Assertive In-Reach Program

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, is seeking to engage one or more suitably qualified Contractors to deliver the Assertive In-Reach service as part of the Andrew Russell Veteran Living (ARVL) program. This procurement aims to provide tailored mental health nursing support to veterans residing in emergency or transitional housing across three locations:

• Victoria: Vasey RSL’s V-Centre
• Western Australia: Sir Valston Hancock House
• South Australia: ARVL emergency accommodation

The Assertive In-Reach program builds on the demonstrated success of a pilot in South Australia, which delivered specialised mental health support to veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The Department now seeks to expand the program to additional locations and ensure that vulnerable veterans receive consistent, clinical mental health nursing services embedded within emergency accommodation settings.

Key objectives of the program include:

• Providing tailored, co-ordinated mental health nursing and case management support to veterans within the ARVL accommodation program.
• Ensuring that veterans receive wrap-around services that assist in stabilising their mental health and transitioning into long-term, sustainable housing.
• Integrating clinical services with community support, acknowledging the unique and varied needs of the veteran cohort.

Tenderers may submit proposals for a single site, multiple sites, or all locations, depending on their capacity, experience, and geographical reach. The Department is seeking proposals that clearly demonstrate:

• Experience delivering mental health services to vulnerable or at-risk populations.
• Capability to provide culturally competent, trauma-informed care to veterans.
• A multidisciplinary team approach, including collaboration with external community and clinical stakeholders.