Common Ground: Linking Wounded Warriors and Community Support Providers Partnership for People with Disabilities Virginia Commonwealth University and The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Department of Veterans Services Prepared for CNI Trust Fund: Brain Injury Report Out Day July 22, 2011
who we are Partnership for People with Disabilities Affiliated with School of Education at VCU One of 67 nationwide centers supporting disability issues Provides statewide training, technical assistance, policy analysis, research, and information dissemination Funded through state and federal grants/contracts
Virginia ranks among the top ten states in number of men and women deployed Increase in number of men and women deployed and redeployed to Iraq and Afghanistan Numbers returning from combat zones with psychological and neurological injuries Cultural and experiential divide why project is needed
Sharpen the focus on (a) service gaps (b) training needs of providers; and (c) evidence-based and promising practices Design and implement a training plan Develop a network of providers and identified liaisons in each region Evaluate in preparation for next steps purpose of project
project work plan FY 2011 Organize and host 4 regional training events addressing PTSD Begin planning for a Conference for Virginia Colleges and Universities and Student Veterans to be held August 9, 2011 at VMI Organize and implement 7 regional Suicide Prevention Summits held Spring 2011 which featured the VWWP and the needs of veterans
project accomplishments FY 2011. The Partnership planned and implemented ½ day workshops on PTSD VA Beach, Culpepper, Richmond, and Wytheville Training provided by the Center for Deployment Psychology Attended by 253 individuals; largely clinicians Very little overlap with the attendees from the first round of training (17 people)
project accomplishments FY 2011 We Are Virginia Veterans on Campus Conference August 9, 2011 at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Formed a Conference Advisory Committee Developed Conference Program Identified and promoted with target audiences
project accomplishments July 10 June 11. Partnership DBHDS 7 regional Suicide Prevention Summits held Spring 2011 Complement our efforts Target MH professionals audience Highlight vulnerability of veterans Ensure that veterans are included in planning
project work plan FY 2012. Successfully Implement We are Virginia Veterans on Campus Conference Funding by the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Grant #10-177
project work plan FY 2012. Hold Region 3 training events in late August Region 3, Southwest VA, has received HRSA grant funding expanding their network Geographic expanse of the area Roanoke Abingdon Full day on Military culture, TBI, and PTSD Local Resources
project work plan FY 2012. Hold regional training events for VWWP staff and their VA benefits counterparts (Fall 2011) VA Benefits staff aware of TBI, Combat Stress VWWP regional staff able to provide support to community service providers in identifying VA benefits available to veterans Foundation for strong relationships among all those providing support and services continues to be built
project work plan FY 2012 Webinar on support for families Desired Outcomes Family needs/impacts are highlighted/ identified Community service providers are able to address the needs of spouses and children Families are strengthened in their roles as first line of support for their returning veterans
Partnership for People with Disabilities Eileen Hammar, eghammar@vcu.edu, 804-827-0202 Tera Yoder, tyoder@vcu.edu, 804-828-3879 Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Catherine Wilson, Executive Director, catherine.wilson@dvs.virginia.gov, 804-371-8431 Martha Mead, Special Projects Coordinator, Martha.Mead@dvs.virginia.gov, 804-745-3762