1 January 2010 VIRGINIA WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM Because not all wounds are visible! Update on 2009 Progress Report to the Virginia General Assembly Dept. of Defense

2 Mission To establish an integrated, comprehensive and responsive system of services for veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists with Combat/Operational Stress Conditions or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their families through a network of public and private partnerships in accordance with the Code of Virginia Sect

3 Increasing Demand The veterans population in Virginia will continue to increase for several years. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and demands on our military will continue. Army leaders speak of an “era of persistent conflict projected to continue to 2028, if not longer.” Evidence indicates that the impact of combat stress and traumatic brain injury on veterans and their families will continue to increase. Note: There is a delayed onset of many symptoms of combat stress and brain injury.

4 Virginia’s Response The Virginia General Assembly established the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) in 2008 within DVS. The VWWP has the full support of our statutory partners – Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and Dept. of Rehabilitative Services. In its short existence, VWWP has become a model for other states, which are establishing similar programs.

5 Initial Implementation A senior leadership team was established consisting of the Executive Director, an Executive Strategy Committee and an Advisory Committee. Regional Directors were hired to coordinate the development of partnerships and programs crafted to meet the unique needs of different areas of the Commonwealth. Ongoing supplemental funding is received from the Veterans Services Foundation.

6 Initial Implementation (cont.) A Request for Applications was issued and contracts for services were negotiated with consortia of Community Services Boards, Brain Injury, and other service providers. As of December 2009, the program is operational in all regions of the Commonwealth. The VWWP Progress Report for can be found at

7 Albemarle Amelia Appo- mattox Brunswick Buckingham Campbell Caroline Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Culpeper Dinwiddie Fairfax Fauquier Fluvanna Frederick Goochland Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mecklenburg Nottoway Orange Page Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Rappa- hannock Shenandoah Spotsylvania Stafford Warren Prince William Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Regional Consortia Catchment Areas Region 2 Northern Accomack Essex Gloucester Henrico Isle Of Wight King George King William Lancaster Middlesex New Kent Northampton Northumberland Prince George Richmond Southampton Surry Sussex Westmoreland Chesapeake Norfol k Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia Beach Amherst Augusta Nelson Rockingham Alleghany Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Buchanan Carroll Craig Dickenson Floyd Franklin Giles Grayson Henry Highland Lee Mont- gomery Patrick Pulaski Roanoke Russell Scott Smyth Tazewell Washington Wise Wythe Newport Alexandria Lynchburg Richmond King & Queen Rockbridge Hampton James Charles City Co. Cumberland News York Matthews Region 1 Northwestern Region 5 Tidewater Region 4 Central Region 3 Southwest Arlington Charlottesville Mark Taylor, Reg. Coord. Michelle Wickham, Donna Maglio & Kim Graves Camilla Schwoebel, Reg. Coord., Claude Boushey & Joyce Fye Dom Rolle Mavis Worsley Louis Alvey Veterans Population 9/30/09* National Guard Units Military Bases Region 1147, Region 2188,31893 Region 3101, Region 4124, Region 5258, *DVA VetPop 2007 Projection Edward McIntosh, Reg. Coord. Thea Lawton, Reg. Coord. (5 Resource Specialists) Lisa Robinson Derek Burton, Reg. Coord., & Teri Herron

8 Six Components of Action Plan Outreach to military facilities, veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve and their families Community Education to improve general awareness of issues faced by veterans and military community Partnership Development to involve an array of public and private providers in the VWWP network Resource Development to obtain federal grants and funding from foundations Service Delivery to provide direct assistance and support Training to improve awareness of best practices among professionals

9 Outreach Many veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as their families, are unaware of the array of services for which they may be eligible. During 2009, VWWP attended over 80 events at military bases, National Guard or Reserve unit locations in Virginia. Presentations were made to about 4620 military personnel and their families Participated in events organized by the VANG Adjutant General, especially Yellow Ribbon events, as shown on the next slide.

10 Reaching Out in the Deployment Cycle Pre-Mobilization Deployment Post- Deployment Reintegration YRRP Support ( day Events) Combat Veteran Call Initiative PDHRA Screening 3-6 months Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) Transition Assistance Advisors Internet Website Welcome Home From original of John H Brown, Jr. Director, VHA OEF/OIF Outreach Office

11 Community Education In order to inform veterans and their families of the services available to them, 313 presentations were made in 2009 with a total attendance of about In addition, 5 media (TV or radio) appearances were made and at least 25 articles regarding VWWP were published in newspapers.

12 Partnership Development The most significant federal partner is the Department of Veterans Affairs. Significant progress has been made in understanding the numerous VA programs and developing working relationships at the local level. (The following maps demonstrate some of the complexity of the VA which really is comprised of multiple systems and subsystems). During 2009, VWWP reached out to over 360 organizations to establish a working relationship on behalf of veterans and their families. VWWP has been approved as a partner in the Defense Center of Excellence “Real Warriors Campaign”

13 Albemarle Amelia Appo- mattox Brunswick Buckingham Campbell Caroline Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Culpeper Dinwiddie Fairfax Fauquier Fluvanna Frederick Goochland Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mecklenburg Nottoway Orange Page Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Rappa- hannock Shenandoah Spotsylvania Stafford Warren Prince William U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Facilities U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Facilities Serving Virginia (Jan. 13, 2010) VISN 6 Accomack Essex Gloucester Henrico Isle Of Wight King George King William Lancaster Middlesex New Kent Northampton Northumberland Prince George Richmond Southampton Surry Sussex Westmoreland Chesapeake Norfolk Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia Beach Amherst Augusta Nelson Rockingham Alleghany Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Buchanan Carroll Craig Dickenson Floyd Franklin Giles Grayson Henry Highland Lee Mont- gomery Patrick Pulaski Roanoke Russell Scott Smyth Tazewell Washington Wise Wythe VISN 9 Newport VA Medical Center Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Domiciliary Alexandria Lynchburg Richmond City King & Queen Rockbridge VISN 5 Hampton James Charles City Co. Cumberland News York Matthews Arlington Charlottesville Planned Outpatient Clinic Planned Domiciliary Mountain Home TN Wash DC Martinsburg WV VISN - Veterans Integrated Service Network TMH Tele-mental health TMH HUD-VASH Vouchers: Hampton 175, Richmond 70, Salem 35, Alexandria 35, Mountain Home TN 70, Wash DC 280, Martinsburg WV 35, Durham NC 70

14 Albemarle Amelia Appo- mattox Brunswick Buckingham Campbell Caroline Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Culpeper Dinwiddie Fairfax Fauquier Fluvanna Frederick Goochland Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mecklenburg Nottoway Orange Page Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Rappa- hannock Shenandoah Spotsylvania Stafford Warren Prince William U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Vet Centers Serving Virginia (Nov. 2, 2009) Accomack Essex Gloucester Henrico Isle Of Wight King George King William Lancaster Middlesex New Kent Northampton Northumberland Prince George Richmond Southampton Surry Sussex Westmoreland Chesapeake Norfolk Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia Beach Amherst Augusta Nelson Rockingham Alleghany Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Buchanan Carroll Craig Dickenson Floyd Franklin Giles Grayson Henry Highland Lee Mont- gomery Patrick Pulaski Roanoke Russell Scott Smyth Tazewell Washington Wise Wythe Mid-Atlantic Region Towson, MD Newport Vet Center Alexandria Lynchburg Richmond City King & Queen Rockbridge Hampton James Charles City Co. Cumberland News York Matthews Arlington Charlottesville Mobile Vet Center Base Planned Vet Center Southwestern Region - Dallas, TX Johnson City, TN Princeton, WV Beckley, WV Martinsburg, WV Morgantown, WV Vet Center Services include: individual, group, marital & family, bereavement, employment and sexual trauma counseling; community education; alcohol/drug assessments; info and referral to community resources.

15 Resource Development Obtaining non-State funds is a major objective of VWWP. VWWP partnered with the VCU School of Education Partnership for People with Disabilities to obtain a $398,700 three year training grant that will be used to both organize and provide professional training. VWWP has participated in the submission of several other grants and has developed a system for identifying new opportunities.

16 Service Delivery – Regional Directors Jan. – Dec (12 months) 277 Veterans Served – 48% Iraq or Afghanistan Primary Nature of Requests Financial Aid Employment 31% Benefits 20% Combat Stress 21% Other 21% Housing 7%

17 Service Delivery – Regional Consortia July – Dec (6 months) 295 Veterans Served – 35% Iraq or Afghanistan Primary Nature of Requests Financial Aid Employment 15% Benefits 16% Combat Stress 42% Other 16% Housing 11%

18 Direct Service Provided by VWWP and CSBs ProviderJan. – March Apr. – June July – Sept. Oct. – Dec. Total Ex. Dir. & Reg. Dirs Regional Consortia NA Total In Nov. 2009, CSBs reported serving at least 1077 persons with “Military Status.”

19 Training VCU conducted initial training events in each of the five regions involving about 250 service providers. DRS Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center provided training for 225 service providers. Four additional training events were conducted at the local level involving over 40 people at each event.

20 Major Goals for 2010 Sustain existing capacity by renewing contracts with Regional consortia. Use Unmet Needs and Gap analysis performed by VT Institute for Policy and Governance to adjust system as needed. Implement a comprehensive outreach and community education program – especially to family members. Strengthen partnership with Virginia National Guard and Reserve Units. Conduct the Virginia is for Heroes conference on Feb. 18 th

21 Success Story The USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment referred a Marine who was medically retired to the VWWP. He served two tours in Iraq and received a Purple Heart. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress and traumatic brain injury. His best friend in the military was recently killed in Afghanistan. He had severe anger issues, was unable to interact with the general public and was unemployed. Although he was being treated by the VA for PTSD and TBI, he needed additional support in his home community. He joined a community support group lead by a VWWP peer specialist. As a result, he has become very engaged in helping fellow veterans in the support group and is now ready to seek employment. He recently participated in a special ceremony to honor veterans from his community – including his friend – who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.