42. PREPARING OURSELVES TO HELP WITH THE JOURNEY HOME
Barbara J. Tiner lives in western Massachusetts with her husband, three children and assorted animals. In addition to running an environmental education and training company, she is on the board of the Veterans Education Project (VEP), a 26-year-old group who trains veterans to share their stories and life lessons in western New England classrooms and communities. Through VEP she helped start a support group for military families and is working with faith communities to provide ongoing support to veterans and their families, as well as to educate others on the issues our troops face on their journey home.
REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER 30
Butler, A.C., Chapman, J.E., Forman, E.M., & Beck, A.T. “The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses.” Clinical Psychology Review, 26 (2006), 17–31.
Chard, K.M. “An evaluation of cognitive processing therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood sexual abuse.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73 (2005), 965–971.
Edwards, D. “Transforming the VA.” Behavioral Healthcare, 28 (2008), 15–17.
Foa, E.B., Hembree, E.A. & Rothbaum, B.O. Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Emotional Processing of Traumatic Experiences. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.
Goisman, R.M., Warshaw, M.G., & Keller, M.B. “Psychosocial treatment prescriptions for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Phobia, 1991–1996.” American Journal of Psychiatry, 156 (1999), 1819–1821.
Institute of Medicine. Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Assessment of the Evidence. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2007.
Monson, C.M., Schnurr, P.P., Resick, P.A., Friedman, M.J., Young-Xu, Y., & Stevens, S.P. “Cognitive processing therapy for veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74 (2006), 898–907.
Resick, P.A., Monson, C.M., & Chard, K.M. Cognitive processing therapy: Veteran/military version. Washington, DC: Department of Veterans Affairs, 2007.
Resick, P.A., Nishith, P., Weaver, T.L., Astin, M.C., & Feurer, C.A. “A comparison of cognitive-processing therapy with prolonged exposure and a waiting condition for the treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder in female rape victims.” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70 (2002), 867–879.
Rosen, C.S., Chow, H.C., Finney, J.F, Greenbaum, M.A., Moos, R.H., Sheikh, J.I., & Yesavage, J.A. “VA practice patterns and practice guidelines for treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17 (2004), 213–222.
Schnurr, P.P., Friedman, M.J., Engel, C.C, Foa, E.B., Shea, M.T., Chow, B.K., Resick, P.A., Thurston, V., Orsillo, S.M., Haug, R., Turner, C., & Bernardy, N. “Cognitive-behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in women: A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of the American Medical Association, 297 (2007), 820–830.
Willenbring, M. L., Kivlahan, D., Kenny, M., Grillo, M., Hagedorn, H., & Postier, A. “Beliefs about evidence-based practices in addiction treatment: A survey of Veterans Administration program leaders.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 26 (2004), 79–85.
RESOURCES FOR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
CONTENTS
Employment and Career Support
273
Financial Assistance (Housing, Essential Needs, Food, etc.)
275
Finding Help and Information
278
Health/Medical Benefits and Insurance
283
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)
284
Support for Loved Ones
286
Veterans Service Organizations
289
General Resources
291
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER SUPPORT/TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN WORKFORCE
DoD TransPortal—Transition Assistance Program
Website designed specifically to assist service members leaving active duty by providing information and resources to help in the transition period.
www.dodtransportal.dod.mil
Vet Centers
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and a wide range of services for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. The counseling is provided at community-based “Vet Centers” located near veterans and their families. Find locations on the website or in your local blue pages.
East Coast: 1-800-905-4675
West Coast: 1-866-496-8838
http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/
Career Center for the Military Severely Injured Center
This website provides a search engine of veteran-friendly employers.
www.military.com/support
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR)
ESGR promotes cooperation and understanding between the Reserves and their civilian employers and helps to resolve conflicts between a Reservist’s military commitments.
(800) 336-4590
[email protected]
www.esgr.org
Department of Labor Veteran’s Employment and Training Service (VETS)
VETS provides transitioning service members and veterans resources and services that will help them succeed in the workforce.
1-866-4-uSA-dOL (1-866-487-2365)
www.dol.gov/vets
HireVetsFirst
HireVetsFirst works to connect veterans, human resource specialists and managers to match employment opportunities.
202-693-4700
www.hirevetsfirst.gov
National Partnership for Workplace Mental Health
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress provides information and training to prepare for and respond to the psychological effects and health consequences of traumatic events.
www.usuhs.mil/csts
Operation Healthy Reunions
This website offers tips for service members returning home to their pre deployment jobs. The transition can be difficult for the individual and workplace. (703) 684-7722
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoReturnWork.cfm
Transition Assistance
Transition Assistance Online is a database with transition assistance information and tools for service members going from their military to civilian careers.
www.taonline.com
Turbo Tap
Website offers transition support for Active duty, Guard and Reserves; also offers to help build a “Transition Plan.”
www.transitionassistanceprogram.com/register.tpp
VA’s Compensated Work Therapy Program
The CWT works with business and industry to promote employment opportunities for veterans with physical and mental disabilities. There are CWT locations across the country. Specific contact information for different locations can be found on the website below.
www.va.gov/Vetind
Vet Success
This website provides information on the services of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program and vocational counseling for active duty and veterans.
http://vetsuccess.symplicity.com
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (Housing, Essential Needs, Food, etc.)
Armed Forces Relief Trust
AFR Trust distributes interest-free loans and grants to service members and their families that are in need.
www.afrtrust.org
Army Emergency Relief
AER is financial assistance organization for soldiers, active and retired, and their dependents when there is a valid need. 703-428-0000
www.aerhq.org
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
NMCRS provides financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the U.S., family members, and survivors that are in need.
(877) 272-7337
www.nmcrs.org
Air Force Aid Society
AFAS provides aid to Air Force members and their families and assists with the finance of education.
&n
bsp; 1-800-769-8951
www.afas.org
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
CGMA provides financial assistance to the Coast Guard community.
(800) 881-2462
www.cgmahq.org
American Red Cross
The Red Cross works to provide emergency communications between military members and their families, access to financial assistance, and assistance to veterans.
800-733-2767
www.redcross.org—Follow link “Military Members and Families”
Food Allowance
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is meant to offset the cost of meals for a service member. Most enlisted members get a full BAS: $326.87/month; Officers receive $223.04/month.
www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/basic-allowance-for-subsistence
Housing Allowance
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is to provide uniformed service members housing compensation based on costs in civilian housing markets and is due when government housing is not provided.
http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem
The Fisher House program
Fisher House provides homes for families of patients receiving medical care at military and VA medical centers.
(301) 294-8560 (888) 294-8560
www.fisherhouse.org
[email protected]
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
DFAS provides accounting and finance services for the military departments and defense agencies.
www.dod.mil/dfas
FAQs on Debt
The website below offers answers to frequently asked questions on debt and bankruptcy.
www.dfas.mil/militarypay/debt/frequentlyaskedquestions.html
Personal Finance Assistance for Vets
The website below offers advice on personal finances.
www.transitionassistanceprogram.com/portal/transition/lifestyles/Personal_Finances
VA Guaranteed Home Loan
The website below has information on the VA’s guaranteed home loan and also offers advice on buying a home.
www.military.com/Finance/HomeBuying
Homeless Veterans
Information on the VA’s program of treatment and services for homeless veterans.
1-800-827-1000 www1.va.gov/homeless
myPay
myPay allows service members to manage pay information, leave, earning statements, W-2s, and more.
https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx
FINDING HELP AND INFORMATION
Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
The Outreach Center is open 24-hours to provide information and referrals to service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about TBI and psychological health.
1-866-966-1020
[email protected]
www.dcoe.health.mil
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The National Center for PTSD is a center of excellence for research and information on the prevention, understanding and treatment of PTSD.
PTSD Information Line: (802) 296-6300
Email: [email protected]
www.ncptsd.va.gov
Veterans for America
Veterans for America compiled The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide to help guide through bureaucracy and find the help one needs and deserves. The Guide can be viewed online:
http://www.veteransforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/ survivalguide1.pdf
Walter Reed Army Medical Center Behavioral Health Clinic
The Behavioral Health Clinic is an adult mental health service with providers in psychiatry, psychology and social work.
(202) 782-6061
www.wramc.army.mil
Operation Comfort
Operation Comfort is a nationwide network of mental health professionals and agencies that provide their services free of charge to the family members of those serving in the Middle East.
1-866-632-7868
http://operationcomfort.com/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI works at local, state and national levels to provide support, information, referral and advocacy resources on mental health issues.
There is a section specifically for Veterans resources.
Main: 703-524-7600
Help Line: 800-950-NAMI (6264)
www.nami.org
Email: [email protected]
Military OneSource
Military OneSource offers short-term, nonmedical counseling services to active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families.
The types of counseling are face-to-face, telephone and online consultations.
1-800-342-9647
www.militaryonesource.com
Click on “counseling” link
SAMSHA’s National Mental Health Information Center
SAMSHA’s National Mental Health Information Center was developed to provide information about mental health services. Staff can quickly direct calls to Federal, State and local organizations that work to treat and prevent mental illness.
1-800-789-2647
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
Mental Health Services Locator
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/
American Veterans with Brain Injuries (AVBI)
AVBI is dedicated to supporting the families of American service members and veterans who have a brain injury. AVBI is a web-based peer support network.
www.avbi.org
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
ADAA provides information and resources on anxiety disorders. ADAA also provides a tool to find local therapists.
240-485-1001
Website: www.adaa.org
Find therapists: www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FindATherapist.asp
Find a support group: www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/SupportGroups.asp
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
ABCT provides a “Find-a-Therapist” service that gives access to therapists practicing cognitive and behavioral techniques.
(212) 647-1890
http://www.abct.org/members/directory/Find_A_Therapist.cfm
Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC)
DHCC is a comprehensive source of deployment-related health information for service members, veterans and their families and healthcare providers.
1-800-796-9699
www.pdhealth.mil
Give an Hour
Give an Hour is an organization that provides free mental health services to OEF and OIF veterans and their families.
www.giveanhour.org
email: [email protected]
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH researches to better understand, treat, and prevent mental disorders and to promote mental health.
301-443-4513 1-866-615-6464
www.nimh.nih.gov
Homecoming: Resilience after Wartime
The American Psychological Association offers a brochure on “10 Tips for Resilience in a Time of War.”
www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=43
Controlling Anger Before It Controls You
Below is an American Psychological Association website on anger and anger management.
800-374-2721
www.apa.org/topics/controlanger.html
Department of Defense Deployment Health Clinical Center
The website serves as an introduction to traumatic brain injury and the military’s policies and directives in regard to TBI.
www.pdhealth.mil/TBI.asp
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
The DVBIC serves active duty military, their dependents and veterans with TBI through medical care, clinical research initiatives and educational programs.
1-800-870-9244
Email: [email protected]
www.dvbic.org
Nat
ional Brain Injury Information Center
The number below connects callers to local brain injury services in Minnesota, Michigan and Mississippi.
1-800-444-6443
http://www.biausa.org/BIAuSA.ORG/word.files.to.pdf/good.pdfs/NBBICannouncement2.pdf
DoD Transition Assistance Program
This website provides comprehensive information on the DoD Transition Assistance Program.
www.dodtransportal.dod.mil/dav/lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal/op.htm
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
RAINN is an anti-sexual assault organization with free and confidential services, and works to educate people about sexual assault and its prevention.
1-800-656-HOPE
www.rainn.org
Sleepnet
Sleepnet provides information on sleep disorders.
www.sleepnet.com
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center Referral
The number below connects the caller to a provider of referrals to local facilities where adolescents and adults can seek help.
1-800-821-4357
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The website provides educational materials on drug abuse.
Treatment Referral: 1-800-662-HELP
www.nida.nih.gov
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
The Partnership works to motivate and equip parents to prevent their children from using drugs and alcohol, and to help find treatment for those in trouble.
(212) 922-1560
www.drugfree.org/Intervention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The number below was founded by the department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans have free 24/7 access to trained counselors. 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Hotline.
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Veterans/default.aspx
VA Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator
VA Medical centers have healthcare professionals that can help veterans cope with and work through a sexual trauma experience.
1-800-827-1000
http://www1.va.gov/wvhp/page.cfm?pg=20
Military Sexual Trauma on Miltary.com
The website below offers information on sexual trauma and its effects.
www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/sexual-trauma
Hidden Battles on Unseen Fronts Page 29