Student Veteran Programs: Pathway Home & SFVA's SVHP at City College of San Francisco

1. Two Model Programs for Working with Student Veterans: The Pathway Home and the San Francisco VA’s Student Veteran Health Program at City College of San Francisco Jennifer K Gonzales, PsyD Bridget Leach, LCSW Christine Loeber, LCSW, Executive Director of The Pathway Home 2017 Veterans Summit Presentation

2. Learning Outcomes • To better understand the challenges student Veterans face in reintegration after the military, particularly as it relates to their educational experiences. • To identify an effective on-campus model for working with student Veterans as established by the initial Student Veteran Health Program (SVHP) located at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), by providing early intervention services to Veterans on campus. • To identify the benefits of a residential community for Veterans struggling to transition. • To identify the mission and goals of The Pathway Home (TPH).

3. A Few Facts • Veteran population made up approximately 9% of the total U.S. population • Active Duty and Reserves made up approximately 1% of the U.S. population • The total number of GI Bill users nationally was 1,088,411

4. Reported Problems and Barriers in Higher Education Top Transitional Challenges • Navigating VA healthcare and/or benefits (60%) • Getting a job (55%) • Getting socialized to civilian culture (41%) • Financial struggles (40%) • Skills translation (39%) Barriers in Achieving Goals • Lack of financial resources/Financial burden (55%) • Personal/family obligations (28%) • GI Bill expiring before degree completion (25%) • Health/Disability issues (23%) • Conflict between job and school (22%)

5. The Student Veteran Experience Cate, C.A. (2014). Million Records Project: Research from Student Veterans of America. Student Veterans of America, Washington, DC.

6. Common Transition Challenges • Feeling “lost” or “alone” • Lack of structure • Financial worries • Missing the adrenaline rush • Easily annoyed with civilians • Carrying anger or resentment towards those who did not serve or towards other military personnel • Feeling on edge or tense • Dealing with change back home • Feeling down or depressed

7. Service Connected Disabilities Most common physical disabilities Additional conditions affecting student Veterans • Amputations • Skin conditions • Gastrointestinal distress • Gun shot wounds/shrapnel • Respiratory problems • Traumatic Brain Injuries • Orthopedic injuries • Hearing problems

8. Service Connected Disabilities “Invisible Wounds” • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder • Traumatic Brain Injury • Depression/suicide Implications for education • Attention and Concentration impaired • Need for testing accommodations • Need for specialized mental health services on campus

9. The SF VA’s Student Veteran Health Program at City College of San Francisco (CCSF)* City College of San Francisco San Francisco VA Medical Center *Established in August 2010

10. The Story • The SF VA’s Student Veteran Health Program at City College of San Francisco (initially the Veterans Outreach Program) • began as a collaboration between CCSF and the SF VA Health Care System • A Veterans’ Task Force was developed at CCSF • Included CCSF student veterans • CCSF Faculty and Staff / Veteran Advocate • Community Members • Identified student Veterans’ needs • The San Francisco VA Medical Center was asked to have a presence on campus… • For Mental Health Services on campus • On-site Enrollment in VA health care on campus • SFVA Leadership was very supportive in providing staffing

11. The Development of CCSF’s Veterans Center “No one said no” List of donors who contributed time, labor & materials

12. SFVA’s Student Veteran Health Program @ CCSF 1stVAmental health program on a community college campus > 60,000 students enrolled at CCSF (both credit & non-credit) in 2015/2016 ~ 2,000 student veterans enrolled at CCSF this Spring 2017 semester ~ 900 students using VA Educational Benefits at CCSF

13. Where? • Location, Location, Location • On CCSF’s main campus • Located within the Veterans’ Educational Benefits Office • w/ CCSF’s Certifying Official & Vet Academic Counselors • Located next door to the Veterans’ Lounge

14. Why? Goals of SVHP Keys to Effective Engagement • Provide preventative services • Enroll student Veterans in VA healthcare • Provide convenient social work and mental health services, driven by needs • Reduce stigma and barriers to VA and mental health care • Support attendance and academic success • Staff rapport and open-door policy • Meeting Veterans where they are • Accessibility of services / (convenient scheduling/drop-in) • Range of services available (one-stop shopping model) • Connection with other CCSF service providers & staff • Positive relationship with student Veteran organization

15. Barriers to Seeking VA Care “You know there's this magical world of resources out there, but how exactly do I get there? What road do I take to get there? What number do I call? You know, what door do I walk in? 15” • Distance from CCSF to SFVA • Negative perceptions of VA and/or mental health care • Stigma • Multiple responsibilities (family, child care, work, school) • Timing • Readiness to ask for help

16. What?SVHP Program Services at CCSF Social Work & Mental Health Services Other Services • Enrollment in VA health care • Scheduling primary care and specialty appointments • Social work services/referrals to community/campus resources • Individual (& couples) therapy • Psychiatric medication management • Smoking cessation • Crisis intervention • “Speaker Series” talks • Lunch/sandwiches provided • Providing presentations on topics of interest to student veterans such as: • Navigating VA Health Care • Stress Management/ Mindfulness • Sleep • VA Benefits (via SF CVSO) • VA Vocational Rehab • Service Animals • Improving Relationships • Employment (via EDD) • Photos for VA ID cards • Faculty and staff trainings

17. Speaker Series and Enrollment/ID card Events Student Veteran Health Program – Student Veteran Events VA Health Care Enrollment and Photo IDS Speaker Series • Tuesday, August 9th, 10am-12:30pmNavigating VA Health Care (during the New Student Veteran Orientation Rosenberg Library 305) • Monday, September 12th, 12pm-1pm*Benefits of going to a medical appt at the VA • Tuesday, October 4th, 12:30pm-1:30pmWhat’s that ringing in my ears? • Thursday, November 5th, 12pm-1pm*VA Service-Connected Disabilities & Claims • Monday, December 1st, 12pm-1pm*Getting a Good Night’s Sleep • LUNCH PROVIDED, *CLOUD HALL 332 Wednesday, August 10th Friday, August 12th & Tuesday, August 16th 9:00am-1:00pm (drop-in) Could Hall 333

18. CCSF SVHP Statistics (as of February 23, 2017) • 1990 Veterans seen on campus • 801 student Veterans enrolled in VA health care • (of those, 460 brand new to VA care) • 47% served in OIF, OEF or OND • 13% Female Veterans, <1% Transgender

19. Who? • SFVA’s Multidisciplinary team of Providers at CCSF SVHP: • Bridget Leach, LCSW (4 days/week) • Kathleen Mink, LCSW (3 days/week) • Ellen Herbst, MD (~ 6 hrs/week) • Keith Armstrong, LCSW (4 hrs/week) • Isaac Shayesteh, Health Benefits Advisor, Member Services • Brandina Jersky, MFT (Bay Area Student Veteran Coordinator) • One of ~25 Veterans Integration To Academic Leadership (VITAL) sites nationwide

20. Acknowledgments • City College Veterans Alliance, Student Veteran Club at CCSF (Current President Edgar Escobar) • Samuel Santos, Vice Chancellor, CCSF • Becky Perelli, RN, Director of Student Health, CCSF • Tessa Henderson-Brown, Department Chair of Veteran Academic Counseling, Continuing Student Counseling, etc • CCSF Certifying Official (Jose Goussen) and CCSF Veteran Academic Counselors

21. The Pathway Home A supportive, low-cost, living environment structured to help student Veterans address obstacles to re-integration and thrive.

22. The Pathway Home Mission • Mission: The Pathway Home (TPH) provides educational, professional, and clinical support in a residential setting, to post-9/11 Veterans pursuing academic or vocational endeavors while transitioning back into civilian life after military deployment. • Investing in Veterans early on makes sense • Supporting them before crisis, before they lose everything. • Both the individual and the community benefit. • Everyone wins when a Veteran integrates successfully and becomes a healthy, empowered, contributing member of society.

23. Who does TPH serve? • Veterans who have been deployed. Many deployed more than once with multiple combat tours. • Enrolled in school/vocational training full-time or committed to it in the next term. • Struggling with re-adjustment. • In need of a stable, structured living environment and would likely benefit from supportive services.

24. Reintegration - A Vulnerable Time • Veterans returning from deployment are vulnerable to crisis. • Many find transition harder than they expected due to: • Un-foreseen post-deployment issues • Undiagnosed mental health symptoms, and • Family/Life reintegration stress • Many DO NOT ask for help or let anyone know. • Intervention can make a big difference.

25. Risks without Intervention • Without help Veterans often: • Self-medicate with substances • Engage in reckless “risky” behaviors • Withdraw, isolate, form negative self-evaluations • Drop out of school or lose jobs • Feel misunderstood • Become angry/depressed • Lose relationships with family and friends • Become hopeless • Some experience homelessness or end up in jail

26. Value of Early Intervention • Minimizes risk of crisis and full expression of symptoms • Help Veterans stay on track with support • Complete education/remain employed • Understand behavioral symptoms and learn safe coping skills • Successfully navigate the challenges of re-entry • Mastery and sense of worth cultivated

27. TPH Offers Student Veterans… • A therapeutic living-learning environment • A “specialty-dorm” or “barracks w/o the bulls***” • Opportunity to live in community with other student Veterans • Reduces stigma • Normalizes experiences • Offer resources to facilitate wellness and enable exploration possibilities of life after military • Provide supportive services, available as needs arise to educate and provide therapeutic intervention without Veteran “seeking MH tx”

28. TPH: Helping Student Veterans Overcome Transition Challenges Transition Challenges What TPH Offers as Solutions • Feeling “lost” or “alone” • Lack of structure • Financial worries • Easily annoyed with civilians. • Carrying anger or resentment • Feeling on edge or tense • Feeling down or depressed • Difficulty navigating VA benefits • Skill translation/getting a job • Supportive structure of a residential living unit. • Living in community with other student veterans. • Financial and budgeting workshops • Encouragement to engage: community outings and volunteer requirements • Individual and group MH, including a VA psychologist • On-site time with local VSO • Community partnerships for mentoring and career coaching

29. TPH – Program Goals • Live fulfilling and productive lives • Identify purpose post-military • Achieve academic and vocational success • Create opportunities for long-term success • Effectively manage depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. • Foster healthy relationships • Develop skills for effective problem solving and cmn • Increase autonomy and interdependence • Become engaged members of society

30. Supportive Services Provided TPH provides a structured, supportive living environment plus the following resources: • Academic, vocational, and career counseling • Tutoring, seminars, and workshops • Case management and assistance with Veteran benefits • Individual, couples and group therapy. Readjustment counseling. • Recreational activities: fitness, yoga, swimming, biking, hiking, art, music, etc. • Supportive community partnerships

31. Facilities • On Veterans Home campus – Yountville • Fitness center, pool, bowling alley, golf course • Hiking trails, art, library • Local bus stop on campus • Dining Hall: 3 hot meals • Double occupancy rooms. Shared ½ bath • Shower room (ind. stalls) • Linen services • On-site laundry machines • Recreation room • Study room • Fitness room/Bike room • Clinical space/group room • Courtyard/BBQ space

32. A look inside…

33. Applying to TPH is Easy… Self-referral process. Have Veteran: • Visit our website: www.thepathwayhome.org • Find the application on the website (Apply for Admission> Apply Now) • E-mail completed application to admissions@thepathwayhome.org • Applications may also be faxed to 707-948-3029 • Any questions? Call us at 707-948-3031 or e-mail us at admissions@thepathwayhome.org