Jon Nichols Im writing to share my experiences with the VAs in-patient Mental Health / Substance Abuse program as I was unable to find any such reviews before I arrived. I hope future veterans find this helpful.
I have gone through similar programs elsewhere at other VA clinics and feel equipped to compare them.
This VA in-patient ward is very small, with only 10 people in the wing as I am writing, with space for up double as there are two beds in each room. The programming is designed as something of a gap program for those who needed detox and are enroute to longer term treatment at larger facilities, such as Bath, NY.
The program is the most locked down of any clinic Ive been to, with any movement off the ward in the company of staff. Access to anything not inside of the one hallway is available only when the staff can accommodate the Veteran. The items one can bring onto the floor are similarly limiting, with even hair clippers and electric razors kept from Veterans. Unlike other clinics, this is very much a hospital environment in every sense. Basic medications such as Advil, nicotine lozenges, and multivitamins are kept under lock and key and require the nurses for administration. Every event, including AA NA, rec events such as fishing, painting, or shuffle board, are mandatory. All classes are done as a group, and designed for the lowest common denominator.
The absence of choice in the most basic of decisions feel more appropriate for people coming from prison who need it, and not for Veterans coming from a largely functional life who are requesting an educational environment of focused learning.
The standard duration of stay is 28 days.
As a glaring stand-out to these measures, veterans with 14 days in the program can request 8 hour passes on the weekends.
The staff are a pleasure and appear to be as frustrated with the rule restrictions as the Veterans. A few staff members have stated that the rules used to be lax before covid, but have not been relaxed since.
This is a fine facility for anyone needing a halfway step between a detox ward and a larger VA facility with more class/group options, resources, and responsibilities. This may not be the right place for Veterans not requiring that level of handholding.
3 /5
Angela Sporn A law suit waiting to happen. Talk about employee discrimination. A friend of mine was let go has a disability and they came up with another excuse to let her go. Dont work here poor work culture.
1 /5