Programs & Services for Veterans

1. Programs & Services for Veterans Presenter: Diane Manwill, EDM Sr. Assoc. Mental Health Services, American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces 2025 E Street NW Washington, DC 20006 http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do/support-military-families

2. “For a certain subset of the population, my service means that I—along with all other veterans—must be, in some ill-defined way, broken.” Phil Kay, Veteran, Wall Street Journal, 5/2014

3. Veterans Today Older, married and with children Experienced multiple deployments Better educated than counterparts Increased survival rate of seriously injured Growing military-civilian divide Larger Veteran population All Volunteer force which means a greater reliance on Reserve and Guard Support

4. Reserve & Guard Challenges Older than Active Duty In the community More isolated from military supports Financial hardships More displaced issues regarding medical supports Job interruptions and lack of job advancement because of disruptions in service Higher incident of Suicide

5. Challenges of Veterans Stigma in seeking mental health services Financial difficulties as a result of frequent moves Unemployment at its highest level Disability Claims are difficult to navigate Educational challenges Physical Needs due to combat survival rates for the veteran and caregiver Relationship difficulties

6. Service to the Armed Forces

8. Continuum of Care The American Red Cross is there every step of the way for service members and their families. LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY ENLISTMENT ACTIVE SERVICE Emergency Services (Emergency Communication Services; Military Family Case Management) Military Hospital & Clinic Programs (Morale & Therapy Programs; Material Assistance) Information & Referral Services Coping with Deployments VA Hospital (Support Services) SAF Station Services (Health & Safety Courses;Nurse Assistant Training; Information & Referral) Reconnection Workshops Deployment Teams (Support for In-Theater Service Members; Integral in Emergency Communications Network) Get to Know Us Before You Need Us Briefings

9. Life after the Military Information and Referral Veterans Claims for Benefits Volunteer opportunities for para-professional and professional Veterans in VA & Military Hospitals Resiliency Programs that promote Reintegration to the community Community Outreach Employment Support Disaster Response in VA hospital services

10. Red Cross Veteran’s Appeals Support Project Vet to Vet (in partnership with Vetcorp) with VSO certification Community Outreach including homeless shelters Job skills for job readiness Financial Literacy Services Information & Referral Basic comfort kits & snacks Transitional housing Healthy lifestyles – substance abuse/health care Claims assistance

11. Services in Military And Veterans Hospitals When loved ones are far away, Red Cross visits are critical to patients. Patients benefit from recovery and comfort items. Animal visits provide cheer and companionship during increasingly longer hospital stays. Patient rehabilitation, recreation, administration and personal services. Volunteers engage in activities such as gardening, arts and crafts, physical therapy support, companionship, video games, and birthday parties. 140,000+ ENLISTMENT ACTIVE SERVICE LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY Recovery and comfort items were distributed by the Red Cross in FY13. Military Hospitals VA Hospitals

12. Referrals to Community and Local Red Cross Resources Case Collaboration / Coordination Disaster response needs—food, shelter, clothing & financial aid Counseling services & referrals (financial, legal, mental health) Temporary Housing, shelters

13. Reintegration Support When returning service members are readjusting to civilian life, ourReconnection Workshops ease the transition. Led by a licensed Red Cross mental health professional. Participants learn about… Communicating clearly; Stress, trauma and depression; Relating to children and Working through anger. Peer support is an important part of reintegration. ~3,500 ENLISTMENT ACTIVE SERVICE LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY service members and military family members participated in “Reconnection Workshops” in FY14. Reconnection Workshops

14. The Future of Red Cross Services & Programs Continued Community support for VA disability claims -- Expansion of West Virginia’s disability support project Ongoing resiliency support--Mind-Body Skill-based groups for Veterans and their families—Anticipated launch 2017

15. Disability Claims Support Project Vet to Vet Trained and Certified through VA Volunteers certified by VSO Services include: transitional housing, mental health referrals, skill building support workshops, healthy living support, employment & educational support services through outreach and case coordination/management

16. Resiliency Support Groups Mind-Body Skills Group -- Endorsed by Active Duty military Evidenced-based practice for self-care Allows for the self-management of PTSD and TBI symptoms Facilitated by Licensed Mental Health Practitioners

17. ‘We don’t want pity, we’re not broken…we just need a little help to reintegrate back to the new normal…’

18. American Red Cross Diane Manwill, SrAssoc Mental Health Diane.manwill@redcross.org Policy and Program Development Service to the Armed Forces 2025 E Street NW Washington, DC 20006 202-303-7779