The Role of Social Work in Reintegration Kathleen Ray, PhD, MSW, LCSW Rita Torres, MSW, LCSW Social Workers, NJ WRIISC

Goals of Talk Identify determinants affecting reintegration Distinguish the social work process of assessment Recognize the role of social work on the WRIISC team Implement social work expertise within the PACT Team setting

Reintegration Transition from combat deployment and return to community life Active military service to civilian roles and activities Common pathway, but different for everyone Success depends on a multitude of individual and environmental factors

Determinants of Reintegration Participation Body Function Environmental Factors Personal Factors Body Structure Activity

Determinants of Reintegration Body Function Pain Mental Health Sleep

Determinants of Reintegration Body Structure Obesity Physical Injuries/ limitations

Determinants of Reintegration Environmental Factors Social Support Health Care Housing Work

Determinants of Reintegration Personal Factors Self-efficacy Alcohol/drug use Life philosophy

Determinants of Reintegration Activity Activities of Daily Living ADL’s iADL’s Physical Activities

Social Work Trained in identifying determinants of reintegration Uses ecosystems framework to understand relationships, vocation, living circumstances on bio-psycho social concerns Targets areas need to strengthen for optimization of medical/psychological well being. Tailors discharge plan

Ecosystems Perspective Framework of practice Concepts from ecology and general systems theory Interaction and adaptation between people and their environments

Implications for Change Social Workers and clients join forces against problematic fit of client and environment rather than judge clients to be deficient Change in one part of system will change other parts Focus on strengths

WRIISC (War Related Illness and Injury Study Center) What is the WRIISC? Clinical Evaluation Research Education

Part of the interdisciplinary team The Roles of Social Work at WRIISC Part of the interdisciplinary team Advocate Change agent Broker Educator Case Manager Liaison

The Tasks of Social Work at WRIISC Chart review Engage Veteran Psychosocial assessment Provide social work recommendations

Tasks (cont’d.) Create treatment plan with interdisciplinary team members Empower Veteran to assume responsibility for implementation of plan Follow up with Veteran after WRIISC visit and track progress Maintaining current library of resources

Treatment Plan General Specific Goal – as close as possible to providing a ”seamless transition” between Veteran’s military lifestyle and re-integration to civilian life.

What Helps Make the Social Worker More Effective on a Team Part of the team Inclusion from the beginning Access to both Veteran and family to develop effective supports for treatment implementation Recommendations must be practical and feasible

How PACT can Utilize Social Work Services ** Gather information not necessarily provided during a physical exam Offer guidance for realistic recommendations Identify barriers to access care Provide supports to maximize Veteran ability to implement WRIISC recommendations Empower Veteran to direct own health care Educate Veteran on navigating system and advocate for Veteran as needed Follow up on recommendations