The VA Partnership Dilemma
Many who call the BECs are caregivers trying to find information and resources for their loved ones. Though your agency may not have a caregiver support program there are resources out there!! And if they are caregivers of Veterans, they may have multiple plates of options! But how do you learn and connect to those programs? Or who…how…..do you find your local VA Caregiver Support Program coordinator? We have ANSWERS for you! Utah has an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that has developed a strong partnership with our local VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Program Coordinator, and they are going to share their resources and story with you!
Andrew Wittwer
Coordinator, General Caregiver Support Program
George E. Wahlen Salt Lake VAMC
Andrew Wittwer is a licensed clinical social worker at the Salt Lake VA Medical Center where he has worked for the past 19 years with expertise in geriatrics and mental health. He is currently serving as the Caregiver Support Coordinator for the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
Jennifer Morgan
NCOA Consultant
Utah State University - Institute on Disability Research, Policy & Practice
Jennifer Morgan is the Program Manager for the COVER to COVER program and become a NCOA consultant in 2017. She has spent the past 10 years working with Area Agencies on Aging and Centers for Independent Living both in Utah and Nationally. In 2013, she helped develop COVER to COVER "Connecting Older Veterans (Especially Rural) to Community or Veteran Eligible Resources" to support the Aging & Disability Network's need to understand Veteran Benefits and VA navigation to better serve their agency's Veteran clients. The program was touted as a promising practice in 2016 by the VHA Office of Rural Health. She has great enthusiasm and expertise in engaging with agencies to find their local VA partners. Watch out for her monthly "Jen's Corner" which provides monthly tips and resources about the VA and serving Veterans!
Kathy Nelson
Training Specialist
Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services
Kathy Nelson is a master trainer, coach, and education program developer who has worked in government, non-profit, and corporate organizations. Kathy has used her experience and knowledge to author the Caregiver Academy, Caregiver Talking Points (a coaching program), and publications such as The Managing Care Guide, Creating Joy Booklet, and caregiver newsletters. Her work is being culturally adapted and is freely available in a variety of languages on the slco.org/caregiver website.