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Dr. Katherine Selber, Professor, School of Social Work &
Texas State Veterans Advisory CouncilContact info: [email protected]
University of LouisvilleFebruary 2011
Developing Veteran-Centered Support ServicesDeveloping Veteran-Centered Support Services
Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview• Background on Texas State’s Veterans Initiative.• Needs assessment study. • Veterans support services @ Texas State University.• Emphasize Health & Behavioral Health Support Services• Lessons Learned on program development.
Texas: Home to Many Veterans Texas: Home to Many Veterans & Dependents& Dependents
• Texas has over 1.7 million Veterans• Ranks 3rd in number of veterans• Ranks 2nd in female veterans 2009
(160,000)• Has 16 military installations• Ft. Hood has deployed more troops
than any other installation in the U.S. some have deployed 6 and 7 times
• Has been home to more Military Widows that any other city in the country
• Large concentrations of Guard & Reserve
Sources: http://www.texvet.com/facts.asp &http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/& Grace After Fire
www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/tmpc
Map of Military Bases in Texas
Texas State University- San MarcosTexas State University- San Marcos• Located in San Marcos- central Texas between
Ft. Hood & Ft. Sam Houston/ Lackland AFB• 32,000 students• 35% are ethnic minorities• Is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) (25%)• Has tradition of two ROTC units• Our most famous alum-
President Lyndon BainesJohnson
This Generation of Student Veterans@ Texas State This Generation of Student Veterans@ Texas State • 1745 veterans & dependents •90% vets/ 10%Guard/Res • 10% Graduate/ 90% Undergraduate •70% male/ 30% female• Most are full time students •65%Anglo /35% ethnic minority• 2nd largest vet enrollment of 4 year colleges in Texas
Texas State’s Philosophy & Key Steps in Developing Texas State’s Philosophy & Key Steps in Developing a Model Since 2008a Model Since 2008
Keeping Us Veteran-CenteredKeeping Us Veteran-Centered Focus Groups- yearly
Individual Interviews with Vets-Each semester 30 interviews
Needs Assessment on-line
Veteran participation & input in all events & activitiesDominque LaVista ©
Needs Assessment March 2010On-line needs assessment March 2010
N=338 (26.7% response rate) (1252 total distribution)
Process for Developing instrument
Topics: adjustment, health, educational, financial, and career issues, military background, demographics
Time: 20-30 minutes to complete
Student Veterans Reported Unmet Health NeedsStudent Veterans Reported Unmet Health Needs
Job& Career Concerns of Student Veterans
• Major or Moderate Concerns about all aspects of their futures:– Finding a job (64%)– Being happy with a job (61%)– Sustaining certainty in career plans (55%)– Maintaining confidence about job search (49%)
• About 1/3 needed part-time work
• Student Veterans see a university degree differently than traditional students
Texas State Student Veterans are At-RiskTexas State Student Veterans are At-Risk• Multiple deployments (71%)• To combat zones (94% Iraq) (17% Afghanistan)• Wounded, injured or physically hurt during military service (41%)• Still having trouble with injuries (44%)• Having health problem related to deployment other than wound or
physical injury (38%)
Dominque LaVista ©
Risks of Dropping Out
• 21% stated they were experiencing difficulties that may make them drop out;– 69% of those said it was due to financial difficulties
– 39% said due to educational challenges
– 33% due to health issues
– 38% due to personal issues
Overview of Support Services Overview of Support Services @ Texas State @ Texas State
• Orientation &Academic Support
• Health & Behavioral Health Support
• Career & Employment Services
• Campus Training & Awareness
Orientation & Academic SupportOrientation & Academic Support
• Veteran only orientation services semester prior to enrollment & first week by vets
• Occupational Education major withhigh flexibility uses portfolio approach forgranting credit
One-Hour Required Freshman Seminar, Peer Speakers• Vets Only Sections• Topics: Campus & Community Services; Financial Aid;
Employment; Career Advising; Self Care; Stress Management; Relaxation & Sleep Needs; Relationships
• Assignments- vet resource fair, journals, transition paper
Orientation & Academic Support Services
Dominque LaVista ©Dominque LaVista ©Dominque LaVista ©
Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support• Individual & Group Counseling Services by Vets- our
staff & Vet Center staff
• Initial agreements to have VA sign up vets for health care
Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Veterans Alliance @ TxStateOver 400 membersMonthly luncheons, brief speakers-
100 + attendEvents- 5k race, Veterans Day, Intra-
mural SportsMonthly socialsStudent Veterans of America chapt. Training in State Peer-to Peer Model
Dominque LaVista ©
Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Family & Friends of the
Military @ TxStateFor spouses, significant others,
siblings, parents, friendsHelp Support Veteran eventsMonthly socialsTraining in Family Resiliency
ModelsDominque LaVista ©
Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Sleep Study with Respiratory
Care Department*Outreach for Pilot Sample*Actigraph Watches*Preliminary Results*Refer to Sleep Clinic*Refer to VA or Private Practice*Meditation Group Starting-
Mindfulness MeditationDominque LaVista ©
Health & Behavioral HealthHealth & Behavioral HealthCase Management: Assessment, Referral,
Linkage, Follow-up– Social Work Masters Interns Assigned to
Veterans Initiative– Faculty Supervised– Called Veterans Interns– Outreach to vets
• From Veterans Affairs Office• Calls for those on Alert List due to low GPA• Self referrals• Referrals from faculty, staff- disability services• Voluntary
– Focus on first year vets
Health & Behavioral Health SupportHealth & Behavioral Health Support Wounded Warrior
Alternative Scuba Diving *Partnership with Center for
the Intrepid Ft. Sam Houston
*Texas State Aquarena*Outreach to recruit to
campus as students*Veterans Alliance gives back
Dominque LaVista ©
Career & Employment*Partner with Texas Workforce Commission
Veterans Leadership Project*Partner with Goodwill Industries to bring their
employment team to campus via Texas Veterans Commission Texas Lottery funding
*PACE center opens 2012- electronic portfolios*Use of Social Work Interns for job assists
Campus Training & AwarenessCampus Training & Awareness
Campus-Wide Training for Faculty & Staff : Helping Veterans Succeed: who are vets, where have they been, challenges, tips for working with, campus resourcesWorkshop format 1 ½ to 3 hours Twice a semester & by special requestTied into Veteran Friendly Office Program Award Plaque
Started with Academic advisors
Campus TrainingCampus Training
• Social Work Elective Course/Next Step Certificate– Train social work and others to work with troops/vets– Student Vet Interviews & Team Projects
Dominque LaVista ©
Lessons Learned Lessons Learned
1. Vet-Centered/ Peer-to-Peer Models
2. Ask Veterans What They Want/Need
3. Develop Partnerships: Inside & Outside
Best Practices & Lessons LearnedBest Practices & Lessons Learned
4. Start Small: Pilot & Test
5. Must Get Faculty Involved
6. Active Outreach is Essential
CreditsCredits
• Thanks to Dominque LaVista for communication design work on photos
• Thanks to my son for his photos from his combat deployments and for his service and sacrifice.
• Thanks to all the troops and student veterans for what they teach me every day.
It is an honor to serve them.