Methodological Issues and Data Decisions in the Implementation of a Substance Use Disorders Intervention in VA’s Homeless Programs

Bridging the Care Continuum QUERI aims to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable Veterans. Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking – Veterans edition (MISSION-VET) is an evidence-based co-occurring disorders intervention that relies on case manager and peer teams to assist homeless Veterans with accessing and engaging in care. The presenters discussed a formative evaluation of MISSION-VET and the resulting process of adapting the evaluation findings to an existing program. Throughout the cyberseminar, the presenters highlighted the methodological decision-making, data sources and data driven decision-making that were used to evaluate the program and to operationalize innovative changes in team-based services for homeless Veterans.

The presenters:

• Described their rapid, mixed-methods approach to identifying perceived barriers to the implementation of a comprehensive evidence-based intervention for homeless veterans
• Shared lessons learned about adapting implementation strategies to address barriers in the implementation of complex interventions
• Provided an overview and insight into how methodological issues, VA data sources, and data driven decision-makings were used in the formative evaluation.

Archived audio and transcript are available at the Cyberseminars Past Sessions Archive.