Improving access to substance use and mental health care for homeless and justice-involved Veterans
Official title: HSR&D Research Career Scientist Award
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-11222651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program aims to help Veterans who are homeless or involved with the justice system get and stay connected to substance use and mental health care using mobile tools and peer support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK6HX003763-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222651 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Veterans with substance use or mental health disorders who are homeless or have recent involvement with the criminal justice system and who are willing to try mobile tools or peer support.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Veterans, who do not have substance use or mental health needs, or who cannot or do not want to use mobile phones or peer-based services are unlikely to benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This VA research program develops and tries out mobile health apps and peer-based support to reach Veterans with substance use or mental health disorders, especially those experiencing homelessness or repeated criminal-justice involvement. Researchers use hybrid trials that combine tests of clinical benefit with study of how the programs fit into VA services, plus interviews and qualitative work to learn Veteran and provider perspectives. The team partners with VA operational offices (Homeless Program Office, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Office of Connected Care) and multiple institutions to design, deliver, and adapt interventions. If invited to participate, you might use a mobile app, work with a peer specialist, and give feedback about what helps you stay in care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these approaches could make it easier for vulnerable Veterans to access and stay in treatment, lower emergency care use, and reduce risk of re-arrest or rehospitalization.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials of mobile health and peer support for substance use and mental health have shown promise in some settings but results are mixed and spreading what works into routine care remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blonigen, Daniel Michael — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Blonigen, Daniel Michael
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.