Veterans Independence Program

Watch how to sign ‘veteran’ in American Sign Language

Watch how to sign ‘independence’ in American Sign Language

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Veterans Independence Program signed in ASL finger-spelling with BIPOC hands. Image has red border.

The Veterans Independence Program

The Veterans Independence Program (VIP) was jointly established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living in 2008. Presently, it is available at 79 VA Medical Centers nationwide.

Veterans Independence Program offers Veterans of all ages the chance to access personalized Home and Community-Based Services in a manner that puts them in control. It caters to Veterans requiring assistance with personal care and daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, as well as those facing isolation or caregiver challenges. With guidance from their VIP Advisor, Veterans have the freedom to plan and manage VA-funded support and services, such as:

Assistive devices
Environmental support
Meal delivery
Transportation
Emergency response system
In-home personal care
Homemaker services
Caregiver support
Adult daycare

The VA medical centers determine eligibility for the Veterans Independence Program. A VA or VA-paid provider must order the Veteran’s Independence Program. Veterans must be enrolled with the VA for their health care and meet community care eligibility criteria.

OUR DMC CONNECTION: Serving Those Who Serve

GREGORY T. WINTERBOTTOM (1947- 2020) – DMC Original Board President and Army Veteran sitting underneath photo of Founder, Dayle McIntosh onsite at DMC. Right - MICK SPENCER aka Marwood Norman Spencer (1919-1979) – Original DMC Board Member At Large, DMC’s 2nd Board President, and Army Veteran photographed as a headshot in uniform.

The Dayle McIntosh Center (DMC) opened its doors in 1977, with two key U.S. Veterans supporting disabled Veterans as peers, with lived experiences as activists, advocates, and in-service support. DMC’s very first President on our Board of Directors, Greg Winterbottom was passionate about helping Veterans like himself be seen and heard and he worked to provide support in his Board work at The Dayle McIntosh Center and honored Veterans annually through his work at OCTA. He worked tirelessly through VA Rehab Services creating a bridge between all of these entities and service programs. DMC’s second President on the Board of Directors and Board Member At-Large, Mick Spencer was instrumental in removing architectural barriers at the city level in Huntington Beach creating Spencer Ramps with our very own Dayle McIntosh who was appointed to Advisory Council. On the local level as President of the California Association for the Handicapped (CAPH), Spencer went onto working on the State Level and National level with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, consulting with the Department of Rehabilitation for accessibility for Veterans.

DMC continues to honor all Veterans, and we carry on advocacy and support serving Veterans in our community in their honor.

DMC’s Board President and Veteran Tony Clement handing VIP program flyer to fellow Veteran next to U.S. Flag at DMC

HOW IT WORKS

Step One: Get informed.

Read the Veterans Independence Program Veteran Handbook

Are you with the VA? If you answered YES, proceed to Step Two.

If NO, Here are additional resources for you.

Resources:

OC4Vets | Orange County California – Health Care Agency

What: OC4Vets are veteran-focused early intervention programs that support adult veterans and military connected individuals, veterans engaged with County Courts, veteran college students, and military connected families with children under the age of 18 Who: Orange County veterans and families who currently serving or previously served in the United States Armed Forces, regardless of the branch, component, era, location(s), or discharge from their service.

www.ochealthinfo.com

Two military veterans seated fist bumping in unity.

Step Two: Qualify and Get the Appointment. Contact your VA and get referral from VA doctor or social worker.

Step Three: Get referred. After your referral will be sent to the Center for People with Disabilities in Colorado, reviewed and forwarded to The Dayle McIntosh Center.

Step Four: Connect. From the time DMC receives the referral you will be contacted within 2 business days once the referral is made.

Pictured DMC VIP Team Michelle, Marysol and Eric gathered together around a table with Marysol sharing the VIP materials packet inside DMC

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:

The Mission of Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled of Orange County is to provide access and equity by, and for, people with disabilities and older adults. Our vision since 1977 is to help people with disabilities and older adults have equal opportunities to lead their lives as they choose. We hope to help Veterans continue to live a full life doing things they love and enjoy while keeping independence in their home so they can have the freedom to truly live life to the fullest .

We are a non-profit organization that focuses on core services and we serve as hub organization with many referral resources, programs, and partners. The Veterans Independence Program is exactly that a collaborative partnership.

WHAT TO EXPECT – NEXT STEPS

DMC will set up an appointment to conduct a person-centered needs assessment, review VIP Handbook, and answer questions.
If you are still interested in the program, the next step is to proceed with intake and forms.

We will offer support and guidance throughout the VIP process, such as hiring and managing caregivers. As well as assistance in creating a spending plan and additional resources that can help. The process can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks.

Need more information? Get our Program Flyer in English and Spanish.

Download our Veterans Independence Program Flyer in English and Spanish

TESTIMONIAL:

“This program has helped my father in law tremendously in obtaining quality home care with someone he is comfortable with. The easiness in navigating being a care taker makes this program top notch. I would definitely recommend it to any veteran that would benefit from it like Dan has.” – Daniel V. (Caregiver for Daniel Caravalho)

“Upon hearing about the Veteran directed care program, we immediately knew this would be a great program to be a part of for our family. Being given the flexibility in finding the quality care for my father has been a blessing. Getting referred to and started with the program was a breeze. Marysol, at the Dayle McIntosh Center has been super responsive and always available should we need any support.” – Gina Marie Perez, (Authorized Representative for Daniel Caravalho)

TESTIMONIAL:

Stanley Correia (veteran) left & Jack Correia (caregiver/son) right

“Hi, my name is Jack and the VIP program has really been tremendous in helping me support my dad actually since we spent a lot more time together um we’ve bonded and it’s an honor for me to uh assist him in his Twilight years. My dad is 91 years old and thanks to the VIP program. My dad and I have gotten a lot closer.” -Jack Correia (Caregiver For Stanley Correia)

“VA (VIP) [are] wonderful people, they treat you decently. You don’t have to worry about anything. If you need anything, they’re right there for you. I love the place. On that is, I love my house better than I love that place. Of course. I want to stay home.” [VIP program helping him remain at home.] – Stanley Correia, 91 years old Air Force Veteran. In VIP since 9/10/24.

Mark Manstof (Authorized Representative for Alan Collier)

This VDC program facilitation from Marysol and her team has been exceptional in every aspect of our experience. They are organized, responsive, and truly committed to supporting veterans with care and respect. Their professionalism and attention to detail have made navigating the program smooth and stress-free.

Marysol has been especially outstanding. She consistently responds promptly, addresses every concern with compassion, and ensures the veteran in our care is treated with dignity. Her dedication, empathy, and follow-through have made a lasting impact on our day to day lives and family. We couldn’t be happier and more thankful for her hard work and dedication.

Thanks as always!
Mark

Pictured Left: Jared from the Long Beach VA with DMC’s Anita, Wendy and Marysol. Pictured right: Marysol C, Veteran and Wendy at table with paperwork to assist Veteran.

I wanted to thank you all again for your help yesterday! I know that we only had the one veteran that requested assistance. But I don’t want to underplay the impact that you had. The veteran you met with is in our hospice unit and his wife was unable to be with him because of her own health issues. Given this complexity, I am not certain that he would have been able to vote without your assistance. In all likelihood, this will be his last election and his last opportunity to exercise his right to vote. You were able to give him and his wife all of the time and information that they needed for them to make the informed decisions they wanted this one last time.

He and we are truly grateful that you came and I hope we will be able to continue this amazing partnership in the future! And if you need anything from me at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you again,
Jarad Sanchez, LCSW
Senior Social Worker
Blind Rehabilitation Center
Long Beach VA Healthcare Center