Peer Outreach and Whole Health for Homeless Veterans
(EMPOWER Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to help homeless veterans by testing two methods of implementing a support program called EMPOWER (a peer outreach and whole health program). It will compare a low-intensity approach, where staff receive performance feedback via email, to a high-intensity approach involving direct collaboration with trained facilitators. The goal is to determine which method better helps veterans in permanent supportive housing engage with their care. Veterans currently in the HUD-VASH program, who have had recent hospital visits, and who have mental health or substance use issues may be suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers veterans the opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches that could enhance their care and support.
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for homeless veterans?
Research shows that the EMPOWER program helps veterans take charge of their health by encouraging self-care alongside regular medical treatments. This approach effectively involves veterans more in their healthcare, a key part of the program's success.
While specific safety data for EMPOWER as a treatment is not available, it employs well-known methods like peer support and whole health practices. These methods have been safely and effectively used in many settings. Peer support involves veterans helping each other, while whole health focuses on overall well-being, not just medical issues.
The program offers varying levels of support, with the high-intensity option providing more personal guidance. Both options use widely practiced and considered safe methods.
Although this trial lacks specific safety data, the methods used in EMPOWER are generally well-tolerated and have a strong track record in similar programs. Participants can feel confident about the safety of joining this trial.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Peer Outreach and Whole Health approach for homeless veterans because it offers a unique strategy to boost health outcomes by focusing on personalized engagement and support. Unlike many traditional treatments that might simply provide medical interventions, this method emphasizes building personal health plans and actively involving veterans in their own care through peer support. The trial explores two distinct strategies: a Low-Intensity approach using Audit and Feedback reports to track progress and suggest improvements, and a High-Intensity approach involving Facilitation, where trained facilitators work closely with veterans and local teams to tackle challenges and implement effective practices. This personalized and collaborative approach is what sets it apart from other options, aiming to create sustainable improvements in veterans' health and well-being.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for homeless veterans?
Research has shown that the EMPOWER program can greatly benefit veterans. Studies have found it improves pain, mental health, physical health, and quality of life. In this trial, participants will follow different implementation strategies for the EMPOWER program. The Low-Intensity (LI) arm uses a light-touch strategy with Audit and Feedback, while the High-Intensity (HI) arm involves a collaborative Facilitation approach. Veterans in the EMPOWER program are more likely to use healthcare services, which helps them manage long-term issues and boosts their overall well-being. The program's focus on peer support and whole health is crucial to these positive results.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Daniel M. Blonigen, PhD MA
Principal Investigator
VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for veterans who have experienced homelessness, are currently in HUD-VASH housing programs, and have a mental health or substance use disorder. They must be identified as high-need based on recent hospital admissions or emergency department visits.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Low-Intensity Implementation
Audit and Feedback strategy is used to implement EMPOWER, with monthly automated reports sent to stakeholders.
High-Intensity Implementation
Facilitation strategy is used to implement EMPOWER, involving tailored guidance and problem-solving.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for continued engagement in EMPOWER and other VA services.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- EMPOWER
Trial Overview
The EMPOWER program is being tested to see if it helps homeless-experienced veterans engage more with healthcare services. The study compares a high-intensity approach versus a low-intensity strategy in implementing peer-led whole health interventions.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
For the HI phase of a site's implementation, a higher-intensity strategy will be used to implement EMPOWER; specifically, Facilitation. Facilitation is a collaborative strategy in which trained individuals work with organizations or teams to support the adoption, implementation, and sustainment of an evidence-based practice (EBP). It is a dynamic process that involves tailored guidance, problem-solving, technical assistance, and capacity-building activities to address specific barriers and leverage facilitators of change. To this end, external facilitators often collaborate with local champions to bring expertise regarding the implementation processes and have transferable knowledge in relevant clinical and behavior change models that inform the EBP's implementation.
For the LI phase of a site's implementation, a light-touch strategy will be used to implement EMPOWER; specifically, Audit and Feedback. In Audit and Feedback, key stakeholders at sites receive summarized data about their performance relative to a standard or benchmark. Specifically, HUD-VASH peers and supervisors at each site will be emailed monthly automated reports on EMPOWER fidelity data from the EHR (e.g., % of HUD-VASH patients with a Personal Health Plan note) as well as aggregated data on treatment engagement via the Hot Spot dashboard (e.g., % of HUD-VASH Veterans with an SUD diagnosis who received SUD specialty care in the past month). The monthly reports will include tailored action item recommendations based on the local site's performance. Under the LI strategy, sites will not be provided interactive support to review these reports.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor
Citations
HSR Citation Abstract - VA Health Systems Research
DISCUSSION: Data suggest that EVP has significant positive outcomes in pain, psychological, physical, HRQoL, acceptance, and mindfulness measures for veterans ...
2.
trial.medpath.com
trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/310f71b5a41fc1e1/nct07309224-empower-peer-outreach-whole-health-recovery-homeless-veteransEmploying Peer Outreach and Whole Health in Recovery for ...
This study protocol describes a hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial of Employing Peer Outreach and Whole Health in Recovery (EMPOWER) with high- ...
An evidence-based co-occurring disorder intervention in VA ...
This paper reports Veteran level outcome data on treatment engagement and select behavioral health outcomes for Veterans exposed to the MISSION- ...
Peer Outreach and Whole Health for Homeless Veterans ...
The EMPOWER program is being tested to see if it helps homeless-experienced veterans engage more with healthcare services. The study compares a ...
5.
ctv.veeva.com
ctv.veeva.com/study/employing-peer-outreach-and-whole-health-in-recovery-for-homeless-experienced-veteransEmploying Peer Outreach and Whole Health in Recovery for ...
Specifically, HUD-VASH peers and supervisors at each site will be emailed monthly automated reports on EMPOWER fidelity data from the EHR (e.g., ...
Homelessness - VA Research
VA research on the topic looks at the causes and risks of homelessness among Veterans and ways to prevent Veterans from becoming homeless.
Low Demand Model Development Initiatives in VA ...
His current work examines 1) alternatives to incarceration for individuals with behavior health challenges and 2) implementation of low demand housing models ...
Evaluating Whole Health Engagement Among Homeless ...
This model empowers veterans to actively engage in their health care by promoting self-care practices alongside conventional medical treatments. WH programs ...
9.
californiaveterans.org
californiaveterans.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/CAVSA-2024-Full-Report_FINAL_WEB.pdf2024 - annual report
In. 2024, CAVSA presented the most up-to-date data on suicide, opioid overdose, and PTSD prevalence to the legislature, state agencies, and the ...
Changes in Homelessness Among US Veterans After ...
During the active years of the Ending Veteran Homelessness initiative, veteran homelessness decreased 55.3% compared with 8.6% for the general population.
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