Improving Community Integration for Homeless Veterans with Serious Mental Illness (MI-CBT with Mobile Tech)
Official title: Improving Community Integration in Homeless Veterans with Serious Mental Illness: A Pilot Study of MI-CBT Enhanced with Mobile Technology
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11493616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot program tests a buddy-style MI-CBT intervention delivered in person and by phone/online to help veterans with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness stay connected, function better, and engage in daily activities after moving into permanent housing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I21RX004633-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11493616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with serious mental illness who have recently achieved permanent housing and are at risk of disengagement from mental health services.
✕Less likely to help
Veterans who do not participate in the program or whose mental health needs require alternative treatments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an 8-week, personalized blend of motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, delivered in a flexible in-person and remote format (MI-CBTech) to improve everyday functioning and community participation for homeless veterans with serious mental illness. The study will measure how feasible it is to implement this approach in the real world and whether veterans find it acceptable and helpful as they transition to permanent housing. The aim is to support ongoing engagement with mental health care and VA services during a vulnerable period, potentially leading to better long-term stability. The findings could inform broader use of hybrid psychosocial treatments to enhance community integration and reduce service gaps for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, veterans may experience better engagement in care, greater independence in daily activities, and improved quality of life during the housing transition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous similar psychosocial approaches have shown promise in improving engagement, but this exact hybrid MI-CBT with mobile technology for this transitional period is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jimenez, Amy M — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Jimenez, Amy M
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.