The Veteran-Directed Care Program

What is the VDC Program?*

The VDC Program is a consumer directed home community-based services program to keep veterans in their communities. Veterans served through this program have the opportunity to self-direct their own care and receive services in their home from the caregiver of their choice.

Who Qualifies for the VDC Program?

Veterans of any age who…

• Reside in Connecticut;
• Need home and community-based services to remain at home and out of an institution;
• Wish to self-direct their home and community-based services;
• Are willing and able to serve as an employer and hire, fire _and manage their own 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.

What Services will the VDC Provide?

VDC provides veterans the opportunity to self-direct their own care. Through this program, veterans employ their own Personal Care Assistants, who can be family members. A fiscal intermediary helps to manage their individualized care plans and corresponding 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:

• Personal Care assistance (e.g. physical or verbal assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, transferring);
• Homemaker (e.g. cleaning, laundry, meal planning & preparation, shopping);
• Adult Day Care, *Assistive Technology (e.g. emergency response system, electronic pill reminder);
• Home-Delivered Meals
• Caregiver Support (e.g. counseling, training);
• Respite Care
• Environmental Support [e.g. yard care, snow removal, extensive cleaning]
• Other goods and services needed to remain safely in the community (e.g. small appliances, grab, bars, ramp, lift chair, etc. & some non-traditional services such as life skills training, supervision at a job site etc).

Veterans in the VDC program will also receive…

• A Community Based in-home needs Assessment;
• Options Counseling/Support Services (including care management);
• Fiscal Management Services.

How Does One Get More Information or be Referred to the VDC Program?

Veterans already connected with the Veterans Administration (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:

The VA at (203) 932-5711 x3131.  You will need a copy of your discharge paperwork (Government DD-214 Form).

For more information regarding the NCAAA Veteran-Directed Care Program (VDC) please contact Garland Tanksley, Veterans Services Support Broker (860) 724-6443 x257 or garland.tanksley@ncaaact.org

Download the NCAAA VDC brochure here. 

*The VDC Program is offered in collaboration with the Veteran’s Health Care Administration, the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services, and with all of the Area Agencies of Aging in Connecticut.