|
Recent studies tell us that nearly a third of veterans who seek
care through Veterans Administration (VA) health centers receive
mental health diagnoses. With more and more soldiers returning from
Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health concerns, NAMI recognizes
the need for increased services for veterans and their families.
Whether you are looking for information on Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder, mental illness, or how to obtain Veterans Administration
(VA) benefits, NAMI's
Veterans Resources Center provides an extensive list
of sites online where you can find that information.
In New Jersey a toll free number, 1-866-VETS-NJ4U,
provides immediate assistance to veterans suffering from psychological
or emotional distress as well as those having difficulty reassimilating
back into civilian life.
NAMI Education Program
for Families of Mentally Ill Veterans
The Veterans Health Administration and the National Alliance on
Mental Illness have teamed to provide the NAMI Family-to-Family
Education Program for families of veterans with mental illness.
The Family-to-Family
Education Program (FFEP) is a free 12-week course
for family caregivers of individuals with mental illness and is
now being offered at VA New Jersey Health Care System locations.
The course includes: Current information about schizophrenia, major
depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic
disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality
disorder, and co-occurring brain disorders and addictive disorders;
current research and treatments to promote recovery; up-to-date
information about medications, side effects, and strategies for
medication adherence; gaining empathy for a person with mental illness;
learning skills for handling crisis and relapse; coping with care
giver worry, stress, and emotional overload; and guidance on locating
and advocating for appropriate supports and services for your family.
NAMI New Jersey and VA New Jersey Health Care System are accepting
family members of veterans for the class at the Lyons Campus. Classes
will be from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. For information
on next class start date/sign up contact Mike at (734) 380-9400
Ext 3618.
Upcoming events: 
 Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) Veterans Outreach Campaign
The DMAVA Veterans Outreach Campaign has kiosk displays at malls throughout the state and other special events to help veterans and their family members discover and apply for the benefits they are eligible to receive.
|
January 5*, 6, 7
|
Cherry Hill Mall
|
|
February 2*, 3, 4
|
Monmouth Mall
|
* Medal ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
Dates
set for Strong Bonds, Marriage Enrichment weekends
For those Soldiers who recently returned from deployment - how about
a great weekend to "reconnect" with your spouse? Why not
try Strong Bonds AKA Marriage Enrichment? The critiques are 99 percent
positive over all on the effect the weekend has had with insight
to marriages. This is NOT a counseling weekend.
Upcoming weekends will be Feb. 12-14, April 16-18 and May 14-16.
This is for couples who have not had the opportunity to attend in
the past. If you are interested, contact Marie Durling at marie.durling@us.army.mil,
or 609-530-6884 for an application form. Registration Forms will
be checked to see if you did attend previously. If you attended
over two years ago, you may fill one out for the waiting list. With
the return of the IBCT, we want to make sure the soldiers who have
not attended have the opportunity to do so.
Soldiers are required to attend the entire weekend and ALL sessions
in order to receive a SUTA certificate. Dress code is casual for
the entire weekend. We do not provide child care. This is a couples'
weekend.
More information will be mailed to you approximately 30 days before
your event weekend with details.
Other useful resources for Veterans:
New Jersey and the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs
A Chaplain's
Reflections on Combat Experience Offers Insights into Returning
Veterans' Needs
Vet Career Connect helps military members find jobs
Vet Career Connect is a program designed to connect military service
members with New Jersey employers. Vet Career Connect matches veteran's
specific abilities, drives and interests with jobs requiring those
specific abilities. Participants complete a Caliper Profile, which
is an on-line self assessment. They will receive an Individual Developmental
Guide outlining personal motivators and areas of developmental opportunity.
Participants will then have the opportunity to place the results
of the Caliper Profile, their resume and military achievements onto
a database which will be viewed by New Jersey-based companies who
have indicated a strong interest in employing veterans.
Vet Career Connect program is available at no cost to service members.
In order to participate in this program, or if you have additional
questions please email or call Barbara Foos, Project Administrator,
at 609-524-1228 or bfoos@calipercorp.com.
Battlemind supports Soldiers, families through deployment cycle
Battlemind is a term used to describe combat readiness. The first
Battlemind product was a mental health post-deployment briefing.
It quickly became a training system supporting Soldiers and families
across the seven phases of the deployment cycle. The Battlemind
system includes separate pre-deployment training modules for Soldiers,
unit leaders, health-care providers and spouses. Psychological debriefings
are given in theater and upon redeployment. There is also a post-deployment
module for spouses and several post-deployment modules for Soldiers.
Pre-deployment Battlemind tells Soldiers what they are likely to
see, to hear, to think and to feel while deployed - by describing
the worst-case scenario. Post-deployment Battlemind addresses safety
concerns, relationship issues, normalized combat-related mental
health reactions and symptoms -- along with teaching Soldiers when
they should seek mental health support for themselves or for their
buddies. All of the Battlemind products (training modules, brochures,
debriefings and videos are available on the Web site, www.battlemind.army.mil.
Morris
County offers program for military families
Family Service of Morris County in partnership with the Family Programs
Office, New Jersey, would like to announce its Military Families
Outreach Program. Based on a community effort, the Military Families
Outreach Program strives to support Morris County military personnel
and their families, including extended families, pre-deployment,
during deployment and post-deployment.
We realize the pressures and problems that may occur when a family
member is called to duty, and we want to assist with any services
that you may need to ensure quality of life. Social services, support
services and mental health services are some of the resources that
will be available to Morris County residents. All services offered
in this program are free of charge to you and your family and are
bound by the highest consideration for complete confidentiality.
For more information about the Military Services Outreach Program,
contact Wendy Parrinello, Military Families Outreach Case Manager
at wparrinello@fsmc.org
or call 973-538-5260, extension 326. You can also contact Tammy
Rosenthal, Director of child and Adolescent Services at trosenthal@fsmc.org
or 973-538-5260. We are privileged to work with you who have given
so much for your country!
Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) VSO Outreach on Monmouth
University Campus
DMAVA Veterans Service Officer Donald McNamara is now doing outreach
work at Monmouth University on the third Tuesday of each month from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. He will be there to provide assistance to veterans
and their families, helping them to apply for the benefits for which
they are eligible to receive.
Army
improves access to behavioral health services
Since the fall of 2007, the Army has added more than 190 contract
behavioral-health providers to work on its installations. Additional
help will come from Public Health Service providers detailed to
work at military installations. There are an additional 93 social
workers now employed by the Warrior Transition Units. Across the
Army, there are over 2000 providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists,
social workers, psychiatric technicians, drug and alcohol counselors
and marriage and family therapists. The Army is reminding Soldiers
and their Families of the many available mental health and wellbeing
programs to assist them with stress.
The Department of Defense this year established the Defense Center
of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury,
led by Army BG Loree Sutton. This organization will pool expertise
for treatment, education and research on these issues.
A wealth of information is available at http://www.behavioralhealth.army.mil
On Aug. 5, 2008 the Army launched Afterdeployment.org
as a Behavioral Health Self-Help tool for veterans.
Check out Afterdeployment.org
a new wellness resource site developed by DoD and VA Service Members,
Veterans, and Military Families. If you've deployed, or know someone
who has, you know that spending time in a war zone means being changed
in some way. Some of these changes are good. But some of these changes
may be causing problems for you or for someone you know. Having
problems after a deployment is normal.
Retirees can call toll free to Military One Source (1-800- 342-9647)
for help, including referral for behavioral health counseling.
VA
accepting on-line claims applications
WASHINGTON - The VA is accepting on-line applications from veterans,
survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability
compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation
and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit
a signed paper copy of the application.
VA is processing applications received through its on-line application
website (VONAPP) http://www.va.
gov/onlineapps.htm without the claimant's signature.
The electronic application is sufficient authentication of the claimant's
application for benefits. Normal development procedures and rules
of evidence will still apply to all VONAPP applications.
VONAPP benefits both internal and external users. Those seeking
compensation, pension, education, or vocational rehabilitation benefits
can apply electronically without the constraints of location, postage
cost, and time delays in mail delivery. VONAPP reduces the number
of incomplete applications received by VA, decreasing the need for
additional development by VA claims processors. The on-line application
also provides a link to apply for VA health care benefits. For information
about VA benefits, go to http://www.va.gov
or call 1-800-827-1000.
DoD
develops compensation and benefits handbook
DoD announced today it has developed a comprehensive handbook describing
compensation and other benefits service members and their families
would be entitled to upon separation or retirement as a result of
serious injury or illness.
"The Compensation and Benefits Handbook is the one source of
information that covers everything a seriously ill and injured service
member will need during his or her recovery, rehabilitation and
reintegration," said Ronald A. Winter, principal deputy assistant
secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.
The handbook was compiled in cooperation with the Departments of
Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
and the Social Security Administration. Additionally; there are
references to assistance provided by other governmental and non-governmental
agencies and organizations.
"The handbook describes the disability eligibility process,
various program qualifications, application procedures, and numerous
resources with associated contact information," said Sharon
Gunselman, policy and resource analyst for the Department of Defense.
Web sites and toll-free numbers are provided, and the electronic
version includes hyperlinks. The electronic version of the handbook
will be updated frequently and the hard copy of the compensation
and benefits handbook will be updated annually.
The electronic version of the handbook can be found on the five
Web sites listed below:
http://turbotap.org
https://www.nko.navy.mil
http://www.npc.navy.mil
https://www.aw2.army.mil
https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-af/USAF/AFP40/d/1073755231/Files/C&BHandbook
Helmets
to Hardhats
The New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council's
Helmets to Hardhats Program (NJ H2H) is designed to help transitioning
military personnel, National Guardsmen and Reservists find the careers
in the building and construction industry. The program seeks to
help military members find a career in one of 15 affiliated trades,
such as electrical workers, carpenters and painters.
They work in cooperation with the national Helmets to Hardhats program,
adding a personal component to the program's on-line services. NJ
H2H offers veterans preparation for successful application to any
of New Jersey's registered apprenticeship programs in the building
and construction trades. Services include career counseling, entrance
test preparation and referral to supportive services.
For program registration and information, visit online at www.njbctc.org/h2h
or contact at 732-499-7295 or at H2H@njbctc.org.
Military
Pathways
Military Pathways™ has launched a brand new online screening
tool with a new look and feel that allows service members and their
families the opportunity to assess their mental wellbeing anonymously
and to identify symptoms linked with mental health disorders before
a problem becomes serious. Failure to recognize depression and other
mental health issues such as PTSD can have devastating consequences,
underscoring the importance of detecting these disorders early.
This is where online screenings can help.
Military Pathways'™ online screening, funded by the Department
of Defense, is available 24/7 and includes free, anonymous self-assessments
for depression, alcohol problems, bipolar disorder, generalized
anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. In addition
to detecting an individual's potential risk and their need for further
evaluation, the new online tool offers advanced options that provide
users with specific resources in their communities as well as enhanced
learning materials and resources.
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/military/index.aspx
Military
OneSource
Military One Source is a free 24/7 information and referral service
available by toll-free telephone and the Web to active duty, Guard,
and Reserve (regardless of activation status) members and their
families. The program is especially helpful to those who live at
a distance from installation services or who can't easily seek assistance
during traditional working hours. Their goal is to improve the quality
of life of military families and the overall effectiveness of the
military community.
Support includes personalized consultations on issues such as deployment,
relocation, parenting, education, special needs, and finances, as
well as customized research describing community resources and appropriate
military referrals. They also offer personalized online and telephonic
health coaching for stress management, weight loss, and cardiovascular
health; and a program for teens that provides health coaching to
support weight management.
Military OneSource also provides referrals for face-to-face counseling
(up to twelve sessions per issue) in the local community to service
members and their families. These free non-medical, short-term,
solution-focused sessions focus on issues such as normal reactions
to abnormal situations (e.g. combat), couples concerns, work/life
balance, grief and loss, adjustment to deployment, stress management,
and parenting. Face-to-face referrals are available in the Continental
United States as well as Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
and Puerto Rico. Face-to-face personal financial counseling sessions
are also available.
Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at
no cost to active duty, Guard, and Reserve (regardless of activation
status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation
services. Visit Military OneSource today at www.militaryonesource.com
or call 1-800-342-9647
News and Information for Veterans:
VA
Announces Expansion of Counseling for Combat Veterans: Additional
28 New Community Vet Centers
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that combat Veterans
will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28
additional communities across the country where the VA will establish
Vet Centers in 2010. The community-based Vet Centers -- already
in all 50 states -- are a key component of VA’s mental health
program, providing Veterans with mental health screening and post-traumatic
stress disorder counseling.
Press release: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1744
VA’s Suicide Prevention Program Adds Chat Service New Service
Expands Online Access for Veterans
The Suicide Prevention campaign of the VA is expanding its outreach
to all Veterans by piloting an online, one-to-one “chat service”
for Veterans who prefer reaching out for assistance using the Internet.
Called “Veterans Chat,” the new service enables Veterans,
their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously
chat with a trained VA counselor.
Press Release: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1757
Iraq
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
Community of Veterans.ORG A joint effort of the Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council, this site is designed
as a resource to our nation's newest Veterans. Comprising less than
1 percent of the population, Veterans face a myriad of challenges
while feeling isolated and cut off from those to whom they can best
relate - other Veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this
site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping
Veterans. http://communityofveterans.org
There is a companion site for families, friends wanting to help
and support at: http://supportyourvet.org
IAVA
Founded in 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
is the nation's first and largest group representing veterans of
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. IAVA is a non-profit and nonpartisan
organization with more than 125,000 active veteran members and grassroots
supporters in all 50 states. For more information, visit http://iava.org/
VA
offers assistance to vets with subprime mortgages
Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing
to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home loan. These
new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits
Improvement Act of 2008. It will allow the VA to assist a substantial
number of veterans with subprime mortgages by refinancing into a
safer, more affordable VA guaranteed loan. As a result of the new
law, VA can now assist veterans in refinancing their subprime or
conventional mortgage up to 100 percent of the value of the property.
These loans were previously limited to 90 percent of the value.
For more information please visit http://www.homeloans.va.gov
or http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov.
American
Legion offers scholarships, booklet on their Web site
The American Legion has scholarship information on their Web site
- www.legion.org
- including the 152-page booklet, Need a Lift, which is a complete
financial aid reference guide for veterans, family members and the
American Legion family. When you get on the site, click on "Scholarship
Information" in the "Useful Links" block.
Web
site provides support to separating military members
TurboTAP (Transition Assistance Program) is an easy to use, interactive
Web portal that provides life-long support to separating military
service members (Active Duty, Guard and Reserve) and their families.
It is a single source starting point for accessing key resources
available for service members transitioning out of the military
at any point in their military career. Resources include Department
of Defense, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs,
Department of Education, Small Business Administration, the National
Veterans Corporation and the National Guard Bureau. For more information
go to www.TurboTAP.org
or email TAPHelp@military-inc.com.
The
National Resource Directory
An online partnership of "shared care" providing information
on, and access to, services and resources for wounded, ill and injured
service members and veterans, their families and families of the
fallen, and those who support them from recovery and rehabilitation
to community reintegration. The Directory provides over ten thousand
services and resources available through governmental and non-governmental
organizations to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration
into the community.
It is maintained by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans
Affairs. The information in the Directory is from federal, state
and local governmental agencies; veteran service and benefit organizations;
non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations; academic
institutions, professional associations and philanthropic organizations.
The National Resource Directory is organized into six major categories:
Benefits and Compensation; Education, Training and Employment; Family
and Caregiver Support; Health; Housing and Transportation; and Services
and Resources. It also provides helpful checklists, Frequently Asked
Questions, and connections to peer support groups. All information
on the Web site can be found through a general or state and local
search tool.
The mission of the National Resource Directory is to:
• Serve as an online resource during the journey from recovery
through rehabilitation to community reintegration.
• Provide information on, and access to, the full range of
medical and non-medical services and resources needed to achieve
personal and professional goals.
• Link to support services and resources available across federal,
state and local governmental agencies; veteran benefit and service
organizations; non-profit, professional, philanthropic, community
and faith-based organizations; and academic institutions.
• Connect to the Wounded Warrior Resource Center call center
and professionals who are available to provide assistance 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The National Resource Directory addresses the need for improved
access to information on services and resources, which was identified
by both the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning
Wounded Warriors and Title XVI, "Wounded Warrior Matters,"
of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. To access the National
Resource Directory, visit www.nationalresourcedirectory.org.
To access the New Jersey Resource Directory Page directly, visit:
https://www.nationalresourcedirectory.org/nrd/public/FindSL.do?search=Search&categoryId=6032
&categoryId=6821&categoryId=6635&categoryId=6031&categoryId=6035&categoryId=6036&stateId=10
|
