The Power of Partnership

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) OEF/OIF Outreach Teams focus on improving outreach to members of the National Guard and Reserve by engaging them at least seven times during their deployment cycle with targeted messages and face-to-face encounters with VA staff. This aggressive plan is geared toward the young generation of combat veterans, and employs social media tools such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs to inform veterans of their benefits and quickly enroll them in the VA.

ECAD [3] is proud to offer Project HEAL [4], a program that provides specially trained service dogs to veterans to help increase their independence and make a positive difference in their lives. The dogs learn over 80 commands specific to veterans' needs including reminding them to take medications, warning of approaching strangers and serving as a barrier for them in crowded public settings. ECAD's service dogs help reduce anxiety and stress experienced by some veterans by offering unconditional love and comfort.

Not Alone [5] provides programs and resources for warriors and their families both online and offline. Online programs [6] include eGroups, Warrior Programs, Operation Foxtrot Papa, Trench Talk, Parent Group and eClinic. The eClinic online program provides immediate help, with a 24/7 call line and online support center. The organization also offers in-person counseling, which is available in 17 states. Counseling from the network of more 350 counselors is available free of charge.

Quantum Leap Farm [7] exists to enrich and enhance the lives of active and injured soldiers and their families, by engaging them in a variety of evidence based and equine assisted activities designed to promote and improve physical, mental and social well-being.

The National Military Family Association [8] has developed "Finding Common Ground [9]," a new online community toolkit designed to help make it easier for members of the community to support military families. This toolkit suggests easily-achievable action items and useful resources to guide anyone who wishes to support military families, but is unsure of where to start.

The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program [10] sponsors Courage to Care Courage to Talk [11], an education campaign for hospitals and health care sites developed by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. The campaign's goal is to facilitate and improve communication regarding war injuries between health care providers and families. The campaign seeks to connect families with resources and providers in the hospital environment who can answer their questions, improve communication with their children and address other family or communication concerns related to an injury.

Military Support Programs and Networks (M-SPAN) was developed to address the needs and challenges faced by members of the National Guard, reservists and their families throughout the deployment cycle. The organization offers innovative approaches to outreach, overcoming stigma and the design and delivery of programs for military families. M-SPAN was developed in partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Program, Michigan State University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The American Association of Suicidology [12] (AAS) presents its 45^th annual conference, “Collaborations in Suicidology: Bridging the Disciplines.” [13] The conference is scheduled for April 18-21, 2012, in Baltimore, Md and more information is now available in the online conference brochure [14].

The Virginia Wounded Warrior Program [15] hosts an event, “VetLink,” every Tuesday in Charlottesville, Virginia. VetLink is designed to meet the needs of veterans by providing a relaxed environment to share military, post-military and transitional experiences between veterans. VetLink events also facilitate job placement assistance, peer support through fun activities and information on available veteran resources.

The Deployment Health Clinical Center's [16] mission is to improve post-deployment health care for military personnel and their families by providing expert, caring assistance and medical advocacy, while simultaneously serving as a catalyst and resource center for the continuous improvement of deployment-related health care across the military health care system.

Veteran's Heart Georgia [17] attends to the spiritual and emotional needs of veterans and their families by addressing the effects of war through a community-based network of services, resources and education. The organization's community page [18] features articles and tips on reintegration including Ten Things You Should Know to Help Bring the OEF/OIF Veteran All the Way Home [19] written by a former Captain in the Army Nurse Corps.

afterdeployment.org [20] recently launched a provider portal [21] feature on its website. The portal allows Veterans Service Organizations and civilian healthcare professionals to obtain fundamental facts about military culture, information on evaluating and treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and tips on referring Service members and veterans to specialty care when necessary.

University of Michigan Depression Center [22] is the first comprehensive center dedicated to research, education and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, check out the Center's DepressionToolkit.org [23] to find out how the food you eat and your mood are connected.

The National Institute of Mental Health [24] recently announced the launch of an enhanced statistics section on its website [25]. This resource represents the best mental health research and information from across the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal departments, and organizes the information in an easy-to-navigate format. In addition, this new site includes information on the prevalence of mental disorders and treatment, mental health-related disability, suicide and the economic costs associated with mental illness.

Working Minds [26] provides tools and networks to workplaces to assist with suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention. The organization seeks to engage workplace communities with three strategies: establishing a workplace suicide prevention network, providing state-of-the-art training and changing the culture of suicide prevention in the workplace. The organization's website also includes a Suicide Prevention Toolkit [27], which models the best practices for suicide prevention in the workplace and provides links to training, education programs and additional resources.

The Brian Injury Association of America [28]'s quarterly publication "THE Challenge! [29]" has the largest circulation of any publication on the subject of brain injury. "THE Challenge!" reaches thousands of advocates, persons with brain injury, families, government personnel and rehabilitation professionals. In addition to feature articles on a variety of brain injury topics, "THE Challenge!" publishes regular columns on a number of topics including “Survivor’s Voice”, research, education, prevention and advocacy. 

Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS) [30] provides resiliency training to military children and families. The program is based on families learning five skills: emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, goal-setting and managing deployment reminders to better enhance their resilience as a family. FOCUS addressed the topic of homecoming and integration in a recent article [31] that provides tips and information for parents to help their children throughout the reintegration process.

Operation Gratitude [32] supports our troops through the distribution of care packages to deployed service members, children of service members and wounded warriors. The organization’s website features a webpage dedicated to "How You Can Help [33]", which offers ideas for how individuals can get involved including writing a letter, recycling old cell phones and dedicating a tree.

Warrior Family Community Partnership [34] (WFCP) serves the Fort Carson community as a multi-faceted partnership of Army and community resources. The WFCP's mission is to assure an optimal quality of life for Fort Carson soldiers and their families by integrating existing systems, both virtual and physical, of support and services. The organization's website serves as a "shopping mall" of assistance and provides information on topics including personal growth, wellness, community resources/donations and VA medical resources.

The Military Child Education Coalition works to ensure that quality educational opportunities are available for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. A model of positive leadership and advocacy, the Military Child Education Coalition performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences and publishes resources for all constituencies.

As one of the priorities of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC) [35] ensures that all marines and family members who bear the invisible wounds caused by stress receive the best help possible, and that they are afforded the same respect given to the physically injured. COSC offers informational brochures [35] available for download on combat/operational stress for leaders, marines and their families. 

The Brain Injury Recovery Network [36] is non-profit organization dedicated to helping survivors of brain injuries and other serious injuries, and their families. Its goal is to see that survivors of brain injuries are given every chance possible to recover. It provides practical, actionable advice from people who have suffered through the same experience. The Brain Injury Recovery Network educates, commiserates with and helps buoy the spirits of survivors and families as they deal with the effects of brain injury. It provides information and support for both the crisis and the long-term care phases of recovery, as well as prevention programs.

The National Center for Telehealth & Technology [37], recently launched Psychological Health Providers for the Military Community [38], a networking group on LinkedIn. The network targets psychological health professionals who provide services to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or other psychological health concerns related to deployment. Members of the group are granted access to deployment related psychological health resources from the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and other government and civilian organizations. The group also provides psychological health professionals with an engaging environment to share information, resources, tools and best-practices related to the treatment of behavioral health concerns as a result of military deployment.

Project: Return to Work [39] (R2W) provides career counseling services to Americans with disabilities who are interested in returning to the workforce. In the next two months, Project: Return to Work plans to post 1,000 new jobs. Operating under a new model, applicants can register and be notified of a job opening or they can apply for specific jobs openings that are posted in the jobs portion of the site [40]. Employers are also encouraged to post jobs using the contact form [41] available on the R2W site.

Alliant [42] offers four free comprehensive online courses [43] on Combat Operational Stress & PTSD, Concussive Injuries & TBI, Military Culture, and Vets Benefits. Visit the Alliant website to learn more about these courses and CEUs that can help prepare clinicians to work effectively with today's returning vets and their families. 

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans [44] aims to end homelessness by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration and building the capacity of service providers. The organization offers resources and technical assistance to a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies. This national network provides emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training, placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.

Gold Star Wives of America is an organization made up of widows and widowers whose spouses died while on active duty in the military services, or as the result of a service-connected cause. Through its advocacy and programs, Gold Star Wives of America works to provide service, support and friendship to its members and fellow widows and widowers around the country.

Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs' mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by providing them with trained assistance dogs. Paw Corps, an innovative program offered by the organization, helps veterans who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder re-connect with their civilian lives, their families and society in general. Service members and veterans involved with the program have the opportunity to focus on positive interactions, controlling their frustrations and re-learning patience as they train service dogs for their wounded warrior colleagues.

Zero to Three publishes the “Coming Together Around Military Families [45]" e-newsletter, a quarterly newsletter for professionals serving military families. Each issue provides health, mental health, family support and early education professionals with the most up-to-date resources and knowledge specifically tailored to the needs of military families with very young child.

Operation Welcome Home [46], an initiative launched by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, was created to assist returning California service members with successfully re-entering civilian life. This program was launched by Governor Schwarzenegger on June 3, 2010.

Vets4Warriors is a peer support line staffed entirely by veterans with funding from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The organization provides 24/7 confidential peer support, information and referrals for all members of the National Guard and reserve. When specific expertise, such as financial counseling, legal advice or medical services are needed, Vets4Warriors’ peer counselors work to direct a caller to the appropriate program and help make the connection in their local communities.

The Brain Trauma Foundation is dedicated to improving the outcome of traumatic brain injury patients worldwide by developing best practices guidelines, conducting clinical research and educating medical professionals and consumers. Our efforts also focus on public education aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the symptoms of a concussion. Our goal is to better educate coaches, nurses, athletes, parents and all citizens about the importance of recognizing concussions and taking the appropriate steps to ensure people receive appropriate care.

Horses4Heroes [47] was founded to make horseback riding both accessible and affordable to service members, veterans, first responders and their families. The program emphasizes the core values of responsibility, independence, dedication and empowerment. Participants enrolled the Horses4Heroes' programs learn leadership and teamwork while making new friends and developing a love of horses.

The Returning Veterans Project [48]is an organization of independent health care practitioners who provide free and confidential services to returning veterans and service members of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families. The goal of the program is to create a network of community resources to support returning veterans and their families.

Honor for ALL [49] is a non-profit organization that promotes the recognition and honor of past and present service members coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and minor traumatic brain injury. The organization’s mission is to raise awareness of the invisible wounds of war by sponsoring and hosting educational forums and public events.

The Work First Foundation [50] promotes employment as the first step to improve the economic self-reliance, health and well-being of needy individuals. The organization sponsors projects that enable the application of the Work First theory, including the Coming Home program [51], which outlines the needs of veterans as they return home and reintegrate into society. Through its partnership with America Works, the Work First Foundation provides veterans with the resources to create a resume, gain employment and ultimately stay employed.

The American Psychological Association is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With 150,000 members, the American Psychological Association is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. It seeks to advance psychology as a science, a profession and a means of promoting health, education and human welfare. To achieve this goal, the American Psychological Association disseminates psychological knowledge through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions and publications.

Army Wife Network [52] is an online forum for spouses of Army service members to connect with and support one another. The organization proudly hosts Field Exercises, a seminar for military spouses that features workshops offering care package ideas, deployment survival tips and resources, and networking opportunities as well as an evening of fun. More information and registration for upcoming events is available at www.armywifenetwork.com [53].

Soldiers' Angels [54] is a volunteer-led non-profit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard and their families. Founded by the mother of two American soldiers, Soldiers’ Angels has over 225,000 volunteers assisting veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways.

There & Back Again is a nonprofit organization that supports the well-being of service members. The organization’s mission is to provide reintegration support services to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by offering a whole body approach to wellness.

The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Defense Commissary Agency shoppers save an average of more than 30 percent on their purchases compared to commercial prices. A core military family support element and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America's warriors and their families and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country. 

United Through Reading is a nonprofit organization that helps families facing physical separation remain bonded by facilitating the experience of reading together aloud. The organization's military program eases the stress of separation by recording deployed parents reading children's books on DVDs that their child can watch at home. This powerful program is available to all deploying military units, as well as through select USO locations.

The Semper Fi Fund [55] provides financial assistance and quality of life solutions to Marines, Sailors and service members who have served in support of Marine forces, when they become injured in post 9-11 combat or training operations; and their families. The organization offers financial relief for needs that arise during hospitalization, rehabilitation and recovery. Assistance can range from the purchase of specialized equipment and modified vehicles to travel expenses for family members. Since 2004, Semper Fi Fund's mission has remained constant, “to serve those who preserve our freedom.

AW2 is the official U.S. Army program that assists and advocates for severely wounded, injured and ill soldiers and their families, wherever they are located, for as long as it takes. AW2 provides individualized support to this unique population of soldiers, who were injured or became ill during their service in the global war on terrorism.

Joshua's Mission is an organization providing financial, educational, spiritual and morale-boosting support to Marines wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as their families. The organization's mission is to help Marines' family members financially, to defer the cost of transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses involved in travel to the hospital where their loved one is being treated. Joshua's Mission also assists in meeting the spiritual needs of injured Marines and their families.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve [56] (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between reserve component members and their civilian employers. The organization actively develops support for National Guard members and reservists by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and resolving conflict between employers and service members. Today, ESGR operates through a network of thousands of volunteers around the country, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Take a look at the organization’s Toolkit [57] to view the variety of resources ESGR provides for service members and employers.

Trauma and Resiliency Resources [58] is dedicated to healing the trauma of our nation’s warriors and their families. The organization provides resources and referrals in addition to supporting two programs, Warrior Camp and Horses’ Hooves. Warrior Camp is a seven-day intensive residential mindfulness-based decompression camp specifically designed to address trauma experienced by warriors serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Horses’ Hooves and Warriors' Hearts is an outpatient equine assisted psychotherapy program available to active duty service members, veterans and family members.

The Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute is dedicated to the education and certification of fly fishing instructors, guides, medical professionals, educators and other service providers in order to ensure the highest possible quality of service and availability of therapeutic and adaptive fly fishing programs for people with special needs. The institute can deliver its services to willing participants anywhere around the country as long as the site has access to water and fish.

Freedom is Not Free [59]recently made some exciting additions to its website [59]. The Freedom Is Not Free grant application and monthly newsletter are now available online. These latest features were added in an effort to make the organization's resources and information more readily available.

BraveHeart: Welcome Back Veterans Southeast Initiative is a partnership between the Atlanta Braves and Emory University focused on decreasing stigma associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and connecting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans and their families with treatment resources. The program provides online services, educational outreach, clinical care coordination, anonymous online self screening tools and local referral sources.

The Generations of Warriors Project works to inform the public about the need to handle the recovery of returning warriors more effectively. Members of the Generations of Warriors Project are bound together with a common bond of compassion for those grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters who have experienced the price of sacrifice yet continue to struggle with readjusting into the society of peace and freedom for which they fought. The Generations of Warriors Project provides information, commentary and resources to help raise awareness of common issues experienced by service members and veterans.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America [60] offers resources for service members, veterans and their families to better understand and cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The organization’s website features a free online screening for PTSD [61], as well as video resources [62]that provide information on understanding, treating and supporting a loved one with PTSD.

Operation Helping Hands for Heroes is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides heartfelt help and gratitude, through care packages and other remembrances of home, to service members and their families currently deployed or recovering stateside. In addition to care packages, the organization provides other remembrances of home during the year through its Operation Thank You and Wreaths Across America programs.

The Family Resiliency Center provides support to active duty service members, veterans and their families before, during and after deployment. The center provides trainings and resources to help service members and veterans learn the skills for self, peer and family directed care in prevention and intervention of operational stress induced behavior and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Faces of America's Brave [64] is a new partner of the Real Warriors Campaign. The organization is dedicated to the well-being of combat veterans and military personnel who have experienced stressful tours of duty. Many service members returning home from highly stressful missions need emotional and psychological support to reintegrate back into civilian life. Faces of America's Brave provides educational resources and, if requested, assistance to veterans in securing meeting space for them to share their experiences in an open, caring setting.

The Reserve Officers Association [65] was established to advise and educate Congress, the President, and the American people on national security, with unique expertise on issues that affect the 1.5 million men and women now serving in America’s Reserve Components. The association provides a wide range of professional and personal benefits for its members including professional development workshops, mentoring programs and a career center to meet the unique needs of reservists.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education is a national non-profit group dedicated to preventing suicide through public awareness and education. The organization offers a variety of prevention and education programs including community education, professional education, public awareness campaigns, and grief support and resources. The programs are designed to increase public knowledge and understanding about the signs and symptoms of depression, signs of suicidal ideation and intervention skills that can help prevent the tragedy of suicide.

The Maine Military & Community Network is a community based organization facilitated by the Maine National Guard that helps connect service members, veterans and their families with community support throughout the state of Maine. Together, the network works to raise awareness about the challenges faced by service members and their families, the resources that exist to help them and how to help connect service members and their families toresources in their communities.

Jacob's Light Foundation is a volunteer organization that works to send necessities and comfort items such as toiletries, sunscreen, batteries, food and reading materials to servicemembers overseas. The organization sends out care packages on a monthly basis and focuses its efforts on servicemembers without family or support from home.

The mission of the Lone Star Veterans Association [66] is to connect veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom throughout Texas by providing an accessible support system for those making the transition from military to civilian life. The organization was founded in the spring of 2009, and has since become the mentoring and networking arm of the Returning Veterans Initiative. The organization works closely with other government organizations like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the State of Texas, Harris County and the City of Houston to develop ongoing programs to further assist local service members, veterans and their families.

Through a movement called ReMIND.org [69] — The Bob Woodruff Foundation helps educate the public about the needs of service members returning from war and support all injured service members with a special emphasis on the Hidden Injuries of War - Traumatic Brain Injury and Combat Stress. 

The Warrior Gateway Program [70] is now pleased to offer materials in both English and Spanish as part of the organization's efforts to expand its reach to more members of the military community. Two materials currently available include a Spanish Fact Sheet and Spanish User Reference Guide. To download these and other materials, visit www.warriorgateway.org [71].

The Armed Services YMCA [72] introduced Operation Kid Comfort [73], a program that provides quilts and pillows for children of deployed U.S. military personnel. The quilts and pillows feature pictures of the deployed parent(s). Operation Kid Comfort is currently available at 10 duty stations. If the program is not currently available in your area, complete a quilt request form [74] online.

The PGA TOUR has joined with players, corporate partners, tournament fans and TPC members to raise money for military homefront groups, which are supported by PGA TOUR players. These groups provide programs and services to meet the needs of service members, veterans and their families. In addition to fundraising for these military homefront groups, Birdies for the Brave also supports Military Appreciation Day celebrations and hosts military families at PGA TOUR events.

The Mission Continues [75] is a national nonprofit organization encouraging post-9/11 veterans to rebuild a sense of purpose through community service. The organization's website features a Service Project Toolkit [76], which details the process for organizing and executing a service project from start to finish. The organization also established a Service Projects Team to help individuals plan, recruit and implement service projects.

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center [77] recently launched a newly designed Web site, which offers specialized information to service members, their families and health care providers on traumatic brain injury, recovery, care and rehabilitation. 

WarWithin is a comprehensive online database of health providers who are trained in, or have demonstrated an interest in, serving the specific needs of military service members and their families. Service members and their families can use the site to search for health providers by location. Other criteria, such as the type of health insurance that is accepted, can help narrow the search results to meet the needs of the individual using the database. WarWithin is a product of the Citizen Soldier Support Program, hosted by the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the leading, national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy. The organization also reaches out to people with psychological disorders and those impacted by suicide. The National Capital Area Chapter currently serves Montgomery and Frederick Counties in Maryland, Fairfax County in the Northern Virginia area, and the District of Columbia.

inTransition is a voluntary and confidential program that supports service members as they move between health care systems or providers. This joint DoD-VA collaboration connects service members receiving care for psychological health concerns with a personal coach to facilitate the seamless continuation of care throughout their transition (e.g. call to active duty, relocation, retirement). Coaches can also identify local community resources, support groups, crisis intervention services and other assistance in the service member’s new location.

The main objective of Rotary is service - in the community and throughout the world. Rotarians build goodwill and peace and provide humanitarian services. The Rotary Club of Arlington [78] was founded on July 4, 1929. The organization meets each week to share each other's company, enjoy a fine meal and hear an informational presentation from a community leader.

The Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control (NCCOSC) is dedicated to the psychological health and well-being of Navy and Marine Corps service members and their families. The center’s primary focus is to promote resilience and investigate and implement best practices in the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. NCCOSC focuses on four areas of responsibility: research facilitation, programs, communications and knowledge management.

Fred Friendly Seminars [79] are televised seminars that explore a wide-ranging array of social and public policy issues such as affirmative action, end-of-life care, national energy policy and bioterrorism. The seminars invite viewers to struggle with gripping dilemmas drawn from real scenarios facing Americans and determine what their own choices would be if faced with these challenges. The organization's website features a program about post-traumatic stress and its effects on returning war veterans called When War Hits Home: PTSD [80].

The National Center on Family Homelessness [81] published What About You? A Workbook for Those Who Work With Others [82]. The workbook is divided into three sections focused on you, you and others and you, others and work, and addresses tools to use when coping with stress and activities for stress relief and self-care.

NAMI New Hampshire, the state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons of all ages affected by mental illness and/or suicide, through education programs, individual and group supports, professional trainings and legislative advocacy. NAMI New Hampshire's Connect Suicide Prevention Project is designated as a National Best Practice Program that increases the competence and confidence of professionals and communities to respond to suicide incidents across the lifespan.

Pets for Patriots [83] helps service members, veterans and wounded warriors in transition gain companionship through pet adoption. The charity supports the honorable adoption of adult shelter pets, large dogs and special needs dogs and cats by veterans at any stage of their military careers and from any branch of service. The Pets for Patriots blog [84], available on its website, features the stories of service members and their pet adoption.

Talking With Heroes [85] honors and supports military personnel by giving them an opportunity to share their stories of service with people back home. The Talking With Heroes team interviews service members in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as gold star moms and dads, military wives, wounded warriors, veterans and veterans groups for stories of hope and progress. The team produces a weekly radio program and numerous video segments; visit the Talking With Heroes video page [86] for the latest updates.

The National Football League Players Association [87] (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the association has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players' interests. By negotiating matters concerning wages, hours and working conditions, the NFLPA assures that the rights of players are protected. The NFLPA recognizes the importance of psychological health and wellness of its members, as well as those who serve our nation. Throughout the month of January 2012, the Real Warriors Campaign partnered with the NFLPA to host five “Game Day” events at military installations around the country. At each event, former NFL players joined service members and their families to watch NFL playoff games and discuss common reintegration challenges facing services members and the resources available to help cope with these challenges.

Blue Star Families [88] recently introduced Operation Appreciation [89], which enables volunteers to make personal connections with members of the armed services and their families. The program organizes volunteers to write letters to military families, service members and veterans. An information packet is available online [89], which includes instructions and sample letters.

The DSTRESS Line provides professional, anonymous 24/7/365 behavioral health counseling to build resilience and provide a confidential place for Marines to discuss everything from common everyday stressors to post-traumatic stress disorder. Individuals can contact DSTRESS via phone, Skype or instant chat to speak with veteran Marines, as well as licensed behavioral health counselors specifically trained in the Marine Corps culture. The DSTRESS Line is available to all active duty, Reserve and veteran Marines, attached Sailors, and family members in the western U.S., Hawaii and Alaska.

The American Music Therapy Association's purpose is the progressive development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education and community settings. The American Music Therapy Association is committed to the advancement of education, training, professional standards, credentials and research in support of the music therapy profession.

The Sports Legacy Institute [90] was founded in reaction to the emergence of medical research indicating brain trauma in sports had become a public health crisis, and later expanded its services to the military. The Sports Legacy Institute aims to solve the concussion crisis in sports and the military through medical research, treatment, education and prevention. The Sports Legacy Institute is primarily focused on the study of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive brain injuries. Through this work, the Sports Legacy Institute hopes to prevent future cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy — the only preventable dementia — while learning to treat and eventually cure the disease in those who already suffer from it.

Easter Seals Community OneSource [91] provides information, resource navigation and personalized follow-up support to service members, veterans, National Guard members and reservists with disabilities as they integrate back into their home communities. The organization helps veterans and their families access benefits by identifying public, private and non-profit resources most suited to their needs. Typical requests are for benefit information, financial assistance, family services, caregiver resources, housing options, senior benefits and more.

Recently featured on the Pentagon Channel, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence [92] will conduct research, test new protocols and provide comprehensive training, education and ongoing telehealth follow-up care. It will be dedicated to advanced research, diagnosis and treatment planning for military personnel and their caregivers dealing with psychological health and traumatic brain injury issues. Completion is anticipated in 2010. 

Military Pathways [93], a new partner of the Real Warriors Campaign, offers psychological health and alcohol education screening programs. The Department of Defense teamed up with the nonprofit organization, Screening for Mental Health, to launch Military Pathways, to provide free, anonymous psychological health and alcohol self-assessments to service members and their families. The program is available online [94] and at special events held at installations worldwide.

The Yellow Ribbon Registry Network [95] launched in early November 2011 as a centralized resource for service members, veterans and their families. The network is a clearinghouse that enables participants, who are referred to as heroes, to complete one request [96] for help. Each request is sent to multiple non-profit partners in order to provide support and effectively respond to the needs of the heroes.

Star Behavioral Health Providers is a registry that helps service members and those who care about them locate civilian behavioral health professionals with military understanding within the state of Indiana. To ensure providers are qualified to be listed in the registry, the organization recruits and trains interested civilian psychological health providers in military specific culture and treatments that focus on the needs of the military population. The training curriculum was created and is partially taught by the Center for Deployment Psychology, and is available to all licensed psychological health providers in the state of Indiana.

USA Cares [97] exists to help bear the burdens of service by providing post-Sept. 11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. Assistance is provided to all armed services, components and ranks, while protecting the privacy and dignity of those military families and veterans who request help. The goal of these programs — which include support for combat injuries (including PTSD and TBI injuries), housing assistance and basic needs programs — is to help restore financial stability and self-sufficiency by giving “a handup, not a handout.” 

The Post-Deployment Health Reassessment Program, mandated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) in March 2005, is designed to identify and address health concerns, with specific emphasis on mental health, that have emerged over time since deployment. The program is offered to all service members who have returned from operational deployment, including all active duty service members and National Guard and Reserve members, as well as those who have separated or retired since their return from deployment.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD is the center of excellence for research and education on the prevention, understanding and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Center has seven divisions across the country that conduct cutting edge research and apply resultant findings to advance the science and understanding of traumatic stress.

Patriot PAWS [98] Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that trains service dogs for disabled veterans. It takes between 18 months and over two years to train a certified service dog at a cost of $25,000 to $30,000, but the wounded veteran receives the dog free of charge. The facility is located in Rockwall, Texas.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International changes and enriches lives by promoting excellence in equine-assisted activities and therapies. The organization helps and supports more than 42,000 men, women and children with special needs each year through a variety of programs. Specifically, PATH International's Horses for Heroes program helps military service members and veterans overcome physical, mental and psychological wounds by promoting healing through equine-assisted therapies.

The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness [99] works to enhance the health and well-being of military families by increasing their resilience in meeting the challenges, and maximizing the rewards, of the military lifestyle. The Clearinghouse is an interactive, web-based hub designed to help professionals who work with military families. The organization’s website features eight newly reviewed programs [100] that are available for registered members to view.

Cell Phones for Soldiers [101] provides deployed and returning service members with cost-free methods to communicate with their families. Since the organization’s inception in 2004, more than two million pre-paid calling cards have been distributed [102]. Cell Phones for Soldiers recently launched a new website, which highlights program news and features an official blog [103].

VeteransPlus [104] is a new partner of the Real Warriors Campaign. The organization is a veteran-funded program that teaches individuals how to create a household budget and pay off debts in a responsible way, and offers information to service members’ families about being financially responsible.

Operation Homefront [105] provides emergency financial assistance and other support to the families of Service members and wounded warriors. The organization provides direct services including food, home repairs and furniture, as well as counseling and recovery support to alleviate any financial burdens felt by military families or individuals. Operation Homefront currently provides services across the nation with 23 chapters serving 32 states.

Home Front Hearts [106] is a non-profit organization designed to provide support and resources to the families of service members while increasing public awareness of the struggles surrounding military families. The organization was featured on the PBS show, Need to Know [107], which highlights organizations who support the families of military service members.

The Wingman Project [108] works to eliminate warrior and family member suicide through human outreach, media and training. The organization provides state-specific websites to help airmen, their families and friends find help and local resources in 54 Air National Guard states and territories. Check out the video [109] of Chaplain Jim Bridgham to learn how you can implement these tools and resources to save a life.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors [110] provides ongoing emotional help, hope and healing to all those grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography or circumstance of the death. The organization offers several programs including peer support groups [111], survivor seminars [112] and Good Grief camps [112], which are available to familes across the country.

SOFAR [113] seeks to provide a flexible and diverse range of psychological services to military families in order to foster stabilization, assist in preventing crisis and manage acute problems. SOFAR recently added three new chapters: SOFARNY in New York, SOFARMichigan in Michigan and Veterans Project of South Florida, a SOFAR affiliate in Southern Florida.

Mental Health America [114] launched “Live Your Life Well [115]”, a website designed to help you cope with stress and live a mentally healthier life. The site features 10 tools [116] to help you feel stronger and more hopeful. These tools include connecting with others, staying positive, creating joy, eating well and taking care of your spirit. Visit the website to sign-up [117]for updates and easy-to-use tips on fighting stress and feeling great.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s What a Difference Campaign aims to encourage, educate and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. This initiative is meant to inspire young people to serve as the mental health vanguard, motivating a societal change toward acceptance and decreasing the negative attitudes that surround mental illness.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Stories That Heal [118] campaign is for people living with mental health problems, as well as their friends and family. The campaign's website [119] features real-life stories and resources to help in the recovery process. Visit the website to watch real-life people share their stories.

The National Resource Directory connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans and their families with services and resources that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. A partnership among the Defense Department, Department of Labor and Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Resource Directory website provides access to nearly 14,000 government and non-government services and resources at the national, state and local levels.

The Soldiers Project is a group of volunteer, licensed psychological health professionals who provide free counseling to service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and veterans who have served or expect to serve in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Soldiers Project's services focus on helping service members, veterans and their families cope with stressors commonly experienced throughout the deployment cycle.

BrainLine [120], in collaboration with the White House Joining Forces Initiative and George Mason University’s annual conference, Promising Practices, presents the “Promising Practices for Healing Psychological Trauma of Service Members, Families, Veterans and Community.” [121]The event is scheduled for May 11, 2012, in Fairfax, Va. Invited speakers include Mrs. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. Presenters include representatives from the TRICARE Management Activity, Military Child Education Coalition, U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment and National Intrepid Center of Excellence.

The focus of the Human Performance Resource Center is to gather, organize, categorize and summarize information related to the maintenance, optimization and enhancement of human performance in training and on the battlefield. The center then provides its findings on how to boost human performance in the domains of physical fitness, nutrition, family relationships and the environment to a range of DoD personnel - from commanders and warriors, to military health care providers and non-DoD researchers.

For 90 years, Disabled American Veterans has been dedicated to building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. The organization provides free claims representation before the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping approximately 250,000 veterans receive the benefits they have earned. Disabled American Veterans also provides a voice for disabled veterans and their families in Washington, D.C. and works with lawmakers to ensure our nation honors its obligations to those who have served and sacrificed. As part of its commitment to service, the organization maintains a nationwide network of volunteers who provide free transportation for sick and disabled veterans to and from VA facilities.

The U.S. Army Materiel Command's Always a Soldier Program [122] provides a continuity of support to warfighters separating from the U.S. armed forces. Through the Always a Solder Program, wounded veterans have the opportunity to seek employment at any of the U.S. Army Materiel Command's organizations, including its depots, laboratories and repair facilities. To learn more about Always a Soldier, check out the program's video [123].

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program [124] promotes the well-being of members of the National Guard and reserve, their families and communities by providing applicable resources throughout the deployment cycle. The program’s website was recently redesigned to include social media, a news/blog section, an image gallery and a video gallery [125], which streams content from YouTube.

AUSA's Family Programs Directorate is dedicated to providing Army Families with information and resources to help them manage the challenges of military life. The organization also works to address Army family concerns through its legislative efforts and by being active on a number of Department of Defense and Department of the Army councils and working groups.

The American Pain Foundation [126] has expanded its web-based PainSafe Initiative [127], which provides information, resources and tools on the treatment of pain. The program now includes information and resources on the use of complementary and alternative therapies for managing pain.

Give An Hour's [128] website now features a resource library with over 1,000 items to date. The library offers resources for providers and visitors, as well as state-specific information. Give An Hour plans to continuously update the library [129] with additional resources so be sure to visit their website often.

Team RWB [130] athletes gather all over the country to participate in races that have a common goal of enriching the life of wounded veterans and their families. One upcoming race is the Captain John Hallet Memorial Ultramarathon, held in honor of the Army captain who died in 2009 in southern Afghanistan from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

HOOAH 4 Health [131] is a web-based holistic health and wellness information center sponsored by the Army National Guard. The program is designed to empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being. The site features resources for the health of the body, mind, spirit and environment.

America's Heroes at Work [132] is a Department of Labor project that addresses the employment challenges of returning service members living with traumatic brain injury and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. The program offers information and tools for service members looking for work, as well as online resources [132] to assist employers in hiring and employing service members and veterans.

Fearless Nation PTSD Support assists those seeking information about the symptoms and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The organization utilizes the latest technology available, including social media and virtual worlds like Second Life, to share educational information, provide group support and promote recovery.

Challenge America [135] provides support to returning service members and their families by connecting them to services in their communities that help ease the transition from the battlefield to the home front. The organization also supports the development of recreational, occupational and housing programs to better serve wounded service members in their home communities.

Luke's Wings is dedicated to the support of service members who have been wounded in battle. The organization provides travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families of wounded warriors currently hospitalized at medical and rehabilitation centers around the country. Luke’s Wings also partners with corporations and other non-profits to provide hotel rooms, meals and transportation vouchers to ease the financial burden on families and service members during their visit.

Soldier’s Heart has created a unique and comprehensive model to address the emotional, moral and spiritual needs of veterans, their families and communities. By creating a network of community based services, Soldier's Heart seeks to facilitate a healthier and more successful reintegration for veterans. In addition to providing direct services, Soldier's Heart helps educate communities on how to start support services for veterans and their families, and conducts seminars to train other professionals in the unique needs of veterans.

Armed Forces Foundation [136] offers morale, welfare and recreational (MWR) activities for wounded and active-duty service members and their families. The organization seeks to provide opportunities for service members to get off post, or out of the hospital, and out having some fun. In the past year, 300 service members and their families participated in MWR activities in North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin, among other places.

Project New Hope of Massachusetts [137] offers free retreats for service members and their families with the goal of providing the education, training and skills necessary to manage life after deployment. The organization has six retreats scheduled for the summer and fall of 2011. Visit Project New Hope's website [138] for more information or to sign-up for a retreat.

The American Legion is the largest Veterans Service Organization in the United States, with 2.4 million members and 14,000 posts. The organization has been instrumental in advocating on behalf of veterans to ensure that they receive the appropriate medical care and benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, especially for the signature wounds of the current conflicts - traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress. The American Legion has a team of highly qualified Department Service Officers in each state who assist veterans in filing claims. This professional service is free and is available for any servicemember or veteran.

The Home Base Program [139] is a partnership between the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital. It is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans who deployed in support of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and live with deployment-related stress and/or traumatic brain injury. The program provides clinical care to veterans, support for their families and educational courses and materials for health care providers and the public. The Home Base Program also brings together world-class researchers seeking medical breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury and stress-related disorders.

The Virtual Counseling Center at Arizona State University designs and evaluates standardized tests and evidence-based intervention programs to help students, graduates and veterans develop career plans and life skills. The center also provides links to related materials created by other researchers. To ensure maximum benefit, all resources have a solid scientific basis and are capable of being administered over the Internet.

Student Veterans of America [140] provides military veterans with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education, as well as following graduation. The organization will host its 4th Annual National Conference [141] in Las Vegas, NV from December 8-10, 2011. The conference will feature a career fair, seminars and opportunities for networking.

The Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans is a national non-partisan partnership of organizations committed to working with and on behalf of all military personnel, veterans, families, survivors and providers to strengthen the existing system of care and support for all those affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Comprised of more than 52 agencies throughout the nation, The Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans serves myriad needs associated with deployment, including employment and legal services, scholarships and financial assistance, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury services and programs for military families and surviving loved ones. 

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of America is perhaps the most exclusive organization in our country - it is certainly one of the most unique. Its small membership includes individuals of all races, social classes and economic levels. They range in stature from 5'2" to 6'7", range in age from 60 to 100 and live in all areas of our country. Among them are scholars and ordinary people, successful entrepreneurs and struggling laborers, ministers and misfits and the very rich to the very poor.

The Center for Deployment Psychology [142] trains military and civilian behavioral health professionals to provide high-quality, deployment-related behavioral health services to military personnel and their families.

The Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall Marine and Family Services Center [143] hosts many programs for service members and their families in Arlington, Virginia. The New Parent Support Program [144] (NPSP) comprises a professional team of nurses and social workers who provide supportive and caring services to military families. Through a variety of programs such as home visits, support groups, and parenting classes (including Baby Boot Camp), NPSP can help families cope with stress, isolation, deployment/post-deployment issues and improve parenting skills.

The Young Professionals in Foreign Policy's Connect Veterans program helps support the transition of veterans to civilian life by connecting service members with its membership through volunteer and mentoring opportunities. The program launched a new initiative, Operation CV, which provides veterans with career and job assistance, including help with resumes, cover letters, interviews, job searches, networking and transition to living in the Washington, D.C. area.

Sesame Workshop's Talk, Listen, Connect initiative uses the friendly and familiar Muppet characters to provide resources for military families with young children coping with issues related to deployments, changes from combat-related injuries and the death of a parent. On www.SesameStreetFamilyConnections.org [145] you can find extensive video and print resources on these topics, or use child-friendly tools to create a family network and stay connected.

Operation Never Forgotten is an all-volunteer organization that creates national non-partisan awareness public service announcements using outdoor billboards, airport signs and TV/radio broadcast campaigns for our deployed troops, wounded warriors, fallen heroes and military families. Operation Never Forgotten educates the public and veterans about the invisible wounds of PTSD and TBI, and provides inspirational outdoor billboards for gold star families. Operation Never Forgotten hosts "Operation SAS," a benefit for wounded warriors to experience extreme sports, hunting and fishing in Montana. This benefit introduces wounded warriors from all over the country to a life of excellence, and helps other military support organizations with similar missions.

Blue Star Mothers of America [146] is a non-partisan, non-political organization that the military represents all aspects of America, as does its organization. The Blue Star Mothers of America is comprised of mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) veterans service organization supporting our nation's sons and daughters serving in the military, while promoting patriotism.

NAMI Alabama [147] offers In Our Own Voice, a unique education program developed to provide insight into the recovery that is now possible for people with severe mental illness. The program is active in over 48 states and over 150,000 audience members have been reached since its inception in 1996. Visit www.namialabama.org [148] for more information about the program.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [149] (SAMHSA) provides a variety of Spanish language [150] resources on its website available for download or for order free-of-charge. These publications include Motivation for Change [151], Good Mental Health is Ageless [152], What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families [153]and Alcohol and Drug Treatment: How it Works, and How It Can Help You [154].

Lest We Forget PTSD Family & Military Suppport [155] is a peer-to-peer advocacy and support group for veterans, service members and their families in the Charleston, WV area. The organization provides education, literature and outreach related to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Lest We Forget also connects veterans, service members and families affected by post-traumatic stress disorder with the proper resources and services to meet their needs. The group meets weekly on Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm at 520 Kanawha Blvd W, Charleston, WV. Free childcare and snacks are provided.

The GI Film Festival [156] is the first film festival in the nation that exclusively celebrates the successes and sacrifices of the American military through the medium of film. The GI Film Festival presents films from new and established international and domestic filmmakers that honor the heroic stories of the American armed forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty.

Connected Warriors is a charitable organization whose mission is to teach proven yoga techniques to military veterans and their families through a nationwide network of volunteer teachers. The organization currently offers classes at local yoga studios, VA centers and other donated spaces. Future plans include establishing yoga teaching and retreat centers for military veterans around the country.

American Veterans with Brain Injuries [157]is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans who have suffered a brain injury while serving our country. The organization's website features links to personal blogs where visitors can read the stories of American veterans with brain injuries to find sources of strength.

The Wounded Warrior Resource Center [158] has launched a new mobile where individuals can access NRD resources on the go. Through the mobile site [159], visitors can access resources by subject or state, and get information on the helplines.

NCIRE [160] is a leading non-profit research institute devoted to advancing veterans health research and pioneering new treatments and understandings of military medicine and care. Along with partners at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco, NCIRE provides care for veterans, discovers and develops effective, safe and practical treatments for military injuries and diseases and trains health care providers and new researchers in veterans health. NCIRE focuses on psychological health, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, Gulf War illness, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, chronic kidney and liver diseases and reintegration.

SAFE [161] offers On the Home Front [162], an interactive, three-hour workshop for service members and their families. The workshop aims to provide research based information on the deployment cycle and covers common emotions experienced by families and children during deployment. Workshop participants can learn coping mechanisms to handle their emotions and gain an understanding of their service members' experiences before, during and after deployment. The workshop can also be tailored to meet the specific needs of a group. Visit SAFE's website for more information.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [163] (VA) recently launched its National Caregiver Support Line, a toll-free number staffed by licensed clinical social workers. The support line serves as a primary resource and referral center to assist caregivers, veterans and others seeking caregiver information. The support line provides information about community caregiver support resources, a "warm" referral to dedicated caregiver support coordinators located in every VA Medical Center, and emotional support for caregivers. More information about the program is available on the VA's website [164].

The Folds of Honor Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service members killed or disabled while serving our great nation.

The United States First Responders Association [167] (USFRA) brings together personnel from many diverse fields to share their knowledge and expertise, as well as to form a closer bond of fellowship. The organization primarily focuses on five areas: training, tactics, safety, education and community outreach. Through the organization's events page [168], USFRA provides updates on training classes and conferences to aid first responders in perfecting their craft.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. To create awareness about the issue and promote the promise of recovery, the organization engages in numerous programs, initiatives and activities, and has over 1,100 state and local affiliates that engage in research, education and advocacy to support communities across the United States.

Spouse Resilience Education And Deployment Information (READI) [169] is a new Real Warriors Campaign partner. Created by the Memphis VA Medical Center, this research study implements telephone groups for spouses of Service members who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. The groups focus on education, skills and resilience building by teaching spouses better communication and coping skills.

The Coming Home Project [170] will host monthly workshops in 2012 to address the needs of service members ranging from employment and education to public service and creative expression. The first in the series, Coming Home Veterans Toolkit [171], is a one day event scheduled for Jan. 28, 2011. This workshop will focus on wellness and stress management while incorporating education and career resources. The goal of these workshops is to provide an opportunity for the organization to address specific concerns that affect veterans and their families.

CBR YouthConnect [172]recently launched the Catering Connection, its first residential treatment center food services program, which features the brand new Principles of Food Technology course. CBR YouthConnect continues to offer Cottage Industry Services, a vocational technology class where students can learn everything from carpentry to drywall. For more information about these and other CBR YouthConnect services, please visit www.cbryouthconnect.org [172].

The Military Officers Association of America [173] (MOAA) is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. The organization promotes a strong national defense by representing the interests of military officers and their families at every stage of their career. MOAA recently created a career-networking group on LinkedIn. Join the group [174] today to stay current in your job search, find old colleagues and meet new ones!

BrainLine recently launched BrainLine Military [175], an online service to help service members, veterans and their families who have been affected by a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injury is known as the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as of 2011, more than 212,000 service members have sustained a TBI. BrainLineMilitary.org provides military-specific information and resources on traumatic brain injury including interviews [176] with medical experts about diagnosis and treatment options for TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder and personal stories from service members and veterans who have experienced an invisible wound of war.

Tee it up for the Troops [177] is revamping its website. The new website will include many exciting new features to increase interaction with the organization. These features include an interactive map and calendar to find Tee it up for the Troops events held across the country, news articles regarding where donation dollars are received and where they are sent, as well as new ideas and marketing support for additional fundraising events.

The American Red Cross [178] launched a new program called the "Coming Home Series" which focuses on easing the transition home for service members, as well as supporting their families and loved ones. The series focuses on the following topic areas: reconnecting with others, managing anger, and recognizing post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. This series is designed to assist active duty service members, reservists, veterans and their families.

The Citizen Soldier Support Program works to connect service members and their families to primary health care and behavioral health providers trained to address issues that affect service members and the people who support our nation's troops before, during and after deployment. Citizen Soldier Support Program hopes to make this connection possible through a variety of methods including evidence-based best practice training, a robust searchable provider database and other innovative solutions. The Citizen Soldier Support Program is hosted by the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Robert J. Ursano, MD, director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress [179], will lead an interdisciplinary team of four research institutions to carry out a National Institute of Mental Health study addressing the rising suicide rate among soldiers. The study has been described as "the largest study [180] of suicide and mental health among military personnel ever undertaken, with $50 million in funding from the U.S. Army. 

CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, is a nonprofit organization founded by parents of children with epilepsy who were frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of seizures and the side effects of medications. Unwilling to sit back and accept the debilitating effects of epilepsy, these parents joined forces to spearhead the search for a cure. CURE’s mission is to find a cure for epilepsy by raising funds for research and by increasing awareness of the prevalence and devastation of this disease. CURE has also worked to establish post-traumatic epilepsy as a disease that merits and now receives crucial funding support for research.

Founded in 2004, Grace After Fire [181] provides women veterans and their families access to crisis support through outreach, peer-support and referral services. The organization specializes in identifying resources to help female veterans and their families reintegrate into society and cope with issues related to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, suicidal behaviors, and drug and alcohol dependencies. Grace After Fire currently partners with 10 mental health centers to facilitate peer-to-peer support and outreach for families.

Installation Management Command provides the Army with the installation capabilities and services to support expeditionary operations in a time of persistent conflict, and to provide a quality of life for soldiers and families commensurate with their service. Because it offers relocation help, soldiers and their families can visit the Installation Management Command’s Relocation Web page [182] for instructions and advice for planning, moving and settling in. 

The Mental Health Association of Oklahoma [183] is celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2012. The Mental Health Association of Central Oklahoma promotes mental health through education, advocacy, prevention and treatment. Since 1952, the organization has provided services and referrals to two million individuals living in central Oklahoma.

Iraq Star Foundation [184] is a new campaign partner dedicated to providing the necessary reconstructive surgeries to assist war veterans recovering from physical and mental injuries. Through donations, Iraq Star finances these surgeries with the hope that it will help heal the emotional trauma, increase self-esteem and ease the return of service members to their pre-conflict lives.

Military Community and Family Policy [185] provides tips [186] for a healthy and balanced lifestyle through its weekly eNewsletter. Each week, tips are given on a variety of topics including nutrition, parenting, personal financial management, spouse resources, relocation and a bonus tip from Military OneSource. This web-based tool connects military families to helpful information on subjects that frequently touch their lives.

Veterans Upward Bound [187] is designed to motivate and assist veterans in developing the necessary academic and non-academic skills to enter and succeed in a postsecondary education program. Through mentoring programs, counseling services and tutorial services, the program aims to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.

The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program [188] provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, federal managers, supervisors and IT professionals. The Computer/Electronics Accommodation Program ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to the information environment and opportunities in the Department of Defense and throughout the federal government by increasing access to information and removing barriers to employment opportunity. 

With the introduction of massage, Reiki, yoga and other complementary and alternative methods to ease combat stress and the effects of PTSD, Cause [189] has introduced programs [190] to help meet these needs. Among the new methods, Reiki, is a Japanese technique that uses hands to facilitate stress reduction and relaxation with the goal of promoting overall health. Cause educates practitioners and instructors on complementary and alternative medicine methods and the special needs of wounded members of the armed services. Following these training workshops, military treatment facilities become massage and Reiki locations. To date there are five locations [190]. An additional resource associated with this program is spa day, which takes place at various locations throughout the year.

America Supports You is a Department of Defense Community Relations initiative that communicates to U.S. military members what thousands of individual citizens, community groups, corporations, businesses and others are doing to support them and their families, at home and abroad. On the Department’s Community Relations website under Support for Our Troops, nonprofit groups are categorically listed to easily depict the types of actions that citizens are taking to show their support. Many stories of citizen support also may be found at www.ourmilitary.mil [191] under Community Relations News and Headlines.

Strong Families Strong Forces aims to develop a family program to support the healthy reintegration of soldiers from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom into their families. The program will be designed for families with children up to five years old and will recognize the particular needs and developmental challenges that arise when parenting young children. The goal of this home-based family program is to mitigate the impact of combat and separation-related stress on the parent-child and family relationships.

Horses Healing Heroes utilizes equine-assisted psychotherapy to combat the damaging effects traumatic events can have on an individual's life. The organization uses its Release, Readjust and Reconnect program to help service members and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder — as well as police officers, firemen, prison guards and children — begin the process of healing by overcoming their fears and building confidence.