Northern Indiana Healthcare System (NIHCS) VA Fact Sheet for Hospice Partners

Thank you to everyone who joined our Q3 HVPI meeting last week. We appreciate your participation and engagement. Meeting Review: Joey Eller, LCSW, Indy VA Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator, presented on VA Suicide Prevention in Palliative/Hospice Care . The training focused on the importance of connection in reducing suicide risk, recognizing and assessing suicide risk, developing client-centered safety plans, and helping Veterans remain future-oriented at the end of life. The HVPI Leadership Team also shared several VA and partnership updates , including the VA’s new federal electronic medical record system, updates to contracted nursing homes, and the Marion VA’s launch of a virtual outpatient Palliative Care Clinic on September 22. Resources: Watch the Q3 Presentation Video Download the Q3 Presentation PowerPoint Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 for Veterans and service members. Partner Spotlight: Thank you to Julie Olds, MMC, CT, CFC ( Julie.Olds@dignitymemorial.com ) from Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes and Cemeteries for sharing more about Dignity Memorial and its work supporting Veterans, families, and hospice partners. Julie also shared information about the Indiana Hospice Volunteer Services Managers Network , which provides local hospice volunteer services managers and coordinators an opportunity to connect, share successes and challenges, learn about community resources, and collaborate on projects supporting the We Honor Veterans program. CEU's for Social Workers: HVPI is pleased to share that we are licensed by the State of Indiana to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Social Workers. If you completed the meeting evaluation following Joey Eller’s presentation, your CEU certificate will be emailed to you. Please reach out to us with any questions regarding CEUs or certification. To receive future training invitations, meeting updates, and login information, Social Workers are encouraged to join HVPI here . Upcoming Events: The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall September 18-21, 2026 | Plainfield, IN Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall Information M arion VA Veterans Day Parade November 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM Parade: November 6, 2026 Hospice partners are invited to join HVPI for the Marion VA Veterans Day Parade! Those volunteering to help decorate the truck should arrive at 9:00 AM . Partners are welcome to pass out agency swag during the parade and are encouraged to wear an HVPI T-shirt or a patriotic blow-up costume . A special thank you to Tracy Wagoner with Adoration Hospice for making our HVPI T-shirts! HVPI T-Shirt Orders: T-shirt orders close October 1, 2026 — no exceptions. Delivery and pickup will take place the week of October 19 . Order your HVPI Honor • Serve • Remember T-shirt When ordering, simply select your size and preferred delivery/pickup option: Deliver to Indy VA (Palliative Office) Coordinate pickup with Tracy Coordinate pickup with Marty Parade Participation & Donations: sign up genuis Final Parade Planning Meeting: October 22, 2026 | 8:30 AM | Microsoft Teams Steps of Honor November 7, 2026 Those interested in volunteering can contact Kyle Pitt at kyle1pitt@gmail.com or 765-620-8517 . Q4 HVPI Partnership Meeting December 9, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 AM Dr. Lyle Fettig: VA Concurrent Car e H VPI 4th Annual Holiday Drive Details coming soon!

Thank you to everyone who joined our Q2 HVPI meeting last week. We appreciate your participation and engagement. Meeting Review: Dr. Lightfoot presented on PTSD and Moral Injury and how these challenges can impact Veterans and their families at the end of life. He shared insights on recognizing these experiences and ways hospice professionals and caregivers can better support Veterans facing them. You are encouraged to share this training and video with your hospice teams. The HVPI Leadership Team also provided updates on the VA/Hospice Veteran Partnership of Indiana and the We Honor Veterans Alliance , including current initiatives and resources available to partners. Resources: Watch the Presentation Video Download the Presentation PowerPoint Request Telemental Health Services for Veterans on Palliative or Hospice Care See the Northern Indiana VA Resources Cheat Sheet See the List of VA Contracted Facilities for Indianapolis New facility in Bloomington! Partner Spotlight: Thank you to Michelle Bell ( mbell@plchealth.com ) from Paradigm Health Hospice for sharing about your organization and the important work you do to help Veterans access their earned benefits, connect with resources, and honor their service and sacrifice. CEU's for Social Workers: HVPI is pleased to share that we are now licensed by the State of Indiana to provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Social Workers. If you completed the survey/evaluation at the end of Dr. Lightfoot’s presentation, your CEU certificate will be emailed to you. Please reach out to us with any questions regarding CEUs or certification. To receive future training invitations, meeting updates, and login information, Social Workers are encouraged to join HVPI here . Upcoming Events: Q3 HVPI Partnership Meeting September 9, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 AM Suicide Prevention for Veterans at End of Life Q4 HVPI Partnership Meeting December 9, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 AM Dr. Lyle Fettig: VA Concurrent Care HVPI Dinner at the Indianapolis Vet House June 24, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 PM See flyer below for event details and registration information. Marion VA Vet Day Parade Planning Session & Parade Planning Session: July 16, 2026 Parade: November 6, 2026 See flyer below for additional details and participation opportunities.

Thank you to everyone who joined our Q1 HVPI meeting last week. We appreciate your participation and engagement. Meeting Review: Liz Davis provided a great overview on Veteran Resources : Watch the Presentation Video Download the Presentation PowerPoint View the Indianapolis VA Resources Cheat Sheet See the List of VA Contracted Facilities for Indianapolis See the Northern Indiana VA Resources Cheat Sheet Partner Spotlight: Thank you to Hannah Stuck from Cornerstone Caregiving South Indianapolis for sharing about your organization and the work you do to help Veterans access their benefits and honor their service. Referrals or Assistance: (463) 230-7966 CEU's for Social Workers: HVPI is pleased to share that we are now licensed by the State of Indiana to provide CEUs for Social Workers. To receive upcoming training invitations and login information, Social Workers are encouraged to join HVPI here . Upcoming Events: We Honor Veterans Webinar : The Alliance will host a webinar on March 25th introducing new program requirements. Registration details were emailed to WHV coordinators. We Honor Veterans Readiness Huddle – April 1 | 10–11 AM Partners are invited to join this HVPI-hosted discussion to review the new requirements and connect with other coordinators. Run to Honor 5K & 1-Mile Walk – May 16 | 9 AM Support the Run to Honor 5K & 1-Mile Walk in Marion as the community gathers to honor our heroes. Event organizers are currently seeking event sponsors (company logos featured on race shirts) and volunteers to help the morning of the event. To get involved, contact Kpitt@htohh.com or 765-661-2980.

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Thank you for joining us for our Q4 meeting last week! Meeting Review: Luke's Wings Mackenzie Yaede: Family Communications and Logistics Coordinator O: (202) 735-5471 C: (973) 524-4763 Luke's Wing s Website Luke's Wings No Service Member Spends The Holidays Alone 2025 Flyer Pinning Ceremonies VA Social Worker Liz Davis and Volunteer/Navy Veteran Al Kozimore presented on facilitating Pinning Ceremonies to honor Veterans at end of life. You are welcome to use any/all of our resources exactly as they are or edit them and make them your own. Attached are copy of slides and all resources are posted on our website on previous blog post: https://www.hvpi.us/pinning-ceremony-materials 12/4/25 Pinning Ceremony PowerPoint Presentation HVPI Updates/Resources Shared: 2026 at a Glance Food Assistance Resources for Veterans: Military Family Relief Fund - Operation Emergency Food 2025 Holiday Drive HVPI is excited to launch our 3rd Annual United We Stand Holiday Drive. This year we'll be supporting Homeless and newly housed Veterans as well as Marion's Palliative Care Unit. We're excited to see how much our Partners can gather this year! Please see our sign up genius to see our Virtual Giving Tree as well as details on drop off/pick up options.

Thank you for joining us for our Q3 meeting last week! Meeting Review: 2025 Holiday Drive HVPI is excited to launch our 3rd Annual United We Stand Holiday Drive. This year we'll be supporting Homeless and newly housed Veterans as well as Marion's Palliative Care Unit. We're excited to see how much our Partners can gather this year! Please see our sign up genius to see our Virtual Giving Tree as well as details on drop off/pick up options.  Wreaths Across America During the meeting we heard from Annie Brooks from Wreaths Across America. On December 13th, cemeteries across the country will be laying wreaths on Veterans' gravesites. To sponsor wreaths or participate in this great event, please visit their website, Wreaths Across America . If you have any questions, Annie Brooks (Location & Group Liaison) can be reached at 207-618-5322 or region5@wreathsacrossamerica.org . Suicide Prevention Nate Moore, VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator from Northern Indiana Healthcare Systems, shared with us VA's S.A.V.E. Training. See recording of presentation above and slide deck HERE Training resource: Psych Armor Free gun locks: VA can provides free gun locks for Veterans! Send the Veteran's name and address and # of gun locks needed to INDPsychSPTeam@va.gov and they will mail the gun locks directly to the Veteran. For more info or pictures of the gun locks we provide see this website : https://www.va.gov/reach/lethal-means/ Next meeting: December 3, 2025 @ 10-11:30 am EST via Teams

Thank you for joining us for our 2025 Quarter 2 meeting on 6/4/25. Meeting PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD HERE Navigating Difficult Conversations with Dr. Lyle Fettig (Chief of Palliative Care at Roudebush VA Medical Center) Recording above Handouts: IU Talk Skills Sheet & Values Mnemonic for Exploring Values and Goals VA Service Connected Conditions & Death Certificates – Liz Davis, LCSW (Roudebush VA Medical Center) See handout on summary of what is a service connected condition, how to confirm a Veterans SC condition, and the importance of including it on death certificates, when appropriate. Recording below

Find resources on VA Caregiver Support Program and end of life benefits including burial, memorial, survivor, VA healthcare (ex: home health and prosthetics) and National Cemetery Administration.