Caregiver Support Program

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1 Caregiver Support Program Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC) Course December 2018 Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 1

2 Military Caregiver Support Objectives Describe why support for military caregivers is a national concern and identify key challenges that military caregivers face when caring for their wounded, ill and injured Service members. Describe how the Military Caregiver PEER Forum Initiative is designed to address the challenges that military caregivers face on a daily basis. Describe how, in your role as an RCC, you are connected and can provide additional support to military caregivers. Identify available resources that address a plethora of military caregiver needs Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 2

3 RAND Study on Caregivers RAND released the most comprehensive study of America's Military caregivers to date. Sponsored by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the report quantifies military caregiving in the United States, including how it affects individuals, their families, and society. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 3

4 RAND Study: Key Findings Total military caregivers in the United States: est. 5.5 million 1.1 million caring for post- 9/11 Veterans Characteristics of post-9/11 military caregivers: Younger Caring for younger individuals Caring for individuals with mental health or substance abuse conditions Employed Lack a support network Military caregivers consistently experience worse living conditions Health outcomes Strained family and work relationships Twelve percent of post-9/11 military caregivers and ten percent of pre-9/11 caregivers spend more than 40 hours a week providing care. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 4

5 Military Caregiver Support Gap Military Treatment Facility Care Management Team Wounded Warrior Caregiver Support Gaps Caregiver Recovery Care Coordinator Military Family Life Counselor Peer Support Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 5

6 Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) Who are MFLCs? Provide face-to-face non-medical counseling and briefings on and off installations to Service members and family members. MFLCs possess a master s or doctorate degree in a mental health field and are licensed or certified in a state, territory and the District to practice independently. Where are they located? MFLCs located at the designated installations will be responsible for conducting the Military Caregiver PEER Forums and interacting with Service Wounded Warrior Program RCCs as needed to coordinate logistics of the PEER Forums. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 6

7 Military Caregiver PEER Forums Personalized, Experiences, Engagement, and Resources (PEER) Forums provide caregivers the following outcomes: Military Caregiver centric training and delivery Content created based on the real-life experiences of caregivers and delivered by caregivers Military Caregiver focused communication and information strategy Caregiver communication and information are supported through the initiative, which reaches more caregivers than the traditional outreach methods Military Caregiver inclusiveness Direct interaction with peers Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 7

8 Who are PEER Support Coordinators? PEER Support Coordinators (PSCs) are individuals who are deployed to 10 geographical regions to provide regionalized support to military caregivers and caregiver stakeholders. PSCs assist in convening Military Caregiver PEER Forums, conduct outreach activities to caregivers, identify & report on gaps in support, assist in locating & providing information on military caregiver support services, and act as the military caregivers point of contact for his/her region. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 8

9 PEER Support Coordinator Map Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 9

10 Where Do PSCs fit into the Military Caregiver PEER Forum Coordination Process? Installation POCs/ Installation Facilities Military Family Life Counselors Peer Support Coordinators Military Caregivers Recovery Care Coordinators Military Caregiver PEER Forums Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 10

RCCs Support Military Caregivers Often subtle methods of support are most helpful Hold short, frequent discussions Provide ongoing support

mental and physical fatigue, and self-care neglect Goal is to stir their thinking and help them take action Ask questions to spark a

11 RCCs Support Military Caregivers Often subtle methods of support are most helpful Hold short, frequent discussions Provide ongoing support Use effective listening skills Demonstrate empathy for their challenges Be on the lookout for warning signs of extreme stress, depression, mental and physical fatigue, and self-care neglect Goal is to stir their thinking and help them take action Ask questions to spark a discussion of their needs Point military caregivers to available resources that address their needs Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 11

12 Available Support Resources Military Caregiver Virtual PEER Forums Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD) Military Caregiver Webinars Warrior Care Blog VA Caregiver Website Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 12

13 Virtual PEER Forums Virtual PEER Forums are hosted from WCP Headquarters and are held every 1st and 4th Thursday of the month at 11:00EST and 14:00EST. Attendees are asked to RSVP to with their name, location, branch of service, and for whom they serve as a military caregiver. Once attendees have provided information, call information is distributed to the group. Virtual PEER Forums are open to military caregivers across the nation. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 13

Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD) Military Caregiver perspective and input Variety of vetted resources, including 24/7 helplines, Military Caregiver emotional support, benefit information, support

14 Caregiver Resource Directory (CRD) Military Caregiver perspective and input Variety of vetted resources, including 24/7 helplines, Military Caregiver emotional support, benefit information, support for children s needs, and much more Government and nonprofit organizations E-version always available on WCP-Blog and NRD (updated monthly) 2017 version now in print 160,000 copies printed to date Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 14

15 Military Caregiver Webinars WCP, with MC & FP, began hosting quarterly webinars in 2014 Supports military caregivers with educational resources on key topics such as: Coping with Military Caregiver Stress Coping with PTS and PTSD How to Renew Self-Esteem and Keep Family Life Fun Coping with TBI Safe Medication Use Enhancing Intimacy and Bolster Relationships after Traumatic Brain Injury Webinar topics are generated by military caregivers through the Military Caregiver PEER and Virtual PEER Forums. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 15

Warrior Care Blog The Caregiver Resources Tab on the Warrior Care Blog provides information about support resources, upcoming events, helpful guides and tips, and much more.

16 Warrior Care Blog The Caregiver Resources Tab on the Warrior Care Blog provides information about support resources, upcoming events, helpful guides and tips, and much more. Find a PEER Forum function allows users to search for nearby PEER forum locations. Regional PSC Bios are available. Visit the link for additional information. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 16

VA Caregiver Support Program VA provides programs that are available both in and out of the home to help care for Veterans, Wounded Warriors, caregivers and

17 VA Caregiver Support Program VA provides programs that are available both in and out of the home to help care for Veterans, Wounded Warriors, caregivers and their family members. DoD and VA work together to facilitate a warm hand off for transitioning military caregivers. Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 17

18 Points of Contact Ms. Sandra Mason Director, Recovery Coordination Program Defense Health Agency (J3) Clinical Support, Warrior Care Ana Youn Program Manager, DoD Caregiver Support Programs Office of Warrior Care Policy Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 18

19 Questions? Medically Ready Force Ready Medical Force 19

The Office Of Warrior Care Policy

The Office Of Warrior Care Policy Education & Employment Initiative (E2I) Operation Warfighter (OWF) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Military Adaptive Sports Program (MASP) July 2017 1 Mission and Vision