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RETIRED JUSTICE EVELYN LUNDBERG STRATTON'S VETERANS' CRIMINAL JUSTICE & MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES NEWS
July 31, 2016
Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Retired Veterans in the Courts Initiative
Evelyn Lundberg Stratton retired from the Ohio Supreme Court at the end of 2012 so as to pursue more fully criminal justice reforms with a particular emphasis on veterans who become involved with the justice system. She
established the Veterans in the Courts Initiative in 2009. Video http://bit.ly/1glCXZ0
Subscribe to this free weekly, all volunteer-generated, news summary by joining our Veterans in The Courts Initiative Group http://bit.ly/1DZ3esD
3,966 providers of veterans’ services, just like you, nationwide and in 33 countries, receive this newsletter
directly. Another 10,000+ can see it on 5 social media sites. Thank you for sharing!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC PAGE TOPIC PAGE
FEATURED STORIES 1 DEPLOYMENT HEALTH NEWS*** 17
OPPORTUNITIES 2 COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES 18
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 3 GENERAL NEWS 21
OHIO 5 "VETERANS IN JUSTICE" LINKEDIN GROUP 22
VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS 9 OTHER LINKEDIN GROUPS 23
PTS/TBI/MST 13 VETERANS IN THE COURTS INITIATIVE BLOG 23
SUICIDE 16 HOW TO JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER 23
***DoD publishes Development Health News every other week.
FEATURED STORIES
VA Secretary vows same-day healthcare for veterans by December http://bit.ly/2aF0usU The head of the Veterans Affairs Department is making a bold promise. Secretary Bob
McDonald says veterans will have same-day access to mental health services and primary
care appointments by December. McDonald made the promise Tuesday at the Veterans of
Foreign Wars convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to a report in The Military Times, veterans currently wait an average of a five
days for primary care, two days for mental health services and six days for specialty care.
McDonald has led the VA since 2015 following the resignation of Eric Shinseki amid the
enormous scandal over appointment times. According to McDonald, the VA has completed
more than six million appointments since March 2014.
VIDEO: Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation hopes to bring mental illness 'Out of the Shadows' http://bit.ly/2aF0OI0
Editor’s Note: Retired Ohio Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton Received the Margaret Clark
Morgan Foundation 2015 Compass Award
Cleveland -- Advocates for change toward mental illness awareness targeted both the
Republican and Democratic conventions for "Bringing Mental Illness Out of the Shadows."
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The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation and others partnered with the National Alliance on
Mental Illness in Ohio to ask policy makers to reform the mental health system.
Speakers who were featured July 19 at a Cleveland luncheon included former US Speaker of
the House Newt Gingrich, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, state
Sen. Frank LaRose, state Sen. Bob Hackett, state Rep. Scott Ryan and others.
According to the National Comorbidity Study Replication, nearly 60 percent of individuals
with diagnosed mental health disorders do not receive any treatment, and 80 percent of
children in need of treatment do not receive any care at all. Family members have little
support when caring for someone with mental illness.
In Ohio, the Mental Health Act of 1988 closed most of the state's remaining mental health
institutions and promised a system of support locally that never happened.
"The theory in the '60s and '70s was to close state hospitals and take care of everyone
[locally]," Gingrich said. "We did. We put them in prison."
. . . Hudson resident Dr. Fred Frese said when the government deinstitutionalized mental
health, it resulted in 150,000 homeless mental health individuals who could expect to live
25 years less and end up in jail or prison 10 times more than someone without mental
health issues.
OPPORTUNITIES
EVENT: Health-research sector small businesses invited to learn about NIH funding at national conference, Orlando, FL. Nov 15th – 17th http://bit.ly/2apnkV2
The 18th Annual HHS SBIR/STTR Conference is expected to attract nearly 800 participants
from around the country.
Small businesses seeking to commercialize health-related technologies in the medical or life
science sector can learn how to access more than $870 million in federal funding during the
Department of Health and Human Services Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) conference, which will be held in Orlando,
Florida, on Nov. 15-17, 2016.
“This flagship SBIR/STTR event provides the chance for entrepreneurs and researchers to
meet one-on-one with federal representatives, network with each other, and learn how the
National Institutes of Health helps small businesses forge new relationships that can help
bring technologies and discoveries to market,” said Matthew Portnoy, Ph.D., the NIH
SBIR/STTR program coordinator. “We are hoping businesses take advantage of this
opportunity and register to attend the conference.”
Research: University of Cincinnati recruiting post-2001 Veterans for employment study http://bit.ly/2apovnt
The University of Cincinnati is recruiting Veterans to complete a survey, as part of a
research study aimed at better understanding the reintegration experiences of Veterans,
particularly concerning employment.
Stacie Holloway, PhD with the University of Cincinnati’s psychology department, is leading
the study. Holloway says very little scientific research has been conducted that explores the
Veteran work experience.
“There are more Veterans entering the work force than ever before. Until recently,
employment rates for those Veterans were higher than they are for the non-Veteran
population. That gap has been diminished a lot, but we want to further diminish it. The
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timing for this study is right,” said Holloway.
Research EVENT: University of Maryland: 100 Years of American Women in Uniform, October 7-9, 2016; November 18-20, 2016 http://bit.ly/2aD1ZHQ
Dr. Marian Moser Jones is leading the historical project, 100 Years of American Women in
Uniform, an intensive discussion program that engages veteran participants in exploring
American women's participation in two conflicts, World War I and the recent Iraq and
Afghanistan wars (OIF/OEF).
Dr. Moser Jones is partnering on the project with Margaret Vining and Dr. Bart Hacker,
curators at the Division of Armed Forces History at the Smithsonian Museum of American
History in Washington; Patri O'Gan, project manager in the Division; and Dr. Laura
Browder, author of When Janey Comes Marching Home, a book on women OIF/OEF combat
veterans.
The program will run for four weekend-long sessions, where participants will comparatively
discuss women’s war memoirs, view art, media, and design by women veterans, and tour
major collections of military artifacts, uniforms, and war memorabilia from women veterans.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Women’s Memorial at
Arlington National Cemetery, run by the Women in Military Service for the America Memorial
Foundation, are two such places participants will visit.
Veterans can sign up for any or all of the weekend sessions.
“It is our hope that veterans who participate in our program will be inspired to see
themselves as historical actors and will consider documenting their own experiences as
contributions to U.S. military history,” says Dr. Moser Jones.
How to Participate in this Program: Dr. Marian Moser Jones and colleagues are now
recruiting U.S. military veterans to participate in the program. Participation in the program
is open to U.S. veterans of any age or gender. For a full description of the program,
click here.
. . . Participants not seeking college credit can participate in one weekend, or multiple weekends.
The dates are October 7-9, 2016; November 18-20, 2016; March 17-19, 2017; and May 12-14,
2017. The programs will take place on Friday evenings, (6pm – 7:30pm), Saturday all day (9am –
4pm), and Sunday afternoon (1pm – 4pm).
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
McDonald to DAV convention: “Excellence is what we’re after” VA secretary addresses 95th national convention http://bit.ly/2aF3PYH
“There’s no more noble mission—making a lasting, positive difference in the lives of my
fellow Veterans,” Bob McDonald told attendees of the 2016 DAV National Convention was
his motivation in taking on the position of VA secretary.
McDonald spoke to the Atlanta convention Sunday on his work at VA since becoming
secretary and the important role Veterans service organizations such as DAV have played.
“I need to hear what you have to say. I want to use your ideas in transforming VA. I need
to know how VA looks from your perspective,” McDonald said.
. . . “Excellence is what we’re after,” McDonald told the crowd. “So the right dialogue is
about forward-looking leadership and sustainable accountability.”
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Million Veteran Program Research Will Change The Way We Study Troops’ Health http://bit.ly/2aF0xF2
VA’s Million Veteran Program will build one of the world's largest medical databases by
safely collecting blood samples and health information from 1 million volunteers.
A quick and easy blood donation can help pave the way to better healthcare for veterans —
and also provide answers to complex medical questions — through a new gene study
program conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Million Veteran Program, which launched in 2011, is a national, voluntary research
study by the Department of Veterans Affairs to research what kinds of roles genes play in
overall health.
The program is a part of the White House Precision Medicine Initiative, and aims to help the
VA better understand diseases (such as cancer and diabetes) that impact those who have
served.
According to Dr. John Concato, one of two principal investigators for the MVP, the project
may be able to expedite the science of customizing disease prevention and treatment to
individual patients and illnesses. This Week at the VA Bulletin, July 29th http://bit.ly/2aF0Lfo Homeless Veteran reunites with family, Million Veteran Program succeeds through collaboration
The MyVA Advisory Committee (MVAC)met in Boston this month to tour two facilities and learn
about cutting edge research.
Prosthetics lab walk-through at Boston VA facility
Million Veteran Program draws on the power of collaboration
New on VAntage Point:
o VA pension provides support for qualifying Veterans, survivors
o Impact of new Hepatitis C treatments
o Center for a New American Security Launches Vet employment study
o Veterans Legacy Program memorializes service, stories
o Montana, Alaska site visits help VA move forward in improving care in for rural Veterans
o Get paid to travel: become a VHA travel nurse
o West Virginia Veteran gets his final wish
o Focusing on women Veterans at VFW National Convention
o Veterans fill key positions in emergency care at VA
o Bob McDonald tells VFW Convention VA transformation is underway
o Retiring director optimistic about the future as homelessness among Veterans down by
36 percent
o Navy Veteran embraces the Veterans Health Library
o Five reasons neuro nurses don’t want to leave VHA
o VA named to 2016 “Most Wired” hospitals list
VA to vets: Tell us what works for you (Federal News Radio) http://bit.ly/2aDkUCD
What works for one patient may not work for the next. Now a small group from the
Department of Veterans Affairs will explore alternative treatment options for veterans when
traditional methods fall short.
The Center for Compassionate Innovation will focus on finding new approaches to health
and physical wellness; it’s not to be confused with the VA Center for Innovation (VACI),
which is heavily focused on improving technology and support services. Much of the new
center’s work will focus on mental health.
“We have to be flexible and innovative in our approach by offering emerging therapies that
are safe, compassionate and ethical after traditional treatments have not been successful,”
said Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Under Secretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin.
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Shulkin has called suicide prevention VA’s top priority.
AMSUS (The Society of Federal Health Professionals) Smart Brief, July 27th http://bit.ly/2aDpDny
Military medical system, VA among recipients of HIPAA closure letters
DHA streamlining patient satisfaction survey system
VHA aims to expand remote care capabilities
Survey: VA surgeons follow adverse event disclosure guidelines
CDC expands Zika testing, protection guidelines for pregnancy
Some meds linked to hospitalization for heat-related illness, dehydration
Celebrating AMSUS' 125-year history
The future of federal medicine
VA Local Events & News
Spokane VA Town Hall, Aug. 4th
Annual VA Mental Health Summit coming to Iron Mountain, MI, Aug. 5th
VA Butler's 2016 Mental Health Summit, Aug. 5th
VA New Orleans Town Hall, Baton Rouge, Aug. 8th
VA New Orleans Town Hall, New Orleans, Aug. 9th
Tomah VAMC Benefits and Job Fair, Aug. 16th
VA Ann Arbor OEF/OIF/OND Women Veterans focus group session Aug 18th
Minneapolis VA’s Dr. Erin E. Krebs receives a major award to study chronic pain
management in 1400 patients at nine VA sites Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center establishes advisory council Local PA Veterans think VA hospitals are getting better. John J. Pershing VA Medical Center expands
The Orlando VAMC and Vet Centers supported Orlando following the nation’s worst mass
shooting in modern history.
New VA Outpatient Clinic coming to Plano
Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center (LAJVAMC) approved by the Office of Academic
Affiliations as a new Physician Assistant post graduate program specializing in Psychiatry
VA OIG Reports
VA OIG Administrative Investigation Advisory – Alleged Misuse of Travel Funds, Veterans
Health Administration, VA National Center for Patient Safety, Ann Arbor, Michigan (15-
02226-327)
Statement from VA Inspector General on National Whistleblower Appreciation Day
VA OIG Administrative Investigation Advisory – Alleged Prohibited Personnel Practices,
Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center,
Columbia, SC (15-00749-338)
Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act
Allegations
Additional resources from my blog
LIST OF VA TOWN HALLS & OTHER MEETINGS NATIONWIDE: http://bit.ly/1Gg1DN6
OHIO
Ohio Officials Look Ahead At Funding New CARA Anti-Opioid Law http://bit.ly/2aEHf2x President Obama has signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or
CARA, which aims to curb abuse of heroin and opioid drugs.
The bill was co-sponsored by Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman, and it expands access to
drug treatment and recovery efforts.
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CARA authorizes $181 million in new spending, but the White House had previously
expressed disappointment that lawmakers failed to provide what it considered sufficient
money to deal with the problem.
Tracy Plouck is Director of Ohio’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She
says she hopes the appropriations process allocates more funds for the new law.
“We have had the opportunity in Ohio -- when we expanded Medicaid -- to actually redirect
a lot of the resources that had been paying for clinical services for people who were not
Medicaid enrolled to now cover things like prevention, recovery housing and peer
support. So I think we’ve done a nice job of –being judicious with the resources and trying
to expand capacity in different ways.”
In a statement, Portman's office called on President Obama to help fund CARA by engaging
in the appropriations process, instead of “sitting on the sidelines and leveling cheap shots."
EVENT: Join the Cincinnati Bar Association Veterans and Military Law Group Meeting with Rear Admiral Janet R. Donovan, Deputy Commander, Navy Legal Services, Cincinnati, Aug. 5th http://bit.ly/2aEIZsv
Join the CBA Veterans and Military Law Group for a special meeting with Rear Admiral Janet
R. Donovan, Deputy Commander, Navy Legal Services.
Rear Admiral Janet R. Donovan is a native of Lakewood, Ohio and graduated in 1983 from
The Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. She has served in a
wide variety of commands including United States Forces Korea; Naval Legal Service Office,
Washington D.C.; The U S. Naval Academy, and the Office of the Judge Advocate, General
Litigation Division. Cleveland Legal Aid Society FREE LEGAL CLINICS FOR VETERANS https://lasclev.org/events/
Attention Veterans: UPCOMING FREE LEGAL AID CLINICS
Below is a list from the Cleveland Legal Aid Society showing Legal Aid’s upcoming
neighborhood clinics. At these clinics, attorneys are available for free brief advice on legal
matters relating to shelter, safety, consumer issues, and legal issues related to health,
education, work, income and immigration.
In addition to providing help via neighborhood clinics – people in need can contact Legal Aid
anytime for help – see details at: http://lasclev.org/contact/
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Special Clinic for U.S. Veterans VA Community Referral and Resource Center (CRRC) – 7000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment
More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08032016/
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Expungement Clinic Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09012016/
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Expungement Clinic Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08042016/
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Special Clinic for U.S. Veterans VA Community Referral and Resource Center (CRRC)
– 7000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Call 216-391-0264 for an appointment More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09072016/
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Special Expungement Clinic
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 9:30 – 11:00 AM Cleveland Public Library – Glenville Branch
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Euclid Public Library – 631 East 222nd Street, Euclid More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08062016/
More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09102016/
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Catholic Charities, Ashtabula - 4200 Park Avenue, Third Floor More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08102016/
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Catholic Charities Ashtabula - 4200 Park Avenue, Third Floor More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09142016/
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Cleveland Public Library – South Brooklyn Branch 4303 Pearl Road More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08132016/
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Oberlin Community Services- 285 South Professor Street, Oberlin More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09152016/
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Oberlin Community Services - 285 South Professor Street, Oberlin More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08182016/
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Pro Se Divorce Clinic – Cuyahoga County Call 888-817-3777 for an appointment More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09162016/
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
Pro Se Divorce Clinic – Cuyahoga County Call 888-817-3777 for an appointment More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08192016/
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
9:00 – 11:00 AM Citizenship Day Immigration Clinic The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland 1223 W 6th, Cleveland More info: https://lasclev.org/event/09172016/
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 9:30 – 11:00 AM University Hospitals Otis Moss Jr. Health Center 8819 Quincy Avenue, Cleveland More info: https://lasclev.org/event/08202016/
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Lorain County Health & Dentistry 1205 Broadway, Lorain More info: https://lasclev.org/event/20160921/
Columbus Dispatch Editorial: Veterans deserve new outreach effort http://bit.ly/2aDmowE
Serving older veterans is a particular challenge for the Franklin County Veterans Service
Commission. Many aren’t aware of the benefits that they are entitled to receive. Some think
veterans’ benefits are only for those who retired from a military career. Some don’t realize
that their families, including widows or widowers, can seek help.
But by far, the biggest obstacle for disabled, ailing or aged veterans is just getting to the
agency’s office.
No longer. The agency’s board, with help from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners,
has outfitted a van as a mobile office that can visit nursing homes and set up shop at
community events likely to attract a large number of veterans. This new service is expected
to roll out starting sometime in September.
Veterans Service Commission Robert “Buck” Bramlish notes that Franklin County has about
70,000 veterans. The idea for the van came up as his board was looking for the best way to
work the neediest, including those who have mobility challenges such as those using
wheelchairs and those who no longer drive. Bowling Green’s new patriotic helmets pay tribute to 111 BG students who died defending the country http://bit.ly/2aD2S3g
Every year programs across the country release special patriotic helmets that usually
feature some form of their logo accompanied by some red, white and blue…and every once
in a while a program comes up with something that breaks that mold.
That brings me to Bowling Green’s helmets that they’ll wear for Military Appreciation Day
on September 10th against North Dakota, and these new lids are something special.
The helmets will be orange with a brown facemask with the side logos incorporating a camo
Pattern and the BG logo in stars-and-stripes.
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The center stripe is where things get really interesting, as printed in the stripe are the
names of 111 Bowling Green State University students who have died in the line of duty.
Helmets for the game will feature one of the 12 different stripes with different names on
each one. Ohio National Guard Alumni Newsletter, August 2016 http://bit.ly/2apmKXH
ALUMNI CALL TO ACTION: Support Clergy Outreach.
The Ohio National Guard Community Outreach Office engages civilian clergy and lay leaders in
support of troops and their Families.
We respectfully request you champion this outreach effort and invite local faith-community
leaders to get involved.
We know alumni are active in local churches and have strong relationships with clergy. In
addition, other members of your congregation may be Soldiers, Airmen or Veterans.
We also encourage you to consider establishing or leading a military ministry at your place of
worship, attending Regional Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee (RISFAC) meetings or
supporting troops through H.E.R.O.E.S. Care.
Research: University of Cincinnati recruiting post-2001 Veterans for employment study http://bit.ly/2apovnt
The University of Cincinnati is recruiting Veterans to complete a survey, as part of a
research study aimed at better understanding the reintegration experiences of Veterans,
particularly concerning employment.
Stacie Holloway, PhD with the University of Cincinnati’s psychology department, is leading
the study. Holloway says very little scientific research has been conducted that explores the
Veteran work experience.
“There are more Veterans entering the work force than ever before. Until recently,
employment rates for those Veterans were higher than they are for the non-Veteran
population. That gap has been diminished a lot, but we want to further diminish it. The
timing for this study is right,” said Holloway.
Newark: Flags of Honor remember fallen Ohio soldiers http://ohne.ws/2aD5yhk NEWARK - A somber hush fell over the crowd as Lloyd Nice carried the flag out of the tent
down the avenue of honor in front of hundreds of people Friday night.
The flag represented his son Joseph, a Marine deployed to Iraq who was killed in action in
2004. For Lloyd, the chance to honor his son, along with the other fallen Ohio soldiers was
an amazing opportunity.
Friday night marked the beginning of the Ohio Flags of Honor Traveling Memorial's stay in
Licking County, where 293 flags were placed in front of Cherry Valley Elementary school in
Newark, each representing an Ohioan that died in their service during the Iraq War.
EVENT: ODNR G.I. Go, Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, OH, Aug. 20th http://bit.ly/2aD9771
Join us at Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville for the first G.I. Go event, and
take pride in Ohio’s State Parks. This program focuses on creating a network of
service members, both past and present, which emphasizes community, physical
well-being and education on opportunities and benefits available to these groups.
Explore and revitalize one of Ohio’s 74 state parks with a service project, connect
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with state resources and have fun with the family doing a featured paddlesport
activity.
Give back to the community by helping to beautify Caesar Creek State Park during
a two and a half hour service project. Materials will be available, but volunteers are
encouraged to bring work gloves and wear long pants and boots. Kroger Grocery will
provide hotdogs, hamburgers and water for lunch. Kids are welcome to join their
parents at this G.I. Go event.
Learn about the different services and opportunities available to veterans in the state
of Ohio. Representatives from Ohio Means Jobs, the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and
Correction will be in attendance.
Finally, finish out the day with a fun activity. Make sure to bring a change of clothes,
whether that be a swimsuit or athletic apparel. Paddlesport educators and equipment
will be at the event. Learn how to safely operate a sailboat, canoe, kayak or a stand-
up paddleboard with the help of ODNR staff for free! Adaptive paddlesports are also
available as well as fishing opportunities for those who are so inclined. Additional resources from my blog
OPERATION LEGAL HELP OHIO http://bit.ly/1Gg0HbK
RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
OHIO JOBS FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1CL3Ay0
RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV EVENTS FOR OHIO VETERANS http://bit.ly/1Tx7tix
VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS
AR: Officials consider new tools for court http://bit.ly/2aEYAIB A constellation of secular and nonsecular treatment providers give Garland County's
accountability courts the tools to deal with one of the three pathologies Division 2 District
Court Judge Ralph Ohm said drives criminal behavior.
They offer Ohm's drug court and Division 1 District Court Judge David Switzer's
DWI/veterans court an alternative to incarceration, keeping defendants whose addictions
cause them to operate against their wills out of jail if they follow the rules.
. . . Ohm said the investment the court staff makes in the defendants fosters an almost
paternal relationship, one where successes and failures are shared.
"Frankly, we view these guys as our kids," he said. "We take these guys to raise for a little
while. I get to know these people. I watch them soar, and I watch them crash. I soar with
them and I crash with them. It's the nature of the beast, and if you're in this business you
do the same thing."
AZ: Lake Havasu City Vets Court Family Day http://bit.ly/2aEYpwS
About 100 people, mostly veterans and their families, spent a few hours Saturday at the
Aquatic Center for a Family Day celebration.
The second annual Veterans Treatment Court Family Day was attended by veterans in the
court system and their families, court employees and supporters of the Treatment Court,
including local veterans service organizations and other organizations that offered
information of help to veterans.
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Judge Mitchell Kalauli, his brother, and Michael Eigenbrodt of Interagency, formed a band
once again to play music during the picnic, and many people took part in the judge’s
Hawaiian dance lessons. Tables were laden with hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, and Judge
Kalauli’s homemade Hawaiian rice. Children enjoyed a bounce house, and adults enjoyed
horseshoes and other games.
Judge Kalauli instituted Family Day as a way to promote camaraderie among the veterans in
the court system. CA: EVENT: Lawyers for Warriors Networking and Fundraising Event, Sept. 19th (Veterans Legal Institute) http://www.vetslegal.com/
Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless and low
income current and former service members so as to eradicate barriers to housing,
education, employment and healthcare and foster self-sufficiency. VLI is designated by the
IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
FL: Leon Co. Veterans Court in need of mentors http://bit.ly/2aEJqmV . . . That's where the Leon County Veterans Court steps in, looking to help those vets facing
criminal charges get back on track. But now, the program is in dire need of more mentors.
In the eight months it's been up and running, the court for veterans has helped more than
30 veterans struggling to get their lives back.
. . . This program strives to assign one mentor per veteran, helping keep them accountable
and providing them with resources.
"Most of us are very prideful, you know, most of us don't like to ask for help,” says Johnnie
Parks, an Army veteran. “A lot of people won’t know the struggle we go through."
. . . For these mentors, its all about giving back to those that served us.
"You can't imagine the joy it brings to your heart when you see that happen, it just makes
you feel good," says Steve Marchbanks, another mentor for the Veterans Court.
If the veteran completes the program their offenses are cleared. If you're interested in
becoming a mentor, contact Brenda Mueller, the Court Coordinator, at (850) 606-4450.
IN: Legal team ready to launch Vigo Veterans Court (News Video) http://bit.ly/2aEVUL4
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) – One in six veterans suffer from substance abuse. One in five
suffer from PTSD. These statistics Judge John Roach told an audience made up of
prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. Judge Roach explained to them the specifics of
how Vigo County’s Veterans Court will work.
“There’s been a lot of talk about it,” Judge Roach told News 10 on Wednesday. “We’ve had a
lot of questions ourselves that we’ve had to answer.”
Veterans Court has been three years in the making. Earlier this month, Vigo County’s
version, the 23rd such court in Indiana, received its state certification.
The court will be open to non-violent defendants. In other words, veteran defendants facing
violent charges such as murder, rape, and child molesting will not be eligible for Veterans
Court.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts told News 10 the “target veteran” is one who is at
high risk to reoffend and has a high need for treatment services, which can include alcohol,
drug or mental health counseling.
Roberts says veterans who are at low risk to reoffend, yet show a high need for services will
also be considered for the program. Both Roberts and Judge Roach said the program will
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also look to identify veterans with severe brain injuries.
. . . Vigo County has Veterans Court information posted on its website. The program is also
in need of more mentors. If you’d like to be a mentor in Veterans Court, please call Judge
Roach at 812-462-3295.
MI: West Michigan Regional Veterans Treatment Court aims to address sobriety, stability http://bit.ly/2aEJiDT
Holland, Mich. Judge William Baillargeon told the Ottawa County commissioners that “we
have a moral duty” to find treatment for mentally scarred veterans.
“Criminal activity isn’t the problem,” Baillargeon said. “It’s only a symptom of what the
actual problem is.”
Baillargeon, judge of the 57th District Court, presides over the West Michigan Regional
Veterans Treatment Court, a court that works as a hybrid of drug and mental health
tribunals. It aims at getting help to veterans in the criminal justice system whose struggles
can be traced back into their military service.
With the goal of promoting sobriety and stability, the court brings together the services of
drug and mental health courts, the Department of Veteran Affairs, volunteer veteran
mentors and other organizations that support veterans and their families.
. . . The West Michigan veterans treatment court serves participants from district and circuit
courts in Allegan, Ottawa and Van Buren counties. As of last year, it was one of 22 veterans
court in Michigan. That number has grown from eight in 2013.
MI: How a high-risk combat veteran is overcoming suicide attempts via special court http://bit.ly/2aEWB79
. . . Instead, Harvey was given a second chance.
He was selected for Muskegon County's Veterans Treatment court, a specialty court that
focuses exclusively on high-risk, high-need combat veterans from any branch of the Armed
Forces. Participants must complete a five-phase, 18-month program designed to
enforce sobriety, recovery and stability instead of focusing on punishment.
The courts are relatively new but growing quickly in Michigan — Gov. Rick Snyder called the
state the "national model" in 2015. The number of veterans courts increased from eight in
2013, the first year after the act was signed, to 23 in 2016.
Michigan has more veterans courts than any other state, however, only 21 of its 83
counties have one. Muskegon County became the home of the eighth court in the state and
the first to be officially trained by U.S. Department of Justice in 2014.
Federal certification for a veterans' court opens up the opportunity for state and federal
grant money to fund the court, allowing it to stay independent of the county budget.
However, grants need to be obtained each year, something that has become more difficult
as the number of courts in the state grows.
NC: Judge Olivera receives award for work with troubled veteran http://bit.ly/2aEZWD4
Cumberland County District Court Judge Lou Olivera has been cited by the North Carolina
Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism for his work with a veteran in his court.
Olivera was presented with the Award for Meritorious and Extraordinary Service during a
ceremony Friday in Blowing Rock, says a news release from the N.C. Administrative Office
of the Courts.
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"The Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism presents the CJCP Award for Meritorious
and Extraordinary Service to the Honorable Lou Olivera for his steadfast commitment to the
principles of professionalism as evidenced by his efforts to go above and beyond the call of
duty by his tremendous act of humility and compassion toward a troubled veteran in his
court," said Chief Justice Mark Martin. "Because of his selfless efforts, the practice of law will
continue to remain a high calling in North Carolina."
Olivera presides over Cumberland County veterans court, a venue that takes into account
the experiences and troubles veterans who get in trouble with the law may have from their
military service. When a veteran with PTSD and serving probation failed a drug test in April,
Olivera sentenced the man to a night in jail and stayed with him, too, to help him cope.
Olivera, who also is a veteran, made national headlines for his actions. TN: Coffee Co. Veterans Court to launch in August http://bit.ly/2aEWYhW
In an effort to help veterans arrested for nonviolent offenses, Coffee County will soon
initiate a new veterans treatment program through the Coffee County Court system.
The program, to be called Coffee County Veterans Court, will be in addition to other
recovery programs in the county, such as the Coffee County Mental Health Court and the
Coffee County Drug Court.
Coffee County Circuit Court Judge Craig Johnson will preside over the program, which will
begin in August.
“We are going to have, what we call, a soft opening next month,” Johnson said. “After I, the
attorney general from the prosecutor’s office, a public defender and some of our mentors
complete the necessary training in early September, we will start 100 percent.”
The program will help men and women who have served in the military.
“They don’t necessarily need to have a service-related disability,” Johnson said.
To qualify for this treatment, veterans need to have served or currently be serving in the
military and have problems in the criminal justice system due to addictions or mental health
issues, said Johnson.
The program will be geared mostly toward nonviolent offenders, Johnson said.
“There may be (offenders with) a few lesser offenses that are considered violent under the
sentencing guidelines, but they may still qualify for the veterans treatment court because of
their addictions or mental health issues,” Johnson said.
The program will begin with about 10 veterans. As the program evolves, Johnson hopes
more veterans will take advantage of the program.
TX: Legal help for Southeast Texas veterans http://bit.ly/2aEFwu7
The Jefferson County Bar Association is hosting a free legal advice service for veterans in
Port Arthur, assisting veterans like wheeler.
"Veterans should take advantage of this because this is a well-deserved service," he said. A
well-deserved service for those that serve the country.
Bonnie Dean is the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Bar Association.
She says one of the most rewarding services the bar offers is hosting services like this one
for veterans.
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. . . The next legal advice clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.
20 at the Lumberton Fire and EMS located at Country Lane Dr. in Lumberton.
To learn more, visit the Jefferson County Bar Association website by clicking here.
TX: New treatment court will ID cases where PTSD is a factor http://bit.ly/2aEYfFI . . . "All he thought about was death and destruction," said Tom Hall, a veteran of the U.S.
Air Force who is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter No. 292, in Beaumont.
Hall and U.S. Army veteran Ray Hardy, who served in the infantry in Vietnam, both
volunteer in the Veterans Incarcerated Group, working with veterans who are imprisoned in
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Mark W. Stiles Unit in Jefferson County.
Each month, Hardy, Hall and others meet with perhaps 100 or more imprisoned veterans
who have honorable or general discharges to help them deal with the consequences of their
behavior, which might have roots in service-related PTSD.
"It's definitely real," Hardy said. "Veterans still find it difficult to ask for help."
In their service era, Hardy said he was told, "You're fine. Get over it."
Hall said the attitude toward PTSD was "you're just a bunch of whiny babies."
A common thread links a combat veteran's extraordinary experiences in a war zone to later
behaviors like alcohol or drug abuse or domestic violence, Hardy and Hall said.
It's because of that exposure that Jefferson County Commissioners Court agreed to create a
Veterans Treatment Court to help identify a veteran with the kind of psychological profile
that might have contributed to his or her legal difficulties as a civilian.
Fifty-eighth District Court Judge Kent Walston will run the court and county Court at-Law
No. 3 Judge Clint Woods will back him up.
Additional resources from my blog
LIST OF NATIONAL AND STATE LEGAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/19DC5zu
U.S. VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS LOCATIONS http://bit.ly/1Lf1VX5
PTS/TBI/MST
Army secretary touts importance of mental health http://yhoo.it/2aD65jk HONOLULU (AP) — Army Secretary Eric Fanning says the Army is paying more attention to
behavioral health and making sure anyone who's injured while defending the nation gets the
treatment they need.
The Army and other military branches are conducting research into how military deployment
affects anger, and they are encouraging mental health treatment before deployment to
mitigate the effects of anger after soldiers return, he said.
"There's a tremendous amount of research the Army's been doing, the military's been
doing," Fanning said. "It's clear we have a lot of work left to do."
Fanning told The Associated Press on Wednesday he's concerned that two recent mass
shootings involved military veterans, but he said the research doesn't show any cause and
effect between military service and what happens after soldiers leave the armed forces.
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Earlier this month, Army reservist Micah Johnson shot and killed five Dallas police officers at
a rally protesting the deaths of two black men by white police officers.
Also in July, Gavin Long, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran, killed three law
enforcement officers in Louisiana. Long's mother has told the PBS TV network that he had
post-traumatic stress disorder.
There is no data that suggest veterans as a whole are more likely to commit crimes, said
Major Chris Ophardt, public affairs officer for the Secretary of the Army, in an email.
"We want to make sure that we are understanding any impacts that service might have,"
Fanning said. "We don't see that as being the cause." Research: VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion Assessment of care for Veterans with MHSUDs http://bit.ly/2aF3Vj6
CHERP investigators Audrey Jones, PhD, Leslie Hausmann, PhD, Adam Gordon, MD, MPH,
Maria Mor, PhD and collaborators studied a large sample of Veterans with Mental
Health/Substance Abuse Disorders (MH/SUDs) found racial/ethnic differences in their
assessment of access, communication, courtesy and comprehensiveness of care.
“Prior studies, conducted before the VA’s transformation to the Patient Aligned Care Team
model (PACT), compared patient experiences for those with MHSUDs versus those without,”
according to primary author Audrey Jones, PhD. “Our study examines the experiences of
Veterans with MHSUDs in the VA’s new model of primary care, and documents racial/ethnic
differences among patients with MHSUDs.”
The Journal of General Internal Medicine published an article on this study in June 2016: -
See more at:
http://www.cherp.research.va.gov/CHERP/features/Assessment_of_care_for_Veterans_with
_MHSUDs.asp#sthash.DlV0Beus.dpuf Research: Differences in cognitive profiles between traumatic brain injury and stroke: a comparison of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination (Chinese Journal of Technology) http://bit.ly/2aDjTul
Purpose: To investigate the profiles of cognitive impairment through Montreal Cognitive
Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in patients with chronic
traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke and to evaluate the sensitivity of the two scales in
patients with TBI.
Methods: In this cohort study, a total of 230 patients were evaluated, including TBI group
(n=103) and stroke group (n=127). The cognitive functions of two groups were evaluated
by designated specialists using Moca (Beijing version) and MMSE (Chinese version).
Results: Compared with the patients with stroke, the patients with TBI received significantly
lower score in orientation subtest and recall subtest in both tests. MoCA abnormal rates in
the TBI group and stroke group were 94% and 87% respectively, while MMSE abnormal
rates were 70% and 57%, respectively. In the TBI group, 87% patients with normal MMSE
score had abnormal MoCA score and in the stroke group, about 70% patients with normal
MMSE score had abnormal MoCA score. The diagnostic consistency of two scales in the TBI
group and the stroke group were 72% and 69%, respectively.
Conclusion: In our rehabilitation center, patients with TBI may have more extensive and
severe cognitive impairments than patients with stroke, prominently in orientation and
recall domain. In screening post-TBI cognitive impairment, MoCA tends to be more sensitive
than MMSE.
Research: Cohen Veterans Bioscience Newsletter July 2016 http://bit.ly/2aDmEvy
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AMP IT UP Alliance for Modeling PTSD, using Innovative Technologies and Uniform
Practices
Get to know Patricia Kabitzke, PhD, our Senior Scientific Program Manager
Partner Spotlight: NYU Tau Diagnostics Program
WEBINAR: Contextual Processing in PTSD, Aug. 17th
DCoE Former Sailor Experiences a Different Kind of TBI http://bit.ly/2apnLP6
Jasmine Twine was stationed in Newport News, Virginia, when she started to notice that
some things were off.
“The shipyard had a lot of fumes, so when I started to have vision problems and headaches
I thought it was due to that,” she said.
Doctors first prescribed Jasmine new glasses and medication, but when she started having
debilitating headaches, they ordered a CT scan of her brain.
The scan revealed an urgent condition: a cyst on her brain that required surgery.
Complications from the removal of the cyst resulted in an acquired traumatic brain injury
(TBI). DCoE Psychological Health Webinar: Technological Updates in the Treatment of Mental Health Conditions, July 28th http://bit.ly/1Ku7pya
Using technology designed to improve health care is not a new concept. However, access to
evidence-based technology to assist with psychological health care treatment, such as
psychotherapy, is limited.
Without an established standard of care, it is appropriate for providers to use a “null” or
waitlist control group in clinical trials. However, in cases where health care providers apply
technology-based solutions to an evidence-based practice, they are required to compare
these solutions to active treatments.
One approach, becoming more prominent in medical literature, is to use a non-inferiority
trial. The overall goal of this type of trial is to test and demonstrate that an experimental
treatment is no worse than the current standard of care. Unfortunately, some reports about
using this type of trial reveal confusion or a lack of understanding about the technical and
philosophical distinctions of the trial design.
In this webinar, we will develop the tools needed to evaluate the quality of the evidence
base to improve clinical care. We will use trials that incorporate technology to administer
psychotherapy compared to the in-office standard of care as a practical case study.
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will know how to:
Identify the key design elements of a non-inferiority study
Interpret the results of a non-inferiority trial
Evaluate the credibility of the evidence base for a treatment approach based on non-
inferiority designs
I’ve treated veterans with PTSD. It’s time to make them eligible for the Purple Heart. (WP) http://wapo.st/2apnuMm
Over the last decade, a controversial question has surrounded the Purple Heart: do veterans
with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve it?
The Pentagon currently does not award Purple Hearts to veterans suffering from PTSD.
Supporters of this policy argue physical wounds have always determined eligibility for the
Purple Heart. Some believe the science regarding PTSD is too primitive; indeed symptoms
can be difficult to diagnose, and objective tests remain elusive. There are concerns that
some veterans might attempt to fake the diagnosis.
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But critics say that denying Purple Hearts to these veterans reinforces the stigmatization of
mental illness—in other words, that conditions of the mind are less real than conditions of
the body. As a physician who has worked with veterans suffering from PTSD, I can tell you
the manifestations of this condition are very real. Symptoms can include flashbacks,
paralyzing anxiety, hypervigilance, and self-harm.
Whether veterans with PTSD receive the Purple Heart has the potential to shape both the
policies and the perceptions surrounding mental health in this country. Additional resources from my blog
RESURRECTING LIVES FOUNDATION http://bit.ly/1R9toOV
EVENTS FOR VETERANS & VETERAN SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH NEWS IS POSTED IN THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SECTION BELOW
SUICIDE
20 Veterans Die By Suicide Every Day. Here’s What The VA Is Doing About It - Female vets and older veterans are most at risk. http://huff.to/2aEZLYF
. . . in its most exhaustive examination of the issue to date, the U.S. Department of
Veteran Affairs found that about 20 veterans died by suicide every day in 2014. That was
down from 22 a day in 2010, according to preliminary figures. The complete report is slated
to be released later this month.
But the VA says the drop is no cause for celebration.
“Twenty a day is not that different from 22,” David Shulkin, undersecretary for health at the
Department of Veterans Affairs, told the Associated Press. ”It is far too high.”
. . . The VA said it’s “aggressively” pursuing new measures to help prevent veteran suicide,
which was precipitated by the department’s summit on the topic in February. That event
called for improving mental health care access for veterans and increasing resources for the
VA Suicide Prevention Program.
Improving mental health services and access to it is critical, experts say, particularly
because of how the surrounding stigma often keeps vets from getting psychological help,
according to the Center for a New American Society report.
. . . The VA is working toward ensuring same-day access for veterans with urgent mental
health needs. It’s also going to employ predictive modeling to better determine which vets
are at risk for suicide.
To help improve its efforts, the VA hired 446 new psychologists last year and 80 new
psychiatrists, according to the AP. It’s also bringing on 60 new crisis intervention responders
for its Veterans Crisis Line who will be well versed in substance use disorders, screening,
brief intervention and referral to treatment. The Weekly Spark (SPRC), July 29th http://bit.ly/29EvMvH
Center Communications and Product Development Director Job Opportunity at EDC
Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Suicide Rate is 22% Higher among People with Epilepsy than the General Population
CALIFORNIA: Suicide Prevention Hotlines Should Expand Digital Services, Partner with
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Health Systems
CHINA: Nine Hong Kong Schools Chosen for Pilot Scheme to Prevent Student Suicides
Preventing Adolescent Dating Abuse: Research and Practice
New Annals of Emergency Medicine Publication on Reducing Suicide Risk in the Emergency
Department
Suicide Prevention: A Health and Safety Priority for the Construction Industry
DEPLOYMENT HEALTH NEWS, 25 JULY 2016
How Does Emotion Regulation Affect Food Addiction in PTSD?
Psychiatry Advisor, 23 July 2016
“Researchers from Boston have found that in veterans, expression suppression was
significantly associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms and mediated the connection
between PTSD and food addiction. The findings were published in Psychiatry Research.”
Senators Want to Help Troops with PTSD Appeal Bad Discharges
Military.com, 20 July 2016
“A bipartisan group of senators on Tuesday sought to revive a proposal to make it easier for
veterans to upgrade ‘bad paper’ discharges wrongly handed down for behavior resulting
from PTSD or sexual trauma. The group of eight lawmakers led by Sen. Gary Peters, a
Michigan Democrat and former lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve, urged inclusion
of the proposal before the House-Senate conference committee that is struggling to pass
the National Defense Authorization Act for the Defense Department's 2017 budget.”
Military Sexual Trauma, Rape, PTSD, and Suicide: A Conversation with Katie Webb
PLOS Blogs, 20 July 2016
“Among Americans, rape is the trauma that is most likely to lead to PTSD. The medical
profession is becoming increasingly aware that sexual trauma represents a serious medical
and mental health concern. Several years ago, in recognition of the downstream
consequences of sexual trauma on veteran health, the VA healthcare system developed the
position of a Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator. The MST coordinator is the point
person, within any VA healthcare system, who provides education, outreach, and
consultation to support MST survivors and the healthcare professionals who take care of
them.”
VA invites Women Veterans to Chat Online
VA.gov, 19 July 2016
“Women Veterans! VA has a new, online, one-to-one chat just for you. The new service
enables women Veterans to go online and anonymously chat via real-time text with a
trained representative. All the representatives at the Women Veterans Call Center are
women, and many are Veterans themselves.”
Prevalence of diagnosed sleep disorders has risen among US veterans
Science Daily, 15 July 2016
“A new study found a six-fold increase in the age-adjusted prevalence of any sleep disorder
diagnosis over an 11-year period among U.S. veterans. The largest increases were identified
in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other mental disorders, or combat
experience. Results also show that the prevalence of PTSD tripled during the study period.”
Experts confront military suicides: The Interview
Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2016
“’Seven years after the rate of suicides by soldiers more than doubled, the Army has failed
to reduce the tragic pace of self-destruction, and experts worry the problem is a ‘new
normal,’’ USA Today reported in June. There are nearly 1.6 million veterans in Florida, so it
was sobering to learn that an average of 20 veterans a day took their lives in 2014. To find
out what’s behind the surge in suicides before and after military service, the Sentinel
interviewed Keita Franklin, M.D., director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, and
Robert J. Ursano, M.D., director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.”
Psychological scars increase risk of suicide among female vets
The San Jose Mercury News, 14 July 2016
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“The casualty reports crossed Army Spc. Victoria Lampton's desk on a daily basis, but the
grim reality of her tour in Afghanistan didn't grip her until death papers for one of her
closest friends landed in her inbox. ‘When I found out, I was in shock," Lampton said. "I
never expected it to be someone I knew.’"
DCoE Webinar Rewind: ‘Combat Obesity, Not Obese People’
DCoE Blog, 13 July 2016
“People’s perceptions about those who are overweight or obese make it hard to address
weight-based health issues in the military, according to Natasha Schvey, a postdoctoral
fellow in the Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology at the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences. Schvey shared information on obesity in the military
setting during a recent webinar hosted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for
Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.”
Voices From The War Zones At Home — What Can We Learn From Occupied Peoples And
Veterans?
Huffington Post Blog, 11 July 2016
“Part 1 -- Kamel Ibrahim Al-Najjar, survivor of the 2014 Israeli invasion of Gaza, spoke
about his experience, ‘We were safe at home when the bombs rained down on us for no
reason. It was just me and my family in the house.’”
EVMS studying new treatment procedure for PTSD victims
The Virginian-Pilot, 9 July 2016
“The stories of the combat veterans unfurled in searing detail: How they cradled fellow
soldiers and sailors as they died. Or detonated explosives in areas where innocent
youngsters lived, then collected bodies in the aftermath – sometimes of children the same
age as their own.”
Suicide Rate Among Veterans Has Risen Sharply Since 2001
The New York Times, 7 July 2016
“The suicide rate among veterans has surged 35 percent since 2001, driven in part by sharp
increases among those who have served since 2001, according to the largest study of such
suicides. Of particular concern is the suicide rate among women, which has increased 85
percent in that time.”
For more deployment health-related information, click here to go to the DoD Deployment
Health Clinical Center's PDHealth.mil website.
Disclaimer: These published news articles are offered as a service to DoD health care
beneficiaries and their health care providers. Articles are selected for dissemination solely
based on the military health relevance of the topic. Provision of these articles is intended to
rapidly inform clinicians of information that is publicly available to patients, because that
information sometimes causes patients to seek medical advice and care. A wide-range of
views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions,
and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of the
Deployment Health Clinical Center or any other US government agency or department.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Bowling Green University: Bowling Green’s new patriotic helmets pay tribute to 111 BG students who died defending the country http://bit.ly/2aD2S3g
Every year programs across the country release special patriotic helmets that usually
feature some form of their logo accompanied by some red, white and blue…and every once
in a while a program comes up with something that breaks that mold.
That brings me to Bowling Green’s helmets that they’ll wear for Military Appreciation Day
on September 10th against North Dakota, and these new lids are something special.
The helmets will be orange with a brown facemask with the side logos incorporating a camo
Pattern and the BG logo in stars-and-stripes.
The center stripe is where things get really interesting, as printed in the stripe are the
names of 111 Bowling Green State University students who have died in the line of duty.
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Helmets for the game will feature one of the 12 different stripes with different names on
each one.
University of Cincinnati recruiting post-2001 Veterans for employment study http://bit.ly/2apovnt
The University of Cincinnati is recruiting Veterans to complete a survey, as part of a
research study aimed at better understanding the reintegration experiences of Veterans,
particularly concerning employment.
Stacie Holloway, PhD with the University of Cincinnati’s psychology department, is leading
the study. Holloway says very little scientific research has been conducted that explores the
Veteran work experience.
“There are more Veterans entering the work force than ever before. Until recently,
employment rates for those Veterans were higher than they are for the non-Veteran
population. That gap has been diminished a lot, but we want to further diminish it. The
timing for this study is right,” said Holloway.
Research: University of Colorado: The Influence of Gender on Suicidal Ideation following Military Sexual Trauma among Veterans in the Veterans Health Administration ($$$ Psychiatry Research) http://bit.ly/2aDklbZ
Highlights
•Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with suicidal ideation.
•This is significant adjusting for prior suicide attempt and psychiatric disorders.
•Gender moderated the relationship between MST and suicidal ideation.
•The association between MST and suicidal ideation was stronger for men than
women.
•Screening for suicidal ideation should occur when Veterans screen positive for MST.
Research EVENT: University of Maryland: 100 Years of American Women in Uniform, October 7-9, 2016; November 18-20, 2016 http://bit.ly/2aD1ZHQ
Dr. Marian Moser Jones is leading the historical project, 100 Years of American Women in
Uniform, an intensive discussion program that engages veteran participants in exploring
American women's participation in two conflicts, World War I and the recent Iraq and
Afghanistan wars (OIF/OEF).
Dr. Moser Jones is partnering on the project with Margaret Vining and Dr. Bart Hacker,
curators at the Division of Armed Forces History at the Smithsonian Museum of American
History in Washington; Patri O'Gan, project manager in the Division; and Dr. Laura
Browder, author of When Janey Comes Marching Home, a book on women OIF/OEF combat
veterans.
The program will run for four weekend-long sessions, where participants will comparatively
discuss women’s war memoirs, view art, media, and design by women veterans, and tour
major collections of military artifacts, uniforms, and war memorabilia from women veterans.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Women’s Memorial at
Arlington National Cemetery, run by the Women in Military Service for the America Memorial
Foundation, are two such places participants will visit.
Veterans can sign up for any or all of the weekend sessions.
“It is our hope that veterans who participate in our program will be inspired to see
themselves as historical actors and will consider documenting their own experiences as
contributions to U.S. military history,” says Dr. Moser Jones.
How to Participate in this Program: Dr. Marian Moser Jones and colleagues are now
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recruiting U.S. military veterans to participate in the program. Participation in the program
is open to U.S. veterans of any age or gender. For a full description of the program,
click here.
. . . Participants not seeking college credit can participate in one weekend, or multiple
weekends. The dates are October 7-9, 2016; November 18-20, 2016; March 17-19, 2017;
and May 12-14, 2017. The programs will take place on Friday evenings, (6pm – 7:30pm),
Saturday all day (9am – 4pm), and Sunday afternoon (1pm – 4pm).
University of Minnesota: Minneapolis VA Health Care System & University of Minnesota Receive Major $12.5 Million Award to Study Chronic Pain Management in 1400 Patients at Nine VA Sites http://bit.ly/2ahxxj2
Erin Krebs, MD, MPH, an investigator with the VA’s Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes
Research and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, has been approved for
a $12.5 million funding award by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
(PCORI) for her study "Comparative effectiveness of patient-centered strategies to improve
pain management and opioid safety for Veterans."
The PCORI Board approved a $12.5 million award for a research team based at the
University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis VA to conduct a randomized controlled trial
focusing on Veterans with chronic pain.
The project will enroll 1400 participants at nine VA sites (Dallas, TX, Denver, CO,
Durham, NC, Indianapolis IN, Little Rock, AR, Minneapolis, MN, Portland, OR, San
Francisco, CA, and West Haven, CT) to compare two approaches to pain management
that differ in resource intensity. EVENT: New Mexico State University: Police relations, mental health care among 2016 Domenici Conference topics, Sept. 14th & 15th http://bit.ly/2aD3rdu
Some of the nation’s most talked-about headlines will fuel the discussion at the 2016
Domenici Public Policy Conference, including police-community relations and the public
trust; the state of mental health care and the criminal justice system; national security; and
the coming presidential election.
Among the thought leaders and policymakers scheduled to appear at the event, set
for Sept. 14 and 15 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, will be former U.S. Secretary of
Defense Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Congressman and mental health advocate Patrick
Kennedy, political strategist James Carville, author Kristen Soltis Anderson and Albuquerque
Mayor Richard Berry.
The Domenici Institute for Public Policy at New Mexico State University, now in its ninth
year as host of the conference, is named after New Mexico’s longest-serving U.S. senator,
Pete V. Domenici. The institute was established at NMSU with the goal of continuing
Domenici’s legacy of service to the state of New Mexico and the nation by providing unique
learning and policy research opportunities. Research: New York University: NYU Tau Diagnostics Program http://bit.ly/2aDonkh
Tau is a recognized biomarker of neurodegeneration and may be a promising biomarker of
PTSD and chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Dr. Mony de Leon’s team at New York University is utilizing a two-pronged approach to
understand tau’s role in disease, measuring tau levels in the blood while also developing
methods to image tau in the brain.
Using these cutting-edge methods, Dr. de Leon’s team is determining the contribution of
tau-associated neurodegeneration to both PTSD and TBI. Tau concentrations in blood are
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extremely low, and cannot be accurately measured on standard platforms. To address this
challenge, Dr. de Leon and his group are working with a wide array of partners and
collaborators to develop an ultrasensitive blood-based assay for pathological forms of tau.
In addition to blood measures of tau, they are also pursuing neuroimaging of tau in the
brain, which will lead to a deeper understanding of the neurodegenerative processes
underlying disease progression in PTSD and TBI.
University of North Dakota: Vets apply for UND Business Bootcamp http://bit.ly/2apky2b
Grand Forks, ND (WDAY/WDAZ TV) - A business bootcamp for veterans at the University of
North Dakota is still accepting applications.
The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program is a free national workshop for former service
members who want to own their own businesses.
Online classes start in August and later in the fall veterans will come to Grand Forks from all
over the country to learn the ins and outs of the business world.
Some applications the program has already seen include veterans who want start non-
profits to help their peers, financial consulting firms as well as restaurants.
"Any of these businesses is actually a legit thing to do for a veteran. But the fact is that
we're going to be helping them. We're going to be putting their minds to test and we're
going to be exercising them through the veterans entrepreneurship program," said Tyler
Okerlund, Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.
To find out how to apply visit go to Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.
GENERAL NEWS
VA offers alternative to opioid pain management http://bit.ly/2apj5Jk
Mr. Pershing found that something different at the Veteran Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare
System, which offers an alternative pain treatment program for veterans suffering from
chronic pain.
Over the course of 12 weeks, participants in the Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation
Program (IPRP) learn mindfulness techniques, physical exercises, Tai Chi movements, and
other skills designed to help them manage their pain.
Though the course might not eliminate pain entirely, it offers a way to maintain a more
active lifestyle without relying on drugs.
Resource: California Women Veterans Alliance http://www.womenveteransalliance.org/ WVA was founded in 2015, by Melissa Washington a Navy Veteran who saw a need to bring
women veterans together to help empower each other.
Women Veterans Alliance (WVA)mission: To empower women that have served or are
currently serving through networking, career and professional development, and
mentorship.
The goals of Women Veterans Alliance are:
To Equip women with the tools to pursue a rewarding career
To Empower those women who want to become entrepreneurs
To Encourage women veteran through Mentorship to include young women that
want to join the military
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To Strengthen the sisterhood bond between women veterans
To Develop and Maintain strong community of women veteran supporters
To Educate the community that Women that have served are Veterans
Active chapters are Sacramento, Chico, and Yolo/Solano. With more chapters to come.
The chapter meetings are open to any women that has served or currently serving.
Women Veterans Alliance is a community catalyst to honor the courage and sacrifice that
woman veterans have made. We are not a charity.
We are professional business organization that has formed an alliance with our nonprofit
partner California Capital Women’s Business Center. We partner with organizations that support the same mission of empowering women and/or veterans.
Prince Harry Says It Isn’t Weak To Suffer ‘As Long As You Talk About It’, In Mental Health Appeal (Video) http://huff.to/2aD3xlg
Prince Harry has spoken of his regret of not speaking about the death of his mother,
Princess Diana, in an appeal for people to speak about their mental health to help overcome
issues.
The prince said it was “OK to suffer but as long as you talk about it” after a high-profile
event designed to show that “unflappable” sports personalities and members of the Royal
Family could suffer mental health issues.
The 31-year-old Prince hosted an event at Kensington Palace for mental health charity
Heads Together, which he formed with his brother and sister-in-law, The Duke and Duchess
of Cambridge.
Additional resources from my blog
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
EVENTS FOR VETERANS & VETERANS SERVICE PROVIDERS http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi
VETERANS JOB LISTINGS AND HIRING FAIRS WEBSITES http://bit.ly/19Dz2ay NEWSLETTERS & BLOG FOR VETERANS http://bit.ly/1GQzKjf
"VETERANS IN JUSTICE" LinkedIn Professional Group (VIJ)
Please join us on LinkedIn or Facebook for networking and discussions on the issues regarding
veterans in the criminal justice system. This group's mission is to connect professionals and
advocates who work with and for justice-involved veterans and to share ideas and practices for
assisting those veterans -- from the conditions that lead to justice involvement, through initial
police contact, arrest, criminal case processing, conviction, sentencing, incarceration, and
release. Access our group at http://linkd.in/1947vfS Facebook:
www.facebook.com/veteransinjustice
Join The National Discussion - 1,327 Professionals in VIJ Group
Active Topics
The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims vacated and remanded a case in
which the Board of Veterans Appeals denied a claim for service connection due to exposure
to herbicide.
Webcentric Marketing and Public Relations for the Common Good
SAMHSA News: Mental Illness in the Workplace - Accommodations
A Veteran Spent Last Night in Jail
Law & Order Generation: The Injustice of Indifference
VA Benefits and discharge types
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Addiction treatment connected to jail?
More . . .
LINKEDIN GROUPS
Military and Veteran Benefit Forum Veteran Mentor Network http://linkd.in/1fOlgOt 28,933 members Institute for Veteran Cultural Studies http://linkd.in/1cz3gq1 NAMI http://linkd.in/1cz3Gg7 BI-IFEA (Brain injury-Ideas for Education & Advocacy) http://linkd.in/1cz4e5V Military-Civilian: Hot Jobs and Careers for Veterans and Their Families http://linkd.in/1c59DkM VETERANS IN JUSTICE GROUP http://linkd.in/12APdMS
Four subgroups created: Veterans Treatment Courts http://linkd.in/145DdHc Mental Health http://linkd.in/12QFCjI Female Veterans http://linkd.in/145CTbn Peer Support & Mentoring http://linkd.in/145D32G
Cuyahoga County Ohio Veterans and Supporters (Bryan A. McGown "Gunny") http://linkd.in/Zxwx1f Veteran Employment Representatives http://linkd.in/ZxwUcc MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS POST DEPLOYMENT FOR PROVIDERS, COMBAT VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES http://bit.ly/1RVPLFl Midwest Military Outreach, Inc. http://linkd.in/1eiMTkJ Military Veteran Job Fairs & Hiring Conferences http://linkd.in/Zxx4jS Wounded Warrior Resources http://linkd.in/17TMNhJ The Value of a Veteran http://linkd.in/15vD7H4 MILITARY MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS POST DEPLOYMENT FOR PROVIDERS, COMBAT VETERANS & THEIR FAMILIES http://linkd.in/1fkQLA8 (Please email us other groups that you find and think would be informative and useful for our audience)
VETERANS IN THE COURTS INITIATIVE BLOG estrattonconsulting.wordpress.com
Editor's Note: To focus this newsletter on veterans-related criminal justice and mental illness issues and to shorten it
to a more manageable size, we have moved our tables & lists of reference materials and other longer term information to retired Justice Stratton's blog. Please follow the links below.
Operation Legal Help Ohio http://bit.ly/1Gg0HbK
National Legal Assistance http://bit.ly/19DC5zu
VA Town Halls & Events http://bit.ly/1Gg1DN6
Jobs & Hiring Fairs Listings http://bit.ly/19Dz2ay
Events: Conferences, Webinars, etc.
http://bit.ly/1Gg1nOi
Additional Resources http://bit.ly/1Gg21LH
Current Newsletter http://bit.ly/19ovER5
2015 Newsletters http://bit.ly/1FKASAC
Ohio Resources For Veterans http://bit.ly/19ouWn0
Editor's Note: Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations that provide articles for these news clips every week. I would especially like to thank and urge you to follow: Mary Ellen Salzano, founder facilitator of the CA Statewide Collaborative for our Military and Families, Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee, project manager for
the military spouse mental health professional network at the National Military Family Association. Dr. Herrera-Yee is currently a Board Member for the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Military Spouses of Strength, Military Mental Health Project and the National Guard Suicide and Resiliency Council among others. She has also been a special contributor to NBC News, Military Times, Air Force Times, Military Spouse Magazine and BuzzFeed. She spends her free time mentoring spouses through eMentor and Joining Forces. Dr. Herrera-Yee received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and was a Clinical Fellow at Harvard University. Lily Casura, journalist, author and founder of Healing Combat Trauma - the award-winning, first
website to address the issue of combat veterans and PTSD (established February 2006), and USMC 1stLt Andrew T. Bolla, PIO at the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment, publisher of WWR In the News, DoD Morning News of Note and USA Colonel (Ret.) Wayne Gatewood, of Quality Support Inc. Wayne disseminates a daily Veterans News e-mail to an international audience Jr James Hutton, Director of Media Relations at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
HOW TO JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
There are three ways to join my newsletter:
Join my Veterans In The Courts Initiative Google Group at http://bit.ly/1DZ3esD or,
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Subscribe to my Veterans In The Courts Initiative Blog for immediate news and for my weekly newsletter
at http://bit.ly/1DP1TCi or,
Please contact my editor Pete Miller at [email protected] and request to be added.
1. Please send us a little info about yourselves as we like to introduce our new sign-ups to others for networking purposes. (See our transmittal email page for examples.) If you do NOT wish to be recognized, please let Pete know, otherwise we will list you. 2. We provide these news clips summaries as a way to share information of a general nature and it is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation and advice in a particular matter. The opinions and interpretations expressed within are those of the author of the individual news stories only and may not reflect those of other identified parties. 3. We do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of these news clips, nor do we endorse or make any representations about their content. We only pass them through to our readers and rely on you to check out their content. We don't intend to make any editorial judgment about their content or politics. 4. In no event will I, EStratton Consulting, or my Editor Pete Miller, be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use of or reliance on the contents of this news clips summary. How you chose to use them is strictly up to you. 5. Please fell free to pass the news clips on to any of your networks, so that we may get the word out as far as possible. You may also send in information similar in content to what we pass on. While we may occasionally pass on such information, we don't intend to promote commercial or for profit products nor be a substitute for your own efforts to promote your own entity or website. We especially welcome information about national funding or training opportunities. 6. If you pass on our clips, please also pass on our Disclaimer.
EDITOR/CONTACT
Pete Miller, [email protected], @OHCircuitRider
Ohio Attorney General's Task Force on Criminal Justice & Mental Illness
Veterans In The Courts Initiative
Editor/Publisher - Veterans Treatment Court News Daily
Editor/Publisher - Traumatic Brain Injury Nes Daily