had been instrumental in helping a Veteran navigate the VA health care system and receive the critical help she needed which allowed the Veteran to remain at home and live independently.

“This Veteran had several healthcare needs and Alicia worked with the her on a regular basis, often weekly, to connect the Veteran with a primary care team and other specialty providers,” added Sherman. “Alicia embodies the I CARE Core Values and this demonstrates just one example of her dedication to working with Veterans in her continued service.”

Social worker dedicated to working with Veterans

Dudley also served in the Air Force as a clinical social worker for eight years prior to joining VA. The former military officer said there are two things that inspire her daily as a social worker.

“At Bay Pines VA, we get to touch base with so many Veterans who may be new to VA and provide resources to support their health care. And work alongside them and their families if they are struggling,” Dudley said. “As a supervisor, I get to help and mentor my front-line social workers who are assisting Veterans daily.”

“Social work chose me.”

Wilson spent seven years in the military and works out of the Lee County Health Center as the senior social worker for the HUD-VASH Program. Her ongoing advocacy and support has helped Veterans work toward increases in service-connected disability, admissions to college, and emergency housing assistance.

“I didn’t choose social work. Social work chose me,” Wilson said. “I realized social workers who were prior service understood military culture and the unique challenges Veterans face; I wanted to help Veterans like myself and affect change, so becoming a VA social worker was the obvious choice.”

The three—and the entire social work team—are standing by to help Veterans and their families manage stress-related problems and find VA community resources to meet their needs on the Bay Pines VA website.