Initiatives Addressing Returning Veterans and Families Reintegration Issues

The New York LawHelp Consortium has launched a special section of their Web site dedicated to finding free legal aid services for veterans and active military in New York State. The online search tool offers tailored information for veterans based on location including links to finding a lawyer, resources describing legal rights, assistance finding and using the courts of New York State, and links to other helpful veteran services. All content is available on a Spanish mirror Web site and legal rights resources are available in more than 30 languages.

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Conceived in 2007 by Major General Joseph Taluto, Adjutant General and Commander of the New York National Guard, and implemented in April 2008, the New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program aims to facilitate National Guard combat veterans’ transition from full-time soldiers to citizen soldiers by linking them with valuable information and services. Prior to 2008, when Army National Guard units returned from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the policy was to give the soldiers 90 days to themselves before they were required to begin coming to regular monthly National Guard weekend drills.

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On Veterans’ Day 2008, New York State Governor Paterson signed an Executive Order establishing the New York State Council on Returning Veterans and Their Families to develop recommendations for a comprehensive strategy to address the multiple needs of veterans and their families in adjusting to post-service life, which involves a collaboration of Federal, State and local benefits.

The Rochester Veterans Outreach Center, an NYSHealth grantee, has launched the Vet Rec program to help reintegrate veterans into their community. The Greater Rochester Veterans Therapeutic Recreation Program, or Vet Rec, helps veterans with both physical and mental injuries through recreational activities like golf and fly fishing.

Help Base Greater Rochester is a Web site directing returning soldiers and their families to local services. The website was launched by a consortium of organizations for veterans including NYSHealth grantee the Rochester Veterans Outreach Center. The Web site contains a searchable database on veteran support groups, financial assistance programs, child care options, employment assistance, mental health and substance abuse services, and legal assistance services available in the six-county region. Returning soldiers, servicemembers and their families can choose the type of services they seek in a specific county and they receive a list with descriptions of programs that match their criteria and military status, as well as a contact person's name, direct phone number and e-mail.

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The Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester (VOC) established OPERATION WELCOME HOME & RECOVERY (OWH&R) to identify and bridge the gaps in support services required by veterans and their families. OWHR conducts outreach to veterans and their families, identifies their needs, and mobilizes new and existing community resources to assist. OWH&R is guided by an Action Coordinating Team, which comprises regional leaders from VOC, the Veterans Administration, and community-based organizations.

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This Outward Bound program offers wilderness expeditions free of charge to veterans who have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan to encourage camaraderie and help veterans readjust after leaving the combat zone.

The Real Warriors Campaign is an initiative launched by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury to promote resilience, facilitate recovery and support reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families.

Troops-to-Teachers (TTT) provides Referral Assistance and Placement services to military personnel interested in beginning second careers in public education as teachers. The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel to transition to new careers as public school teachers in targeted schools.

A veteran's experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are unimaginable, and returning home isn't always easy. Family members or friends of a veteran have the power to help, but knowing where to start can be difficult. This Web site has resources, services, and tips for friends and family members on how to communicate and support their loved ones who are now veterans.

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Give an Hour (GAH) is a nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. GAH seeks to do this by reaching out to mental health providers nationally and asking them to donate one hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families.

Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support the children and youth impacted by deployment. Operation: Military Kids, as part of the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project, is a vital part of the Army OneSource (AOS) delivery system. Families and youth can access information about OMK programs, link to OMK partner programs on this OMK Web site or by contacting their State 4-H Military Liaison.

The National Guard’s Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) help National Guard members and their families meet the challenges of military life by providing many types of practical and emotional support. An FRG is important during normal duty because it forms a strong network of families and military personnel that helps prepare families for mobilization or deployment, and ensures that all arrangements are complete.

Talk, Listen, Connect is a multi-media initiative that provides educational support for military families with children between the ages of two and five who are experiencing the effects of deployment, multiple deployments, and combat-related injuries. Talk, Listen, Connect provides separate educational modules for parents and children and is available in English and Spanish. This educational support tool was launched in 2006 by Sesame Workshop—the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street—and is available free of charge.

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The Iraq and Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund (IADIF) was created within the California Community Foundation (CCF) to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that offer direct services and other forms of assistance to American military personnel and/or their families who have been impacted by deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A joint effort of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council, the Community of Veterans site is designed as a resource for our nation’s newest veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping Veterans.