A. K. Kopperud

Senior Social Worker, Supportive Housing (Hud-vash), Eastern Colorado Health System (Visn-19) @U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Denver, CO, US

Provide community case management for diverse group of veterans recovering from housing instability/homelessness. Support military veterans that have history of comorbidities including mental health issues, medical challenges, and substance use/misuse. Services include outreach, in-home visits, linkage to community services (public benefits, vocational assistance, health services, etc.). Co-develop interventions with veterans to support their overall community stability. • Give advanced level case management interventions + psychotherapy/mental health support when needed. Develop meaningful therapeutic alliances & rapport with veterans of different ethnic, educational, socioeconomic, and other backgrounds. Engage veterans with an approach that values a strengths-based perspective, unconditional positive regard, non-judgmental assessments, and a spirit of collaboration vs. critique. • Utilize a mixture of governmental databases including Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to track progress of veteran-clients in program. Complete annual treatment plans, suicide assessments, and other specialized documentation as needed. • Provide clinical and case management support to teammates when resource or other challenges arise. Act as a liaison between veteran and Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) to help veterans link with ongoing health related services. Provide assessment of complicated cases (psychiatric illness, medical conditions, and other high-risk diagnoses). Complete interviews and assessments of potential employee candidates of HUD VASH program.

University of Alaska Anchorage

Master of Education - MEd

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Master of Social Work - MSW

Pacific Lutheran University

Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA