1. Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
Virginia Caregiver Coalition
Martha Johnson Mead, Special Projects Coordinator
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
March 21, 2013
Battlefield
Homefront
2. VETERANS IN VIRGINIA
Veteran/Family
QOL
Virginia has approximately 837,051 veterans
1 in every 10 citizens is a veteran, 1 in 5 in Hampton Roads
By 2016 Virginia is projected to have the 4th largest veteran
population in the nation
Virginia ranks seventh among the states in total veteran
population and fourth in younger veterans (age 20 – 49)
Virginia has the largest percentage of women veterans, 18%
Governor’s goal is to become the most veteran-friendly state
3. 3
WE ARE VIRGINIA VETERANS
VIRGINIA WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services:
Established in 2003; first Commissioner appointed
in 2004
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
Benefits Services
Veterans Care Centers
Cemeteries
G.I. Bill and Educational Assistance
Virginia War Memorial
4. Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
MISSION
Veteran/Family
QOL
The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP), in cooperation
with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental
Services and the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative
Services, monitors and coordinates behavioral health and
rehabilitative services and support through an
integrated, comprehensive and responsive system of public and
private partnerships. VWWP facilitates these services for Virginia
veterans, members of the Virginia National Guard and Armed Forces
Reserves (not in active federal service), and their families especially
those affected by stress related conditions or traumatic brain injuries
resulting from military service.
5. 2.1 Million Deployed OEF/OIF
1/3 PTSD and/or TBI
50,000 physical wounds and
16,000 severely wounded
WHY?
6. Executive
Assistant
Executive
Director
Region 5
Director
Regional
Coordinator &
Staff
Community
Services Boards
(9)
Region 4
Director
Regional
Coordinator &
Staff
Community
Services Boards
(8)
Region 3
Director
Regional
Coordinator &
Staff
Community
Services Board
(10)
Region 2
Director
Regional
Coordinator &
Staff
Community
Services Board
(5)
Region 1
Director
Regional
Coordinator &
Staff
Community
Services Boards
(8)
Special Projects
Coordinator
Community Providers Veteran Services Organizations Faith Based Community
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program
8. INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION
A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Veteran/Family
QOL
Program grounded in the Code of Virginia
State funded; augmented with grants and donations
Reinforced by Executive Order 29
Inter-Secretariat Letter of Support
Interagency Executive Strategy Committee
Interagency Advisory Council
Strategic Plan in Place
9. VWWP
Commissioner
Department of
Veterans
Services
Commissioner
Department of
Health
Commissioner
Department of
Aging &
Rehabilitative
Services
Commissioner
Dept of
Behavioral
Health &
Developmental
Services
Adjutant
General
Virginia
National
Guard
Virginia
Armed
Forces
Reserve
Component
Director
Medical
Assistance
Services
Director
USDVA
VISN 6
Commissioner
Virginia
Employment
Commission
Director
Dept of
Health
Professions
INTERAGENCY
EXECUTIVE
STRATEGY
COMMITTEE
10. 10
What We Do
Comprehensive Assessment of Individual
and Family Needs
Case Management/Care Coordination
Marriage and Family Support
Outreach and Community Education
Linkage to VA Benefits, Financial Assistance,
Employment and Education Programs
Homeless Services
11. 11
WE ARE VIRGINIA VETERANS
VIRGINIA WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12
Veterans and
their families
served
N/A 1,650 3,617 5,283
Community
events attended
by
VWWP staff
335 573 615 822
Virginians
reached at
events
9,500 19,000 13,450 17,450
Military
personnel and
families
reached at
VWWP briefings
2,795 4,400 6,550 4460
Annual Services Provided
12.
13. Primary Nature of Requests for Assistance
from Regional Consortia – June 2012
Employment
Financial Aid
Housing
37%
PTSD/TBI
MH or Family
Counseling
26%
Other
23%
VA Benefits
Medical
GI Bill
14%
14. Era of Service for Veterans Served
by Regional Consortia – June 2012
Non-Combat
Related
24%
Vietnam
15%
Afghanistan
Iraq
48%
WWII Korea &
Other Combat
6%
Desert
Storm 7%
15. Branch of Service for Veterans Served
by Regional Consortia – June 2012
Air Force 5%
Marines
18%
Army
65%
Coast Guard
1%
Navy 11%
16. Gender of Veterans and Family Members
Served by Regional Consortia – June 2012
Male
81%
Female
19%
17. VWWP Statewide Goals
Serve Veterans
No Wrong Door
Employment V3
Reentry
Emphasize Families
SAMHSA Policy Academy
Schools
Caregiver Summits/Conference
Strengthen and Foster Partnerships
IESC and Advisory Committees
Grow and Sustain VWWP
Grants/Foundation
18. VWWP Statewide Goals
• Educate and Inform
Conferences/Training (Caregiver Forums)
Website
VISTAs
AmeriCorps, Virginia Veterans Corps
Virginia Funeral Directors Association
19. V.A. Resources for Veteran Caregivers
VA Caregiver Support Line
Toll Free: 1-855-260-3254
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. -11:00 p. m. ET
Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Helps callers learn about VA assistance
Helps caller access services and benefits
Connects caller with local family Caregiver Support
Coordinator at VAMC if nearby
20. V.A. Resources for Veteran Caregivers
Other VA Resources for Qualifying Family:
Adult Day Health Care Centers
Home-Based Primary Care
Skilled Home Care
Home Health Aide Program
Home Telehealth
Respite Care
Home Hospice Care
21. V.A. Resources for Veteran Caregivers
Caregivers of Veterans Omnibus Health
Services Act of 2010 – Services for Family
Caregivers of Post 9/11 Seriously Injured
Must qualify and be enrolled with VA
Monthly Stipend
Travel Expenses
Mental Health Services and Counseling
Comprehensive VA Caregiver Training
Respite care
www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/Caregiver_Services.asp
22. Resources for Veteran Caregivers
National Military Family Association
Spouse Scholarships
Operation Purple Program
Military Officers Association of America
www.moaa.org
Online Caregiver Manual
www.Veterancaregiver.com
Peer and Resource Support
DARS Services
VDVS and VWWP Services
24. Family of Heroes
Technology/Features:
• Accessed on any computer with an internet connection
• Takes 1-hour (broken to modules)
• Fully private and confidential
• Integrated local resource list (VA and non-VA)
Online, role-playing resiliency training simulation
where family members learn essential skills to
manage common challenges facing families in
adjusting to post-deployment life.
1. Managing expectations,
2. Identify post-deployment stress
3. De-escalating arguments, negotiating
responsibilities
4. If needed, motivating the veteran to seek
help for PTSD, TBI, or thoughts of
suicide
25. VWWP Goal: A Well Coordinated System
of Care and Support for Our Veterans and
Their Families through Partnerships
25
Behavioral
Healthcare
Healthcare
Financial
Assistance
Housing
Transportation
Care
Coordination
Crisis
Intervention
Employment
Vocational
Rehab
Outreach
Education
