Illinois Higher Education Center 27 OCT 2010
Bill Smith, BSW, MS Health Educator (816) 866-0256 bill@willsmith91970.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/billsm1970 U.S. Army Veteran Operations Desert Shield & Storm Member: College Educators for Veterans Higher Education Lifetime Member: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Army Historical Foundation, Society of the Big Red One Founding Sponsor: The Museum of the United States Army Circa 1991 Somewhere in Saudi Arabia 2
Participants will be able to explain the current information regarding veterans as first time or returning students. Participants will be able to identify at least three risk factors associated with veterans and alcohol/substance use. Participants will be able to identify at least three strategies to address alcohol/substance abuse by student veterans. Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 compete in a Krutke Olympics 5-Kilometer race through Camp Leatherneck.(US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G Wilber Released) 3
To reduce negative health and safety consequences to Illinois college students related to alcohol, other drugs and violence and to increase college and community environmental factors that support healthy and safe norms. 4
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92% of respondents rated education and the GI Bill as either very important or the most important issue for new veterans. Transitional assistance for new veterans, especially help finding employment, continues to be a major concern. Many of the troops and veterans surveyed had plans to go to college. 2. Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (2009) 9
Updated 30 JUL 10 2009 2010 U.S. Veteran Population 23,067,000 (1,824,000 Female) Number of Veterans Receiving VA Disability Compensation Number of Total Enrollees in VA Health Care System 3.03M 3.16 M 7.84M 8.061 M 1 Number of Veterans Rated 100% Disabled 273,300 289,987 Number of Veterans Compensated for PTSD 354,326 397,019 Number of VA Education Beneficiaries 541,439 1 564,487 Number of VA Voc Rehab Trainees 55,059 1 59, 829 Number of OEF/OIF Amputees 913 2 1,024 2 Source: DVA Information Technology Center; Health Services Training Report; VBA Education Service; VBA Office of Performance Analysis & Integrity; 1 VHA (10A5); 2 DoD 10
The Millennium Cohort Study DoD Two-Item Conjoint Screen (TICS) Connection Between TBI & Substance Abuse Disorder Missouri College Health Behavior Survey 11
Veteran of a Foreign War Access VA for Health Care 49% 51% Yes No 65% 35% Yes No 12
Stressed 15% 37% Managing Overwhelmed 30% 25% Impact 20% 15% 10% Somewhat Moderately Considerably 5% 0% Academic Life Personal Life 13
70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Causes of Stress 14
45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Major Depression Chronic Sleep Issues Mental Health Anxiety Panic Attacks Have not experienced 15
Veterans of a Foreign War & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 16
Has your alcohol use changed since returning home from service? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Increased Decreased No Change All PIP Veternas (n=199) All Greek Veterans (n=10) All Res. Hall Veterans (n=14) All <21 Veterans (n=16) 17
Has your drug use changed since returning home from service? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Increased Decreased No Change All PIP Veternas (n=199) All Greek Veterans (n=10) All Res. Hall Veterans (n=14) All <21 Veterans (n=16) 18
Key findings Limitations & Methodological Challenges Lessons learned 19
Look at what is currently in place Available data Exploit partnerships Must be comprehensive and include the following: Outreach and education Environmental management Harm reduction Creating positive norms Mechanism to identify at-risk students 20
Look at what is currently in place: o Programs, policies, activities, interventions o Assets and resources o Institutional climate o Partners or potential partners 5. Cook, Bryan J, Young Kim. (2009) U.S. Army Sgt. Shaun Reightler, left, and Spc. Matthew Francis with Cloak Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment provide security during the commander of the International Security Assistance Force's visit to the Wesh border crossing in Afghanistan March 4, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II/Released) 21
Multiple Levels National State Community Campus Surveys/Databases ACHA-NCHA YFCY CIRP CORE Counseling Center Residence Life Judicial Public Safety U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jose Sanchez, a crew chief assigned to the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals a B-1 Lancer bomber during Red Flag 10-3 March 3, 2010, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000- square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brett Clashman/Released) 22
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates makes brief remarks at the Combined Fielding Center at Camp Black Horse, Afghanistan, March 10, 2010. (DoD photo by Cherie Cullen/Released) Build partnerships Obtain funding Address infrastructure needs Develop effective programs tailored to your priority population 23
Bill Smith, BSW, MS (816) 866-0256 bill@willsmith91970.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/billsm1970 24