Veterans Directed Care (VDC-VIP) & Veterans Resources

Veterans Directed Care

Veterans Directed Care (VDC-VIP) is a Veteran’s directed home and community-based service program that serves eligible veterans of any age who are at risk of nursing home placement and their family caregivers. Veterans Directed Care allows Veterans to receive home and community-based services that enable them to avoid institutionalization and continue to live their homes and communities for as long as possible.

This program is available in DuPage, Lake, McHenry and Suburban Cook counties.

Providers

AgeGuide
(800) 528-2000

Lovell Federal Health Care Center
Desiree Cox
www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov
(224) 610-1469

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Erica Courtenay
https://www.va.gov/chicago-health-care/locations/jesse-brown-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/
(312)569-8818

What is the Veterans Directed Care Program (VDC-VIP)?

Veterans Directed Care (VDC-VIP) is a new way of providing you with the assistance you need to remain at home. Lovell FHCC VA Medical Center has teamed up with AgeGuide to bring VDC assistance to you.

Veterans Directed Care is a more flexible option than traditional in-home services. You can get the help you want when you want it. While working with a trained options counselor, you will determine what kind of help you need in order to maintain your independence. You will determine how much help you need, how often you need it and who will provide that assistance for you.

You and your options counselor will create a plan to provide you with the assistance and services you need. Using an approved amount of VA funds, you will be able to hire and manage your own help. This can include:

Hiring a family member or friend to help you with personal care and/or assistance around the house
Contracting a neighbor or professional to provide lawn care or snow removal
Utilizing some of the funds to make your home more accessible
Utilizing meal delivery services

The goal of Veterans Directed Care is to be flexible and give you the control you want and provide the assistance you need.

The VA Medical Center determines eligibility for Veterans Directed Care. In general, you must need in-home help to avoid moving into a nursing home.

What happens if the VA Medical Center refers me to this program?

An options counselor from a local agency will contact you to enroll you in the VDC-VIP program. Your options counselor is here to:

Answer all your questions about the VDC-VIP program
Assist you in creating and maintaining a plan and budget that helps you stay at home
Help you determine if VDC-VIP is meeting your needs

What kind of responsibilities comes with hiring my own help?

You will have the options of hiring a personal assistant or other help using the approved budget.
You will have the responsibility of identifying, interviewing and determining how much of the budget you will spend for your help. The options counselor will guide you through this process. For your security, the VIP program will perform background checks on all workers you wish to hire.
You will have the responsibility of hiring, training and supervising your workers and signing their time sheets. You will be responsible for staying within the budget and ensuring that timesheets, invoices, and receipts are sent in on time.

What is the Fiscal Management Service and why do I have to work with them?

Aris Solutions is the Fiscal Management Service for the VDC-VIP program. They will help you complete all the paperwork necessary to make you a legal employer. They will handle issues such as background checks, workman’s compensation, and taxes. They will issue the payments for the workers and goods and services contained in your approved budget.

For Information about Eligibility and Enrollment
Desiree Cox (224) 610-3665

For General Program Information
AgeGuide (630) 293-5990

Veterans Resources

Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

[VA] Geriatrics & Extended Care

DuPage County

Veteran Benefit Guide (DuPage County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of DuPage County

Grundy County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Grundy County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of Grundy County

Kane County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Kane County)

Kankakee County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Kankakee County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County

Kendall County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Kendall County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of Kendall County

Lake County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Lake County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County

Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation

McHenry County

Veteran Benefit Guide (McHenry County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County

Will County

Veteran Benefit Guide (Will County)

Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County

Other Resources

Vet Centers – Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community based counseling centers. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.

Veterans Crisis Line – If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255 then PRESS 1 or visit the Veterans Crisis Line online

VA Women Veterans Call Center – Call or text 1-855-829-6636

VA Caregiver Support Line – Call 1-855-260-3274

Download VA’s Self-Help Apps – Tools to help deal with common reactions like stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.

VA Mental Health Services Guide – This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.

MakeTheConnection.net – Information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

Veterans Community Resources

Vets4Warriors – Veterans peer support, call 1-855-838-8255.

Wounded Warrior Project – Need someone to talk to? Connect with your peers, call 1-888-WWP-ALUM (997-2586).

Veteran Wellness Alliance – Need help or want to talk? Check in or call 1-630-522-4904.

Code of Support – Connecting military, veterans, caregivers and families to the support they need.

American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network – Peer support and mentoring or call the Hero Care Network at 1-877-272-7337.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) – TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. Call 1-800-959-8277 for assistance.

Veterans Path to Hope

Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Hidden Heroes

AARP – Veterans, Military and their Families