Compassionate Contact Corps (CCC)
Last updated
Share PrintCompassionate Contact Corps is a social prescription program that offers friendly phone and video visits between trained volunteers and Veterans. The volunteer calls their matched Veteran once per week to provide compassionate conversation and companionship. This program has been proven to reduce loneliness and improve overall well-being in Veterans.
Origin:
March 2020, Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic (Columbus, Ohio), Fargo VA Medical Center, Marion VA Medical Center (Marion, Illinois), Minneapolis VA Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota), St. Louis VA Medical Center-Jefferson Barracks (St. Louis Jefferson Barracks), Syracuse VA Medical Center, Tucson VA Medical Center, White City VA Medical Center
Adoptions:
36 successful, 15 in-progress
Awards and Recognition:
Secretary's Honor Award for ICARE, Beryl Institute Organizational Innovation Award, American Red Cross Signature Program
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
The solution
Links
- Video for VA clinicians about Compassionate Contact Corps Veterans Affairs Compassionate Contact Corps Video for Clinicians
- Columbus Ohio local FOX news segment about VA Compassionate Contact Corps Columbus VA CCC Program Addresses Critical Issue of Loneliness Among Veterans
The results
Images
Above:
In March 2021, we surveyed Veterans about their experience with Compassionate Contact Corps. 83% said the visits help them feel less lonely, and 77% said it increased their overall well-being.
Above:
86% of Veterans told us Compassionate Contact Corps makes them feel like the VA cares about their overall well-being.
Above:
We also surveyed our volunteers. 82% told us that serving in the Compassionate Contact Corps program has increased their own overall well-being. Volunteers have told us they love this virtual volunteer opportunity.
Metrics
- See charts above for metrics on our data results.
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Videos
Above:
Veterans Affairs Compassionate Contact Corps Video for Veterans
Implementation
Timeline
-
Months 1-2
Recruit and train current volunteers for Compassionate Contact Corps. -
Months 2-3
Meet with providers and attend department meetings to inform of the new program and Veteran referral process -
Months 3-5
Match Veterans and volunteers in Compassionate Contact Corps program -
Months 4-6
Make follow up calls to Veterans and volunteers. Mail program surveys.
Departments
- Voluntary Services
- Social work
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
About
Origin story
Original team
Lori Murphy
Social Worker
Anna Giesler
Voluntary Services Specialist
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.