VA Connection Plans: An Introduction and Clinical Training on a Social Connection Intervention for Veterans

Program Description:

This live, virtual, knowledge-based webinar will provide information about the effects of social isolation on both physical and mental health, especially as it pertains to older adults and people with serious mental illness. Attendees will be introduced to VA Connection Plans, an evidence-informed, psychoeducational, brief intervention for addressing social isolation. In 1-2 remote sessions, interventionists work with the Veteran to create a Connection Plan with three parts: Mind (ways to change negative thoughts), Body (ways to change unpleasant body sensations), and Connections (ways to increase social engagement). A multi-site clinical demonstration project is currently underway to deliver the intervention to approximately 550 older Veterans with (age 50+) and without (age 65+) serious mental illness who are enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The development of the VA Connection Plans manual and our efforts to disseminate it will also be discussed. This training applies to healthcare team members. You can download the VA Connection Plans manual at https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn5/training/connection_plans.asp 

Program Information:

Location: Adobe Connect via registering in TMS

                 Audio through VANTS, dial 1(800) 767-1750, then 04927#

Continued Education Units:

Credits/hours: 1.0 credit hours Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME - NP, ANCC, APA, ASWB, NYSED SW,  NBCC, JA IPCE  Registration: VA Connection Plans: An Introduction and Clinical Training on a Social Connection Intervention

• Recordings of previous Mental Health Recovery & Wellness Webinars are available on the VISN 5 MIRECC Website HERE! • SUBSCRIBE HERE to receive recovery resources from the VISN 5 MIRECC! To receive future announcements for the VA National Mental Health Recovery & Wellness Webinar Series be sure to choose WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENTS!

The webinar is brought to you in partnership by the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services Section in the OMHSP, the VISN 5 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and the Veterans Health Administration Employee Education System.